CHALKTALK practicing academic skills during the summer

During brief intervals of summer fun and rest, it is wise to devote some time for your child to practice their academic skills. The benefit will be apparent when they return in the fall refreshed and rested without losing a beat when it comes to reading, math, and writing. Here are some helpful tips to keep your children sharp in the educational essentials. Please note, adding some fun to these activities helps motivate initiative!

Reading:
Children should be encouraged to set time during the week for reading their favorite books. For young children, not yet able to read on their own, parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children every night before bedtime.  

Math:
For retaining and refining math skills, children should be offered opportunities to practice their grade-appropriate math facts. Effective tools to help exercise these valuable skills include flash cards, computer-based games, apps, and practicing math facts out loud.

Writing:
Summer is a great time for children to practice their writing skills. They can dabble in creative writing styles such as poetry and short stories. They can also keep a summer journal to record their adventures during vacation. Children also make excellent scribes or reporters for documenting activities while traveling and visiting relatives. 

Practicing these academic skills will help children pass the time productively while traveling.

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools
Image by PBS 

FAIRMONT FIVE tips for keeping kids healthy

 

Simply said, transitioning from summer to the school year seldom goes by without a hitch. During this busy time, it’s easy even for the most organized parent to overlook simple steps to protect your child from colds and the flu. Despite your best efforts, cold symptoms can suddenly appear at the worse possible times.
    

The following practical health tips will go far in keeping your child healthy. This is especially helpful when your child is getting settled with a new school schedule and on a different campus setting.

Wash Your Hands

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out that improved hand hygiene is one of the most important steps for avoiding illnesses and spreading germs to others. Children need to be reminded on how important it is to wash their hands. Below is an outline on proper hand washing provided by the CDC.

Using Soap and Water

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.

Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.

Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Using Hand Sanitizers

Apply the product to the palm of one hand.

Rub your hands together.

Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

Calling in Sick

Even with your best efforts in keeping hands clean, catching a cold is still a possibility. Have a plan ready in advance for times when you need to keep your child home to recovery from a cold or the flu. Keep them hydrated with water and always discuss any medical concerns with your doctor. Medical experts recommend that a child with a fever needs to stay home for 24 hours after the fever ends.

Getting Enough Sleep

Elementary school-age children need 10 to 11 hours of sleep. This can be a challenge during the school year. Taking an afterschool nap, having quiet reading times with no television (30 to 35 minutes each day) and going to bed early will help your child receive the rest he or she needs to effectively manage a busy school schedule.

Exercising as a Family

Make time for walks, bike rides or other outings involving the family. Everyone will enjoy this well-deserved break especially during the school year. Laughter, exercise and having good times also relieve stress and keep immune systems strong. This is a good opportunity to talk with your child and discuss ways to reduce stress.

Eating Right

Eating plenty of healthy food and frequently drinking water are essential for good health for children and adults. Maintaining a balanced diet of fresh fruit, vegetables and meats in the home sets a good example for children to follow for the rest of their lives. Having your child contribute to meal preparations is another way to enjoy quality time together. Point out at an early age the importance of eating a well-balanced diet to sustain good health.

Image Credit:  World’s Children Blog

Contributed by Doug, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER august 29

Highlights of the week:

Daphne and her family with her artwork at the Festival of Arts. 

Lily and her mom with her artwork.

Student Art Wins Awards at Festival of the Arts

Lily C. and Daphne S. had their art chosen to be part of the student art show at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach all summer. They both received special awards in addition to their art on display. They were also given special artist medals. Congratulations Lily and Daphne for your creative talents!

To get more interesting updates from our campuses check the campus newsletters below:


Weekly Newsletters

Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus


Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

Contributed by Neha, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER august 22

Highlights of the week:

We are very excited to begin the 2014-2015 school year.  Faculty and staff have been preparing for an amazing year, and we are enthusiastic to travel through the next year together with you and your children! 

Check the campus weekly newsletters below for updates from the first week of school. 

Weekly Newsletters

Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus

Contributed by Neha & Doug, Fairmont Private Schools

FAIRMONT FIVE gearing up for school

                     

As school begins next week, parents can help their children enter the year refreshed and motivated. We have listed some simple suggestions to help your student take off with a strong start.

Think Positive

Throughout this busy time, stay upbeat and focus on the positive. Students look to their parents to find assurance that school is a rewarding experience worth the preparation. Use this time to reinforce the many benefits of education. Talk about the interesting classes and exciting extracurricular activities awaiting in the new school year.

Home School Supplies
Take advantage of school supply sales to keep your home well stocked with what your child needs for doing special projects at home.  Please click here to visit a helpful website to find deals.

Uniform Preparation and School Forms
Take some time to make sure your student’s uniforms are ready and all the necessary forms are filled out and have been submitted. Keep a file folder of school related information for easy access at a moment’s notice.

Sleep

It is encouraged that children receive plenty of rest to function well in class. The National Sleep Foundation is a helpful resource on learning more about the importance of good night’s sleep. Click here to see how sleep can make a difference in school performance.

Life Balance

Help your child manage priorities through balancing school, extracurricular activities, sports, homework, friends and family. Schedule adequate time for play and relaxation to help your child be rejuvenated and be motivated for the next day.

Additional words of advice on preparing children for school are appreciated. We wish your student a rewarding and exciting school year at Fairmont filled with opportunities to grow and thrive.

 Image Credit: Ingram Publishing

Contributed by Doug, Fairmont Private Schools

BULLETIN BOARD back to school cool

It's safe to say that back-to-school season is our favorite time of year at Fairmont Private Schools.  We are thrilled to welcome back all of our amazing teachers and staff and to say a big "Hurray" for the first day. Sending out warmest wishes to all of those school-aged children out there and to their moms, dads, and little brothers and sisters...who will one day be headed back to school too!  Here are a few of our favorite back-to-school pins from Fairmont's Pinterest boards.  Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram (search for Fairmont Private Schools and choose your campus)...and right here on our blog for lots of inspiration all school year long!

Heart & hands classroom shot
School supplies illustration
First day photo ideas
Photo op signage
School days journal

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

FAIRMONT FIVE tips to beat the back-to-school blues

It's back-to-school season!  Don't you just love picking out fresh new school supplies, choosing new backpacks, buying new clothes--it's exciting, right?!  Yes and no.  There's plenty of anxiety that comes along with the start of a new school year, for parents and for children.  As with any big change, it helps to shift gears slowly.  Here are some of our tips for making your transition from summer break to the new school year a little less painful:

1. Plan ahead for the morning rush. We all know mornings are the toughest. Even if you're a morning person, juggling breakfasts and showers and braids...it's enough to push you over the edge. Take some time the night before to prepare.  Have your child lay out his or her outfit for the next day (including shoes and accessories) before bed time. Make sure completed homework and signed permissions slips have been neatly tucked away in your child's backpack. Know what you're making for breakfast and packing for lunch--and stick to the plan. 

2.Transition into the school routine. A few weeks before school starts, start adjusting bedtimes and getting back into a regular routine. For the little ones, make this transition fun by saying "we're going to start practicing for school!". Remind older kids that getting enough sleep really does make you smarter and happier at school--it's scientific fact! Build the back-to-school excitement with school supply shopping, "classroom" playtime themes, bedtime stories about school, playdates with school friends, etc. 

3.Start a unique goodbye ritual. For younger children (and maybe for you), one of the toughest parts about going back to school is saying goodbye. Instead of making goodbyes something to dread, make them special by coming up with a fun goodbye ritual that is unique to you and your kids. It could be a made-up handshake (think Parent Trap) or a whistle or a special hug. Ask your kids for their input and create a unique daily tradition that will make you both smile.  

4.Send a little love. No matter how old your child is, a heartfelt note, compliment or gesture never goes unnoticed. Sending a surprise post-it note message in your child's lunchbox or cutting his or her sandwich in a special shape or even just suggesting a spontaneous after-school ice cream date is a great reminder of how much you care. And the best part? Thinking up these little surprises will help you stay positive amid the back-to-school stress. 

5. Create a homework zone. Organized, designated study spaces are crucial to student success when it comes to homework. Be mindful about providing desk or table space for each child where he or she can work successfully. Some children like privacy, others like background noise, so pay attention to how and where each child works best and create learning spaces accordingly. Set up a routine of checking student's planners and class agendas daily or weekly to make sure assignments are being completed on time. Encourage students to share their homework with you and show you what they've learned. 

We wish all our Fairmont Private Schools families a wonderful, blues-free back-to-school season! 

Image from caglecartoons.com

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools