A to Z: Better Breakfast Month

Is your child getting bored with eating cereal and toast every morning? There’s no better time to shake up your morning routine than in September, also known as Better Breakfast Month! In celebration of breakfast, here are a few fun, healthy, homemade recipes to try with your family!

Breakfast Sandwiches courtesy of Macheesmo 

Mini Berry Puff Pancakes courtesy of Super Healthy Kids Blog 

Ham & Egg Breakfast Cups courtesy of Recipe

Fruit Ring Pancakes courtesy of Listotic 

Peanut Butter & Banana Quesadillas courtesy of Listoti 

Breakfast Pizza courtesy of Listotic

 Fruit & Yogurt Cones courtesy of Listotic 

Omelette in a Bag courtesy of Favorite Family Recipes

For more ideas to spice up your family’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, visit Fairmont’s Snacktime Pinterest board!

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Images & Recipes by Macheesmo, Super Healthy Kids Blog, Recipe, Listotic, & Favorite Family Recipes

A to Z: Classical Music on the Brain

For years, researchers have been searching for links between music and cognition. Many parenting resources suggest that playing classical music to your infant promotes brain stimulation and cognitive growth in hopes that the child will develop more efficiently in a mental and social capacity. But does music really impact the IQ of your child?

1993 proved to be the height of music-brain research with the “Mozart Effect” study, which detailed the effects of Mozart on high school and college students while taking tests. The study demonstrated a correlation between receiving high scores on an exam and the students who listened to Mozart sonatas before the exam. The Mozart Effect, however, proved inconclusive due to the fact that other researchers were never able to duplicate the results. The outcome of the follow-up studies concluded that classical music aides in spatial awareness, but not overall intelligence. Spatial awareness is defined as the ability to recognize the characteristics or location of an object in relation to another object. Related subject areas include geometry, geography, art, and technology.

Researchers have identified that while classical music won’t directly increase intelligence, the complexity of classical music does play a significant role in opening the brain to more complex problems and solutions. The mathematics and patterns involved in writing music, playing an instrument, or simply listening to music with complex structures has been found to aid in the mental and visual solving of puzzles and patterns.   

Other benefits of classical music can include the lowering of blood pressure and an increase in the sensation of relaxation. Classical music has also proven to decrease the effects and frequency of seizures in epileptics. Essentially, studies have shown show that people who listen to complex music, such as classical or opera, are more likely to see an increase in creativity, concentration, and the ability to manipulate spatial relationships.

In honor of Classical Music Month, here are several great classical and operatic tracks to enjoy with your child:

Ave Maria, Schubert

Waltz of the Flowers, Tchaikovsky

Dance of the Swans, Tchaikovsky

The Flight of the Bumblebee, Rimsky-Korsakov

Sonata No. 12 in F Major, K. 332: III, Allegro Assai, Mozart

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Image by USC News

A to Z: Back-to-School Acrostic Advice Poem

Fun is always to be had in the classroom.
Always treat classmates and teachers with respect.
Incorrigible students can always learn and grow.
Running in the hallway is never a good idea.
Mondays can be tough, but they don’t last forever.
Offer assistance to younger students.
Never say, “The dog ate my homework.”
Treat others in a way that you would like to be treated.

Practice will turn the novice into the master.
Reading can take you on far-off adventures.
Inclusive is better than exclusive.
Voice your ideas and let yourself be heard.
Allow yourself to learn from mistakes.
Try out for school plays and sports teams.
Eat a good breakfast everyday.

Spend time with your family.
Colleges will love your ability to succeed.
Homework comes before relaxation.
Over-studying is not possible.
Opt to tell the truth in every situation.
Learning lasts a lifetime. 
Say a simple “Thank you” to your teachers.

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

A to Z: A Short History of Labor Day

To current American families, Labor Day signals the end of summer and a day off from work or school. However, Labor Day’s true intention is to celebrate the goals and achievements of American workers. The first Labor Day was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City where workers spent the day attending parades, picnics, and addresses by community leaders. It wasn’t until 1894 that Congress passed a law making Labor Day a national holiday.

Through the Industrial Revolution, Americans worked long hours in harsh conditions. Labor unions soon became popular, as they acted as advocates for disparaged workers and children in the workforce. Peter McGuire, a New York City carpenter, is credited with the idea of implementing a national worker’s holiday. McGuire dedicated over a decade to organizing strikes, fighting for higher wages, and promoting workers’ rights.

So this Monday, while enjoying time with family and friends, take a moment to celebrate the workers who built America and paved the way for the social and economic prosperity that hard-working Americans enjoy today.

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Images and Video by History.com, Loc.gov,  & Wikipedia.com

A to Z: twas the night before school started

The new school year begins tomorrow at Fairmont Private Schools, and hopefully your student is ready to return to the classroom! Here’s a simple checklist to ensure that you and your child are prepared for the first day of school:

1. Fill backpacks with necessary school supplies.
2. Pack a lunch or ensure that lunch money is available to the student.
3. Launder and lay out the student’s clothes for the morning.
4. Plan a hearty breakfast.
5. Ensure that your student has his or her class schedule or teacher’s name.
6. Review with your child the transportation plan for pick-up and drop-off.
7. Charge your phone or camera for First Day of School pictures and use #FairmontFirstDay when posting to social media.

Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep the night before and wake them up with positive energy to start the day off right. Making the transition from summer vacation to a classroom setting as seamless as possible will help your child succeed early in the year!

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Image by Mysixringcircus.com

A to Z: 10 classic movies to share with your child

Need some fresh entertainment ideas for Family Night? Tired of watching cartoons? Fire up the popcorn maker and transform your living room into an old-time movie theater with these classic flicks! Each film listed below is accompanied by the MPAA rating and appropriate viewing age as determined by CommonSenseMedia.Org. Introduce your child to the timeless films that have enriched so many young hearts once upon a time:  

Wizard of Oz, 1939

Appropriate for ages 6+

Rating: G

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, 1971

Appropriate for ages 8+

Rating: G

Swiss Family Robinson, 1960

Appropriate for ages 8+

Rating: G

The Sound of Music, 1965

Appropriate for ages 6+

Rating: G

Doctor Dolittle, 1967

Appropriate for ages 5+

Rating: G

Mary Poppins, 1964

Appropriate for ages 6+

Rating: G

Muppet Treasure Island, 1996

Appropriate for ages 6+

Rating: G

Back to the Future, 1985

Appropriate for ages 10+

Rating: PG

Hook, 1991

Appropriate for ages 8+

Rating: PG

Princess Bride, 1987

Appropriate for ages 8+

Rating: PG

Look for these films on Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, at RedBox locations, or your local library! Use Can I Stream It or Go Watch It to view streaming options and availability!

Individual parental discretion will determine which films are suitable for a family’s child.

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Images by Wikipedia, IMDB, Wikia, WonderlandAmericas, & ThemeParkTourist    

A to Z: in support of the student athlete

In the pursuit of academic success, children sometimes need a break from the classroom and an opportunity to release pent-up energy. While academic success is no small feat, students who participate in at least one extracurricular physical activity are proven to reap more benefits than those who do not exercise regularly.

Engaging in sports activities each week helps improve students’ focus on school work, as well as help them lead happier, healthier lives. Here are four reasons why students should be involved in structured, after-school physical activities.

1. Academic Performance - Studies show that students involved in athletic programs maintain a higher GPA and achieve higher test scores. SPARKpe.org provides a list of recent studies proving the correlation between academic success and physical fitness.
2. Fitness Habits - Sports help students develop coordination and teaches them how to care for their bodies through proper stretching and the development of fundamental mechanics. Participating in athletics at an early age instills physical fitness habits that carry over into adulthood, helping to avoid health problems.
3. Mental and Emotional Benefits - Athletics have great physical benefits, but also help children to improve mentally and emotionally. While the body exercises, the brain releases endorphines. From a biological standpoint alone, students who are physically active are happier and have a constructive outlet through which to relieve stress.
4. Development of Specific Skills - Through athletics, students are able to accumulate a whole host of skills and abilities. Leadership, teamwork, confidence, and self-reliance are the big character focuses. Critical thinking is developed on the playing field as athletes need to quickly solve problems created by their opponents. Time management, a skill necessary in adulthood, is also brought into play as children learn to balance their time between schoolwork, sports, and family life.

Even if your child is not interested in team sports, there are plenty of less intense, solitary options. Activities such as swimming, gymnastics, track, martial arts, yoga, and golf provide physical benefits and allow students to engage in an extracurricular activity where they can advance at their own pace.

For more student athlete information, as well as great drills and exercises, visit the Fairmont Pinterest board Student Athletes!

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Image by Popsugar

A to Z: Plan a Summer of Fun, Discovery, and Life-Long Friendships for Your Children

“Surf’s Up!” This Summer with Fairmont!
The days are becoming warmer and, before you know it, summer will be upon us! Fairmont Summer Programs offer a one-stop destination for children to have fun in the sun, foster confidence in academics, and gain personal enrichment. The theme this year is “Surfin Through Summer With Fairmont.” Yes, SURF's UP!, and we are looking forward to an "EPIC" summer! The buzz is now out about the many exciting opportunities that await your children. Register today by visiting www.fairmontsummerprograms.com.

Since 1953, Fairmont Private Schools has provided children with countless summertime memories of fun and adventure while sharpening their academic skills in preparation for the upcoming school year. At the end of summer, children leave with a greater determination to succeed in life, a deeper appreciation of teamwork, and a broader understanding of the importance of character.
 

Our Summer Program is Accredited!
At Fairmont, we take our summer programs very seriously. We are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), the leading 100-year-old authority on youth development working to preserve, promote, and improve the camp experience. ACA accreditation guarantees that the Fairmont Summer Program meets or exceeds more than 250 standards for student health, safety, and program quality.

The ACA highlights the four "C's" of the camp community: compassion, contribution, commitment, and character. These important values practiced during summer camp help students grow personally and develop essential leadership qualities. 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.  We are looking forward to giving your child a wonderful, fun-filled summer of discovery and adventure.  

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools