by California Casualty | Calcas Connection, In Your Community, News |
We realize how dedicated you are to making your communities better places. That’s why California Casualty created giving initiatives to say thanks to the members of the affinity groups with whom we work.
Recently, Tucson fire captain Max S. was the recipient of a $5,000 Work Hard/ Play Hard “Choose Your Tools” award from California Casualty. The contest recognized the dangerous work first responders do. Max loved the prize because it’s a gift that will last him a lifetime. “I appreciate California Casualty for understanding how hard firefighters work,” he said.
And New Jersey RN Kellie W., a policyholder herself, started the New Year with a $1,000 Nurses Night Out award from California Casualty. Kellie, a school nurse and a member of the New Jersey Education Association, said, “I was so surprised and honored to receive this prize from California Casualty.”
The Nurses Night Out award was created to thank nurses and nurse practitioners for all they do to keep their communities healthy. The winners can use the $1,000 in any way they wish: hosting a party, a relaxing day at the spa, or taking a much-needed vacation.
Nurse Kellie plans on using the funds for a summer tour of the national parks with her family, but will also treat teachers and staff at the school to a breakfast in the near future.
“California Casualty protects American heroes and we want to show our support to the men and women who take care of America,” emphasized Mike McCormick, California Casualty Sr. Vice President.
TAKEAWAY:
Learn more about the many ways California Casualty gives back to the individuals and groups that we serve by visiting www.calcas.com/newsroom.
Read all the articles from this edition of the Calcas Connection Newsletter:
by California Casualty | Calcas Connection, Consider This |
Taking a ride on your snowmobile can be risky business. California Casualty has protection in case you or a family member accidentally runs into someone else gliding across the ice and snow.
Our snowmobile policies can provide coverage for:
Bodily injury and property damage liability- Comprehensive and collision
- Uninsured motorists
- Towing assistance
California Casualty also has the insurance you need for your RV.
Our Agency Services department can help insure high-performance snow machines and all-season, all-terrain vehicles such as quads and side-by-sides.
California Casualty wants to make sure that you can explore the great outdoors knowing that you have the insurance protection you need.
TAKEAWAY: Find out about the many insurance products California Casualty and our partner companies can provide for your snowmobile, ATV or RV at www.calcas.com/other-insurance.
Read all the articles from this edition of the Calcas Connection Newsletter:
by California Casualty | Educators |
Our Education Blogger is a public school teacher with over a decade of experience. She’s an active NEA member and enjoys writing about her experiences in the classroom.
Teaching financial literacy doesn’t have to be complicated! We’ve got you covered with a breakdown of teaching financial literacy and helpful resources to get you started.
What is Financial Literacy?
Financial Literacy is the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions regarding financial resources. It includes long-term planning skills and everyday use of personal financial literacy knowledge.
Why Should We Teach It?
Many young people lack the most basic of personal finance skills. Students are entering “the real world” with little or no personal finance skills. It is the job of educators to teach students to manage their money effectively. In many states, personal financial literacy is a required standard. However, it should be taught to all students, regardless of state requirements. Students who are taught financial literacy skills are more likely to become financially responsible.
What Should I Teach?
Here are some topics to get you started: budgeting, saving, investing, credit cards, loans, interest, identity theft and safety. You can find basic lessons for even the youngest of students.
Videos
Secret Millionaires Club – Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club is an animated series that features Warren Buffett as a mentor to a group of entrepreneurial kids whose adventures lead them to encounter financial and business problems to solve. The program teaches the basics of good financial decision making and some of the basic lessons of starting a business.
I Rule Money – I Rule Money gives teens the answers to questions about money in a voice they understand: their own. I Rule Money digs into important financial topics without lectures, boring scripts or complicated explanations. Just real teens explaining money matters to other teens in terms they can all understand.
Lesson Plans
Money As You Learn – Money as You Learn provides teachers with Common Core aligned texts, lessons, and tasks that connect the Common Core to real life applications while also equipping students with the knowledge needed to make smart financial decisions.
Scholastic – Adventures in Math: Real-world math and money activities for grades K-8.
EconEdLink.org – CEE’s standards-aligned, active learning lessons provide step-by-step instructions and make your classes educational, engaging and fun.
Hands On Banking – The Hands on Banking courses include free instructor guides with classroom lessons and activities that will help you guide students through real-life scenarios and group discussions to teach valuable financial skills.
Money As You Grow – A resource for parents and teachers with activities and tips.
My Classroom Economy – My Classroom Economy is a program that enables any educator to teach children financial responsibility through fun, experiential learning. It’s a simple classroom economic system based on the idea that students need to earn school “dollars” so that they can rent their own desks. By bringing real-world scenarios into the classroom, students see the impact of their decisions to save, spend, and budget. Everything you need to build a classroom economy is available on this site—for free.
Games
Whats Up In Finance? – Games for grades 6-12.
EcondEdLink.org – Simulations, games, videos and other interactive resources make education fun and engaging for the 21st century learner.
Finance in the Classroom – Interactive games and activities for all grade levels.
Consumer Jungle – Learning about personal finance isn’t always a good time. Fear no more. With all of these games, learning about personal finance will be like taking a vacation to Disneyland. Alright, maybe not that exciting but they might be better than those lengthy lectures from Mom and Dad. The best part — you can search by topic or recently posted. Kinda cool, huh?
Practical Money Skills – Ready to get your game on? Test your money skills and give your brain a workout with these fun and educational games.
The Great Piggy Bank Adventure – The Great Piggy Bank Adventure® online is a virtual board game that educates kids and adults on the importance of wise financial planning. Kids will learn about important financial concepts and use these lessons to complete the game and achieve their dream goals. While The Great Piggy Bank Adventure® is designed for kids from ages 8 to 14, fun-loving adults are encouraged to play with their kids and get involved in their financial education.
Sand Dollar City – Sand Dollar City is an underwater adventure that teaches children ages 8 and up to sink or swim in this virtual world. The story unfolds with your child being given the family‘s candy store. The challenge? Get the store out of debt while turning a profit and beating the competition. It’s real life lessons of business while having fun learning!
The Fun Vault – Find educational money games that are fun and free to play. The Fun Vault introduces kids ages 5 and up to money basics.
We want to hear from you! In the comment section, let us know how you teach financial literacy in your classroom.
by California Casualty | Educators |
Our Education Blogger is a public school teacher with over a decade of experience. She’s an active NEA member and enjoys writing about her experiences in the classroom.
Helen Keller once said “The highest result of education is tolerance.” Tolerance is the ability to accept and respect other religions, ideas, and races without judgement. Teaching tolerance begins with learning about the many differences in one another and celebrating those differences. We are all different in a variety of ways. Differences can include religion, food, socioeconomic status, clothing, customs, language, and disabilities.
Teaching students to be tolerant of differences in others is a critical piece of an effective anti-bullying program. Often, bullying occurs because of intolerance. We can teach students about tolerance in the classroom by teaching empathy and helping students discover their differences.
Start by teaching students about empathy. Empathy is “putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.” Here’s a quick way to get students thinking empathetically: journal or discuss using “How would you feel if . . .” prompts. Some examples include: How would you feel if you didn’t have a bed to sleep in at night? How would you feel if your parent(s) spoke no English? How would you feel if your family didn’t have a car?
Help students discover their many differences. This can be in the form a class discussion, a survey, graphs, partner interviews, etc. Ask students about the foods they eat at home, what languages they speak, which hand they write with, or if they prefer to wear socks to bed. There are many topics from which to choose that are “safe” for the classroom.
When we teach students to be empathetic, to be aware of their many differences, and to be tolerant of differences in others, we lay a foundation for tolerance. Most importantly, we must practice what we preach.
Be the example you want to see in your students. Talk about tolerance daily in your classroom. Accept and celebrate differences in your school.
Online Resources
Teaching Tolerance
Southern Poverty Law Center
One World, One Heart Beating
Start Empathy
Books that Teach Tolerance (from Scholastic.com)
Preschool
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
When a mouse with an unusual name begins kindergarten, the class learns that “different” can be beautiful.
People by Peter Spier
Spectacular drawings and simple text celebrate the richness and excitement of a diverse planet.
Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney
Photographs and whimsical metaphors showcase the beauty of different skin tones.
The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss
Seuss spotlights the silliness of prejudice and fear of the unfamiliar.
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
A baby bat with a bird “mother” tries to fit in while preserving her true nature.
Two Eyes, a Nose, and a Mouth by Roberta Grobel Intrater
Rhyming text and photos emphasize the similarities and differences of people’s facial features.
Yo? Yes! by Chris Raschka
Two boys — one black and one white — explore the joys and insecurities of conversation as they learn to connect and communicate.
Early Elementary
All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka
Children of many ethnicities come together to play, laugh, and enjoy life.
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
An African-American gradeschooler longs to play Peter Pan in the school play, but has to prove a black girl is right for the role.
How My Parents Learned to Eat by Ina R. Friedman
An American sailor and his Japanese girlfriend try to learn each other’s eating style in secret.
Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni
Friends of different colors bring their families together in an abstract look at the way hues blend.
Molly’s Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen
A Russian immigrant teaches her classmates the true meaning of “pilgrim.”
Sitti’s Secrets by Naomi Shihab Nye
Despite national and language barriers, a girl shares a strong bond with her Palestinian grandmother.
Wings by Christopher Myers
A boy who’s “different” finds the courage to be true to himself and others.
Upper Elementary
The Big Book for Peace by Various Award-Winning Authors
A collection of writing and art that explores peace, war, and conflict resolution across the globe.
Children, Just Like Me by Susan Elizabeth Copsey, et al
Photographs and stories depict the daily lives of children around the world.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Displaced from a life of privilege to one of poverty, an adolescent discovers respect for herself and others.
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Lord
A 1940’s Chinese immigrant connects with her new country and classroom through baseball and the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
A boy with an extraordinary talent transcends racism in his segregated community.
Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
Photos, quotes, and her own words describe Ruby Bridges’ integration experience.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
A 1687 Puritan girl risks becoming an outcast in order to help her Quaker friend.
Middle School
Everywhere by Bruce Brooks
Two boys of different races join together to try to help one’s grandfather recover.
The Journey: Japanese Americans, Racism, and Renewal by Sheila Hamanaka
A retrospective exploring the intolerance in America during WWII.
My Heart is on the Ground: The Diary of Nannie Little Rose, a Sioux Girl… by Ann Rinaldi
Forced to assimilate into the “white” world, a Native American girl tries to preserve her past.
Samir and Yonatan by Daniella Carmi
A Jewish teen forges an unlikely friendship with a Palestinian and fellow patient in an Israeli hospital ward.
The Space Between Our Footsteps: Poems and Paintings from the Middle East by Naomi Shihab Nye, ed.
Over 100 Middle-Eastern artists explore life, love, war, and peace across their homelands.
Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman
When a young girl plants lima beans in a deserted lot, she grows a sense of community in her multi-ethnic neighborhood.
Witness by Karen Hesse
Sixteen different characters offer their points of view to racial crisis in a 1924 Vermont town.
by California Casualty | News |
There is much debate about what millennials think and do. Many experts have predicted that they won’t stay with a company very long, and with their swift acceptance of the sharing economy, millennials are the generation that won’t buy homes or cars. That appears to be far from reality. In fact, it appears they are tremendously misunderstood.
“That doesn’t match my life at all,” said Sarah W. I’m in the process of buying a home and I see myself staying at this place for the duration. Sarah is in her second year as a customer service advisor with California Casualty.
Elizabeth C. shares Sarah’s enthusiasm. She and her husband have just bought their first home. She is flourishing as a sales consultant. “I just graduated college in December and California Casualty was one of my first picks,” she said. “It really helps knowing the average person here has been with the company 12 years and many have 20 to 30 years of experience. Most other companies have high turnovers and people aren’t happy. Here, people are happy and they enjoy their job.”
Elizabeth thinks she will be with the company for many 
years.
Sarah concurs, adding that she anticipates staying with California Casualty for decades. She loves working with quality people and doesn’t want to be “one of those who say I worked a year here and a year there.” She added, “People are happy working here and that’s why they stayed.”
California Casualty, provider of auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement professionals, firefighters and nurses, is also looking to prove the so-called “experts” wrong about the millennial generation. The company is now hiring in Leawood, Kansas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Phoenix, Arizona, looking for young, motivated people who yearn for a well-paying career with longevity and stability.
Longevity is the Norm
California Casualty is entering its 104th year as a family owned company. It is guided by the California Casualty Code, written more than 50 years ago, which spells out how clients should be treated. The Code has helped cement long-standing business relationships with the members of the affinity groups that California Casualty does business with.
“I love working for the company because I get to help first responders and American heroes protect their most valuable assets,” stressed Robert H. He can’t imagine working anywhere else, adding, “They treat employees right, and I plan on being one of the long-time veterans.”
Robert and others say it’s impressive how California Casualty values its employees, many who have 25 years or more years with the company.
Deana P. is in her 40th year with the company. What’s the secret to her longevity? “The great culture and so many people living up to the California Casualty Code,” she said. “That and how everyone chips in to help others when there is a coworker in need.”
Steve A., a veteran of more than 30 years, says the family atmosphere is the key. “I like the size of the organization because it allows for individual recognition and there is a sense that individual contributions truly do make a difference. As a privately held company the atmosphere seems less corporate and more personal, and the company is currently headed by a descendent of the founder of the company, who formed the company over 100 years ago. When Beau Brown, our CEO, visits with me, the conversation often involves our families and personal interests. The leadership is supportive, encouraging and professional with ethics being of utmost importance.”
Beau Brown is the fourth generation CEO from the Brown family. He makes it a point to meet and greet as many of the employees as possible. He can often be seen saying hello and catching up with each person, checking to see how their job is going. Providing a quality work/life balance is extremely important to the company, which also allows for casual dress and promotes employee social activities for team members at its service centers, located in Colorado, Kansas and Arizona. Employees are recognized every five years for work anniversaries, and Beau and other Operating Committee executives host and serve an annual lunch at each of the three service centers located in Colorado Springs; Glendale, Arizona; and Leawood, Kansas. Beau feels it’s important that every member of the California Casualty family is thanked and shown appreciation for the hard work they do. The employee-focused approach is resonating with younger workers.
Tiffany L. remarked, “I can’t wait to say that I have worked with this company for so many years. I feel proud to work for a company that lives with integrity and doesn’t just talk about it.” Tiffany, into her second year with the company, owns her own home and cringes at those throwing money away on rent each month.
California Casualty wants to share its promise of stable, rewarding employment with people who value helping those who serve our communities.
And, for members of the younger generation who want to buy a home and drive a vehicle they own, California Casualty is ready to offer a career that can span decades. Are you ready for a rewarding career with California Casualty? Check out opportunities and apply at https://www.calcas.com/careers.
