HOW TO get a jump start on college

It's never too early to start thinking about college, especially with college admissions becoming more and more competitive. You can help your child get ahead by planning for and talking about college in the elementary years, and College Fairs are a great place to start. These events attract representatives from a variety of colleges nation wide. The reps set up a booth and talk with parents and students about their schools. Attending a College Fair will give your child the opportunity to see a variety of schools and start getting excited about college and give you the chance to gain an understanding of the college admissions and financial aid processes.

Fairmont is hosting our 9th Annual College Fair on Tuesday, October 16 from 6:00pm-7:30pm, and we encourage all Fairmont students and their families to take advantage of this opportunity to gain a competitive edge in college admissions. You'll have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with college admission representatives from a number of leading colleges and universities in California and around the world.

Admissions personnel from over 60 colleges and universities will be available to answer questions related to academic programs, extra-curricular activities, student life, tuition and financial aid. Representatives from our College Counseling Center will also be on hand to answer questions and provide their insights on the college admissions process, in addition to a financial aid specialist who will share best practices.

Click here to view the full list of attending colleges and to RSVP. 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

FRIDAY FOLDER october 5

Rainbow hair rules at the 2012 Anaheim Hills Campus Fall Festival.

October is Conference Month at Fairmont

Wondering how your child is doing so far this school year? You don't have long to wait to find out. October is parent/teacher conference month at Fairmont and we are delighted to have this one-on-one opportunity to meet with you. At Fairmont, we believe a strong parent-teacher partnership is essential to your child's success. Conferences are one way we strengthen this connection. What can you expect from your parent-teacher conference?  It varies by teacher and grade level, but you can count on hearing details about your child's academic progress including areas where he or she is excelling and areas where he or she may need some extra help. Please feel free to take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions and share any concerns or insights you may have regarding your child's education.  Although meetings are scheduled throughout the month, Friday, October 19 is Fairmont's official Conference Day and there will be NO SCHOOL for students on this day.

9th Annual College Fair at Fairmont Prep  
Mark your calendars! The 9th Annual College Fair at Fairmont Prep is coming up on Tuesday, October 16. Representatives from over 60 colleges and universities will be on campus to talk with parents and students about their schools. It's never too early to start thinking about college and learning more about the college admissions process. Don't miss out on this excellent opportunity! While you're on campus, you can also stop by Fairmont Prep's Community Open House to tour the campus and learn more about the school. Click here to learn more and RSVP.

Weekly E-Newsletters 

Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus

October Lunch Menus 

Anaheim Hills Preschool-1st Grade

Anaheim Hills 2nd-8th Grade

Historic Anaheim Campus Preschool

Historic Anaheim Campus Kindergarten 

Historic Anaheim Campus 1st-8th Grade

North Tustin Preschool-Kindergarten

North Tustin 1st-8th Grade

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

HOW TO maximize your parent/teacher conference

Few things make a parent beam with pride more than a glowing review from a teacher. We love to hear that our children are bright, hard-working and responsible, and, chances are, that's just what you'll hear at your upcoming parent/teacher conference. Keep in mind that it is also a valuable opportunity to dig a little deeper and find out areas where your child may need support.

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 maximize 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.

Photo from whattoexpect.com article on building parent/teacher relationships

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. 13 from 9-11am.

Contributed by Danyelle

SHORT STORY historic anaheim kindergarten room ribbon cutting

On Wednesday, September 26 we celebrated the Ribbon Cutting of the new 21st Century Kindergarten Classrooms at the Historic Anaheim Campus. 

Our Kindergarten students showed off their cutting skills as they helped their teachers cut the ribbon and reveal their new classrooms to their parents. 

Parents and students then enjoyed a demonstration of some of the technology features in the rooms, including the Activotes, Eno Boards, Apple TV, and iPads. 

Thank you to our wonderful Historic Anaheim Kindergarten teachers for a special evening! 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

FRIDAY FOLDER september 28

Junior High Spirit Day...Eighth Grade looking tough!

Highlights From This Week

Fairmont Family Night Football Game Star Singers 

The JK and Kindergarten students from every Fairmont campus joined together to sing the National Anthem at the Fairmont Family Football  game last week. Even though a few of them were nervous, they all stood bravely on the Yorba Linda High School track and sang their hearts out. They knew the song better than some of the adults in the stands! It was a great way to start a very fun evening. Thanks to our music teachers and to the JK & Kindergarten teachers for preparing the students to be star singers!

OC Children's Book Festival Book Drive 
Don't forget to join us this Saturday at the OC Children's Book Festival. Fairmont will be at booth #110. Bring along your new and used books to donate at our Book Drive. 

Lee National Denim Day Friday, October 5 

Our Anaheim Hills and North Tustin Campuses will be having Lee Denim Day on campus. Lee National Denim Day® is a fundraiser created by Lee Jeans to support the American Cancer Society®'s breast cancer programs. Since its inception in 1996, Lee National Denim Day participants have raised more than $86 million for the fight against breast cancer. With your help, we hope to add millions more to that total this year.

Lee National Denim Day 2012 kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Monday, October 1st. Join Lee® Jeans and the American Cancer Society in the movement to rise above breast cancer by donating $5 for the privilege of wearing jeans to school! Thank you for all your support.

9th Annual College Fair at Fairmont Prep  
Mark your calendars! The 9th Annual College Fair at Fairmont Prep is coming up on Tuesday, October 16. Representatives from over 60 colleges and universities will be on campus to talk with parents and students about their schools. It's never too early to start thinking about college and learning more about the college admissions process. Don't miss out on this excellent opportunity! While you're on campus, you can also stop by Fairmont Prep's Community Open House to tour the campus and learn more about the school. Click here to learn more and RSVP.

Weekly E-Newsletters 

Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus

October Lunch Menus 

Anaheim Hills Preschool-1st Grade

Anaheim Hills 2nd-8th Grade

Historic Anaheim Campus Preschool

Historic Anaheim Campus Kindergarten 

Historic Anaheim Campus 1st-8th Grade

North Tustin Preschool-Kindergarten

North Tustin 1st-8th Grade

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools

SHORT STORY fall sports

Our Anaheim Hills Tri-Way Football Team plays hard for their first victory of the season! 

There's nothing greater than an autumn afternoon out cheering at a sports game! Our fall season sports (Tri-Way and DSL Football & Volleyball) are in full swing. Be sure to come out to a game and cheer our athletes on to victory. GO FAIRMONT! 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools