CHALK TALK benefits of after school programs

After school programs offer a safe and rewarding atmosphere for children to excel in their existing talents and skills. They also provide exciting opportunities for children to be introduced to new interests related to art, sports and academic subjects. Under professional supervision, children appreciate engaging in fun activities that contribute to their personal, academic, physical and social development.

The increased time spent in participating in academic activities in an informal setting naturally pays off in good grades. It also offers insights as to understanding practical applications involving math, science, language arts and other subjects. For example, Fairmont offers Robotics and Engineering with Legos - Gadgets and Gizmos, which enables elementary students to explore concepts of engineering, architecture and physics while building “real life” objects with Legos.  This is just one of many opportunities for children to enjoy the afternoon with friends while learning and discovering possible career interests.

For preschoolers who want to move, Fairmont offers age appropriate after school sports and dance classes.  From an early age, they develop skills and confidence necessary to excel in future organized sports and performing arts productions. For example there is a Pee Wee Dance and Creative Movement, which introduces little ones to rhythm, jazz, tap and ballet dance techniques.

After school programs help children appreciate fine arts and culture. From learning Spanish and French to exploring different art media using charcoal, art pencils, acrylics and watercolors, Fairmont students discover talents they thought they never had and take the first steps in becoming true global citizens.

In our busy world where time can be our most precious commodity, after school programs make any given afternoon become an exciting adventure.  It also reassures parents that their children are safe and having fun with their peers  while participating in a beneficial activity. 

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools

Image credit: King Tiger

SNACKTIME recipes for healthy Thanksgiving favorites that kids will enjoy

Make Thanksgiving mealtimes even more enjoyable by making traditional favorites attractive to little ones. See how your dishes can be transformed into healthy, kid-friendly favorites in a few easy steps. Motivate your children to eat typical Thanksgiving dinner favorites by encouraging them to participate in making these delicious recipes.

Smashed Sweet Potato
Bake yams or sweet potatoes at 350°F for 90 minutes or until caramelized sugar seeps from the skin. Peel, mash, and flavor with orange peel and pumpkin-pie spice. Have children pick out their favority topping: a bit of brown sugar, a sprinkle of pecans or a crunchy layer of granola. You just might win a few converts.

Crunchy Carrot or Sweet Potato Fries
Loaded with phytonutrient goodness! Slice carrots or yams into 1/2-inch-wide sticks and toss in a bowl with olive oil and salt or other seasoning. Bake at 425°F on a dark, non-stick baking sheet or foil-lined baking pan until crisp, turning once. For even crispier fries, keep them in the oven a little longer (with the heat turned off).

Yummy Baked Apples
Fill a casserole dish with cored, unpeeled apples. Combine brown sugar, vanilla sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a small bowl and spoon into the apple cores. Dot with a bit of butter, pour boiling water into the bottom of the casserole dish and bake at 375°F for 30 to 45 minutes, or until tender. Baste the apples with the juices from the pan. Yum!

Spaghetti Squash
Children will be interested in trying a new food item that looks similar to some of their favorite foods. This squash dish looks like spaghetti when cooked. Use a fork to shred baked squash and toss it with garlicky butter along with a bit of Parmesan cheese.

Submitted by Leslie Kay-Getzinger, MS RD
Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services Company

Image Credit sheknows.com

SNACKTIME healthy eating during Halloween

Your children can still enjoy Halloween without splurging on mounds of chocolate and sugary snacks. With imagination and a bit of effort, creating spooky treats with your children can be fun and contribute nutritional value.  

Here are a few creative and creepy Halloween Treats that will bring laughter to your whole family. 

Spider Deviled Eggs-Make deviled eggs and fill as usual but decorate as spiders by using a black olive, black beet or cooked purple potato to create the "body" of the spider.  Use the same food to create the "legs" by slicing the olive, beet or potato into four tiny strips on each side.

Spider Web Cheese Pizza-Make individual pizzas from mini-pitas or English muffin halves. Spread tomato sauce on the bottom and slice cheese into strips to create a "web." Use a black olive to create the body and legs of a "spider."

Severed Hot Dog fingers-Cut flour tortillas into strips and wrap a mini-hot dog (cocktail) in each. Dab the top with ketchup and place a slivered almond on top to create the finger nail. Serve with a bowl of red ketchup.

Festive Edible Pumpkin-Carefully peel a small orange and top with a celery stem to make it look just like a pumpkin.

Halloween Stuffed Peppers-Stuff orange peppers and bake as usual but cut out the eyes, nose and mouth to look like a pumpkin. 

Eyeball Platter #1-Spread peanut, almond, hazelnut spread or soy butter on a round cracker. Top with a slice of banana for the "eye" and place a raisin for the "pupil" in the center. Sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon to create a "bloodshot" effect.

Eyeball Platter #2-Slice hard boiled eggs with an egg slicer and place on round or oval crackers. Top with a piece of an olive for the "eye ball" and sprinkle with paprika for the "bloodshot" look.

Gelatin Jiggles-Use pre-formed Halloween molds and fill with colored gelatin.

Cookie Cutter Sandwiches-Use Halloween cookie cutter shapes to transform regular sandwiches into seasonal surprises.

Decorating food as a fun, seasonal treat is a creative way to get kids to sample a new food. Try some of these homemade Halloween recipes for your children or create your own!

Submitted by Leslie Kay-Getzinger, MS RD
Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services Company

Image from Kid's Halloween 

FAIRMONT FIVE fun, non-spooky Halloween costume ideas

FROZEN Princess Anna

Toothless Dragon

What will you be for Halloween?

Halloween is a fun time to indulge in your playful imagination with your children. Here are some ideas to inspire your fun Halloween creativity side while steering away from the serious spooky look. 

1.     No-sew shark costume

2.       Easy fairy costume

3.       FROZEN Princess Anna   

4.       Toothless Dragon

5.       Easy Bat Wings

 Contributed by Doug Fleischli

Images from Truffles & Rain Boots and Tried & True

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

SNACKTIME when kids with food allergies visit your home

What do you do when your child's friend has serious food allergies? How do you prepare snacks and meals when kids with food allergies visit your home?

Food allergies are common—three million children, or about one in 13 kids under the age of 18, have at least one food allergy.  Your children may not have food allergies, but their friends might. Would you be able to meet the challenge and confidently serve food to children with food allergies? 

Here are some tips and guidance about food allergies and how to minimize the risk of exposure in your home.

   
Understanding Common Food Allergies

First of all, become familiar with the most common food allergies. This includes (but not limited to) peanuts and other nuts, seafood, such as shrimp, cow's milk, eggs, soy and wheat. Scrutinize labels for allergens.

Creating a Safe Environment to Help Avoid Potential Problems

Restrict eating to the kitchen or dining room only. Crumbs are likely to find their way onto carpets, furniture, counter-tops, toys and other surfaces. Everyone should wash their hands before and after eating to avoid the transfer of food allergens. Counter tops and tables should be scrubbed down after food preparation and after meals.  

To avoid cross contamination, make sure cutting boards, knives, slicers, spoons, measuring cups, mixing bowls and other food prep equipment (barbeque grills) are clean and free of allergens. Have separate sets of utensils for handling safe and unsafe foods.

Separate safe and unsafe food. Label either the foods with allergens or the safe ones — whichever is easier.

Beware of airborne allergens when cooking.  Keep a safe distance from the cooking area and allow the air to clear for 30 minutes afterward before entering the room. For young children, having fixed seating arrangements at the table is helpful in preventing little ones from sharing “tastes.”

Contributed by Leslie Kay-Getzinger, MS RD

Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services Company 
Image Credit: DIY Health