HOW TO make the most of open house

Open House season is here!  That means it's time for students and their teachers to "show off" everything that has been going on since school started in the fall.  No one loves Open House more than moms and dads who can't wait to be wowed by all of the incredible work on display. With that in mind, here are a few Dos and Don'ts to get the most out of your Open House experience.

DO let your child guide you around the classroom and campus to any special displays or presentations. Pay special attention as he or she shares personal work with you. This is a precious opportunity to say "great job" and to reinforce the life lesson that hard work pays off.

DON'T compare your child's work with that of his or her classmates. Every child is unique with his or her own strong suits.  I know it's tempting to wonder out loud why your child's handwriting isn't as neat as Susie's, but now is not the time. If something really concerns you, schedule a conference to talk it over with your child's teacher. 

DO make a point of praising your child's teacher.  Let him or her know how great the room looks and how impressed you are with all of the student work on display.  Open House is a big night for teachers, who, in my opinion, don't get enough kudos for all that they do.  Let your child's teacher know how much you appreciate his or her hard work in preparation of Open House and throughout the year.

DON'T pull your child's teacher aside for an impromptu conference.  You'll put the teacher in an awkward position and you won't get his or her undivided attention.  If something is on your mind, plan to discuss it at a more appropriate time.

DO visit other classrooms including the rooms of teachers in the next grade up from your child's current grade.  This is a wonderful time for you and your child to check out what it's like to "move-up" to the next grade.  You'll also have an opportunity to meet art, music, science lab and other specialty teachers and find out a little more about what goes on in these programs.

DON'T forget to bring your camera so you can post some awesome pictures on Facebook the day after the big night!

Photo credit: www.zazzle.com
Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

HOW TO make the most of your parent/teacher conference

Few things make a parent beam with pride more than a glowing review from a teacher. We love to hear that our children are bright, hard-working and responsible, and, chances are, that's just what you'll hear at your upcoming parent/teacher conference. Conference time is also a valuable opportunity to dig a little deeper and find out areas where your child may need support.

In order to make the most of this experience, it helps to do your homework. Think ahead about any concerns you may have and be prepared to share them with your child's teacher in an open and non-threatening way. Share important details about your child that the teacher may not know and that could help maximize your child's success in the classroom. Take advantage of the teacher's unique perspective to get a well-rounded picture of how your child is doing socially and emotionally as well as academically.

Let these tips from Scholastic be your guide and you'll be on your way to a super productive (and painless)  parent/teacher conference.

Before the Teacher Conference 

Start preparing early. Don't wait until the night before to get organized. Create a folder at the beginning of the year in which you store test scores, big homework assignments, and your notes (about things your child has told you or any other topics you want to address).

Talk to your child. Ask how he or she is doing in class, what's going on during lunchtime, recess, and when he or she goes to special classes like music or gym.

During the Teacher Conference

Arrive early. With only a few precious minutes to spend, you don't want to be late. It will shorten your time with your child's teacher and affect her day's entire schedule.

Enter with the right attitude. The goal of both the teacher and the parent should be the success of the student, but sometimes parents have a hard time discussing tough issues. Rather than put the teacher on the defensive, arrive with a compliment to start the conference off on the right foot. ("My son is really enjoying the unit on space" or "We had a great time on the field trip.") Then address any concerns in a respectful way.

Find out the communication protocol. Don't let this be the only time you talk to your child's teacher. Ask how he or she likes to communicate, whether it's by e-mail, notes passed through a folder, or phone calls.

After the Teacher Conference
Follow up. If the teacher brings something to your attention that needs to be addressed with your child, take steps to put the plan in motion, whether it's helping with organizational skills, getting extra help, or addressing a social issue.

Update your child. Start with the positive things his or her teacher had to say, then fill him or her in on any concerns you and the teacher discussed. Explain how you can all work together to ensure your child has a successful year.

Image credit: schoolimprovement.com

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

HOW TO strengthen math skills at home

Math exists all around us in almost everything we do, and it's important to stop and use everyday math to help children improve their math skills.  When children use math in a real world application, they are far more likely to understand and remember the skill used.  This real world application alongside a consistent math regimen allows children the comfort and precision necessary to build a strong foundation in all areas of math.  

Have fun! Don’t be afraid to make a game out of some of the more mundane math activities such as math fact flash card drills.  For every fact a child gets correct, they get to keep that card and later can try to throw their correct cards into a hat or bowl.  The more cards they get into the hat, the greater rewards they can earn.

Let’s bake!  Rarely will you find more math involved in an everyday activity than in baking. Whether it's counting chocolate chips, doubling recipes, or just learning units of measurement, baking will teach children important math skills...and the end result is delicious!

Let’s shop!  Stores are excellent places to reinforce estimation, percentages through sales or taxes, and money.  Include children in every part of the process from budgeting to cost analysis. Let them decide which size package is a better buy at the market or what the price of an item on sale will be.

Let’s travel!  Using distance, speed, and speed limits, children can find out how long a trip will take. With so much information available online, children can look up the speed of airplanes and find distances from one locale to another.  Make a game of seeing if Google Maps has made a correct estimation of travel time.  Children can also use math to deduce whether their parents have violated a speed limit or two! Travel games can be used on a daily basis on the way to and from school.

Unfortunately, learning math doesn’t always involve yummy treats, shopping, or speeding. Math is one of the few subjects where extra practice and repetition is the key to success.  All subjects require understanding, but math requires hard work and diligence at home in order to attain speed, skill, and mastery.

There is never any substitution for a child carefully attacking his or her math homework each and every night.  Fairmont provides home access to Accelerated Math and Math Facts in a Flash.*  These programs along with excellent math instruction at school have allowed our students to take classes such as Algebra II and Pre-Calculus in 8th grade. *There are other great no-cost or low-cost math apps available such as XtraMath and Operation Math.

A love for math needs to be established both at school and in the home.  Math can be a burden or an adventure.  It is all about the positive attitude we create in the home for our children.  If we help keep math entertaining and meaningful our children will be more excited each and every day when math class begins.

Photo credit: www.movingwithmath.com

Contributed by Matt, Fairmont Private Schools

HOW TO manage the after-school madness

It's 3pm and school is out--the time of day that strikes fear into the hearts of moms and dads. Sure, we're super excited to pick up our children and hear about their wonderful days at school, but in 3, 2, 1... we're off to soccer, ballet, scouts, you name it!  Dinner must be cooked, homework completed and doesn't someone have a special project due tomorrow?!  Add in the infamous So Cal traffic it's easy to see why 3pm 'til bedtime are some of the most challenging hours for busy families. Sometimes there's just no getting around the go, go, go, but we have a few tips to make it a little less stressful for parents and kids.

Create a home command center (see pic).  Getting organized can be next to impossible, but once you have a good system in place life becomes easier.  You'll need a place for kid stuff--back packs, lunchboxes, Friday folders, etc.--and a place for adult clutter--keys, cell phones, receipts, etc. Add a family calendar, a bulletin board and a white board to keep track of schedules and reminders.  For some inspiration, check out the back-to-school command centers at frugalistasdeals.

Plan for the craziness.  You know the routine, so outsmart Murphy and prepare for the worse. Problem: The kids are hungry, thirsty and tired after school but you have to run or you'll miss dance lessons. Solution: Pack healthy snacks and water bottles along for the ride and tuck favorite toys or books in the seat back pockets to entertain the kids.  Problem: You're getting home late every day this week and dread the question, "What's for supper?"  Prep and freeze meals on Sunday and rely on the slow cooker!

Take advantage of public spaces.

Libraries and parks are great stop-overs for families on the go.  You can check emails or answer voice mails while your children play or start on homework.  You may even be able to schedule a play date for little ones in between errands or appointments.

Prep fun activities in advance. (This great idea is borrowed from buggy and buddy) So you know it's going to be a super busy afternoon and you may not be 100% excited when you're kids say, "Let's paint!".  Set out activities in advance so that when they return from school they find art materials or a puzzle, and you won't have them reverting to TV or worse yet arguing as you prepare dinner.

Enlist help.  Carpooling can be a huge help when your schedules align with a friend or neighbor.  It's also reasonable to expect your children to pitch in.  Older kids can be responsible for packing their own lunches and snacks and making sure they have everything they need prepped and ready to go.  Children of all ages can help in keeping the car clean, tidying up living spaces and setting the table for dinner.

Image from frugalistasdeals
Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

HOW TO habits for a happy (and healthy) school year

The new school year has started, and maybe you're like me, and are already feeling overwhelmed. Plenty of other parents are still adjusting to the routine of a new school year, so it's okay to take a deep breath and regroup.  Here are a few tips to help you stay focused on what really matters:

Serve a healthy breakfast…+lunch, snack and dinner

It may sound old-fashioned, but even modern day experts say there’s plenty of merit to making sure your child has a nutritious start to the day.  Think about ways you can pack protein, whole grains, healthy fats, and a serving of fruit into this important start to the school day.  When it comes to after-school snacks, create a kid-accessible snack area of the refrigerator for pre-washed, pre-portioned snacks like fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, and yogurt.  A little prep time and you’ve got a week’s worth of healthy snacks lined up and ready to grab on your way out the door!  Avoid fast food at dinner time by planning your meals in advance, including shopping and advance prep work whenever possible. And don’t forget your slow-cooker--it’s a real life saver for busy families.

Support your child’s teacher

Start off on the right foot when it comes to connecting with your child’s teacher.  Teachers are professionals whose education and experience makes them uniquely qualified to provide children with the instruction, care, and encouragement they need to master academic and life skills.  Show your respect by scheduling appointments rather than “dropping in” for impromptu conferences.  Be sure to go over your child’s homework and assignments and help out on projects when your assistance is needed.  Let your child’s teacher know you value and appreciate what is truly a labor of love on his or her part and you’ll be rewarded with a partnership that helps your child thrive in the classroom.

Be positive

When talking about school, your child’s teacher or your child’s performance in school, try to be as positive as possible.  Children are great imitators and your enthusiasm will be contagious.  Cheer them on as they tackle new skills and all of the exciting “firsts” a new year brings.  Your positive attitude and loving support will go a long way to helping them overcome any anxieties they may be feeling about learning new things or making new friends.

Read nightly with your child

It’s not complicated, and it doesn’t take more than 15 minutes a day, but this simple step could have a huge affect on your child’s success in school.  Studies show that parents who read with their children, boost overall aptitude for learning, improve inter-personal skills, increase attention-span and discipline…the list goes on.  Make reading a part of your daily routine and you’ll reap the rewards throughout your child’s school career.

Keep to a strict bedtime

After winding down with a good book, it’s off to bed!  Keeping to bedtimes is important for all members of the family, especially young children whose brains and bodies use this downtime to re-group, repair and grow.  The National Sleep Foundation recommends 11-13 total hours of daily sleep (including naps) for 3-5 year-olds.

Image credit: www.nobiggie.net

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

HOW TO camping with kids

For a lot of families, including mine, summer is the time for at least one camping trip. I am definitely not a pro but I like unplugging from the world and getting closer to nature. And these days that means bringing my kids. When I told friends of mine that I would be camping for a week with my kids, including my 18 month old, they looked at me like, "Good luck!" But as long as you go prepared, camping with children can be very rewarding. Here are a few tips I have picked up along the way:

Gear

When it comes to camping gear, if you have room for it, bring it! It's much better to have more than you need than not enough, in my book. If you want to have a comfortable night's sleep, make sure you bring an air mattress (and don't forget the pump). A large tent can also be a luxury with kids, especially if you are bringing a baby who needs room to crawl around. Our tent is large enough that we can set up our travel crib so the baby can sleep comfortably (which means I sleep comfortably). If you plan on hiking with a baby, bring a baby backpack. I even bring a portable high chair. It keeps baby contained so she will eat and keeps her from wandering so that you can prepare meals. 

Food

There are plenty of complicated recipes for cooking while camping, but with kids, it's best to go with what you know they will eat. Hot dogs on skewers can be cooked over the fire and kids love cooking their food themselves. Many campgrounds have grills that go over the fire pits where you can cook ears of corn and kabobs. Bring along a cast iron frying pan and/or dutch oven and it opens up your options even more. What's important to remember is to keep it easy. This is your vacation too and you don't want to spend it slaving over a fire. 

Location

If you've never gone camping with your kids then choose a campground close to home. If it starts to rain, and you weren't prepared, home isn't too far away. There's safety in numbers!  Invite family or friends for a group camp-out, and the kids will keep themselves entertained by playing with each other. 

Finally, remember to make a checklist of what to pack. It's always good to visit camping websites to get ideas and reminders of things to bring. Here are a few links I would recommend:

Camping Packing Checklist 

What to Pack for Camping

Camping Box Basics

Being prepared is extremely important--but also remember to have fun!

Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools

HOW TO explore nature in LA

Looking for something new and exciting to do with the family this weekend? We recommend an adventure to the nearby land of Los Angeles for a day dedicated to learning about and exploring nature. Just off the 110, amid all those skyscrapers and billboards, are some great spots for kids of all ages to find inspiration....

Kick off the day with a visit to the LA Natural History Museum. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature at the new 31/2 acre Nature Garden complete with pond, Get Dirty Zone, edible garden and living wall. Check out the nature lab for hands-on animal presentations and don't miss the Butterfly Pavilion or the famous Dinosaur exhibit! General museum admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children. 

After a morning learning about nature, head next-door for a picnic in the Exposition Park Rose Garden. This stunning garden has been a part of Los Angeles history since 1928 and is now a destination for LA natives and tourists alike. The park is open to the public daily from 9am to sunset and is the perfect place to "stop and smell the roses." 

Image from PASA Network
Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

HOW TO make the most of your child's report card

School is almost out and that means parents will soon be receiving their child's final report card of the school year. Understandably, parents can get a little apprehensive when report card time rolls around.  Here are some tips from Fairmont's early childhood experts to help you make the most of your child's report card.

A+ for effort--“Parents should praise the effort not just the outcome. Children need to know that working hard and giving their best effort is more important than making the equivalent of straight A’s,” says Kelly Robinette, Fairmont’s Senior Education Coordinator.  “At this age parents need to reinforce the idea that working hard and practicing a skill is key to success; otherwise, children can be tempted to throw in the towel when learning doesn’t come easy.”

Avoid comparing your child to others--Since a child’s early years are so developmental in nature, it is important that you try to avoid comparing your child with other kids in the class, and keep in mind that each child is unique and will master skills in his or her own time.  Instead of comparing, celebrate your child’s achievement and focus on the areas where you know he or she worked extra hard. 

When to intervene--If your child is “below expectation” or “approaching expectation” in a certain skill at the end of the school year, check with your child’s teacher to see what you can do at home to help your child improve.  Even if your child has aced certain areas, there’s nothing wrong with reinforcing key skills over the summer so that he or she starts the new school year strong.

Simple ways parents can support learning

Language Arts--While at the grocery store, have children read as much as they can--the products listed on each aisle, the labels on canned goods, etc.  They can do a letter or word hunt while you shop.  Have them search for and count as many letter “A’s” as they can...and so forth.

Math--Count the forks and spoons as you empty the dishwasher.  Work on writing numbers that are important to your child like their age, birthday or address.  Dominos, dice, and playing cards are all great tools for teaching young children about math.

Handwriting/Penmanship--Any activity to strengthen fine motor skills helps with handwriting.  Try having your child cut a variety of materials including paper, cardboard and playdough.  Playdough is a great tool for strengthening little hands and fingers in preparation for proper pencil grip and penmanship.  Encourage little ones to trace out letters with their index finger in shaving cream or sand, or mold letters with clay or “moon sand,” which you can find at stores like Target.

Science/Social Studies--Take advantage of summer by getting outside and experiencing nature. Go on nature hikes and scavenger hunts.  Plant a garden. Visit local parks, the beach, and wonderful learning museums like the Discovery Science Center and the Aquarium of the Pacific. If you plan to travel with your family this summer, have your child chart your travels on a map and record memories in a journal.

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

HOW TO age-appropriate chores for kids

With four kids under the age of 9, I have a lot of work to do at home. Constantly. 

It is important to me that my children know how to take care of themselves and their home. And I've learned that even my little ones can be very helpful with chores. The younger they are, the more excited and willing they are to help. I love this list of age appropriate chores from Raising Arrows. Here are a few examples for the various age breaks: 

9-12 Months

• Help put away toys

1-2 Years Old

• Use proper "manners" with please, thank you, excuse me, sorry
• Help clean up their own messes

2-3 Years Old

• Help sort laundry
• Help bring in groceries at home 

3-4 Years Old 

• Learn to make their bed
• Begin establishing regular chores like dusting the living room blinds

4-5 Years Old

• Learn how to set the table 
• Learn how to water plants 

5-6 Years Old

• Begin to help younger siblings with tasks
• Learn to wash dishes 

6-7 Years Old 

• Begin learning how to prepare simple meals and snacks 
• Begin learning how to do the laundry from start to finish

8-10 Years Old

• Complete responsibility for their domain (bedroom, specific chores, etc) 
• Unsupervised yard work 

Image from Laptop Clipart

Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools

HOW TO discover your child's learning style

Each child is unique.  It's something that parents know by heart.  Sometimes, however, we assume that "one size fits all" when it comes to how we educate children.  Fairmont Private Schools works to identify children's academic talents and aptitudes during the admissions process so we can place them appropriately and ensure their success.  Beyond the initial assessment, Fairmont's teachers are trained to individualize and differentiate classroom learning so lessons appeal to a wide variety of learners.

Is your child an auditory, visual or kinesthetic learner? There's probably no clear-cut answer   since most kids are an ever-evolving mixture of the three (with wild cards added in just for fun). For example, I'd call my active oldest son a kinesthetic/visual learner who hates sitting still, yet he'll read well into the night about dry topics such as ancient Rome--go figure!  Once again, children defy definition, but it does help to understand their leanings when it comes to learning.  Here's a breakdown of the different learning styles and their definitions provided by schoolfamily.com:

Auditory learners prefer listening to explanations over reading them and may like to study by reciting information aloud. This type of learner may want to have background music while studying, or they may be distracted by noises and need a quiet space to study.

Kinesthetic learners learn by doing and touching. They may have trouble sitting still while studying, and they are better able to understand information by writing it down or doing hands-on activities.

Visual learners process new information by reading, looking at graphics, or watching a demonstration. Children with this learning style can grasp information presented in a chart or graph, but they may grow impatient listening to an explanation.

Think you have your child's learning style pinpointed?  Just for fun, here's a quiz to see if you're right.

Image by Blue Mango provided by edudemic.com

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

HOW TO organize your child's room

January is a time for new beginnings. Use this time to create a new beginning for your child's room. An organized room means a happier child and parent. It might seem daunting but use these five tips to get started, and you'll be done before you know it. 

1. Start at the bottom

Get on your child's level and look at their room with a fresh eye. See what works and what doesn't. Are shelves too high? Is there space that isn't being utilized? Put together a plan. 

2. Purge

With new toys and clothes coming in, unused ones need to leave. Have your child help with this step and decide together what will stay, go to the trash, or be donated. Make this step go faster by agreeing that if a toy or item of clothing hasn't been used in X amount of months, it needs to go.

3. Buy

After buying countless gifts for Christmas, spending more might not sound positive. But there's a possibility you already have these organization items, and if you don't, the investment is well worthwhile. To make a difference in your child's room you need bins and hooks. Bins allow easy access to toys and books, and hooks help to use space that wasn't used before. 

4. Label

Labeling bins, boxes, and drawers will help everyone (including you) remember where things go. When everything has its place, the room will look a lot neater.

5. Rotate

Once you have organized you might see that you still don't have room for everything. Don't despair. Putting seasonal clothes in the garage is always an option. And for toys, you can always keep bins of toys in the garage and rotate them with the ones in the room every three or four months. Your child will most likely have forgotten about some of the stored toys, and it will seem like Christmas all over again!

If you want your newly organized room to stay organized, make sure you teach your child what is being done so they can keep it up on their own. And always remember to have fun doing it! 

Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools 

(Photo via The Beauty of the Best House) 

HOW TO carve the perfect pumpkin

Halloween is almost here! Are your pumpkins showing off their toothy grins on your front step? If not, follow these few steps and round up the family to start carving! Even if your child is too young to use the carving tools, he or she can still help in other ways.

First, you will need a few things:

• A pumpkin
• Three tools: pen, mini screw driver, mini carving saw (available in a pumpkin carving kit) 
• Paper pattern: make one or print one you find online
• Tape
• A candle

Carving Instructions: 

1. Cut an opening in the top of your pumpkin, but make it big enough so you can get your hand in to pull out the guts. Save the top so it can be used as the lid.

2. Clean and scrape out the inside. Let your child dig in and get messy! This is a perfect task for the little ones. 

3. Cut out the pattern you found online or make your own out of a piece of paper. Tape it to the pumpkin.

4. Transfer the design. Using the pen, poke through the paper making dots along each outline on the pattern. Make sure to pierce the skin to give your screwdriver a starting hole. Then remove the pattern. (Save it and refer to it while you are carving.)

5. Drill the holes. Hold the pumpkin in your lap and twist the screwdriver into each hole made by the pen in step 4. Turn the drill gently until it creates a larger hole.

6. Start sawing. Move the saw steadily up and down, working from dot to dot. Always hold the saw at a right angle to the pumpkin.

7. Cut a chimney. Light a candle inside the pumpkin, then close the lid. Quickly put out the flame and look for the blackened spot inside the lid. Cut a small hole there; it will let the smoke and heat escape while a candle glows inside.

Have a great Halloween! 

Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools 

HOW TO get a jump start on college

It's never too early to start thinking about college, especially with college admissions becoming more and more competitive. You can help your child get ahead by planning for and talking about college in the elementary years, and College Fairs are a great place to start. These events attract representatives from a variety of colleges nation wide. The reps set up a booth and talk with parents and students about their schools. Attending a College Fair will give your child the opportunity to see a variety of schools and start getting excited about college and give you the chance to gain an understanding of the college admissions and financial aid processes.

Fairmont is hosting our 9th Annual College Fair on Tuesday, October 16 from 6:00pm-7:30pm, and we encourage all Fairmont students and their families to take advantage of this opportunity to gain a competitive edge in college admissions. You'll have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with college admission representatives from a number of leading colleges and universities in California and around the world.

Admissions personnel from over 60 colleges and universities will be available to answer questions related to academic programs, extra-curricular activities, student life, tuition and financial aid. Representatives from our College Counseling Center will also be on hand to answer questions and provide their insights on the college admissions process, in addition to a financial aid specialist who will share best practices.

Click here to view the full list of attending colleges and to RSVP. 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

HOW TO maximize your parent/teacher conference

Few things make a parent beam with pride more than a glowing review from a teacher. We love to hear that our children are bright, hard-working and responsible, and, chances are, that's just what you'll hear at your upcoming parent/teacher conference. Keep in mind that it is also a valuable opportunity to dig a little deeper and find out areas where your child may need support.

In order to make the most of this experience, it helps to do your homework. Think ahead about any concerns you may have and be prepared to share them with your child's teacher in an open and non-threatening way. Share important details about your child that the teacher may not know and that could help maximize your child's success in the classroom. Take advantage of the teacher's unique perspective to get a well-rounded picture of how your child is doing socially and emotionally as well as academically.

Let these tips from Scholastic be your guide and you'll be on your way to a productive parent teacher conference.

Before the Teacher Conference 

Start preparing early. Don't wait until the night before to get organized. Create a folder at the beginning of the year in which you store test scores, big homework assignments, and your notes (about things your child has told you or any other topics you want to address).

Talk to your child. Ask how he or she's doing in class, what's going on during lunchtime, recess, and when he or she goes to special classes like music or gym.

During the Teacher Conference
Arrive early. With only a few precious minutes to spend, you don't want to be late. It will shorten your time with your child's teacher and affect her day's entire schedule.

Enter with the right attitude. The goal of both the teacher and the parent should be the success of the student, but sometimes parents have a hard time discussing tough issues. Rather than put the teacher on the defensive, arrive with a compliment to start the conference off on the right foot. ("My son is really enjoying the unit on space" or "We had a great time on the field trip.") Then address any concerns in a respectful way.

Find out the communication protocol. Don't let this be the only time you talk to your child's teacher. Ask how he or she likes to communicate, whether it's by e-mail, notes passed through a folder, or phone calls.

After the Teacher Conference
Follow up. If the teacher brings something to your attention that needs to be addressed with your child, take steps to put the plan in motion, whether it's helping with organizational skills, getting extra help, or addressing a social issue.

Update your child. Start with the positive things his or her teacher had to say, then fill him or her in on any concerns you and the teacher discussed. Explain how you can all work together to ensure your child has a successful year.

Photo from whattoexpect.com article on building parent/teacher relationships

Contributed by Danyelle

HOW TO donate books at the oc book festival

There is nothing greater than a child discovering the love of reading. We at Fairmont believe that every child should be encouraged to explore new worlds through reading and should have access to all types of books--from fantasies to science fiction to biographies. We are excited to help make that dream a reality by hosting the second annual Book Drive at the upcoming Children’s Book Festival in Costa Mesa. 

Last year we joined forces with Fairmont student and budding philanthropist Megan Mettler to bring a Book Drive element back to the annual Book Festival. Megan's Kids Read! project and her passion for donating books caught the attention of Barry Ackerman, the co-founder of the Book Festival, who invited Megan to partner with Fairmont to start up a Book Drive at the event. 

The result was an awesome drive, which collected over 700 books that were donated to local schools and non-profit organizations. 

We are excited to continue the tradition with the second annual Book Drive on Sunday, September 30. We will host the drive at the Fairmont Schools Booth (#110), and we will be accepting donations from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Please bring all your book donations--new and gently used alike. The Mettler family will be there to organize the books and ensure they are donated to the best place depending on grade level. Those who donate two books or more will receive a Book Festival t-shirt (while supplies last).

We look forward to seeing lots of our Fairmont families out enjoying the event and supporting this great cause! 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

HOW TO make the most of parent night

Whether you were the Class Clown or the Teacher’s Pet back in your grade school days, you’ll want to be in top form for the first big event of the school year—Parent Night. Here’s a quick study guide to help parents prepare.

• Book your babysitter: Make arrangements to keep the kids at home so you can enjoy a distraction-free evening.
• Arrive Early: Parking is often limited, so arrive early, pick up a program and take some time to explore the campus.
• Take notes: Bring day planners or calendars (or the high tech equivalents) to help you keep track of all of the details. From the names of the parents sitting next to you in those pint-sized desks, to important dates, there will be lots of information to take in on Parent Night. You’ll most likely receive a packet of information reiterating the particulars, but it’s smart to have your own planning system handy too.
• Bring an open mind: (We love this tip complements of cozi.com) Remember that teachers may seem a bit nervous or awkward when faced with a room full of parents. If your teacher seems organized, reasonable in her expectations and focused on her students’ success, then be willing to overlook what might appear to be less-than-polished public speaking skills.
• Introduce yourself: We parents are diligent in teaching our children good social skills, but sometimes we can slip up. Chances are you’re not the only one who feels a little uncomfortable in the group, so smile, introduce yourself and initiate a conversation with your fellow parents. Parent Night is a good time to meet the other moms and dads in your child’s class and swap contact info.
• Avoid ambushing the teacher: Yes, we know it’s enticing to pull the teacher aside for a personal conversation about your child. But, keep in mind that Parent Night is not the best time for a one-on-one conference. Instead, call or email your teacher to set up a better time to talk.

Fairmont Parent Night Schedule 

Anaheim Hills Campus

Monday, September 10, 2012 

Historic Anaheim Campus (formerly known as Mable Campus)

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Historic Anaheim Preschool (formerly known as Citron Campus)

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

North Tustin Campus (formerly known as Edgewood Campus)

Friday, September 7, 2012

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools 

HOW TO bbq with the kids

With summer in full swing, most of us have probably spent some time outside grilling. But have you let your kids join in on the fun? With these quick tips, you and your kids can add grilling together to your list of fun summer activities. 

1. Give your kids a short grill tutorial while the grill is off.

2. Teach them Stop, Drop, and Roll if their clothing were to catch on fire.

3. Mark sharp edges with masking tape to prevent bumps and scrapes.

4. Allow the kids to arrange charcoal briquettes if using a charcoal grill.

5. Let the kids help prepare the food for grilling by showing them how to marinate meat, skewer kebabs, and wrap potatoes or corn in aluminum foil. 

6. Once the grill is on, let the kids draw a chalk line around the grill that outlines the "adults only zone." 

And the last and most important tip?? Round up the whole family and chow down! 

Image from Essence 

Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools