Showing posts with label A to Z. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A to Z. Show all posts

Thursday, October 23

A to Z having a safe Halloween


Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times for children of all ages. These celebrations also provide a chance to give out healthy snacks, engage in physical activity and focus on safety.
Check out these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.

Going trick-or-treating?

S Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and  flexible. 
A Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
F Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
E Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. 


H Hold a flashlight to help you see and others see you. Always WALKand don't run.
A  Always test make-up in a small area first.
L Look both ways before crossing the street. Use crosswalks wherever possible.
L  Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
O Only walk on sidewalks, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe. 
W Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.
E Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats.
E Enter homes with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses and avoid dark houses. 
N Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.


Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?
  
Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone:
  • Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters such as low-calorie treats. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables and cheeses.
  • Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.
  • Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.
  • Keep candle-lit “jack o'lanterns” and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.
  • Remind those driving to the party to watch out for trick-or-treaters on the streets.

  
Contributed by Doug Fleischli, MA Fairmont Private Schools
Image Credit: highlandvillage.org
 

Thursday, September 25

A TO Z habits of a good student


There are many online resources that provide advice for parents to help their children develop good study habits. Besides achieving good grades, these effective practices promote a solid work ethic. Listed below are some suggestions for reinforcing these beneficial skills.

Dr. Seuss said, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

Develop a Love for Reading
Parents can help their preschool/kindergarten age children aspire to attain good study habits by reading to them on a daily basis and encouraging independent reading as they grow older. The entire family has much to gain by building its own culture of literacy. Reading together as a family presents many opportunities to create memorable quality times and interact as a family in exploring the world.

Feel Comfortable in Writing

The more students write, the more they feel comfortable and confident about writing, as well as expressing themselves and communicating. Similar to reading, polishing writing skills on a daily basis outside of school work is recommended whether it’s writing poetry, fiction or keeping a journal. Children need time to write on their own without the expectation of being graded or assessed for their work. Writing each day also develops a child’s critical thinking skills.

Preparedness, Preparedness, Preparedness!

Helping children build their own organizational system to manage tests and assignments is a vital component in the pursuit of academic excellence. Setting aside the necessary resources for them to properly study, making sure they have the right testing materials and having a backup plan when something goes wrong helps students gain the level of preparedness and organization they need to succeed. Organization comes down to goal setting, identifying tasks to accomplish it and taking action to reach the goal. As a result, the feeling of accomplishment when a child sets and reaches a goal is quite rewarding for the whole family. 

Never Stop Asking Questions

A sign of a passionate learner is constant inquisitiveness. Parents should encourage their children to always ask questions. When children ask questions, they are engaging independently in their own learning process to gain knowledge and understand the world around them. They are also exercising their critical thinking and communication skills. Effective learning starts with the natural curiosity that drives children to seek answers from parents and teachers. 

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, MA Fairmont Private Schools
Image Credit: WikHow

Wednesday, March 5

A TO Z benefits of summer camp

Spring is in the air...which means summer isn't far off! 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. This summer we're hitting the road for a cross-country trip across the USA.  It's going to be  wild ride of fun and learning!  Find out more and enroll by visiting our summer programs website or check out our Pinterest board for the inspiration behind this year's Roadtrip USA theme.

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools 

Monday, February 10

A TO Z healthy playrooms

Whether your child’s playroom is a special corner of the house, or the entire basement, make sure it’s a healthy and safe environment with the following tips from Washington Toxics Coalition: 

Choose hard, smooth surface floors that are easy to clean. Kids play primarily on the floor, so make it a healthy material like solid wood, bamboo, cork, and linoleum. If glues or finishes are required, choose ones that do not contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and follow directions carefully.  Choose area rugs made of natural materials like wool or jute instead of wall-to-wall carpet.

When painting, take precautions if lead-based paint is present, and choose low or no-VOC paint. Protect indoor air quality with safer painting products, and protect your family from any lead dust exposure by using appropriate containment and surface prep methods

Choose durable, low-toxic furnishings like solid wood furniture. Avoid particle-board products, typically made with urea-formaldehyde (UF) glues. Steer clear of stain-resistance (Teflon) treatments, and products embedded with antimicrobial chemicals such as Microban. Polyurethane foam may contain toxic flame retardants, so instead choose items stuffed with down, wool, cotton, or polyester.  Avoid products containing PVC, such as inflatable furniture, artificial leather, PVC-coated fabrics, and vinyl furniture covers.

Promote healthy indoor air in your play space and throughout your home.  Keep pollution sources out by avoiding products like harsh cleaners, air fresheners, and pesticides. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to keep humidity low, and fix leaks to avoid mold and moisture issues. Open windows for fresh air when appropriate to increase ventilation.

Use the right tools and tactics for safe cleaning. Clean without harmful chemicals using a HEPA vacuum, damp dust with microfiber or terry cloth rags, and try green cleaning recipes. If your family is generally healthy, the need for disinfecting and sanitizing products is rare. Routine cleaning with plain soap and water is an effective method for removing germs from surfaces. 

Avoid clutter so dust and dirt can be easily cleaned. Using closed containers for toys is a great way to minimize dust and clutter. Label bins and rotate them periodically from storage into the playroom to keep toys manageable and make old favorites “new” again. Choose plastic-free storage options such as solid wood toy chests and bins made of wicker, canvas, and cardboard.

Select safer toys. Avoid toys with PVC (vinyl), a soft flexible plastic commonly found in bath and squeeze toys, inflatables, and dolls. Choose plastic-free toys when possible, especially for young children who frequently put them in their mouths. Look for toys made of unpainted wood, cloth dolls, plush toys, and games or puzzles made of paper. 

Encourage creativity with kid-safe art supplies. Children rarely use art products “as directed,” so make sure your art supplies don’t include harmful ingredients. Avoid solvent-based products like permanent and dry-erase markers, mists from sprays, and dust mixes from clays or paints, all of which are easily inhaled. The label “non-toxic” and the ACMI AP symbols indicate less toxic options, though they still are not always completely safe for kids.

Image credit: Remodelista.com

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Wednesday, February 5

A TO Z chores for every age

Should I start asking my child to do chores? What chores are appropriate? Most parents struggle with these questions. Helping around the house is a good way for your child to learn responsibility and the importance of hard work.  This list of age-appropriate chores from Focus on the Family can help you put a plan in place to recruit some extra help around the house while teaching your child valuable life skills.

AGES 2 & 3
Personal chores
  • Assist in making their beds
  • Pick up playthings with your supervision

Family chores
  • Take their dirty laundry to the laundry basket
  • Fill a pet's water and food bowls (with supervision)
  • Help a parent clean up spills and dirt
  • Dust

AGES 4 & 5 (children at this age can start using a family chore chart)
Personal chores
  • Get dressed with minimal parental help
  • Make their bed with minimal parental help
  • Bring their things from the car to the house

Family chores
  • Set the table with supervision
  • Clear the table with supervision
  • Help a parent prepare food
  • Help a parent carry in the lighter groceries
  • Match socks in the laundry
  • Answer the phone with parental assistance
  • Be responsible for a pet's food and water bowl
  • Hang up towels in the bathroom
  • Clean floors with a dry mop

AGES 6 & 7
Personal chores
  • Make their bed every day
  • Brush teeth
  • Comb hair
  • Choose the day's outfit and get dressed
  • Write thank you notes with supervision

Family chores
  • Be responsible for a pet's food, water and exercise
  • Vacuum individual rooms
  • Wet mop individual rooms
  • Fold laundry with supervision
  • Put their laundry in their drawers and closets
  • Put away dishes from the dishwasher
  • Help prepare food with supervision
  • Empty indoor trash cans
  • Answer the phone with supervision

AGES 8 & 9
Personal chores
  • Take care of personal hygiene
  • Keep bedroom clean
  • Be responsible for homework
  • Be responsible for belongings
  • Write thank you notes for gifts
  • Wake up using an alarm clock

Family chores
  • Wash dishes
  • Wash the family car with supervision
  • Prepare a few easy meals on their own
  • Clean the bathroom with supervision
  • Rake leaves
  • Learn to use the washer and dryer
  • Put all laundry away with supervision
  • Take the trash can to the curb for pick up
  • Test smoke alarms once a month with supervision
  • Screen phone calls using caller ID and answer when appropriate

Teaching your kids to help around the house is a big part of helping them learn to take care of themselves and an important part of growing up. 

Image credit: Focus on Family
Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools

Wednesday, January 15

A TO Z organizing kids rooms

Urgh, you know the feeling. The toys have been piling up since the holidays.  Worn and outgrown clothing is taking up valuable closet and dresser space. Art and school work is stuffed here and there.  Dust-bunnies have moved in under the bed.  It's time to get organized. 

Try as we might to get our kids to clean their rooms on a more or less regular basis, there comes a time when mom (or dad) needs to step in for some hard-core organization.  Here are some tips from Organized Home to help get you going in the right direction:

Take a child's eye view
Get down to your child's eye level to help him or her get organized. Look at your child's space, storage, furniture and possessions from his or her vantage point. Adult furniture and organizing systems don't translate well to children's needs. Sticky dresser drawers are hard for small hands to manage. Folding closet doors pinch fingers and jump their rails when pushed from the bottom. To organize a child's room, solutions must fit the child. For younger children, remove closet doors entirely. Lower clothing rods and invest in child-sized hangers. Use floor-level open containers to hold toys, open plastic baskets to store socks and underwear.

Bring the child into the process
Resist the urge to wade into the mess alone, garbage bags flying. Gritted teeth and threats of "You will keep this room clean!" don't touch the root of the problem: teaching children organization skills and maintenance methods. Partnered with your child, you stand a better chance of devising an organization scheme and system that makes sense to him or her. If they're involved in the effort, children are better able to understand the organizational logic and maintain an organized room.

Sort, store and simplify
Begin with clothing: sort it out! Store out-of-season or outgrown clothing elsewhere. Finally, simplify! Does your son really wear all 27 T-shirts crowding his drawer? Remove the extras so the remainder can stay neat and orderly in the available space.  For younger children, a toy library is the answer to over-abundant toys. Using a large lidded plastic storage container, large box or even plastic garbage bag, entrust a selection of toys to the "toy library." Store the container in an out-of-the way place for several months. Some rainy day, bring out the toy library, swapping the stored toys for other playthings that have lost their savor. The stored toys will have regained their interest and freshness--and they won't have been underfoot in the child's room.

Contain, corral and control
Contain toys and other belongings before you store. Use plastic shoebox containers for smaller toys (Barbie clothes, Happy Meal give-aways), larger lidded bins for blocks, trucks and cars, light-weight cardboard records boxes for stuffed animals. Use specialty organizers to corral magazines and comic books, video games, or CDs and cassette tapes.  A bonus: containers help parents control the number of toys out at any one time: "Sure, you can play with the farm set, just as soon as the Matchbox cars go back into their home!"

Make it easier to put away, harder to get out
The premier rule for efficient children's storage? Make it easier to put something away than it is to get it out. For example, store picture books as a flip-file, standing upright in a plastic dishpan. The child flips through the books, makes his selection, and tosses the book in the front of the dishpan when he's done. Compare a traditional bookcase, where little fingers can pull down a whole shelf faster than they can replace one book. Build the effort into the getting out, not the putting away.

Organize bottom to top
Befitting a child's shorter stature, start organizing from the bottom of the room, and work to the top. Most used toys and belongings should live on lower shelves, in lower drawers, or on the floor. Higher levels are designated for less-frequently-used possessions.  Working bottom to top, the best-loved teddy bear sits in a small rocker on the floor, while the extensive Grandma-driven bear collection is displayed on a shelf built 6 feet up the wall.


Label, label, label
When it comes to keeping kids' rooms organized for the long haul, labels save the day!

Image credit: AMM blog on Flickr
Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Monday, November 25

A TO Z holiday giving for kids

With so many messages bombarding us to hit the stores and buy, buy, buy, it can be hard to re-focus on a deeper meaning of the holiday season.  One way to tune out the noise of consumerism is to get involved in giving back to others through community service or philanthropy. 

The holiday season is the perfect time to "shop" for a worthwhile cause that suits your family. Whether it's adopting an animal at your local zoo or aquarium, sponsoring a child in a developing country, rounding up canned goods for charity or visiting a senior center, you don't have to look far to find meaningful ways to show genuine charity. 

The holidays can be a stressful time for children as well as parents.  There's so much going on. The expectations are high.  And Santa is making his list and checking it twice!  Slowing down and connecting with others in the community is a great way to bring some normalcy to the season.  

As surprising as it may seem to parents who are keeping track of their kids' ever-expanding holiday wish lists, children get a huge kick out of giving--they just need to be introduced to the habit by an adult who has experienced the joy of giving and wants to pass it along. It's contagious!

There are so many benefits for children who are socially conscious. KidsHealth lists these perks:
  • A sense of responsibility. By volunteering, kids learn what it means to make and keep a commitment. They learn how to be on time for a job, do their best, and be proud of the results. But they also learn that, ultimately, we're all responsible for the well-being of our communities.
  • That one person can make a difference. A wonderful, empowering message for kids is that they're important enough to have an impact on someone or something else.
  • The benefit of sacrifice. By giving up a toy to a less fortunate child, a child learns that sometimes it's good to sacrifice. Cutting back on recreation time to help clean up a beach tells kids that there are important things besides ourselves and our immediate needs.
  • Tolerance. Working in community service can bring kids and teens in touch with people of different backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, ages, and education and income levels. They'll learn that even the most diverse individuals can be united by common values.
  • Job skills. Community service can help young people decide on their future careers. Are they interested in the medical field? Hospitals and clinics often have teenage volunteer programs. Do they love politics? Kids can work on the real campaigns of local political candidates. Learning to work as a team member, taking on leadership roles, setting project goals — these are all skills that can be gained by volunteering and will serve kids well in any future career.
  • How to fill idle time wisely. If kids aren't involved in traditional after-school activities, community service can be a wonderful alternative.
You can feel confident about being generous when you research charities in advance through Charity Navigator.  The site ranks non-profits on a variety of things including how much of your donation goes to provide goods or services and how much is spent on overhead.  To get ideas for family friendly volunteering, check out this e-book from Volunteer Spot.

This time next year that must-have gift of the season will be long forgotten but the values and memories made by getting involved in giving back will last a lifetime.

Image credit: insideakronchildrens.org
Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Monday, October 28

A TO Z kindergarten readiness

Is your child ready for kindergarten? The skills that kindergarten teachers are looking for may surprise you. You might think it’s important for children to enter kindergarten knowing their ABCs, numbers, shapes and colors so they can keep up with the curriculum. While teachers love it when children are familiar with these building blocks of academic learning, they are also looking for students with:
  • Good listening skills. Loves listening to stories. Answers questions about a story. Hears and identifies letter sounds in words. Detects rhyming words and patterns. Concentrates on what the teacher is saying. Listens carefully for directions. Follows 3-step directions.
  • Strong fine motor skills. Correct pencil grasp. Forms letters and numbers, and writes first name. Weaves and threads objects. Colors a simple picture. Cuts on a line. Copies simple shapes. Has mastered practical life skills i.e. buttons, zippers, and fasteners on clothing. Also beginning to learn to tie shoes.
  • Solid oral language skills. Has a strong knowledge about their world. Uses words to convey needs, feelings, likes and dislikes. Uses language/words in the correct context. Identifies letter sounds. Responds to questions in complete sentences. Retells a story in own words.
  • Ability to play with others. Invites other to play through conversation and body language. Communicates with others by expressing personal wants. Understands and respects rules--often asks permission. Takes turns and shares (toys and attention with others. Shows self-control by using words instead of hands. Pretends while playing (combines fantasy and reality). Is silly, playful and happy. Plays through gross motor skills (jumping, climbing, etc.)
  • Enthusiasm for learning. Asks questions. Participates in activities. Becomes engaged in lessons. Wants to come to school. Is developing a habit of cooperation. Is curious and wants to investigate. Is willing to take risks and not afraid of making mistakes. Shows independence.
Watch your child's behavior and look for these key signs to ensure that he or she is ready to transition to "big kid school." Starting kindergarten when the child is truly ready is one of the first key steps towards academic success. 

Image credit: Fairmont Private Schools
Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Friday, August 16

A TO Z saying goodbye to summer

The end of summer is such a bittersweet time for me. I love the excitement of "back-to-school" and the promise of growth and new experiences in the next grade level. But it’s still tough to box up the super-soakers, UV-beads and Model Magic. And when the tattered friendship bracelets get cut off, I know that another great Fairmont summer is coming to a close.

Summer at Fairmont Schools is about building confidence—and depending on the student, this may have an academic or social focus. To develop confidence, summer may mean experiencing or succeeding at things for the first time. At the elementary level, this may mean sharing a writing project up in front of the class or working independently in different learning stations in summer school. It may mean riding a school bus for the first time or actually being at a field trip destination for the first time without a parent! It could mean the first jump off a high dive, the first shriek on a roller-coaster or the first time petting a manta ray at the Aquarium.

Developing confidence over the summer also may mean experiencing academic success. This summer, a record number of Fairmont junior high students took advanced math courses at Fairmont Prep which will allow them to progress to the next subject level during the school year. This sense of accomplishment is the essence of what summer at Fairmont is about to me.

Just like our students, summer is a great time of learning and skill building for our faculty and staff. Fairmont teachers experienced teaching the new grade level they will teach this upcoming school year or had extra practice using Accelerated Math or technology tools. Summer Camp Counselors returned after another year of college under their belts, ready to take on new roles in teaching students and supporting families.

In my five years as Director of Summer Programs at Fairmont Schools, I’ve never experienced a summer so magical as the Summer of 2013--Fairmont’s 60th Anniversary Summer. This summer seemed to fly by...but for a few moments, time stood still. I’d like to share a few of my favorite Summer 2013 memories:
  • Sitting in on Ms. DeVane’ 6th grade Language Arts class discussion on The Giver at the North Tustin Campus. As a kid, it was one of my favorite books but I hadn’t thought about it for years. After hearing our students’ discussion of the novel, I had to re-read it myself. 
  • Seeing videos of the Jedi Training Academy taught by summer camp counselors Mr. Evan and Mr. Cody during an afternoon camp rotation. I love the creativity of our staff and the unique moments it creates for our Padawans, I mean campers! 
  • Watching Oliver in swim cap and goggles give me a huge grin and thumbs up while “body surfing” at Corona del Mar Beach. It was a perfect summer moment for him and became one for me too.
  • Hearing Mr. Al speak with a southern drawl all day on Western Wear Dress-Up Day.
  • Having a pretend “tea party” with preschool campers while waiting for their pony ride and pictures. Since I was dressed up as Snow White for Fairytale Dress Up Day, I was treated as part celebrity, part best friend by the preschoolers.
  • Pointing out sight words in Miss Dodson’s JK summer school class with “witchy fingers". Who knew plastic finger sleeves could be such fun and so educational?!

 I’ve already begun a countdown for Summer 2014…43 more weeks! See you then!

Contributed by Jamie, Fairmont Summer Programs


Wednesday, May 15

A TO Z...21st century learning



21st century learning--it's something you hear a lot about these days, but do you really know what it means? Doesn't it  have something to do with computers, the Internet and technology? With mastering the skills necessary to compete in our rapidly changing, global society? I have to admit I was a little fuzzy on the subject before reading Edutopia's A Parent's Guide to 21st Century Learning. Here's what I learned.

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills defines the key competencies that form the basis of 21st century learning or the "4Cs" as:

  • Collaboration: Students are able to work effectively with diverse groups and exercise flexibility in making compromises to achieve common goals.
  • Creativity: Students are able to generate and improve on original ideas and also work creatively with others.
  • Communication: Students are able to communicate effectively across multiple media and for various purposes.
  • Critical thinking: Students are able to analyze, evaluate, and understand complex systems and apply strategies to solve problems.
If you're more of a visual person, check out the video above from Thesys International to see the 4Cs in action! So that's what all the hubbub is about! 

While the 4Cs won't replace reading, writing and arithmetic, they help push parents and educators to re-think the way we teach our children. Kids today will hold dozens of jobs in the course of their lifetimes--and who knows what these jobs will be. Chances are they haven't even been "invented" yet. What we do know is that students won't succeed unless we prepare them to be highly creative, flexible thinkers with the emotional intelligence to communicate and work well with others.

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Wednesday, March 20

A TO Z...gardening with kids

There are few things I enjoy more than gardening with my three children. I was delighted when Fairmont added gardening to the early childhood curriculum.  If you've ever spent a few minutes gardening with kids, you'll soon discover that it's an incredible activity for supporting any number of learning objectives (from science and math to literature and creative writing) as well as a great way to teach children to work together.  

In my experience, children who may be shy and reluctant to speak out in class "blossom" in the garden. Kids love being out in the fresh air and sunshine.  They enjoy the physical work that goes along with watering, weeding, planting and cultivating a garden. And it's so rewarding for them to experience the progression of the garden...seed, sprout, plant, flower, fruit.

I grew up in and around a garden, but you don't have to have gardening genes to be successful at creating a family-friendly garden.  It's surprisingly simple, inexpensive and you don't need lots of space.  In fact, a container garden is a great way to get started if you've never planted a garden before.

Here are some of my favorite tips and resources for gardening with kids--happy planting!

  • Start small--It's easy to get carried away when you visit the garden center and see all of the amazing flowers, veggies, trees, shrubs and seeds for sale.  Temper your enthusiasm to do too much, especially if you want to get your kids involved.
  • Take conditions into consideration--Plants are living things and they need the right conditions (light, water, soil) to thrive.  I'd suggest purchasing a Sunset Western Garden Guide to serve as your basic guide for selecting and caring for plants that work given your garden's conditions. Veggies need lots of sun and water, but there are other plants that love shade and many that are water-wise after a year of becoming established in the soil.
  • Buy kid-sized tools--Children will enjoy working in the garden more when they have the right tools, plus they're super cute!  I like the picks from Life on the Balcony.
  • Use seeds and seedlings--Many plants are fun and easy for kids to start as seeds. I like working with larger seeds when kids are involved (sunflower, squash, pumpkin, melons, beans, peas and nasturtium) since they are easier for children to hold.  Radish and carrot seeds are small, but kids can sprinkle them directly into garden soil.  Tomato and pepper plants may be easier to purchase and plant as seedlings since their seeds are teeny tiny.  For help picking plants that play nice together, refer to this handy companion planting chart.
  • Get creative with containers--Container gardening is often less intimidating for new gardeners. Containers require less space and you don't need a lot of prep before you can get started planting.  There are so many clever container garden ideas.  One of my favorites is a vertical garden you create by recycling a shipping pallet.
  • Have fun with critters--You may find your garden attracts ladybugs, butterflies, birds, worms and more. Make learning about the creatures in your garden part of the fun.  You can encourage beneficial insects by planting plants that attract them.
  • Eat what you grow--It's a proven fact that kids are more likely to eat their veggies when they've been involved in growing them.  Watch the Edible Schoolyard segment from Growing a Greener World for inspiration--these school kids are really getting a hands-on lesson on where their food comes from.
  • Start a garden reading list--There are some wonderful children's books about seasons, seeds, gardening, etc. that will help educate and excite your children about their garden.  I love The Gardener by Sarah Stewart and The Curious Garden by Peter Brown. 
Image from Hearthsong
Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools


Friday, February 8

A TO Z: tips for picking the perfect school


Deciding where to send your child for school is not always as easy as registering at your local public school.  Many parents are considering a wide-range of options for their children's education including private and parochial schools, charter and magnet schools, and homeschools.  As you conduct your research online and in person, it helps to have some questions in mind to guide your search. Fairmont's Admissions Directors have counseled thousands of parents over the years and suggest using this list of questions as a starting point:
  1. What is the educational philosophy of the school?
  2. Is the school accredited? Does it have any other affiliations, religious or otherwise?
  3. What is the average class size? Student:teacher ratio?
  4. What safety and security procedures are in place to safeguard students and teachers?
  5. How does the school incorporate technology into the classroom?
  6. What are the most frequent discipline issues?  How does the school handle discipline?
  7. How does the school communicate with parents and how often?
  8. How are teachers evaluated? How often and by whom?
  9. How does the school use data to inform instruction?
  10. What special awards, recognition or achievements has the school won?
  11. How would you describe the academic rigor and expectations?
  12. Are special accommodations made for students with special needs? (physical, nutritional, emotional,academic)
  13. What expectations does the school have of parents? Is giving or volunteering mandatory?
  14. How would you describe the student body (demographics) and campus life?
Image from Kitchen Gardeners

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Thursday, November 15

babysitters...A to Z


Quality time away from the kids is essential for every relationship, but it can be very difficult to feel comfortable leaving your children with a sitter. Here are some helpful tips from OC Family for creating a positive babysitter experience:


1. Make a comprehensive babysitting manual in advance. Instead of scribbling down notes at the last minute, put all the important information in one place and let the babysitter know where it is when he or she arrives. Be sure to include emergency contact information, including you doctor's name and phone number. 

2. Make copies of your children’s insurance cards, along with a release form. This is another thing to keep in the babysitting folder along with the manual. Hopefully, it will never be needed, but if there is an emergency, your babysitter has the insurance info as well as a release form that gives him/her permission to seek treatment for the children in your absence.

3. Have the babysitter arrive about a half hour before you leave the house. This is helpful on two fronts: It allows you to have a few child-free minutes to get ready for your date, and it’s also a good way to make sure that you have time to answer any of your babysitter’s questions. This is especially true with a new sitter, who might need a tour of the house and a little more time to ask questions.

4. Explain your plans for the evening to your kids well before the babysitter arrives. The last thing you want to do is ambush them with the news that they’re having a sitter just as she walks through the door. 

5. When it is time to go, leave quickly. Lingering can give the kids the idea that they might be able to convince you to stay. It's best to say quick goodbyes and scoot out so the babysitter can take over. 

6. Get your babysitter on the same page with the house rules. Kids seem to always test the rules with new adults, so make sure your babysitter is armed with knowledge of your rules so he or she doesn't allow the kids to break them. Important things to go over are your rules on sweets and screen time. 

7. Keep bedtime consistent. Again, kids will always push the boundaries with someone new, so be sure to tell your babysitter when bedtime is and that it is a non-negotiable. 

8. Leave the guilt at home. Regular date nights are important for a relationship, and they can also be beneficial to children. It is nice for kids to see you making your relationship and your time a priority. Kids need to know that the world does not revolve around them, and that you have a life full of your own interests and passions. But more than that, it’s important for you to get away and let your brain be free from the constant multitasking that is motherhood – at least for a few hours.

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

Monday, October 29

Operation Candy Drop...A to Z



Operation Candy Drop is a tradition at the Historic Anaheim Preschool. Each year we invite our families to share their extra Halloween Candy with our troops through "Operation Gratitude." Our partner ensures that our candy, pictures, and letters are safely delivered to soldiers serving in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard serving abroad. This "candy drop" means so much to our American troops.  

Candy donations will be accepted October 29 through November 9, 2012. Military personnel will attend our flag salute that day to accept the candy donated by our generous Fairmont families. Please talk with your children about this special event and encourage them to share their Halloween candy this year! 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 


Wednesday, October 24

letters alive...A TO Z

“Wow!” “Awesome!” “This is soooo cool!” When is the last time you heard your child say those words when it came to learning letters and sight words?  In reality, or better said, in “augmented reality,” you may be surprised to learn that those are actual quotes from Fairmont's preschool students who have been introduced to Fairmont’s new Letters Alive program.

We are all familiar with old-school flashcards, but imagine taking those tried-and-true two dimensional learning aids and bringing them into the age of augmented reality.  With Letter’s Alive, the bear that illustrates the letter “B” is a three-dimensional, lifelike, animated animal that moves, makes noises and responds to commands.  The shark for the letter “S” actually swims.  Kids can view video of the shark and all of his animal buddies in their natural habitat.  Children can put letters and sight words together to form basic sentences that tell the alphabet characters what to do—jump, swim, fly…

“I was so excited by Letters Alive when I saw the demo last year,” says Education Coordinator Chelsea Drake, who discovered the program at the Computer Using Teachers (CUE) Conference last March.  “It’s such a dynamic, fun way to teach phonics and I just knew our kids would love it.”

Teachers participated in a day-long training on Letters Alive in late August and are now implementing it in the classroom.  So, if your child comes home with a wild story about an elephant or a monkey coming to class, you will know it’s all part of how Fairmont is using the latest educational technology to inspire and instruct our little digital natives.

Want to see Letters Alive in action?  Check out this demo on YouTube.

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Tuesday, August 21

SCHOOL UNIFORMS...A to Z

Fairmont student from the 50s looking prim and proper in her school uniform
School uniforms have long been the norm for private school attire. That collegiate, preppy look is nearly as synonymous with school life as backpacks and pencils. Here at Fairmont, our school uniform has changed fabric, colors and styles over the decades, but our "look" remains classic and focused on function as well as form.

This year, we have introduced changes to our uniform policy that we believe aligns better with Fairmont's culture of excellence and high expectations.  We have adopted a dress uniform for boys and girls and created a custom plaid for the girl's uniform that is unique to Fairmont. During this transition year, students may wear both old and new uniform pieces; however, starting the 2013/2014 school year, all students must adhere to the new uniform policy.

It has been our collective experience that children perform better in school when they are in uniform. Students who feel confident about how they look tend to rise to the occasion by putting forth their best effort in school. They also encourage others to treat them with dignity and respect when they are dressed appropriately.

We believe that uniforms:
  • create a sense of unity, belonging and school pride
  • limit distractions and focus attention on learning
  • reinforce character building and encourage good etiquette
  • limit cliquishness and encourage students to find other ways of expressing their uniqueness
If these reasons aren’t enough to make you a fan of school uniforms, consider this practical fact. Uniforms make it so much easier for kids to get dressed and ready for school each day. That’s reason enough for this mom to LOVE school uniforms!

Contributed by Danyelle