It seems like just yesterday they were graduating kindergarten. Now your son or daughter is getting ready to graduate high school or college…and you couldn’t be more proud, excited, and maybe just a little bit sad that this chapter is coming to a close.
You’re not the only one feeling this way. (Chances are your son or daughter is too.) Here’s how you can prepare for the big day to help everyone celebrate this milestone to the fullest—and honor all that has happened to bring you here.
1. Embrace the emotions—all of them.
Ask any parent who’s had a child graduate. You can expect a roller coaster of emotions in the weeks before, the day of, and the weeks after. Accept them. Share them, as appropriate, with your child, your partner, and other parents experiencing the same thoughts and feelings. Your role as a parent is changing and it’s okay to feel a little sad or overwhelmed. Your child is probably feeling similarly, in saying goodbye to school friends and transitioning to the next phase. Tell your son or daughter what it was like when you graduated. This may encourage him or her to share their thoughts and feelings with you. Put graduation in perspective and remind yourself that your child is growing up and going on to accomplish big things in the real world. That’s something to celebrate.
2. Mark your calendar.
The last thing you want to do is double book something on graduation day, or schedule things too close to the big day. You want to be sure that you know exactly when and where you need to be. Mark the date and time clearly on the calendar, and include any other important dates leading up to the event. While high schools hold a single commencement, universities typically hold several—small commencement ceremonies by program or major and a large graduation ceremony for all—so make sure you get everything written down. This is a great time to make appointments for haircuts, manicures and pedicures, or any other personal grooming that you desire.
3. For graduation out of town, book a hotel and transportation.
If your student attends school away from home, you’ll want to make sure that you book your hotel, airfare, and rental car well in advance. Hotels are especially important as there are limited rooms near campus and lots of families who will be booking them. The university may have a graduation page on its website with recommendations for hotels. You can also check Airbnb, VRBO, and other rental sites. There are plenty of ways to save money when you travel.
4. Plan who is attending which graduation events.
There is likely a limit to how many guests may attend graduation. That may cause some family drama, especially if you’re dealing with divorce or extended families. Start with a conversation with the graduate-to-be. Discuss their wishes and your own. Know that you can’t please everyone. Make thoughtful decisions, and try to include everyone in some way or another. For example, arrange a watch party for the virtual event while parents attend in person. Then meet up afterward for a celebration. Do you have two students graduating at two different locations? See who can attend so each student has someone there.
Pro Tip: Sometimes schools will have extra tickets available after the initial ticket distribution. If you are looking to seat an additional family member, it’s definitely worth inquiring. Also, if you need special accommodations such as handicapped seating, inquire well in advance.
5. Choose a place for your celebration.
If you are going out, keep in mind that you’ll need to make reservations. Every restaurant within a short drive will likely be filled with families celebrating graduation after the ceremony. Discuss with your student where you may go to celebrate and when so that your son or daughter will also be able to connect with friends if desired. Or you can choose to have a graduation party at home, where you can invite friends and family to come and celebrate all together. Just be sure to make food/dessert arrangements and send out invitations in advance.
6. Set the stage with some great decor.
Celebrate the happy occasion with the neighborhood by posting a Happy Graduation Sign on your front lawn or front door. This helps create a festive mood leading up to the event and also is great for photos. Whether or not the graduation party is at home, add some festive touches like balloons, streamers, and banners. You can even create a photo collage of your child over the years to show how far he or she has come!
7. Choose a graduation gift.
You want something for your graduate to remember the occasion but it doesn’t have to be an expensive gift. Some families use graduation to pass along treasured heirlooms or create meaningful gifts like family trees or photo albums. High school graduates may get a college survival kit; similarly, you can make one for a college graduate moving away from home. Some other popular gifts include luggage (for future travel), savings bonds, laptops or smart devices, and jewelry. You also can find personalized gifts on Etsy and lists of suggested graduation gifts online.
8. Figure out the logistics.
This is one time you absolutely do not want to be late. Are you the one dropping off? Determine how long it will be to get to graduation. Leave plenty of time in the schedule to get to where you need to be. Account for traffic. Allow time for taking photos before you leave. Before you drop off, arrange with your student where you will meet up afterward amidst the post-graduation crowd. It’s going to be busy—and they are all going to be dressed alike!
9. Know what to bring—and not to bring.
Review the rules for graduation. You may not be able to bring food or drink, or even large purses. Is the ceremony outdoors? Bring sunscreen and a hat, or an umbrella and raincoat if necessary. Wear comfortable shoes; there will probably be a lot of walking. Don’t forget to pack that extra pack of tissues or a handkerchief to catch all of those tears of joy!
10. Enjoy the moment.
This is the day you’ve all been waiting for. Celebrate it with pride, and enjoy every moment—even the ones that may not be picture perfect. Your child has reached an incredible milestone and you were a large part in helping them take this step toward their future. Reminisce, but try and keep all of the baby photos and embarrassing stories packed away until you get home. Your child will appreciate it. Go ahead and make some memories that you’ll be able to cherish for years to come. Don’t forget to take pictures.
Happy graduation from all of us at California Casualty!
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 the first Friday in May, which means it’s National School Lunch Hero Day!
School nutrition professionals play a vital role in your students’ well-being. They provide healthy meal choices to hundreds of students each school day. They have to be aware of food allergies, know children’s preferences, and serve it all up with a smile. Our school lunch heroes are definitely someone to celebrate.
As educators, this day is a chance to encourage creativity among your students, teach gratitude, and tie into curriculum areas from language arts to art, music, science, and mathematics. Here are just some ideas.
– Say thank you with a card: Unleash your students’ creativity with food-themed thank you cards. Make a pizza or a hamburger card. Then have students write personal notes of appreciation, thanking their lunch heroes for their dedication.
– Blast it with a banner: Make a class banner to display in the cafeteria. “Hands down, we’ve got the best lunch heroes” could feature handprints from your class. Or take it to the next level with a submarine sandwich banner. There’s no limit to your creativity!
– Voice it with a video: Create a video of your students sharing what they like most about lunch at school, and of course thanking their school lunch heroes for making it possible!
– Say it with a song: Have your class learn a song to sing to the lunch staff. Consider writing a parody from a song like “Still the One” or try this favorite nursery rhyme, “I’ve Got Something in My Lunch Box.”
– Plant it with a flower: Decorate empty milk cartons from lunch and plant flowers in them as special gifts for your school lunch heroes. You can even pair this with a science lesson on plants or growing food.
– Print out a certificate: Create a certificate of appreciation from your class and frame it. As a social studies project, you can even have them write a proclamation similar to what government officials provide.
– Write a poem: Unleash student creativity with an acrostic class poem about school lunch heroes. Use the words “School Lunch Heroes” or expand on them so that every student in your class can come up with a word. Consider displaying the poem on a poster for the cafeteria.
– Count it up: Give a math challenge to your students to calculate how many lunches are served in a week to how many students. Vary the challenge by grade level. Then have students make a graph to illustrate their calculations. Title the graph with a big thank you and “We count on you!” headline.
– Hold a book buffet: Invite your school lunch heroes to read a book in your classroom. They can share a favorite book of theirs or choose one in the class. Follow it with a class reception prepared by students (with the help of parents) so that you treat lunch heroes to a healthy snack.
– Share on social media: Include the hashtag #NationalSchoolLunchHeroDay and people will see it all over the world. You can also use that hashtag to search for ways that schools are celebrating.
National School Lunch Hero Day is a partnership with the School Nutrition Association and author Jarrett J. Krosoczka, who wrote the Lunch Lady book series. To learn more, and get downloadable materials and ideas for activities, visit http://www.schoollunchheroday.com/.
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.
Over the past few years, our Teachers have been working harder than ever to help students succeed. Let’s also remember that aside from their duties in the classroom, many teachers have their own kids and are actively involved in school clubs and sports programs.
This National Teacher Day and Teacher Appreciation Week, communities across the country will celebrate teachers—thanking them for their dedication, hard work, and the lasting impact they have on our nation’s kids. And they deserve an extra-long standing ovation.
Here are some ideas on how to show your child’s teacher your appreciation for all that they give.
A Personal Note. Nothing beats a heartfelt, thoughtful thank you. Take some time to reflect and convey how your child’s teacher/educator impacted them, and what they’ve meant to you. Bonus: send a note to the school’s principal saying why you appreciate them.
A “Thank You” From Your Child. This could be a handwritten note, an artwork, or even a video message. Ask your child to share their favorite memory from the year, what they will miss most about their teacher, or the special things they learned from them. Take a photo of your child holding a “Thank You” sign and share it with their teacher.
Social Love. With the teacher’s permission, give them a shout-out on Instagram. Thanking them online will give them well-deserved recognition and send good feels through a larger community. It may even inspire others to thank their own beloved teachers and share favorite school year memories. You can also tag the post with #ThankATeacher to join NEA’s larger movement online.
Gift cards. You can never go wrong with gift cards. Get creative! Cards for things like iTunes, Amazon, booksellers, Netflix, and HBO can be used right away, while those for movie tickets, coffee, and restaurants will be a welcome treat when social distancing starts to relax.
Classroom Supplies. Hopefully, someday soon teachers won’t have to spend their own money on classroom supplies. In the meantime, your donations will help—everything from pens, notepads, books, and post-its to arts and craft supplies. If it’s difficult to deliver the real thing, a gift card could do.
Going Big. Go in with another family or two for something really special—for instance, a spa day, massage, or a membership to a local botanical garden or museum.
A Meaningful Donation. If you know a cause that they’re passionate about, making a contribution to a charitable organization in their honor would mean a lot.
Volunteer. Given that teachers are designing and growing new learning environments—sometimes on the fly—check in and offer your time or expertise. They may need help with end-of-year activities or other events. And something to keep in mind: teachers appreciate the help and support all year round! Be a teacher’s ally—offer to volunteer in the classroom or at school events.
Teachers are so often at the heart of our communities. Thanking and celebrating them in your own thoughtful way will remind them of their importance, influence, and unique gift of service.
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.
In our world of constant communication, it’s easy to be distracted from really listening to someone. Yet good listening skills take us far—in the classroom and beyond. Good listening skills build relationships and resolve conflicts. They help students learn, and help all of us make fewer mistakes and waste less time.
As teachers, we understand that listening is an important soft skill, but we may not teach it. Here’s why you should, along with some guidance on how to improve listening skills for you and your students.
Active vs. Passive Listening
It’s easy to be a passive listener. That’s listening as we multitask. As passive listeners, we divide our attention between listening and doing something else. That does not benefit us as teachers or students. Rather, active listening – focusing all of our attention on receiving and processing information – helps us to fully understand what is being communicated.
Active listening helps students:
Follow directions
Understand expectations
Spend more time on task
Connect to content and increase understanding
Active listening helps educators:
Better understand student needs
Provide meaningful feedback
More fully engage students
Communicate well with parents, peers, and the administration
How to Teach Active Listening
It feels good when someone is actively listening to you. Demonstrate that to your students by modeling two conversations – one with active listening and one with passive. Discuss the importance of active listening. Then, walk them through the process of how to be an active listener together.
To be an active listener you need to…
1. Focus.
It’s easy to be distracted by the things in our environment, from our phones and devices to other people and happenings around us. To be a really good listener, you have to focus solely on the person talking to you.
Don’t multi-task, look around, or think about things you need to do.
Do give the speaker your undivided attention. Put aside your phone, papers, or any potential distractions. Face the speaker and maintain eye contact. Be present in the moment.
2. Receive.
The best listeners are those who are receptive to new information. You need to be ready to receive a message in order to listen. Importantly, good listeners are not critical. They create a safe environment where others may share their thoughts.
Don’t be judgmental. Don’t engage in a conversation if you’re not ready to listen.
Let go of your opinions during the conversation. Listening does not mean you agree with the message, only that you respect another’s right to express it.
3. Visualize.
As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. That’s why it’s helpful to visualize what the other person is saying. In addition, knowing the speaker’s emotional state will help you more fully understand what he or she is trying to communicate.
Don’t assume you know what the speaker is saying or feeling.
Do listen to the words and picture what the speaker is saying. Pay attention to the speaker’s nonverbal cues, from body language to the tone of his or her voice. Try to feel what the speaker is feeling.
4. Wait.
It’s tempting to interrupt a speaker and impose your thoughts or solutions right away—especially if he or she says something that relates to your life. It’s easy to get sidetracked but that’s not good listening. We all think and talk at different rates. Let the other person have a chance to speak.
Don’t interrupt or jump in with your own thoughts or questions. Don’t finish the other person’s sentences. Don’t sidetrack the conversation by starting a new, related or unrelated conversation.
Be patient. At first, it might be hard to simply wait. With practice, it will get easier.
5. Understand.
Eventually, you’ll want to ask a question or two. Questions show that you are listening and that you want to understand what the speaker is saying. Your goal is empathy—to feel what the speaker is feeling. Empathy creates a connection like nothing else does.
Don’t spend the time planning what to say next. It will distract you from what’s being said.
Do wait until the speaker pauses to ask questions to clarify the message. You can say something along the lines of “Can we back up for a moment? I have a question about …”
6. Respond.
You do not have to be perfectly silent or still in the listening role. Good listeners consistently provide feedback whether it’s a word of confirmation or a nod of agreement.
Don’t just sit there or zone out, even if you’re bored.
Do nod and show your understanding through appropriate facial expressions. Interject with a well-timed “hmm” or another simple statement that confirms the message the speaker is sharing.
7. Summarize
You will want to ensure that you correctly understood the message. At the end of the conversation, try telling the speaker what you heard.
Don’t make a long summary statement. The purpose is not to capture every detail but merely the essence of the message.
Do let the speaker know that this is what you understood and ask for clarification if it is wrong. If there’s follow-up to the conversation needed, now is the time to mention the next steps.
Practicing Active Listening
Active listening takes practice. Model good listening skills and call attention to them as you are doing them. Involve students in the process regularly with active listening activities. Examples include:
Partner conversations
Journal entries following a lesson or other presentation
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!
Today we’re spotlighting New Claims Adjuster. Rich Gilliam
Let’s get to know, Rich!
Where are you from?
I work in the Arizona office, but I’m originally from Farmington, NM.
What is one interesting fact you want us to know about you?
I am a two-time brain cancer survivor.
If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Steak
What do you like to do on the weekends?
Theatre
Singing
Spending time with my sons
What made you want to start your new career with California Casualty?
I enjoy being a claims adjuster and love the company culture at California Casualty!
If you want to learn more about Rich or are interested in a career at California Casualty, connect with him on LinkedIn! Or visit our careers page at https://www.calcas.com/careers
