This is an open letter “Thank You” to our custodians.
To keep a school running, it takes a village- especially now.As much as teachers deserve praise and support for all of the work that they do inside (and outside) of the classroom, there are other unsung heroes that walk the halls every day making sure our students have a safe space where they can learn and grow.
School custodians are one group of support professionals that are those heroes.
Custodians are responsible for more than just sweeping floors, wiping tables, and hitting the lights at the end of the day. They are a schools’ first line of defense against viruses (like COVID-19), harmful bacteria, and disease.In providing a clean and safe environment, custodians help enhance the physical well-being of all students.
So to all of our school custodians out there:
Thank you for being fearless. This year is very uncertain, yet you put student health before you own and show up every single day, oftentimes working longer hours putting yourself at increased risk of exposure, to help continue to keep our children safe and healthy.
Thank you for your dedication. We all know what the floor of an elementary school looks like after snack time and we can only imagine what the inside of a locker room is like after game, but you dive in head first time and time again.
Thank you for being caring. You go above and beyond your job description every day, quietly watching over our students in the hallways and making sure nothing seems out of place. And even helping teachers arrange desks after-hours with a smile on your face.
Thank you for putting our students first. For cleaning out lockers and cubbies, wiping down desks, and sanitizing rooms multiple times a day. Thank you for making sure our doors are locked, drafty windows are fixed, and playground equipment is in tip-top condition.
Thank you for being a role model. For getting our school ready for visitors, for putting in the late hours, for always saying hello, for always being willing to lend ahelping hand, and most importantly for caring for our students.
Thank you for all of the hard work that you do for our schools.
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.
The weather’s getting cooler and the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air! Time to take a break from your everyday teaching worries and have fun creating some cozy fall bulletin boards for your kids and classroom.
We’ve pulled together our favorite ideas for Autumn, Thanksgiving, and Halloween below. Check them out!
1. Welcome To Our (crazy) Pumpkin Patch
Have students each create their own silly-faced pumpkin (and do the same with turkeys during Thanksgiving, “welcome to our flock”)!
2. The S’more You Read…
Because who doesn’t love a cozy fall bonfire?
3. Look Who’s Hiding in the Leaves
Take photos of each kid in your homeroom individually to let them show off their own unique personality.
4. I Put a Spell on You…
…and now you’re in my class! Add your own twists- give the witch a tulle skirt, put kid’s pictures on the bubbles.
5. Give Thanks
A powerful quote with a super cute background, what more do you need?
6. Come Hang With Us
Have each student create their own spooky spider for your class web.
7. A Harvest of Good Reading
Let each student pick their favorite books to go in the barrels!
8. Trick-or-Pete
Any Pete the Cat lovers? This is the bulletin board for you.
9. Happy Fallidays!
With the cutest little handprint leaves.
10. Cutest Pumpkins in the Patch
Have each student personalize the pumpkin with their name to add to the patch.
11. Fall into Learning
For an aesthetic fall classroom.
12. FRANKLY, I love…
…books, science, math, history, your class- anything!
13. We’re Wrapped Up in Learning
The most creative AND easy!
14. Thankful for My Pumpkins
You could even put children’s names or cut out photos on the pumpkins.
15. The Nightmare Before Midterms
The awesomeness pretty much speaks for itself on this one…
16. 30 Days of Thankfulness
Have each student write what they are thankful for and uncover & read one each day!
17. I See You
Add words like, “in this class, you’re never alone,” or leave it blank and spooky.
18. A Thankful Heart
You could even have each student’s name on a feather instead.
19. Who’s Hiding in the Pumpkin Patch?
Place each student’s name on the outside (or have them draw a jack-o-lantern face) and put their photo inside!
20. Come in My Pretties
Who doesn’t love a spooky door?!
Head over to our Pinterest for more Fall Bulletin Boardoptions! 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.
We have amazing employees at California Casualty. The Employee Spotlight is a new series aiming to highlight those talented individuals that make up our successful company culture and community. From human resource recruiters and learning and development trainers to claims adjusters, marketers, customer support specialists, partner relations, sales representatives, and beyond; each week, we’ll highlight a new team member, so you can get to know us better and see how our employees make us who we are as a company.
This edition of the Employee Spotlight will feature our Field Marketing Manager, Tara Stoudt
Tara has been with us for 2 and a half years and works remotely in the Field for the Eastern Pennsylvania Region (Northeastern, Eastern, and Mideastern).
Let’s get to know Tara!
What made you want to work as a Field Marketer for California Casualty?
I’m a self-starter and liked that the Field Marketing Manager position was an opportunity to create and manage my success.
I also wanted to have a better work-life balance and CalCas provided that for me too!
What is your favorite part about your job?
Our members and leaders: everyone that I get to interact with daily keeps everyday fun and exciting. I love that my job is never boring!
CalCas cares about us as individuals and our overall well-being. It is nice to work for a company that values their employees and members.
I also enjoy the flexibility of planning my schedule and what we do for members like our Music and Arts Grant. Presenting multiple grants last school year was so rewarding and meaningful for me because I was involved in those programs when I was in school.
What have you learned in your position at California Casualty?
I have learned how to read people and their needs, the amazing work that our members do, and more about myself.
What are your favorite activities to do outside of the office?
I’m a self-proclaimed foodie and enjoy cooking and eating; a lot of eating! My favorite meal to make is Chicken Parmesan.
I’m also a music junkie so I love to go to concerts, play guitar & ukulele, and make custom playlists for my friends and family.
Top 3 Desert Island Albums:
“Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles” John Mayer
“Rumors” Fleetwood Mac
“Take Care” Drake
Anything else you would like the audience to know about you?
I grew up in Pennsylvania but lived in South Carolina for four years while attending college at Coastal Carolina University. Go Chants!
I have a mild obsession with eyeglasses and own enough pairs to wear a different one every day for two weeks.
I LOVE dogs; I want to pet every dog I see!
I’m not a big movie fan and prefer TV shows.
Top 3 Desert Island TV Shows:
Parks and Recreation
Grimm
Bones
If you want to learn more about Tara 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
Traveling with a toddler is always an adventure — no matter where you go!
In observance of Child Passenger Safety Week, we’ve compiled a safety checklist for trips near and far. And because we care about your mental health (wink), we’ve also included some parental survival strategies for good measure.
Plan your getaway and go make some great road trip memories!
Safety First
Make sure your car’s road-ready – A lot can happen out there, so be sure to get your car serviced ahead of time. Tires, oil, engine fluids, wipers — make sure they’re all in tip-top shape.
Get a car seat inspection – If you have any doubts about whether your car seat’s installed properly, you can book an appointment with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician in your community by visiting here (use the search tool at the bottom). While you’re at it, register your seat online so you can get notified in case of a safety recall.
Guard against heatstroke – Heatstroke can occur at any time of year, in any condition, and in any community. Protect your child by taking them with you instead of leaving them in the car alone and always looking in your car before locking. Keep your vehicle locked when not in use (and keys away from curious little hands).
Eliminate back over risk – Tragically, many children are killed or injured by cars backing out of driveways and parking spaces. There are many precautions you can take as a driver and ways you can protect your children against a backover accident — see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s list here.
Don’t leave them alone in the car – Even if you need to run into the store for “just a minute” it’s better to be safe than sorry. From heat stroke to foul play to your child getting loose in the car, the risk of leaving them in the car far outweighs any savings in time or trouble.
Make sure you have roadside assistance – Out of mind when you don’t need it, priceless when you do — roadside assistance is especially important when traveling with young ones. It usually covers towing to a service station, battery jumping, flat tire repairs, unlocking car doors, and a range of other catastrophe rescues.
Pack your first aid kit – Bruises, scrapes, stings, sunburns, and splinters are just as likely to happen away from home. Be ready with your kit, and maybe even refresh your first aid and CPR skills.
Prevent power window injuries – Keep little fingers, hands, and wrists safe by using the power window locks, making sure toddlers are secure in their car seats, and teach them not to play with the switches.
Secure the seat belts – Keep your child from getting entangled in seat belts by securing the loose ones within their reach. Ensure they’re restrained in their car seat at all times while in the car.
Sanity-Savers for You
Separate the kids – It’s inevitable: if you’re traveling with more than one kid, they’re going to fight at some point. Get ahead of the inevitable by seating them as far from each other as possible. Obviously, the bigger the car, the easier this is.
Take breaks – Kids need to move. Heck, adults need to move! If you can look for parks or playgrounds, all the better — but any place that lets you stretch your legs, move around and break up the monotony will work.
Prep your hygiene arsenal – Make sure to pack plenty of potty supplies, wipes, tissues, and paper towels (not to mention cleaning supplies for spills and food accidents).
Kid-ify your itinerary – Plan your trip with your kid(s) in mind. This means taking nap schedules and energy peaks/valleys into account, and planning out when you’ll arrive at destinations (and what those are), when will be best for the multi-hour highway time, etc.
Stock up on healthy snacks – Having nutritious snacks on hand prevents you from desperation-buying chips at the gas station or sitting through a sugar crash tantrum. Raw veggies, fruit, trail mix, crackers, and low-sugar baked goods are usually winners.
Don’t forget the entertainment – Keeping toys and books close to your toddler will allow you to keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. If your car has a screen, bring in-flight entertainment! Finally, playing road games is a favorite, no matter the generation.
Bring binkies and blankies – It’s important to pack some comfort from home if you’ll be gone for any length of time. Blankies and binkies might calm your child like nothing else in the midst of the excitement and new surroundings.
Prepping ahead of time will make any road trip smoother, but it does wonders for traveling with toddlers.
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.
Booster seats were designed for that critical time when a child has outgrown their car seat but isn’t yet tall or heavy enough to be safe in a seat belt alone.
Here’s a primer on the different booster types, tips for buying and installing one, and help on determining when it’s safe to transition your child out of the booster for good.
Booster Seat Types
There are 4 types of boosters, differentiated by your child’s needs and also your preferred functionality.
Backless Booster Seat – Boosts the child’s height so that the seat belt fits properly. Best for cars that have headrests.
Booster Seat with High Back – Like the first seat type, this raises the child’s height so as to ensure a proper seat belt fit, but it provides neck and head support.
Combination Seat – Accommodates a child’s growth by transitioning from a forward-facing seat with a harness into a booster.
All-in-One Seat – Like the combination seat, this one transitions as well, but goes from rear-facing seat, to forward-facing, and finally to a booster.
Whatever style you choose, make sure the seat has a guide for your car’s shoulder belt, so that it lies across their torso correctly. Also, make sure the guide allows the belt to retract easily. Some seats have clips, wings, and even adjustable bases, all of which further tailor to your child’s height/weight and the specifics of your vehicle.
Learn more about seat types at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) page.
Tips on Buying and Installing
Buying a booster seat
Always buy new, as used seats may not fit your child correctly or could even be unsafe.
If your child weighs less than 40 lbs, a combination seat may be your best bet.
Avoid seats with a reclining feature as they can put your child at an increased risk of injury in an accident.
Installing the seat
Like car seats, boosters should only be installed in the back seat.
The safest spot is in the center of the rear seat — which best protects against side-impact crashes — but only if your vehicle has a lap and shoulder belt in the center. If there’s only a lap belt, put the seat on the passenger side so you can better see your child from the driver’s seat.
If using a combination seat, use the anchoring system. This is called the LATCH system, short for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.
Use the seat’s belt-positioning clips if it came with them. They ensure that the belt crosses your child’s chest correctly.
A Checklist: When Can They Graduate Out of a Booster?
According to the NHTSA, more than 25% of kids aged 4 to 7 are transitioned out of a booster seat too soon. The organization recommends that children continue using a booster until they’re at least 4 feet 9 inches tall AND 8 to 12 years old. They should also have outgrown the seat manufacturer’s weight and height recommendations.
If you can answer “yes” to all of the below when your child is sitting on the vehicle seat, then they can move from a booster to seat belts only.
Is their back flat against the seat back?
Do their knees comfortably bend at the seat’s edge?
Does the shoulder belt lie between their neck and shoulder?
Does the lap belt lie against their hip bones/tops of thighs?
Can they remain comfortable for the whole trip? (i.e. without fidgeting, sliding, or pushing the belt out of position)
We know that boosters can be a hassle and that you’re probably fielding the “Do I still have to use the booster seat?” question a few times a week — but hang in there! Graduating your child when they’re actually ready to leave the booster is much safer for your precious cargo — and may be closer than you think.
Booster seats? Check. Need tips on car seats? Check out our blog post 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.
