SNACK TIME "a" is for apples

A is for "Apples," one of the most popular, flavorful and healthful fruit grown in the world. Do you have a favorite fruit?  Three-fourths of Americans name apples as their favorite fruit to snack on.

The state of Washington is the largest grower followed by New York, Michigan, California and many other states producing about 2500 varieties.

Do you have a favorite variety? I love Fuji and Honey Crisp.   Most popular in the US include red delicious (a Fairmont favorite), Golden Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith, Rome, McIntosh, Gala, and Jonathon. Which one is your favorite?

Does an apple-a-day really keep the doctor away?  Maybe. In addition to vitamins and mineral, apples are a rich source of pectin, a type of fiber with a number of protective health benefits including acting as an antioxidant, and lowering risk for colon cancer, high blood pressure and gall stones. Apples are also high in flavonoids, another compound with heart health benefits.

So whether you eat apples for their health benefits or just because they taste good consider eating apples in your daily snack routine!

(Photo by Boston Finds)

Contributed by Leslie K. Kay, MS, RD, Nutrition Management

BOOK REPORT edgewood's pick is perfect for cold and flu season

A Bad Case of Stripes

By David Shannon

This book is about Camilla Cream who loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the other kids in her school don't like them. And Camilla Cream is very, very worried about what other people think of her. In fact, she's so worried that she's about to break out in...a bad case of stripes! The moral of the story...be yourself! Don't worry about what others think of you. A perfect read for junior kindergarten and up.

Contributed by Jonna, Edgewood campus

BOOK REPORT citron picks tome that teaches honesty

The Empty Pot

By Demi

Ages: 4 to 7

An emperor needs to find a wise heir for his throne. Because the king loves flowers, he decides to let the flowers choose who it will be. He tells all the children that they can each get one seed and the one that can grow the most beautiful flower will be the next emperor.  Ping is a little boy who can grow anything, yet cannot get anything to grow from the Emperor’s seed. Ping finds out that his failure is turned into triumph when his honesty is rewarded.

Submitted by Jody Moran, Citron campus

BOOK REPORT mable's ms. roybal suggests everyone’s favorite 3rd grader...ramona!

Ramona Forever

By Beverly Cleary

Fairmont Point Level: 4.8

AR Points: 4

I really like this book because I think third graders can relate to it in real life.  It is a story about feeling older and grown up and making new discoveries.  Ramona faces drama and several life-changing events in the book. She begins to feel that Howie's grandmother dislikes her, and she has a hard time getting along with her teenager sister, Beezus. Ramona is also challenged with the marriage of her Aunt Beatrice and the birth of a new sibling. Children can relate to annoying siblings, being blamed, weddings, and the birth of a new sibling.  It’s another “Ramona” classic!

Contributed by Karen, Mable campus

BOOK REPORT anaheim hills mrs. jarvis picks a children's classic

The Trumpet of the Swan

By E. B. White

Ms. Jarvis chose this book as one of her favorites because she has enjoyed reading it to her grandchildren.  It is a heart-warming tale of a young boy who befriends a swan.  Although he lacks a voice in the traditional "Ko-hoh!" sense, trumpeter swan Louis learns to speak to the world with a trumpet stolen from a music store by his father. With the support of an unusual boy named Sam, who helps Louis learn how to read and write, the swan has some rather unswanlike adventures and ultimately wins the love--and the freedom--of a beautiful swan named Serena. Through a simple story, acclaimed author E.B. White celebrates that fact that we all have differences.  It is a wonderful book for boys and girls, ages 8-12.

Contributed by Vicky, Anaheim Hills campus

FACULTY LOUNGE edgewood features organ aficionado ed williamson

Edgewood fifth grade teacher, Mr. Ed Williamson, is a native Californian who grew up in north San Diego County. He attended high school at San Pasqual Academy and earned his BA in Liberal Arts from Loma Linda University, La Sierra Campus.

Currently, he lives in Tustin, within walking distance of the Edgewood campus. He and his wife (who is also a teacher) have two grown children and one grandchild. Adding spunk and joy to their household are a MinPin and a Long-haired Chihuahua. 

Mr. Williamson played basketball on his high school and college teams, but music was his true passion and continues to be to this day.  He began studying piano at the age of nine.  He also studied organ for four years during high school and is currently a member of the American Guild of Organists.  He plays for various churches here in Southern California.  In addition to playing music, Mr. Williamson enjoys watching movies, attending plays, going to the symphony and watching sports – especially the Angels and Lakers.

Mr. Williamson has been teaching elementary school for 25 years. He has taught fifth grade at Edgewood since 1996. In addition to his teaching duties, he enjoys coaching DSL flag football and basketball.  “I feel truly blessed to be a part of the faculty here at Edgewood,” he says.

Contributed by Jonna, Edgewood campus

LUNCHBOX december menu, edgewood

The holiday season is just around the corner, and Nutrition Management is celebrating with some yummy lunch options! Check out the Preschool-1st Grade Lunch Menu and the 2nd-8th Grade Lunch Menu to plan ahead for the month of December. Happy Holidays everyone! 

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management