Thursday, May 31

SHORT STORY congratulations class of 2012

Happy Commencement Day and Congratulations to Fairmont's incredible Class of 2012!
We wish you all the best in your college years! 


Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

Wednesday, May 30

THE FAIRMONT FIVE rad grad gifts



It's time for Pomp and Circumstance, flower leis and sighs of relief--oh, and it's time to go shopping for the perfect graduation gift for the graduates in your life.  Graduation presents can be tricky since you want the gift to have meaning, be practical, and most of all be something that expresses just how proud you are of the graduates in your life.  There's nothing wrong with gift cards or cash, but there's something more thoughtful about a carefully chosen present.  Here are a few grad gifts I think deserve high honors:

  1. Charitable Gift $20+,Oxfam America
    Bet you never thought of getting your grad a goat?  But, there's a good chance that's just what your social conscious graduate would prefer.  Choose from dozens of gifts that do good and support your graduate's dreams to make a difference.
  2. Mini Plus Brewing System $100, Keurig
    For the dorm-room dweller who’s short on space (and time), this machine has a tiny footprint and brews a great cup in a minute. From the grad gift list at Martha Stewart Living.
  3. Upcycled Wetsuit iPad sleeve $28, UncommongoodsNo matter where the adventures lead, this protective case made from recycled wet suits, will guard his gear. From the grad gift list at Real Simple.
  4. Trail Cargo Shave Kit $60, Fossil
    Sturdy canvas and ample cargo pockets make this shave kit a must-have accessory for college bound dudes.
  5. Collegiate Throw Blanket $56, Stanford bookstore
    If you're sure you know where your high school graduate is headed in the fall, go online and shop that school's bookstore for gifts emblazoned with the school name or mascot, like this super versatile woven afghan from the Stanford University bookstore.
Photo from Oxfam America
Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Tuesday, May 29

summer brain drain...A to Z


Summer is just around the corner. While we definitely believe that summer should be a time for family vacations, relaxation, exploration, and memory making, we--as educations--also dread the summer brain drain that most students experience. Check out these stats from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Summer Learning, quoted in Dr. Ruth Peters' MSNBC interview about summer learning loss. 

Summer Learning Loss Stats 
  • All students experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer.
  • On average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills during the summer months.
  • Low-income children and youth experience greater summer learning losses than their higher income peers.
  • Students may not have the same structured meal schedule and access to nutritious meals during the summer.
  • Studies show that out-of-school time is a dangerous time for unsupervised children and youth.


Important Facts 
  • Only about 10 percent of students nationwide participate in summer school or attend schools with non-traditional calendars.
  • A majority of students (56 percent) want to be involved in a summer program that “helps kids keep up with schoolwork or prepare for the next grade”.
  • Research shows that teachers typically spend between 4 to 6 weeks re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer.
  • At least 11 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 12 care for themselves over the summer months (unsupervised).


Yikes! So what can you do to help your child beat the summer brain drain this summer? At Fairmont we recommend a careful balance of summer fun and academic preparation. Fairmont's Summer Program offers a split-day program with summer school in the morning, summer camp in the afternoons, and off-site field trips on Fridays. This model gives children a chance to prepare for the next school year while still having a summer camp experience--complete with pool days, crafts, outdoor excursions, team building, and more. 

No matter what your plans are for your kids this summer, be sure to supplement play time with learning opportunities whenever possible so they are well prepared for the next school year. 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

Friday, May 25

FRIDAY FOLDER may 25



Highlights From This Week
Fairmont Summer Programs 
Summer is just around the corner! Fairmont Summer Programs is setting sail for a summer to remember, and you won't want to miss it!  Whether you are joining us for summer school, summer camp, or specialized enrichment workshops, Fairmont guarantees that this summer, adventure awaits you! Read about the benefits of summer camp in this blog post. Enroll today for a week or the whole summer at www.fairmontsummerprograms.com

Mable Students Honored in Water is Life Poster Contest 
Congratulations to Mable students Courtnie B., Alexisse Y., Tiffany K., and Daryuish K. for placing in the "Water is Life" poster contest which is sponsored by the Anaheim Public Utilities. The contest celebrates California's "Water Awareness Month." Courtnie placed first in the 1st grade division. For winning her division, Courtnie will receive a $100 savings bond. Fourth grader, Alexisse, and fifth grader, Tiffany, placed second in their respective grade level divisions. Daryuish placed third in the 5th grade division. The winning artwork will be displayed in the lobby of the West Tower of Anaheim City Hall. The winners were also recognized on the field before the Angel game on Wednesday, May 16. Way to go Courtnie, Alexisse, Tiffany, and Daryuish! 

Anaheim Hills JH Students Return from Class Trips 
The Anaheim Hills 7th graders took a trip to the Grand Canyon and the 8th graders visited Washington D.C. They had a great time exploring new cities and learning about nature and history. Read all about their adventures in this week's newsletter

Edgewood Recognizes Teachers with Poetry 
We love this poem from 5th grader, Huda K.:

Kind, helpful, caring and glad

teachers who never get mad
Happy and compassionate
So fair and dispassionate
Such great Leaders!
Teaching us several subjects
eloquent education preachers
Our Fairmont Teachers

Citron Performs in Spring Musicals
The Preschool Musical this past Wednesday was a smash! Thank you to all our parents for your support. Watch their rendition of "You're a Grand Old Flag" here. Elementary parents, please set aside Wednesday, May 30th at 5:30pm for the Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten performance at Mable and enjoy the musical talents that have been serenading the Citron Campus. JK and K students will be traveling to the Mable Campus next week during school hours for rehearsals. Each child will be wearing a specific costume that correlates to their classroom performance during the production.

Weekly E-Newsletters 

May Lunch Menus 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools

Thursday, May 24

SHORT STORY preschool lemonade stand

To learn about money and practice their math skills, our Edgewood preschoolers held their very own lemonade sale. We love when summer tradition meets education! 




Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

Wednesday, May 23

THE FAIRMONT FIVE memorial day must-haves



Summer is just around the corner and nothing ushers in the season better than an outdoor Memorial Day celebration with  family, friends and neighbors. In my opinion, you've just gotta have the following:
  1. American Flag—The stars and stripes is an enduring symbol of all that our country represents. Fly  Old Glory with pride on Memorial Day, and share these fun flag facts with your kids.
  2. Grilled Food—Memorial Day unofficially kicks off grilling season. Before you fire up the barbie, get your grill in shape with these prep tips.
  3. Patriotic Decorations—Red, white and blue are festive colors to play with on Memorial Day and any decorations you craft can do double duty a few months later for Independence Day. Check out these décor ideas from Martha Stewart Living.
  4. Moment of Remembrance—at 3pm on Memorial Day, observe the National Moment of Remembrance and take a minute to remember the men and women who have paid the ultimate price to safeguard our American way of life. Take your patriotism a step further by visiting a war memorial or donating to a quality cause supporting our veterans such as the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
  5. Dessert!—There are plenty of sweet ways to top off your celebrations, but I’m partial to desserts that make the most of the spring’s bounty of berries. I'll be trying these Grilled Balsamic and Brown Sugar Strawberries.

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Tuesday, May 22

HOW TO avoid summer sunburns


It seems like every summer there is new news about how, when, where and why to use sunscreen. We all know we need it, but my eyes start to cross when I arrive at the sunscreen aisle. So, this year I really appreciated the super informative article on sun protection in the June issue of Better Homes & Gardens.  Here's an excerpt from the article 10 Signs You're About To Burn by Jan Sheehan to help you avoid sunburns this summer:

Signs You're About to Burn
  1. You're outdoors when your shadow is short--A stumpy shadow means the sun is directly overhead, the point at which UVB rays poke straight down through the ozone layer with minimal scattering.  As a result, a person's UVB exposure is up to 50 percent higher during this stretch of day than in early morning or late afternoon.
  2. Your sunscreen absorbs in seconds--Sorry, but a think squiggle of lotion isn't going to cut it.  To get the SPF level promised on the label, you need to slick on enough for your skin to stay damp for a minute or two.  (When wearing a swimsuit, count on using an amount that fills your palm.)
  3. You apply your first coat of sunscreen outside--Beware: You could burn while the stuff is booting up.  Modern chemical formulas--those made with oxybenzone, avobenzone, and similar ingredients--work by absorbing ultraviolet rays.  For the products to be effective, they must first bind to proteins in the skin, a process that takes about 20 minutes.
  4. You grab sunscreen from the car--On a bright summer day, you could fry an egg on the dashboard of a parked vehicle.  Don't let those triple-digit temperatures cook your sunscreen, too.  Take your sunscreen with you when you leave your car, and while outdoors, do what you can to shield it--say, by stashing the tube in a drink cooler.
  5. You pop a pain reliever--Once absorbed by the body, common medications can react with ultraviolet light on the skin's surface, resulting in serious burns.  This rapid reaction, known as photosensitivity, is most often seen with ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), certain antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and diuretics.

Photo from Microsoft Office Clipart Gallery

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools


Monday, May 21

SNACK TIME healthy picnics



Enjoying time as a family in the outdoors is a great way to have fun with your children this summer. Eating outdoors is especially fun for kids. And with a little planning, your family can take pleasure in eating healthy, kid-approved meals on your next picnic or camping trip.

Here are some tips to ensure an outdoor meal-time success: 
  • Keep the meal simple, easy to prepare and a snap to clean up.
  • Finger foods are good options and kids love anything they can dip. Turkey or veggie wraps and roll ups are well accepted. A baggie full of carrot and celery sticks, cucumber and bell pepper slices, sugar snap peas and cherry tomatoes will go quickly if there's a dip to go with them.
  • Small finger-sandwiches, chicken nuggets, cheese and crackers, melon balls, cookies, bottled water and juice boxes are also very popular. Freshly grilled corn-on-the-cob is delicious, messy, and fun to eat!

Quick Food Items
If you’re short on time to prepare, here are a few suggestions for readily available items:
Hard boiled eggs
Edemame
Canned beans
Sugar-snap peas
Grape or cherry tomatoes
Carrot, cucumber, celery sticks
Hummus and avocado dips
Trail mix
Bread sticks
Whole grain crackers
Mini-pita bread slices
Luncheon meats
Cheese slices
Apple slices
Dried fruit – mango, papaya, banana, pear, apple, apricot
Grapes or summer berries
Melons – watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew
Muffins
Mini-cupcakes

Tip: Involve the children in the picnic planning process.  Depending on the child’s age, you can also have the kids help with grocery shopping, assembling the ingredients for the picnic or helping with the food prep. Kids love to pick their own food and assemble it on their own. Even young children can assist with stirring ingredients for a dip, washing fruits or vegetables or filling a baggie with snacks.

When you involve children in the food selection and preparation process they'll be more likely to eat what is served. 

Photo from SheKnows.com

Contributed by Leslie K. Kay-Getzinger, MS, RD, Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services

Friday, May 18

FRIDAY FOLDER may 18



Highlights From This Week
Fairmont Summer Programs 
Summer is just around the corner! Fairmont Summer Programs is setting sail for a summer to remember, and you won't want to miss it!  Whether you are joining us for summer school, summer camp, or specialized enrichment workshops, Fairmont guarantees that this summer, adventure awaits you! Read about the benefits of summer camp in this blog post. Enroll today for a week or the whole summer at www.fairmontsummerprograms.com

Congratulations 6th Grade Pentathlon Teams! 
On Saturday, May 5, Fairmont students participated in the Orange County Academic Pentathlon. This one-day event provided an opportunity for our students of all ability levels to engage in an academic competition that evaluated their performance in five content areas: social science, science, math, literature, and essay. The competition attracted eighty-six teams from public and private schools throughout Orange County. Since January, the teams have been preparing with their teachers. Their dedication and teamwork paid large dividends. In Division 1A, the most challenging division, the Fairmont teams took home numerous individual and team awards! 

Anaheim Hills Campus 
Information to follow on Monday, May 21. 

Edgewood Campus
Edgewood Eagles Team
Super Quiz Team Award - 3rd Place 
Overall Team Award - 6th Place
23 Individual medals

Edgewood Talons Team
Super Quiz Team Award - 4th Place
Overall Team Award - 5th Place
21 Individual medals


Mable Campus 
80 Individual Medals Total 

Fairmont Panthers Team 
Super Quiz Team Award - 1st Place 
Overall Team Award - 2nd Place 

Fairmont Mable Team 
Super Quiz Team Award - 2nd Place 
Overall Team Award - 3rd Place 

Mable Campus Bruce Hockman Carnival
Friday, May 25
Mr. Bruce Hockman was a social studies teacher at the Mable campus 33 years ago, and he wanted to show his students about some of the theories they were learning about. So he proposed the students organize, and run a carnival for the other students. The goal was that the 8th graders would learn about supply and demand, profit and loss, planning, scheduling and time management.  Any profits from the carnival would go towards the junior high promotion events planned for later that year. The carnival was a huge success and all the students had a great day and the 8th graders learned a lot about hard work! When Mr. Hockman passed away the carnival was renamed in his honor. Students from all campuses are invited to attend. Read more in the carnival flyer

Weekly E-Newsletters 

May Lunch Menus 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools

Thursday, May 17

EVENTFUL orange county free summer concert series


With summer just around the corner, there are so many great outdoor events to look forward to. I always have a blast going to community outdoor concerts with my family, packing a picnic and singing along. Here are a some free summer concert series to check out in Fairmont's neighboring parks: 

ANAHEIM 
July through August 

DETAILS: 
All concerts are FREE! Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Gourmet food trucks, free games and activities for all!

DATES & TIMES: 
Thursdays, 6:30pm 

July 12 - Neon Nation 
July 19 - DSB (Journey Tribute) 
July 26 - Stellar (Top 40) 
August 2 - The PettyBreakers (Tom Petty Tribute) 

LOCATION: 
Ronald Reagan Park, 945 S. Weir Canyon Rd.

INFORMATION: 
(714) 765-5263

TUSTIN
June through August 
(2012 details coming soon)

DETAILS:
Relax and enjoy the sounds of the great live music! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Enjoy a picnic or purchase food or snacks from community groups. Admission is free!

DATES & TIMES: 
Wednesdays
6 - 8 pm

June 20 
June 27 
July 11 
July 18 
July 25 

LOCATION:
Peppertree Park

INFORMATION:
(714) 573-3326

YORBA LINDA
July & August

Bring your own picnic diner and/or buy food from local non-profit organizations and the Yorba Linda Volunteens. Seating is available in the amphitheateror grass areas at the park (chairs and blankets recommended).

Dogs are not recommended due to safety issues and the comfort of others in attendance. Riding skateboards, bikes, roller blades, and scooters throughout the park during the concert is prohibited. Alcohol is not allowed in the park.

DATES & TIMES: 
Sundays
5:30-7:00 p.m.

July 15 - Neon Nation (Music from the 80's)
July 22 - The Silverados (Country) 
July 29 - Stone Soul (Soul & Motown) 
August 5 - The Answer (Classic Rock)

LOCATION:
Hurless Barton Park
4601 Casa Loma Ave.

INFORMATION:
For more information, call the Travis Ranch Activity Center at (714) 961-7167

ORANGE
July 11 - August 29, 2012 

DETAILS:
Pack your picnic baskets, relax, and enjoy fantastic free entertainment for all ages under the summer starry sky! Bring your blankets or low lawn chairs and get ready for a great time! Reminder: food will be available for purchase courtesy of a local non-profit group and please leave pets at home. Performers subject to change.

DATES & TIMES:
Wednesday Evenings
7 p.m.–8:30 p.m.

