Teaching your child to drive can be exciting and emotional, and you want it to go as smoothly as possible. If you’re getting ready to slip into the passenger seat alongside your teen, remember, you’ve got this. In honor of Teen Driver Safety Week, we’ve put together a guide to help.
Tip #1: Remember there is no common sense for new drivers.
Your teen is used to zoning out on car rides, maybe listening to music on headphones or playing with his/her phone. As a result, teens may not even know familiar routes. They also probably won’t understand the impact of some decisions that they make behind the wheel. Before you even get in the car, prepare your young driver for the road.
Make sure your son or daughter knows the special driving rules for teens in your state, such as curfews and number of passengers allowed.
Show your teen where the car’s registration and insurance are kept.
Set the rules to minimize distracted driving. If you allow the radio or other music, make sure it’s set before you drive. Avoid eating while driving. Keep cell phone use for emergencies only.
Discuss when your teen should pull over to the side of the road, such as when he or she is drowsy or when ambulances or police cars sound their sirens.
Note that there are rules of the road to follow, and sometimes being nice (e.g. braking hard on a major road to let a car in) is an unexpected move that could cause an accident.
Remember that basic driving skills are natural to you but new to your child. Take the time to practice in a low-pressure environment, such as an empty parking lot. Spend at least three 45-minute sessions with your teen in the lot before moving on to other driving scenarios.
Practice adjusting and using side and rearview mirrors.
Remember to look where you want to go.
Start and stop smoothly. Experiment with stopping distances based on speed.
Understand the vibrations of the anti-lock braking system which can startle drivers.
Practice driving on the right side of the road and making turns into the correct lane.
Pull into parking spots and back out.
Tip #3: Build skills slowly.
Slowly progress to roadways requiring different levels of driving skill. Spend at least 2 hours each on the following areas before moving on to the next level.
On neighborhood roads, practice:
The position of your car on roads with and without lines.
Turning right and left, with and without stop signs.
Using the shared left turning lane to exit the road.
On high-speed main roads, practice:
Lane changing at high speeds (different in feel from changing at low speeds; less steering required).
Merging onto a high-speed road.
Negotiating traffic circles and U-turns.
On highways, practice:
Merging onto a highway from an entrance ramp and exiting on an exit ramp.
Using mirrors to merge and change lanes.
Which lane to use for which purpose (e.g. left is the passing lane).
How to identify your location if your car breaks down on the highway.
Tip #4: Lead by example.
Your son or daughter may inherit your driving habits, so make sure to model the behavior that you want to see. As your teen becomes more comfortable driving, he or she may become critical of your driving habits. Use those as teaching opportunities.
When you drive:
Enter the GPS destination before you leave.
Wear your seatbelt.
Don’t text and drive. Don’t eat and drive. Don’t drink and drive.
Don’t speed.
When your teen drives:
Respect your teen as an adult. Don’t micromanage the driver.
Avoid high levels of emotion. That can create fear. Anticipate dangers and discuss them calmly before you reach them.
Remember to praise your teen for a job well done.
Make sure that your car is well maintained and fully insured with your teen listed on the policy. Talk to your insurance agent about ways that you can save with a teen driver.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
It takes just about 30 seconds for a small fire to turn into a major blaze. That same fire can destroy your home in minutes. Spending some time to fireproof your home, inside and out, can help to protect it. Fireproofing can also buy you precious time if you need to escape your home and get to safety.
Whether it’s a fire that accidentally started in your home or a wildfire in your area that could affect you, the following guide lists ways to reduce the risks.
Inside Your Home
The kitchen is a common place for fires to start while we’re cooking.
Clean the grease and oil on your stovetop and around your stove. These oil deposits are fuel for a fire.
Avoid storing things above or around the stove that can catch fire, such as pot holders, paper towels, and wooden spoons. Make sure flammable cleaning chemicals are stored safely away, too.
Stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking. Don’t leave your home with the oven on.
If a fire occurs in the kitchen, cover the flames and remove it from the heat. Don’t douse it with water. That can cause an explosion of oil. See our blog for tips on how to prevent and handle cooking fires.
Electrical outlets can only handle a certain amount of power. Overloading them can lead to a fire.
Don’t overload outlets. Limit the use of extension cords. Don’t plug too many appliances into one outlet.
Unplug appliances (coffee maker, toaster) when not in use.
Plug large appliances directly into wall outlets, not into extension cords.
If you’re constantly tripping the breaker or blowing a fuse, you’re either overloading your outlets or you may have something wrong with your electrical system. Get it checked out.
Space heaters can sometimes spark a fire. Position them carefully.
Place your space heater on a hard non-flammable and level surface.
Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn.
Avoid putting heater cords where they can be pinched by furniture, under rugs, or carpets.
Turn off the heater and unplug it when you leave the room or go to bed.
Pro Tip: Choose a space heater with an automatic shutoff safety switch if it is overheated or tipped over.
Dryers are filled with dust, fibers, and lint that is fuel for fires.
Clean the lint filter in your dryer before each use.
Check the air vent pipe at least once a year and remove built-up lint.
Clothes stained with chemicals or cooking oil should not be put into a hot dryer, even after a wash cycle. Use the lowest setting.
Install a smoke detector in each bedroom and in areas outside bedrooms. Make sure there is at least one on every floor.
Test batteries every month. Change batteries twice a year. Replace smoke alarms at least every 10 years.
Get a fire extinguisher and keep it in an easily accessible location. Make sure it is an ABC-rated extinguisher that is good for fires involving combustible materials, flammable liquids, and electrical equipment.
If you’re planning a home improvement project, consider fire doors and fire-resistant flooring.
Fire doors can hold flames and smoke back, giving you time to escape.
Synthetic and wool carpets spread fire. Fire-resistant carpets slow down the spread.
You can also treat your carpet with flame retardants.
Outside Your Home
Depending upon the material, roofs and siding can catch fire. Chimneys also can ignite.
You may not have a choice in the material of your roof. But if you do, choose fireproof options such as tile, metal, or concrete.
Similarly, choose materials like stucco or stone for siding. If you must use wood, paint it with a fire-resistant coating.
Embers can enter through openings. Cover soffit vents and gable end vents with 1/8-inch wire mesh.
If you have a chimney, get it professionally inspected and cleaned once a year. The buildup that sticks to the inner walls is flammable.
Clogged gutters filled with leaves, branches, and other debris are flammable.
Clean your gutters regularly and consider gutter guards to keep debris out.
Choose metal gutters rather than vinyl ones that can melt during a fire.
Windows can break when exposed to extreme heat.
Install dual pane window glass, which is thicker and can last longer than traditional glass in a fire. These windows are also energy-efficient and can save you money.
Windows are usually framed in wood, which can be a way for fire to enter your home. Instead, frame windows in metal.
Replace nylon window screens, which may melt, with metal screens.
Consider nonflammable shutters, which are similar to hurricane shutters.
When doing home improvement projects, choose materials that are fire-retardant.
Replace wood decks with tile, concrete, brick, or stone.
Use fire-resistant materials, when possible, with your projects. Examples include gypsum boards, perlite boards, calcium or sodium silicates, treated fibers (cotton, hemp, flax), treated lumber, brick, concrete, and cement.
Fire prevention starts in the yard. Create a border around your home that is fireproof.
Get rid of flammable vegetation and replace it if desired with fire-resistant plants. Examples include California lilac, ornamental strawberry, French lavender, California Fuchsia. These plants are high in moisture content.
Similarly, plant fire-resistant trees such as cherry, birch, and poplar.
Replace mulch with gravel. Mulch is highly flammable while gravel is not.
Consider paving with stone or concrete to create an additional barrier.
Trim trees near your house so that fiery branches will have fewer chances to drop on your roof.
Downed power lines are electrical fire hazards. If your trees are growing between the power lines, report them to your power company, which may come and trim them for you.
Water can be effective in slowing down a fire.
Invest in fire sprinklers which release water when they detect fire. (These are also available for the interior of the home.)
Wet down your deck, bushes, and grass if you are anticipating a wildfire danger.
Make sure you have home insurance that protects against damage caused by accidental fires and wildfires. The right insurance provides peace of mind in the event of a fire.
If you’d like to learn more, see our blog about fire zones and what they mean for your home.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
It’s that time of the year again, the time when we share important information about our student’s progress with their families. Parent-teacher conferences are wonderful opportunities to build bridges between home and school. But when you’re faced with doing 2 dozen or more of these meetings back-to-back, it can be daunting.
Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran teacher, here’s how you can prepare for, and organize, your parent-teacher conferences this year.
1. Send a pre-conference letter.
Not only does a letter get parents thinking about conferences, but it can also get them engaged. Include a section that asks for specific questions or concerns that parents want to cover at the conference. There could be a box to check that they have no questions or concerns at this time. See this free sample letter. Manage parent expectations by explaining the conference process and the need to stick to the schedule. Include clear directions on how to sign up for a timeslot.
Pro Tip: Send out the pre-conference letter as a Google form.
2. Schedule enough time.
Not all conferences have to last the same amount of time. Take each student into account and schedule extra time to discuss those who are struggling. You will need to have a more thorough conversation with those parents. You also will want to schedule more time with parents who have a lot of questions. (You’ll know from the pre-conference letters.) Offer flexibility, such as a Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype options for parents who cannot make it to school. They will appreciate that.
Pro Tip: Use a scheduling tool like Calendly or appointment slots on Google Calendar to allow parents to sign up for timeslots that are in-person and/or virtual.
3. Create a script and agenda.
You have a tight timeframe to accomplish a lot. That’s why writing down what you will cover will help. Start by sharing something positive about the student. Then summarize learning goals. Review student grades and work. Share student strengths and areas for growth. Answer questions and give your contact information. Remember that this is just a snapshot, and you can follow up as needed.
4. Gather student work and assessments.
Now that you know what you’re going to cover, it’s time to gather test results and other assessments, work samples, and anecdotal notes for your students. Then you’ll need to separate them by student in folders. Include any behavior concerns. Be honest in a caring way, and stress opportunities for growth.
Pro Tip: Ask students to choose work samples – one piece they are proud of and one where they feel they can improve.
5. Create a waiting space.
Inevitably, parents will show up early or you will run late and they will be waiting. Prepare a sign for the door that tells parents that you are still in a conference. When you are ready for them, you can invite them into the classroom. You also can create a small station where waiting parents can write notes to their children and put them in a class mailbox.
Pro Tip: If you have a classroom device, you can invite parents to leave a funny selfie to surprise their children.
6. Be welcoming.
Greet parents warmly. Sit side-by-side with them as you talk. It’s more friendly and non-threatening than sitting across a desk and sends the message that you are truly partners in their child’s education. Use positive body language. Finally, if parents have to bring their children, have an area set aside with puzzles and quiet activities to limit distractions.
Pro Tip: Prepare for parents who may have a language barrier. In these instances, you can invite them to bring the student to translate or you can ask them to have an interpreter on hand.
7. Encourage questions.
You will likely do most of the talking in a parent-teacher conference. Yet you do want to get parent input. Ask at least twice if they have any questions. Share how they can help their child at home. For example, students struggling with getting homework done can use a planner and parents can check it every night. Make sure that parents have your email address in case they need to contact you following the conference.
8. Remain professional.
You are representing the school. Don’t talk negatively about other teachers or administrators or complain about school policies. Never discuss other students’ behavior. If a parent becomes hostile, don’t argue. Use active listening. Discuss how both parties want what’s best for the child. Invite the parent to a follow-up conversation with you and the administration.
9. Set an alarm.
Your parents may need a cue that the conference is wrapping up. Set an alarm on your phone or another device to ring five minutes before you have to end. This will be a polite reminder that you have other families to see. If more time is needed with this particular parent, now is the time to schedule a follow-up conversation.
10. Practice self-care.
During conference week, you’ll likely log long hours. That’s why self-care is so important. Get enough sleep. Bring snacks and water. Schedule and take bathroom breaks. Plan a low-key, relaxing time leading into, and following, the conferences so that you can recharge.
Pro Tip: Some schools offer free childcare for teachers during conference week. Babysitting is done by PTO volunteers or high school students. Check if this is a possibility.
Finally, consider alternatives to and/or additions to parent-teacher conferences. Student showcases, group conferences, kid conferences, and grade-level dialogues are a few examples of how your district can reinvent the traditional parent-teacher meeting.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
We have amazing employees at California Casualty. The NewEmployee Spotlight is a series aiming to highlight the talented individuals that are brand new to our team. Please help us give them a warm welcome!
Malawi, Africa. Currently working in our Arizona Office.
What is one interesting fact you want us to know about you?
I am a book worm
If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chicken
What do you like to do on the weekends?
Reading
Cooking
Listening to music
What made you want to start your new career with California Casualty?
It’s a family-owned business!
If you want to learn more about Caroline or are interested in a career at California Casualty, connect with her on LinkedIn! Or visit our careers page at https://www.calcas.com/careers
Students learn best when they feel safe, comfortable, and valued. But for students who are being bullied, that’s not the case. Bullying is distracting and anxiety-producing. It affects student self-esteem. It creates an unstable environment for the whole class.
As a teacher, you work hard to create that safe space to learn. Here are some strategies that you can incorporate into your teaching and into your classroom to help keep it that way, and prevent bullying before it starts.
Talk with students about bullying.
Most students know the term “bullying,” but the definition can be confusing. Is name-calling considered bullying? How about gossip? Teach your students that bullying involves words or actions that hurt others intentionally, and that often are repeated. Read and review examples of bullying. Teach kids safe ways they can stand up for others or share that they are being bullied. Your school’s guidance counselor can be a great resource and may even teach the lessons.
Pro tip: Assign a creative writing piece about bullying, such as a poem speaking out against it or a story or skit teaching others to help. Assign an art project about bullying. Display the posters around the classroom and school.
Watch for gateway behaviors.
Behaviors that exclude another student or defy authority are often the actions that can escalate into bullying. These include eye-rolling, staring at others for extended periods, teasing or name-calling, and sarcasm. Laughing when students get hurt or encouraging others to laugh also are concerning behaviors. Finally, excluding or ignoring classmates, refusing to work with certain students, and ignoring teacher or staff instructions are actions that can lead to bullying if not addressed. Make sure that students know that these behaviors are unacceptable in your classroom.
Look out for cliques.
You work hard to foster a sense of community in your classroom. Cliques can undo your good work, and isolate students. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on them. Rotating seating can help. Use teacher-selected groups so that students get a chance to work with everyone. Remember that students don’t learn to be inclusive on their own, so you will need to teach them.
Look for silent signs of bullying.
When a student is being bullied, there may be subtle shifts in behavior. You may notice changes in the child’s schoolwork or class participation. You may observe signs of anxiety or depression. Maybe there are injuries, torn clothing, or damaged property. If you see any red flags, take the time to talk one-on-one with the student. Determine if there is a potential bullying situation, and then take appropriate action.
Listen to students.
Take every student complaint seriously. You may be the first, and only, trusted adult to be told this information. Don’t take the chance that it’s nothing. Intervene thoughtfully with both the victim and the bully separately. Remember that the bully needs guidance too. Know your students’ personalities. What may be a joke to one student could be humiliating to another.
Pro Tip: Create safe and confidential ways that students can report bullying.
Be visible and close by.
You can’t be everywhere all the time, but when you are working, you can put yourself in places to observe potential bullying situations. Stand outside the class in the hallway during class changes. Walk by the bathroom during high-use times, or by out-of-the-way corners, when your schedule allows. Sometimes the presence of an authority figure can help prevent poor behavior.
If you see bullying, intervene right away.
Avoid thinking that “kids will be kids.” That’s not an acceptable reason for bullying. When you see concerning behavior, stop the interaction. Remember that bullying is not the same as conflict. It is an unbalanced situation. Talk to those involved privately and separately. Follow your school’s protocol for bullying. Re-establish your classroom as a safe space. Keep an eye on those involved to help prevent future situations.
Be aware of cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying can happen outside the classroom and affect what happens in the classroom. Teach students how to protect themselves from cyberbullying. Tell them not to share their passwords. They also should not post anything online that would hurt someone or even share it privately with a friend (as that can be shared with all). Tell students to talk to a trusted adult about any messages that make them feel sad or scared.
Many schools have zero-tolerance policies on bullying with severe consequences such as suspension and expulsion. That can make staff and students less likely to report bullying behavior. Talk with your administration about any concerns you may have, and keep lines of communication open with students, parents, and staff. You can be a caring role model in creating safe spaces for all to learn, grow and find their full potential.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
