August Newsletter 2021 - Fabricare Center

August Newsletter 2021

Fabricare Center Blog

Back to School

Ben Feingold | Fabricare Center Owner

Every year it seems like school starts earlier and earlier. It’s hard to believe we’re already in August, summer has come to an end and the kids are on their way back to school. The days at the pool and camp are now traded in for new teachers, new classmates, and a new routine for the school year ahead. 

By now, you’ve probably spent the better part of the last few days of summer sifting through your kid’s dirty laundry. Families with children returning from sleepaway camp have duffel bags full of stinky clothes to tend to. It’s time to get a handle on the endless piles of laundry and move on, so the kids can start the new school year off with clothes looking and smelling like new. 

One of the most fun highlights leading up to a new school year is purchasing new clothes and picking out what you’ll wear on the first day of school. My wife and I have enjoyed shopping for our little boy as he gets ready to start school for the very first time. We’ve been diligently labeling his clothes, blankets, and other items in anticipation of his first day! 

With the start of the school year, many after school activities, such as football, soccer, baseball, dance, and gymnastics will soon begin. This means another whole set of clothes to add to the seemingly endless laundry rotation. 

While technically summer has come to a close with the start of school, it’s still August…in Atlanta, and the weather is hotter than hot. Let us make sure your kids’ new wardrobe, uniform, jerseys, leotards and more are looking and smelling fresh for the year ahead. We are big believers in the “look good, feel good” mentality. So take one more thing off your endless to-do list and take advantage of Fabricare Center’s wash & fold service today. Spend time doing what you enjoy with those you love, and leave the overflowing piles of laundry to us!

Kind regards,


Lessons from Expert Educators

Each school year offers exciting opportunities for little learners to discover and explore new topics, make friends and master new skills. While much of the focus is on families during the back-to-school season, it’s also an important time for educators, especially those who are working with young children or are just starting their careers. These tips from award-winning and long-term educators can help new and aspiring teachers prepare for a successful start to the school year and their careers. 

Communication is Key 

Making time to connect with families gives teachers opportunities to build bonds, which is essential for success. Communicating and understanding their unique needs shows you have their children’s best interests at heart. By regularly sharing stories and observations about each child’s progress, teachers can also provide families with a sense of reassurance their children are being recognized and cared for as the unique people they are. 

Never Give Up on a Child 

Each child faces unique hurdles as he or she climbs the educational ladder, with some facing more challenges than others. While at times it can be frustrating to tailor lesson plans to meet each child’s individual needs, Joan Coberg, a teacher of 40 years, recommends one important trait: patience. 

Set Boundaries for Success 

Similar to open lines of communication with families, getting to know your students individually can help build relationships necessary for a successful school year. Jami Vandegrift, a prekindergarten teacher and 2018 KinderCare Teacher of the Year, “As you build relationships, you will start to establish boundaries and routines, “Once you feel comfortable with the kids and the room, you can start bringing in the curriculum. Starting as a new teacher, I always thought I had to do it all at once. I’ve learned over time to start small and build each week on something new.” 

Be Willing to Change 

Consistency and structure within the classroom setting are important for establishing routines, but it’s also helpful to have an open mind and to stop an activity when children lose interest. Be observant, flexible and willing to rethink schedules, classroom arrangements, transitions and more. Stopping to observe and ensure students are engaged can help promote success as many children learn best when fueled by personal interests. 

Let Children Choose Their Paths and Recognize Accomplishments 

School days often include activity time when students can explore interests like art, music, physical activity and more. When it’s time for activities, try letting children choose what they’d like to do first. This can help foster independence while easing transitions, according to Hattie Mae Covington, a toddler teacher of 45 years. It also opens the door for teachers to cheer on their students for succeeding in activities of their choosing. 

“Kids, especially young children, love to be recognized and rewarded for doing good work,” Covington said. “High fives and smiley face stickers go a long way toward encouraging them and helping them be successful. Celebrating students for their accomplishments can be a meaningful way to create bonds that support their ongoing interest in learning.”


Deliver Flavor & Nutrition Despite Busy Schedules

As kids and parents return to busy schedules full of sports, homework and weeknight activities, building a plan for nutritious and easy meals can be challenging. Piecing together a menu that fuels active minds without spending hours in the kitchen is a common goal for many families. 

These recipes require minimal prep and call for on-hand ingredients like dairy food favorites that provide nutrients people of all ages need to grow and maintain strong bodies and minds. 

Chopped Chicken Taco Salad 

Recipe courtesy of Megan Gundy of “What Megan’s Making” on behalf of Milk Means More 

Prep time: 15 minutes 

Cook time: 15 minutes Servings: 4 

Dressing: 
1 cup plain Greek yogurt 
1/3 cup buttermilk, plus additional (optional) 
1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lime juice, plus additional (optional) 
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro 
2 tablespoons taco seasoning 

Salad: 
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts 
2 tablespoons taco seasoning 
2 tablespoons olive oil 
1 head leaf lettuce, chopped 
1 avocado, chopped into bite- sized pieces 
1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed 
1 cup corn 
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, chopped 
1 cup shredded cheese (Monterey Jack or Mexican) tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips, for topping 

To make dressing: In small bowl, stir yogurt, buttermilk, lime juice, cilantro and taco seasoning until combined. Taste and adjust lime juice and cilantro as needed. If dressing is too thick, add buttermilk 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

To make salad: Season chicken on both sides with taco seasoning. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Add chicken to pan and cook on both sides until outside is golden brown and chicken is cooked through. Remove to a cutting board and slice into strips. 

On large platter, heap chopped lettuce. Sprinkle chicken over top. Add avocado, beans, corn, tomatoes and shredded cheese. Drizzle dressing on top and sprinkle with tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips.


Tips from Teacher for Choosing Quality Child Care

As families across the country get ready for back-to-school season, many are also preparing to return to in-person work, which means finding the right program to support their children’s ongoing learning and development. According to “The Current State of Scientific Knowledge on Pre-Kindergarten Effects” report, choosing a quality preschool helps children start elementary school prepared for success. 

Knowing what to look for when choosing the right child care provider for your family can be stressful. However, these insights from KinderCare teachers with 40-plus years of classroom experience and Teacher of the Year honorees can help remove some of the mystery. 

Make a list of what matters most: Before beginning your search, take some time to think about specific wants and needs for your family and children, whether that’s kindergarten-readiness, social and emotional development or convenient location. Write down the things that matter most to your family and refer to that list when you’re speaking with potential providers and asking questions. 

Put yourself in your child’s shoes: When you look around the classroom, be sure to look for child-sized furniture and age-appropriate books and toys within children’s reach. This can help inspire their natural curiosity, encourage independence and build confidence. It’s also important to know how play is incorporated, how it’s facilitated and to see purposeful opportunities for play in each classroom. 

“There should be areas set up with enhancements that incorporate toys, blocks, art materials and dramatic play,” said KinderCare Teacher of the Year Sara Fouriner. “Teachers should share how they’re fostering social and emotional skills, executive function, problem solving, language and regulation skills in children by oering clear examples and putting evidence of learning on full display.” 

Ensure safety and quality are priorities: Health and safety took center stage in 2020 and remain top priorities for many families. Ask questions about each potential provider’s safety rules and practices in addition to their curriculum. It may also be beneficial to ask if their programs are accredited by a third-party agency, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Accreditation means the center’s program is held to high standards and exceeds basic requirements set by state licensing. 

“As a mother, grandmother and teacher, I believe families should look for a center that is clean and accredited,” said Dorothy Ellison, an early childhood teacher of 40 years. “Families should also inquire about child-to-teacher ratios, sta training and hiring practices, supervision, emergency prep, illness policies, communication and the quality of caregivers in each program.” 

Look for teachers who love what they do: Great teachers have a natural ability to connect with every child in their care. If children love their teachers and school is a safe, happy place for them, there are typically few limitations on what they can learn. 

“High-quality education starts with open, caring teachers who understand the expectations of the age group they represent,” said Dana Davin, a KinderCare Teacher of the Year and center director. “A genuine welcome when children arrive, a clean and engaging classroom and a culture of inclusion all stem from great teachers who believe in what they do.”


Create a Home Office that Works

Although a growing number of businesses are reopening their in-person office spaces, many are maintaining remote work-forces or implementing hybrid schedules. While the shift signals steps toward more traditional, familiar work environments, it also presents some challenges. 

If your temporary remote work schedule is headed for a more permanent status, or if you’ll be straddling both worlds indefinitely, it may be time to make some changes to ensure your home office is up to the task. 

Do Your Research: Before making any significant purchases, do some digging to learn all you can about the devices and equipment you’re considering, especially if you’re planning to create an efficient setup using smart technology. While many devices work well together, that’s not always the case. You should also be aware of the controls and how you’ll manage smart functions; choose the setup that’s most intuitive for you and fits best with your workflow. Identify 

Unique Requirements: A successful home office needs to reflect the needs of your particular job, so you may need special equipment or tools specific to your role. For example, 63% of desk-based workers said having to collaborate with colleagues virtually is either a challenge or major barrier to working remotely, with 24% saying it is a major barrier, according to a survey by HP. If your job typically relies heavily on collaboration, you’ll probably need a video conference setup. 

Another common challenge: access to a printer. More than one-fourth of desk-based workers ranked having access to the office printer among the top three things they miss about the in-office experience. 

Start Small: Establishing a well-equipped home office takes time and money. Identify the equipment and essentials you need to get started then create a wish list with other items you can add over time. As you’re setting priorities, remember it can pay to invest in quality products from the get-go. If you have to make repairs, or upgrade or replacement equipment, you may actually spend more in the long run. 

Get a Strong Network: At the office, you probably had an IT department responsible for keeping your network up and running. At home, you may still have some level of tech support, but your home connectivity is likely your own concern. A good network starts with a quality router. You’ll also want to shop for an internet provider with the best speeds at a rate you can afford. Just be conscious of any restrictions on volume or speed that could hinder your ability to do your job. 

Keep Security in Mind: Smart devices collect a lot of information and because much of the technology is still so new, it’s relatively vulnerable to hackers. Get familiar with privacy settings on all your devices and adjust accordingly so you’re not divulging proprietary data or other information that could be used inappropriately.


SERVICE SPOTLIGHT – Wash & Fold

Our #1 goal is to serve our clients and team members. And we have learned that the pain point most clients struggle with the most is not having enough time. 

Kids are back in school, work schedules are in full swing and so are our daily routines. 

Our wash and fold service is simple and easy. We have two plans to choose from a small bag which holds 2-3 loads of laundry or a large bag which hold 4-5 loads of laundry. Both plans allow you to send the bag in 4 times a month and they work like a subscription service. You are billed monthly with no contract, so you can cancel anytime. Once you sign up, we will deliver a Fabricare Center laundry bag. Then, just fill the bag with laundry and schedule your pickup. It’s that simple! 

We want to save as much time for you as possible so you can do other things that are more important to you. And we want you to feel great so you can live your life to the fullest. Stop into our store, sign up online, or call (770) 396-5325. You’ll never be asked to sign a contract. You can always count on a consistent price and amazing value with each plan!

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