Get your students up and moving at your Valentine’s Day classroom party with our list of fun Valentine’s Day-themed brain breaks!
These YouTube videos are all free and great for socially distant in-person learning, and for hybrid or online teachers looking for activities to help their remote students get their wiggles out. Check them out below.
Find the Gnome is a brain break activity that has students guess where the infamous gnome is hiding by performing exercises, yoga poses, and dance moves. Whoever has the most right guesses at the end is the winner. Click here to play!
Students can help St. Patrick’s leprechaun deliver Valentine’s Day cards on Rainbow Road. Seems easy, however, Rainbow Road is full of obstacles like wind tunnels, unicorns, and wind that the students must get around by performing different actions. Click here to play!
The Learning Station is back with this great sing-a-long Valentine’s Day song for young kids! Get your littles excited by having them stand up and sing and dance along to this fun and catchy toon. Click here to play!
The older kids can also enjoy a fun dance along by learning how to line dance with GoNoodle! These steps can be pretty tricky so here are some instructions to go over before the music starts: right grapevine – kick – left grapevine – kick – front grapevine – stomp – back grapevine – stomp – right heel, heel – left heel, heel – toe – toe & heel 3x’s – JUMP! (and say Yee Haw!) & start from the beginning. Click here to play!
In this video, students choose which shadow is the correct true love of the Disney character. Whichever shadow they choose, they are to do that workout. At the end of the workout, the shadows are unmasked and they will see if they answered correctly. Whoever does gets a heart; most hearts at the end wins. Click here to play!
Students will be asked a series of Valentine’s Day questions, where they will get to pick their favorite answer. Whichever answer they choose, they will have to do the exercise that appears after it for 30 seconds. Click here to play!
Cupid has lost feathers from his wings and cannot fly without them. It’s up to your students to help him collect his wings, but they will run into some obstacles along the way. Run, jump, throw, duck, and more to help cupid collect all of his feathers so he can fly on Valentine’s Day. Click here to play!
Students can get up from their seats and dance along to Jack Hartmann’s song, but when the music stops they have to FREEZE! (Feel free to make up rules about students who are left dancing, like having them do jumping jacks until the next FREEZE.) Click here to play!
With this fun workout, your students will feel like they are in boxing class! They’ll air punch, dodge, duck, and jump through all of the obstacles as the (anti-Valentine’s Day) video plays. Just make sure students are spaced out for this one so there are no accidents. Click here to play!
You can’t go wrong with a calming session of Cosmis Kids Storytime and Yoga! This is a two-in-one video that features a Frozen story and a Harry Potter story, so kids can choose which one they would rather do. Click here to play!
If you are looking for something else to do for your classroom party, here are some other great Valentine’s Day activities for kids on YouTube to check out. They may not get kids up and out of their seats, but they are every bit just as fun!
This article is furnished by California Casualty. We specialize in 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.
After months of Covid restrictions and lockdowns, many people are reviving travel plans for work or to see family.
Travel increases your risk of both spreading and getting Covid-19, so if you’re looking to book a flight, hotel or rental car soon, check out these tips to keep yourself, your family, and others safe.
General Precautions
You can decrease risk of transmission by doing the following during your entire trip.
Always wear a face mask (and carry a few extras) when around others.
Follow social distancing rules – stay at least 6 ft from others as much as possible.
Wash your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds. Carry hand sanitizer with you and use it as a back-up if you can’t wash your hands.
Avoid contact with frequently touched surfaces such as elevator buttons, kiosks, or handrails.
Stay away from anyone who exhibits signs of illness such as sneezing or coughing.
Don’t touch your face.
Check local requirements and restrictions. For instance, some cities require travelers to self-quarantine for two weeks if they’re traveling from a coronavirus hot spot.
Be sure your packing list includes cloth face masks, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and a thermometer.
Flying
Most people who fly use rideshare services to and from the airport. Those encounters, in addition to various check-ins and queues at the airport as well as your time on the airplane itself, all bring you in close proximity with others who may carry the virus. You can protect yourself by employing the general precautions above and also doing the following once at the airport.
Follow the rules posted at airports, which have put precautions and protocols in place to reduce crowding and maintain social distancing.
Some airlines are leaving middle seats open or otherwise spacing guests out. If yours isn’t, and your flight is relatively empty, you can ask to be moved to a more isolated seat.
Keep in mind that most viruses and other germs are not spread easily on planes because of how air is filtered and circulated onboard. That said, if anyone near you is coughing or sneezing, turn on the air vent above your seat and aim it toward you – this will blow any airborne droplets away from you.
Although most airlines are doing deep cleans of passenger areas between flights, it doesn’t hurt to sanitize the most used areas: seat belts, armrests, tray tables, overhead controls, light buttons, call buttons, and the lavatory handles.
Car Rental
When it comes to vehicles, they actually pose a fairly low transmission risk because viruses don’t live long on hard surfaces and any that are present would typically be present in a low quantity (“low viral load”). Transmission risk is between people than between people and objects. Still, there are a few good rules of thumb to go by.
Try to go with a company that has touchless check-in and drop-off, and uses a socially distanced protocol for rental activities.
Check with the rental company’s cleaning policy and make sure you’re comfortable with it.
Once inside the car, wipe down the most-used surfaces: key fob, seatbelt buckle, gearshift, steering wheel, buttons or knobs on the console, door handles, etc.
If you’re using the rental car to go on any multi-day journeys, check our tips for road-trip safety.
Hotels
Most hotels have adopted major overhauls to how they’re cleaning and sanitizing guest rooms, lobby areas other areas of the hotels. That said, you can do things to further reduce your risk.
Check their website for enhanced cleaning/sanitizing protocol.
Be especially cautious in the lobby, elevator, and at the front desk — these are high-touch places where people tend to congregate.
If possible, ask to be put in a room that’s been vacant for 24 hrs.
Disinfect high-touch surfaces in your room: light switches, doorknobs, tables, countertops, latches and handles, remote control, faucets, desks.
For travel safety during the age of Covid, consistency is the name of the game – consistency of safety habits and precautions. But being a good traveler also means being ready for the unexpected, so in addition to the above, make sure you have a plan ready for if you or a family member does get sick along the way. Hopefully, you won’t need it, but having a plan will make a trying situation a bit less stressful.
This article is furnished by California Casualty. We specialize in 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.
California Casualty along with its long-time partners, the Professional Firefighters Association of Utah (PFFU) and the National Education Association (NEA), recently came together to deliver 85 warm coats to children at risk through the PFFU Coats for Kids program.
Students at Redwood Elementary School in Salt Lake Valley’s Granite School District will be a lot warmer this winter thanks to California Casualty, PFFU Local 2970, Star Orullian of Granite Education Association, Redwood Elementary School Principal Jolynn Koehler, and NEA Member Benefits Affiliate Relations Specialist, Sean Mabey.
Coats for Kids was established in 2013 by the Professional Fire Fighters of Utah to combat one of the most fundamental hardships of childhood poverty- the absence of a warm winter coat.
For more than a decade, PFFU has watched the problem of childhood poverty creep mercilessly into the homes of the communities it serves. Poverty ravages families without discrimination – and by necessity those struggling to survive naturally prioritize food, heat, and rent above winter clothing.
In Utah, and many other communities across the country, the lack of a winter coat often results in frequent school absenteeism which translates to forgone learning, missed opportunities for socialization and play, and the loss of balanced nutrition provided through the school’s meal program. Helping students stay warm as they walk to and from school leads to increased attendance, allowing children of families in need to experience the critical childhood benefits their school has to offer.
There is no denying the joy of a child being zipped into their brand new coat by their hometown heroes. Since 2013 the Professional Firefighters of Utah Coats for Kids drive has resulted in 2,198 coats purchased and provided to needy children in fourteen different elementary schools in Utah.
“What happened today at Redwood Elementary mattered to many little First Graders”, said Sean Mabey “Seeing those little kids wearing coats, smiling and waving, will be a highlight for me personally this season.”
Representing California Casualty, Assistant Vice President, Valerie Cregan commented, “It is truly an honor for all of us at California Casualty to join in support of our valued business partners in their efforts to help the children of the Salt Lake Valley community.”
“The Professional Fire Fighters of Utah, and all of our IAFF Affiliate Locals are very proud of our ongoing Coats for Kids project. Our ability to supply coats is only possible through our members’ fundraising efforts and our great partners such as California Casualty. As 2020 was a most difficult fundraising year – California Casualty stepped up BIG to help us get more kids in coats just in time for the holidays.” Jack Tidrow, President.
In attendance: Redwood Elementary Principal Jolynn Koehler; Granite Education Association Representative Star Orullian; PFFU President Jack Tidrow; PFFU Secretary/Treasurer Susan Davis; IAFF Local 2970 Firefighters Kyle Stewart, Bronson VonTussenbrook, and Drew Griffin. Attending remotely from California Casualty:Lisa Almeida, AVP, Valerie Cregan, AVP, and Erica Reich, Senior Field Marketing Manager; attending remotely from NEA Member Benefits:Sean Mabey.
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.
If you rent your home, having renters insurance is a no-brainer: It protects against loss and damage to your belongings and usually costs less per month than a fast-food order. But what about when you add a roommate to the mix? How does that affect your policy and coverage?
Here are answers to some of the most common insurance questions in a roommate situation.
Can I share a policy with a roommate?
California Casualty does not allow roommates to purchase a policy together. However, we offer a low or no cost endorsement, “Other Members of Household” that the insured can add to cover the roommate. This endorsement extends coverage for unrelated household members who live and maintain contents at the insured location, like a review. The maximum number of unrelated roommates that can be added to a policy is two.
How do I add a roommate to my policy?
California Casualty does not require both roommate’s names to appear on the lease. We only need the roommate’s name and the estimated value of property and increase the coverage amount if it is not adequate enough to cover the roommate’s personal belongings. You’ll want to go through the policy in detail with your insurance agent and roommate to make sure all the coverage, liability, and policy details are clear, understood, and agreeable to all parties.
What will the policy cover?
All policies have coverage limits. Typically, in a shared policy situation, the coverage limit doesn’t increase with the addition of a roommate but gets split between you. You’ll need to decide if the coverage limit is adequate given the value of your and your roommate’s possessions combined. Policies typically also cover personal liability, which helps cover the costs due to accidental property damage and accidental bodily injury.
What if my roommate moves out?
You’ll need to update your policy as soon as there are any changes to your roommate situation. If your roommate moves out, you’ll need to make yourself the sole policyholder asap. If you decide to bring in another roommate (and you both want to share a policy), you’d need to go through the policy update process again.
Further considerations
If you’re considering sharing a policy but are just not sure, think about the following.
Take stock of what you own. If your possessions are worth much more than your roommate’s, it may not be worth sharing a policy.
Check for potential cost savings. Working with your insurance agent, price out a shared policy versus a single policy. In some cases, a solo policy ends up being more affordable while offering more coverage.
Choose your roomie well! The secret to a good shared policy situation is a strong underlying relationship where you and your roommate are on good terms, can have honest conversations, and trust each other.
Deciding whether or not to share a policy is a very personal and individual choice – only you can know if it’s the best choice for you. But in the end, whether you decide for solo or shared, the most important decision is that you get protection as a renter. Check out the top 5 reasons to get renters insurance here.
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.
Valentine’s Day is almost here! That means it’s time to switch up your winter classroom bulletin boards and door decor to something a little more soft and sweet.
We’ve pulled together the cutest classroom bulletin board inspo for Valentine’s Day- check them out below! And for all of our remote educators, you don’t have to miss out on the fun! Use these ideas for your Zoom backgrounds, or even create a “bulletin board” on a blank wall at home.
1. Books Are Like a Box of Chocolates
Have each child can make their own chocolate to hang on the bulletin board.
2. Love is an Open Door
Because you can never go wrong with Olaf on Valentine’s Day!
3. We TOAD-A-LY Love School
Put each child’s name on a heart, or get creative and have them each make lily pads.
4. Love You to Pizzas
Such a cute and fun reminder to let each child know they are loved.
5. One in a Minion
Who doesn’t love minions?! If you are feeling ~extra~ put some minion googles on each name heart!
6. Llama Tell You
Have each child write their favorite part of class on their own individual hearts.
7. How Many Kisses Tall Are You?
Not technically a bulletin board, but so creative and perfect for Valentine’s day!
8. Our Class is Full of Sweet Hearts
If you want a quick and easy Valentine’s Day bulletin board decoration, this is perfect for you!
9. Yoda One for Me
Alt. Title “Friends Forever, We Are” Put student names in the hearts – or for all our Mandalorian fans, use frogs 😉
10. Are You a Library Book?
Because nothing will even beat a good punny pick-up line.
11. Love is in the Air
….and so is our class! Add pictures of each student in your hot air balloon.
12. Bee-Mine
You could do so many things with this one! Have students make their own bees, make a honeycomb, put their photo on the bee-heads, etc.
13. Love Letters
So cute! You could even have each child write one good thing about the other and leave them in their envelopes.
14. We LOVE Learning
And we LOVE this. You don’t have to be a Sign Language teacher to use this door decor!
15. We Love School a Latte
Because we know how much you love coffee…
16. Will You Be My Favorite Gnomie?
Put student names in the hearts or have them each make their own cute little gnomes.
17. Black History Month + Valentine’s Day
= YES!
18. We Love Our Lab….A BOT
Or easily change up the wording to suit your classroom!
19. Let Love Grow
Perfect for Valentine’s Day and to leave up for Spring.
20. 28 Ways to Love Yourself
Because students need to know it’s important to themselves, just as they love others.
21. Reading is a Tweet!
If you make the birds look like the Twitter birds, it will surely get your student’s attention.
22. OWL Love You Forever
Simply, adorable, and easy to incorporate student art. What’s not to love?
22. “…Taught to Love”
Another one of our favorite Black History Month + Valentine’s Day bulletin boards.
23. A Cup of Kindness
Kindness week is ALSO in February, if you want to combine the two 🙂
24. Sending Love Your Way
Let your students paint or color their own hearts. You could even have them write what they love on them!
25. 100 Reasons Why
Have each student write on a few hearts why they love their class.
*BONUS* Anti-Valentine’s Day
Because not everyone has to love the holiday.
Head over to our Pinterest for more Valentine’s Day Bulletin Board options! Don’t forget to give us a follow at California Casualty to stay up to date on every new idea we discover! Scan our Pincode with your Pinterest camera to follow:
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. California Casualty does not own any of the photos in this post, all are sources by to their original owners. Get a quote at 1.800.800.9410 or www.calcas.com.
Students at Redwood Elementary School in Salt Lake Valley’s Granite School District will be a lot warmer this winter thanks to California Casualty, PFFU Local 2970, Star Orullian of Granite Education Association, Redwood Elementary School Principal Jolynn Koehler, and NEA Member Benefits Affiliate Relations Specialist, Sean Mabey.
Representing California Casualty, Assistant Vice President, Valerie Cregan commented, “It is truly an honor for all of us at California Casualty to join in support of our valued business partners in their efforts to help the children of the Salt Lake Valley community.”