July 11 - Abbey Road, A Tribute to the Beatles 
July 18 - The Wise Guys Big Band Machine, Big Band Orchestra 
July 25 - The Skinny Little Twits, Classic Rock 
August 1 - Tom Nolan Band, Motown, Rhythm and Blues 
August 8 - The Silverados, Contemporary Country 
August 15 - Stone Soul, Soul, Motown and R&B Classics
August 22 - Cold Duck, Oldies, Top 40 and Dance Favorites 
August 29 - The Fenians, Traditional & Contemporary Irish Music

LOCATION:
Hart Park Band Shell
located off the 22 Fwy. & Glassell St.

INFORMATION:
Call (714) 744-5599 for more information

For more information on free summer concerts in Orange County, visit OrangeCounty.net

Photo from Anaheim.net

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

Wednesday, May 16

THE FAIRMONT FIVE benefits of summer camp


Summer is in the air! As the days get longer and warmer, kids can't help but anticipate the carefree months of summer ahead. For you, the summer anticipation includes planning what the kids will do with their time--summer school, summer day camp, sleep-away camp, swimming lessons, vacation? 

As we remember from our childhoods, summer is a special time for kids, a time for self-discovery and making memories. Summer camp provides a unique, enriching environment for this experience, and the benefits of participating in a quality summer camp stretch far beyond the memories. 

According to the American Camp Association, a 100-year-old organization of camp professionals committed to preserving, promoting and improving the camp experience, summer camp helps children build personal competencies reflected in the four "C's" of the camp community: compassion, contribution, commitment, and character. 

Camp counselors provide children with a network of caring adults to look up to, and an organized camp program creates a safe environment for discovery and exploration. 

The ACA lists the following benefits and anticipated outcomes of the camp experience:

Social Skills Development
  • Leadership 
  • Communication 
  • Participation 

Self-Respect and Character Building 
  • Responsibility 
  • Resourcefulness
  • Resilience 

Community Living/Service Skills 
  • Caring 
  • Fairness 
  • Citizenship
  • Trustworthiness 


Developing these key life skills and character traits at a young age gives children an advantage   as they grow and mature. 

Fairmont is proud to offer a Summer Program that is accredited by the American Camp Association. Fairmont offers a mix of both summer school and summer day camp so children can experience a quality summer camp program and beat the summer brain drain. 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

Tuesday, May 15

SHORT STORY author/illustrator headed to fairmont



What does an ancient dragon, the Wild West and Fairmont's Anaheim Hills library have in common? Answer: They will all collide on Tuesday, June 5 from 6-7:30pm for the Anaheim Hills Library Grand Opening. Author/illustrator Troy Howell will be meeting with students during the day offering tips and inspiration from his career as an author and illustrator. As part of the Grand Opening celebration, he will be giving an interactive reading of his book The Dragon of Cripple Creek and signing books. Troy is an old classmate and friend of third grade teacher Denise Carroll and we're super excited that she was able to help us connect with this wonderful author/illustrator. 





You're invited to join in the festivities! Let us know you're coming by RSVPing here

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Monday, May 14

SCHOOL NEWS student artists shine in competition


First Grader, Courtnie B. from the Fairmont Mable Campus took 1st Place in the Water is Life Poster Contest for this adorable piece. She will receive her award at the Angel's Game on May 16. 
At Fairmont, we believe in the importance of a well-rounded curriculum that includes fine and performing art. We give every student the opportunity for artistic expression in weekly art classes with a designated art teacher. In addition to projects for class, students are encouraged to create artwork to submit to local art festivals and competitions. This spring many of our students have been recognized for their submissions. Here are some of our spring art highlights: 

Water is Life Poster Contest 
On May 16 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim we will celebrate the winners of the Water is Life poster contest. Each year Anaheim Public Utilities hosts the annual water conservation poster contest as part of the celebration of May as Water Awareness Month in California. First through sixth graders are invited to participate in this contest. Three winners are selected from each grade. Winning posters are displayed in the lobby of Anaheim West Tower and trophies are presented at a ceremony prior to an Anaheim Angels baseball game. First place winners also receive a $100 savings bond. Students and their families will be treated to an Angel's game where they will receive a special trophy, hat and the chance to be on the field before the game starts. 


Fairmont Mable Campus Winners: 
  • Courtnie B. - 1st Grade, 1st place winner. She will also receive a $100.00 savings bond.
  • Alexisse Y. - 4th Grade, 2nd place winner
  • Tiffany K. - 5th grade , 2nd place
  • Daryuish K. - 5th grade, 3rd place winner
Color It Orange Exhibit 
Color It Orange is an annual art invitational for OC public and private schools. Six students from each school are invited to submit artwork for the exhibit. 

The following Fairmont Anaheim Hills students have artwork on display: 
Ryan C.     " Panda"   brush painting    Grade 2
Sunny Y.    "Sunface"   oil pastel drawing     Grade 5
Isabella L.   "Sunface"  oil pastel drawing     Grade 5
Karina P.   "Galleon"   watercolor painting     Grade 4
Ava M.    "Presidential Portrait"      oil pastel drawing     Grade 5
Sarah M.    "Golfer"   plaster sculpture     Grade 8

Laguna Festival of Art Junior Exhibit 
The following students have work in the Laguna Festival of Art Junior Exhibition which will be held in July and August in Laguna Beach. Their work will also be recognized in the Imagination Celebration 1,000 Pieces of Art Exhibition which will be on display in the South Coast Plaza Crate and Barrel Wing from May 16th to May 30th and then at the Laguna Festival in July and August. The student’s work was selected by a panel of judges from hundreds of pieces submitted by both public and private schools in Orange County. 

Fairmont Anaheim Hills Campus Winners:
Myra F. - Kindergarten           
Ava M. - Grade 5
Raina R. - Grade 6

Fairmont Edgewood Campus Winners: 
Maximo R. - JK
Brandon M. - JK
Kiera A. S. - JK
Vienna P. - JK
Alyssa J. - K
Nika S. - 1st
Andrew S. - 1st
Dhruv P. - 4th
Rayan H. - 5th

Council on Aging Poster Contest
Congratulations go out to Fairmont Mable Campus students Yiyi O. and Tiffany K. for winning first place in the Council on Aging Orange County's (COAOC) yearly art contest. Yiyi won in the 1st through 3rd grade category and Tiffany won in the 4th through 6th grade category. The theme of this year's contest was "Celebrate Successful Aging." Yiyi's and Tiffany's artwork will hang in the COAOC offices in Tustin for the next year, and the students will be recognized at the 7th Annual Council on Aging Orange County Luncheon held at the Irvine Marriott on May 4. 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

Friday, May 11

FRIDAY FOLDER may 11



Highlights From This Week
We Love Our Fairmont Mamas! 
To recognize our amazing Fairmont moms, some of our campuses hosted picnics and celebrations this week. Our Citron students enjoyed Muffins with Mommy this morning. They serenaded their moms with songs they'd been practicing and had a morning snack. The JK and Kindergarten students at our Anaheim Hills campus loved seeing their moms at the Mother's Day Picnic

We also got a jump start on celebrating Mother's Day this week with some mom-inspired blog posts:

We wish all you moms out there a very happy Mother's Day. Thank you for everything you do! 


Fairmont Summer Programs 
Summer is just around the corner! Fairmont Summer Programs is setting sail for a summer to remember, and you won't want to miss it!  Whether you are joining us for summer school, summer camp, or specialized enrichment workshops, Fairmont guarantees that this summer, adventure awaits you! Enroll today for a week or the whole summer. www.fairmontsummerprograms.com

Mable Campus Inducts National Junior Honors Society Students
On Thursday, April 26, Mable Campus inducted 31 students into its chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). The ceremony was hosted by Mrs. Riley and Mr. Ickes, the NJHS faculty advisors. Students that are currently on the NJHS board spoke about the qualities of  NJHS members. Bernard K., the acting President, spoke about scholarship, Leanne A. spoke about service, Justine G. spoke about leadership, and Ronik K. spoke about character. After the speeches, the new members were inducted. They each received a pin and signed the Mable NJHS Registry. View the complete list of inductees in the Mable Campus newsletter. 

Weekly E-Newsletters 

May Lunch Menus 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools