SCOREBOARD Lady Panthers Complete Perfect Season; Win Tri-Way League Championship!

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The Fairmont Private Schools - Historic Anaheim Campus junior high girls’ volleyball team completed an undefeated season by taking home the Tri-Way league championship trophy on Thursday, November 6.  Led by Coach Katy Kitchen, the Lady Panthers defeated Orange County rival Pegasus in two straight games, 25-16 and 25-17, in the championship match.

Traditional volleyball powerhouse Pegasus, with several players also on club teams, presented a formidable challenge for the Panthers.  Their defense held firm against a hard-hitting Pegasus team, with the Panther players showing their determination not to let a perfect season slip away.

“The girls demonstrated that doing your best and putting your heart into the game are the keys to  success,” said Coach Kitchen. "This is not a team made up exclusively of volleyball players. Their main interests include other sports and academic pursuits, such as speech and debate. They came together with the strong determination to win and to affirm that hard work pays off.” 

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
 

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

HOW TO backpack safety tips for students

Strengthen students’ knowledge without overworking their backs

As Fairmont students become familiar with the routines of school and carrying their backpacks, we would like to offer sound advice for parents to help their children use backpacks properly. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Occupational Therapy Association have provided helpful tips on backpack safety.

The backpack should be appropriately sized for the student to use comfortably. It should have enough room for necessary school items and have wide, padded shoulder straps as well as a padded back. 

Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly on the student’s back. A backpack hanging loosely from the back will strain muscles. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can also strain muscles. Your student should always use both shoulder straps.

Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments and pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. Try to arrange books and materials so they will not slide around. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight. 

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this topic and provide additional tips that will help students have an enjoyable and rewarding learning experience at Fairmont Private Schools.

Please click here for more information regarding proper backpack use. 

Image Credit:  http://www.promoteot.org/ai_backpackstrategies.htm

Contributed by Doug, Fairmont Private Schools

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