web.finds
EMBELLISHED NOTE
PADS
What’s New...
IN THE KIDBIZ
NY’S NEW PLAN
BENEFITS FATHERS
& THE ENTIRE FAMILY
As a former elementary school teacher,
Bonnie at “The Pin Junkie” should know
what type of gifts teachers would really
appreciate. She created embellished Post-
It notes – something we ALL use! — by
folding scrapbook paper to fit around
the pad and adding color-coordinated
monograms. Practical, pretty, and useful!
http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2013/04/
easy-teacher-appreciation-gifts.html
New fathers take less than a week
of paid parental leave if they take any at
all. A majority of Americans support fa-
thers receiving paid parental leave. But
few men take advantage of such pro-
grams, and those who do take only one
week or less, says a new study from
Ball State University.
APPRECIATION BAG
TOPPER
On the same blog page as Bonnie’s embel-
lished notepads, you’ll see this candy bag
topper, which is used to create a very inex-
pensive yet “sweet” token of appreciation
fo r a teacher who has worked hard on behalf
of your child. The topper fits on a snack
size Ziploc bag. The FREE download of the
printable topper is actually found at: https://
www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/
Teach-Quote-Bag-Topper-244036
THANKS FOR
HELPING ME BLOOM!
Jen, known as The Suburban Mom, lives in Orlando,
Florida and is mom to three girls. She created this simple
gift idea using an EOS Lip Balm – they’re fruity, all
natural, and cost about $3 at Target or Walmart. She pro-
vides a printable template for the card — it couldn’t be
easier! Check it out at:
https://www.thesuburbanmom.com/2015/04/28/eos-lip-
balm-teacher-appreciation-gift-printable/
CRAYON MONOGRAM
Jessica, over at Coupon Quilter, created this framed
“crayon monogram” for a total of $6, using 2 boxes of
24 count Crayola crayons, an inexpensive 8 x 10 frame,
cardstock, an X-acto knife to cut the crayons, hot glue
gun, and the large letter printed from her computer. She
provides a great tutorial with lots of photos and great
tips on how to cut the crayons. Personalize with the
teacher’s name, the date, and perhaps a special message
from your child, and you have a unique gift that will be
treasured. (This is also a great decorating idea for your
child’s room!) Find it at: http://couponquilter.blogspot.
com/2012/05/crayon-monogram-tutorial.html
“Paid Paternity Leave-Taking
in the United States,” a study led by
Ball State sociology professor Rich-
ard Petts, found current U.S. paternity
leave policies seem to limit access and
contributes to inequality between men
and women.
“Paternity leave is especially im-
portant to study because it represents
a version of family leave-taking that is
rare in comparison to maternity leave,
yet it offers substantial possibilities for
alleviating work-family conflicts and
encouraging increased father involve-
ment, mothers’ well-being, and gender
equity in the divisions of domestic and
paid labor responsibilities,” Petts said.
The study also found that fathers
who engaged in parenting activities
prior to the child’s birth were more likely
to take paid leave, and longer periods
of leave, than fathers who were not in-
volved prenatally.
The good news here in New York
State is that, as of January 1, 2018,
most employees working for private
employers are eligible to take Paid
Family Leave, which provides job-pro-
tected time off so you can bond with a
newly born, adopted or fostered child;
care for a close relative with a serious
health condition; or assist loved ones
when a family member is deployed
abroad on active military service.
During 2018, you can take up to
eight weeks of Paid Family Leave and
receive 50% of your average weekly
wage (AWW), capped at 50% of the
New York State Average Weekly Wage
(SAWW). You can continue your health
insurance (you must continue to pay
any portion you currently pay) while on
leave and are guaranteed the same or
a comparable job after your leave ends.
To learn more, visit https://www.
ny.gov/new-york-state-paid-family-
leave/paid-family-leave-information-
employees.
June 2018 WNY Family 5