SHORT STORY spirit week

Showing School Spirit with Crazy Hair and Silly Smiles

Contributed by Alyssa 

the columbus controversy...A TO Z

1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Okay, that part is true, but it turns out that most of what you and I learned about Columbus when we were in grade school was more myth than historical fact. I know what you’re thinking—don’t ruin it for me. Columbus Day is a holiday after all, legitimately celebrated by many who revere Columbus as a hero, much as I did when I made my first cut-and-paste versions of the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.

Unfortunately, we may have fallen for a legend instead of a real man. True or False?

--Columbus discovered America.

--Columbus proved to everyone that the earth was round.

--Columbus and the Native Americans got along famously after he arrived in the New World.

OK, so you might have guessed that last statement is a whopper, but the other two “facts” are False as well.

Today’s history teachers have a more complicated task ahead of them when they broach the subject of Columbus. First, there’s getting rid of the misinformation; then, there’s dealing with the darker topics that surround Columbus, namely, genocide and slavery. Yikes!

It’s probably unfair to blame it all on Columbus. Chances are he was just a man of his time--an adventurous spirit looking for fame and fortune and willing to do unthinkable things in the name of progress. Hmm, something sounds familiar here. There are many ugly moments in American history and many flawed individuals we revere as heroes. Still, Christopher Columbus had courage, he had vision and he had persistence…and maybe that's enough to celebrate this Columbus Day.

Find out more about Christopher Columbus, his life and times by visiting:

History Channel: The Columbus Controversy
Wikipedia: Christopher Columbus
Biography Christopher Columbus


Then, test your recall with a Columbus Day quiz


Contributed by Danyelle

FRIDAY FOLDER october 7

Highlights From This Week 
Fairmont Family Night

The Fairmont Preparatory Academy will be playing their home football game on Saturday, October 8th. We would love to have all Fairmont families attend the game to show our school spirit. There will also be activities such as a bounce house and face painting. You can also enjoy a treat from the snack bar.  

Congratulations Edgewood Cheerleaders 

For the third year in a row, the Edgewood Cheerleaders won first place in the Tustin Tiller Days Competition! Congratulations to the squad and their coaches! 

Parent Teacher Conferences 

Parent Teacher Conferences are around the corner on Friday, October 21. Look for correspondence from your child's teacher with your exact time slot and make note that there is no school on that day. Make the most of your Parent Teacher Conference with these helpful tips. 

Weekly E-Newsletters 
Anaheim Hills Campus 
Citron Campus 
Edgewood Campus 
Mable Campus 

October Lunch Menus 

AH Preschool-1st Grade

AH 2nd-8th Grade

Citron

Edgewood Preschool-Kindergarten

Edgewood 1st-8th Grade 

Mable 1st-3rd Grade 

Mable 4th-6th Grade 

Contributed by Alyssa 

SHORT STORY celebrate international dinosaur month

Did you know? The first dinosaur fossil ever found on the West Coast of North America was found accidentally on Irvine Ranch, in 1927.  It was a duck-billed dinosaur or Hadrosaur (pictured above).  Have any dinosaurs in your backyard?

Contributed by: Danyelle

THE FAIRMONT FIVE halloween costumes

Halloween is the closest thing kids get to their very own holiday.  Think about it.  There are tricks and treats and they get to pretend to be real live superheros/princesses/space aliens/fairies...  Spooky stuff aside, Halloween can be a celebration of your child's active imagination. Embrace the fun with these festive costume suggestions:

Cutest witch on the block.  There's nothing more classic Halloween than a witch, and this Pottery Barn costume features a cozy cape (in case it's cool for trick-or-treating) and a super-girly tutu skirt.

Make your own costumes.  Thanks to Martha Stewart Living, outfitting your children for trick-or-treating can be easy and budget friendly. Choose from several fun costume ideas perfect for boys and girls.

Brainteaser get-ups.  If you like plexers you'll love these clever, last minute costume ideas from Real Simple including this "pumpkin pie" costume.

Halloween's for the dog.  -If your pooch is good around kids, there's no need to leave him at home when you head out trick-or-treating, especially when he's dressed as a mini dinosaur!

Disney's big night out.  Calling all those wannabe Rapunzels and Lightning McQueens, this is your chance to transform into the Disney character of your dreams. And since Disney costumes are made to stand up to wear and tear, your character gear will be around for plenty of play dates to come.

Contributed by Danyelle

HOW TO make the most of your parent teacher conference

So, it's time for your parent teacher conference. You're eager to meet face-to-face with your child's teacher, but you may be a little apprehensive as well. What if things aren't all gold stars and A pluses? Yes, you want to know the truth, but can you handle the truth?!

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 maximise 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.


Contributed by Danyelle

BULLETIN BOARD october tricks and treats

Who says the Southland doesn’t experience fall color! This month, we enjoy a vibrant entree into fall with inspirational images plucked at the peak of harvest perfection.  We love Crate and Barrel’s Marimekko Kumina Orange tablecloth setting a modern but none-the-less festive tone for October.  There are so many cute Halloween crafts out there, but for starters check out Family Fun’s recycled milk jug lanterns and Favecrafts Halloween wreath—the best decorations are the ones you and your kids make together!  Enlist your children's help in outfitting gingerbread men and women with skeletal "costumes" or take a short cut to seasonal sweets by ordering decadent Halloween caramel apples from Williams Sonoma.  And October just wouldn’t be the same without a glowing jack o’ lantern—learn how to carve pumpkin masterpieces at Roger's Gardens' Pumpkin Carving Seminar on Oct. 15. from 9-11am.

Contributed by Danyelle