BULLETIN BOARD back to school

It's that time of year again--time to sharpen those pencils and pull out those backpacks. We're heading back to school at Fairmont, and we can't wait for another fun-filled year! Even for parents, back to school is a time of nostalgia and new beginnings. We hope these school-y picks help you start the new year out right. 

1. Printable 3-D letters make learning the alphabet fun 2. Remember each 1st Day of School with this adorable picture idea 3.  Give your child something to smile about at lunchtime with these creative sandwiches 4. This colorful backpack is just the right size for your little bookworm 5. There's nothing sweeter than these back to school themed cupcakes 6. Add a little vintage school decor to your child's desk space 

For even more Back to School inspiration, check out last year's Bulletin Board as well. 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

SCHOOL UNIFORMS...A to Z

Fairmont student from the 50s looking prim and proper in her school uniform

School uniforms have long been the norm for private school attire. That collegiate, preppy look is nearly as synonymous with school life as backpacks and pencils. Here at Fairmont, our school uniform has changed fabric, colors and styles over the decades, but our "look" remains classic and focused on function as well as form.

This year, we have introduced changes to our uniform policy that we believe aligns better with Fairmont's culture of excellence and high expectations.  We have adopted a dress uniform for boys and girls and created a custom plaid for the girl's uniform that is unique to Fairmont. During this transition year, students may wear both old and new uniform pieces; however, starting the 2013/2014 school year, all students must adhere to the new uniform policy.

It has been our collective experience that children perform better in school when they are in uniform. Students who feel confident about how they look tend to rise to the occasion by putting forth their best effort in school. They also encourage others to treat them with dignity and respect when they are dressed appropriately.

We believe that uniforms:

• create a sense of unity, belonging and school pride
• limit distractions and focus attention on learning
• reinforce character building and encourage good etiquette
• limit cliquishness and encourage students to find other ways of expressing their uniqueness

If these reasons aren’t enough to make you a fan of school uniforms, consider this practical fact. Uniforms make it so much easier for kids to get dressed and ready for school each day. That’s reason enough for this mom to LOVE school uniforms!

Contributed by Danyelle

ARTS & CRAFTS chalkboard notebook

Something about school supplies brings out my inner teacher's pet.  I love the timelessness of a yellow No.2 pencil, the speckled cover on a fresh composition notebook, the opaque blackness of a pristine chalkboard....  And speaking of composition notebooks and chalkboards, I loved this clever DIY project (complements of warmhotchocolate) that marries two of my favorite things. This craft gets an A+ for simplicity since all you'll need is chalkboard paint, a sponge brush and a composition notebook.

Photo from the blog warmhotchocolate

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

SUMMER week 8 - a pirate's life for me!

Citron's Associate Director Mrs. Jansen plays pirate ship with our little campers during their field trip to the Mable Campus

Edgewood campers show off their dance skills in the annual talent show

Highlights From This Week

Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate's life for me! The summer heat is finally here, but we're staying nice and cool at Fairmont Summer Programs with some awesome indoor activities like Captain Hook's Holographic Diffraction in science and Sand Art Key Chains during art. Our little pirate and pixie campers also got to go for a swim on Tuesday to beat the heat!

Today is Thursday Theme Day, and our theme is Superhero Day. Get ready to save the world dressed as your favorite superhero! 

On Friday, we will be taking an adventure to Camelot for our weekly field trip. Campers will enjoy miniature golf, laser tag, arcade games, and a water slide! Be sure to put sunscreen on your child in the morning, and check out your campus' newsletter below for details on what to bring and wear. 

Weekly Newsletters 
Anaheim Hills Campus
Citron Campus
Edgewood Campus
Mable Campus

Summer Orientation Videos 
Anaheim Hills Campus
Citron Campus
Edgewood Campus
Mable Campus

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

SUMMER exploring mermaid lagoon for week 7

Our campers had too much fun cheering on the Angels and turning the slide into a 

pirate ship! 

Highlights From This Week

It's Week 7--the final week of summer school! We are so proud of the progress our students have made this summer. They are all ready to start the new school year with a strong understanding of the key math and writing concepts for their grade levels. In the afternoons, our summer campers made sea turtle slime and magic potion mix in science. They also put on a Tropical Talent Show that wowed the crowd! 

Today is Thursday Theme Day, and our theme is Superhero Day. Get ready to save the world dressed as your favorite superhero! 

On Friday, we will be taking an adventure to Knott's Betty Farm for our weekly field trip. Campers will haven an action-packed day of rides, shows, and more. Be sure to put on sunscreen in the morning and check out your campus' newsletter below for details on what to bring. 

Weekly Newsletters 
Anaheim Hills Campus
Citron Campus
Edgewood Campus
Mable Campus

Summer Orientation Videos 
Anaheim Hills Campus
Citron Campus
Edgewood Campus
Mable Campus

Contributed by Alyssa, 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 

SUMMER week 6 at turtle reef

Summer camp is full of adventures, from zip lining at the Irvine Outdoor Education Center to face painting for our preschool campers! 

Highlights From This Week

We can't believe it's already Week 6 of summer! Time flies when you're having fun right? This week our campers set off for Turtle Reef. They made bubbling blue blobs in science, cheered the Angels on to victory, crafted turtle photo-holder sculptures--and it's only Thursday! We love seeing our campers making memories and having fun. 

Today is Thursday Theme Day, and our theme is Sports Fan Day! We can't wait to see all of our campers representing their favorite teams with their jerseys, hats, and team color gear. 

On Friday, we will be taking an adventure to Corona Del Mar Beach for our weekly field trip. Campers will enjoy some fun in the sun as they play in the water, build sandcastles, picnic on the sand, and play beach games. Be sure to wear sunscreen and check out your campus' newsletter below for details on what to bring. 

Weekly Newsletters 
Anaheim Hills Campus 
Citron Campus
Edgewood Campus 
Mable Campus 

Summer Orientation Videos 
Anaheim Hills Campus 
Citron Campus 
Edgewood Campus 
Mable Campus 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools