HOW TO organize your child's room

January is a time for new beginnings. Use this time to create a new beginning for your child's room. An organized room means a happier child and parent. It might seem daunting but use these five tips to get started, and you'll be done before you know it. 

1. Start at the bottom

Get on your child's level and look at their room with a fresh eye. See what works and what doesn't. Are shelves too high? Is there space that isn't being utilized? Put together a plan. 

2. Purge

With new toys and clothes coming in, unused ones need to leave. Have your child help with this step and decide together what will stay, go to the trash, or be donated. Make this step go faster by agreeing that if a toy or item of clothing hasn't been used in X amount of months, it needs to go.

3. Buy

After buying countless gifts for Christmas, spending more might not sound positive. But there's a possibility you already have these organization items, and if you don't, the investment is well worthwhile. To make a difference in your child's room you need bins and hooks. Bins allow easy access to toys and books, and hooks help to use space that wasn't used before. 

4. Label

Labeling bins, boxes, and drawers will help everyone (including you) remember where things go. When everything has its place, the room will look a lot neater.

5. Rotate

Once you have organized you might see that you still don't have room for everything. Don't despair. Putting seasonal clothes in the garage is always an option. And for toys, you can always keep bins of toys in the garage and rotate them with the ones in the room every three or four months. Your child will most likely have forgotten about some of the stored toys, and it will seem like Christmas all over again!

If you want your newly organized room to stay organized, make sure you teach your child what is being done so they can keep it up on their own. And always remember to have fun doing it! 

Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools 

(Photo via The Beauty of the Best House) 

ARTS & CRAFTS snowglobes

Who doesn't love a snow globe? I admit, I'm a big fan.  There's just something magical about these mini winter wonderlands enclosed in glass. We aren't likely to be getting snow for real this winter, but there's no harm in dreaming. This craft from Martha Stewart Living is sure to set your kids' imagination free to conjure their very own snow day.

Image from Martha Stewart Living

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER january 11

Let's Go FAIRMONT! 

Highlights From This Week

Fairmont Prep Community Open House 

Thursday, January 17 

6pm-8pm

We invite Fairmont P-8 families to join the Fairmont Prep community at our annual open house event. The evening will kick off with the Grand Opening of our brand new College and Counseling Center. Then you will have the opportunity to tour the campus, visit classrooms, and attend a student panel to hear more about our campus life and special programs.  

Click Here to RSVP  

How to Train Your Dragon Assembly 

The Anaheim Ducks & Dreamworks, How to Train Your Dragon crew came to Fairmont North Tustin for an Anti-Bullying Assembly on Wednesday, Jan. 9th. The students learned that it is OK to be different and how to be respectful of others in a fun, interactive way. Check out the video here! 

Weekly E-Newsletters 

Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus

January 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 Grad

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools

BOOK REPORT over and under the snow

Over and Under the Snow

Written by Kate Messner, Illustrated by Chris Silas Neal

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow exists a secret kingdom of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals that live through the winter safe and warm, awake and busy, under the snow. Discover the wonder and activity that lies beneath winter’s snowy landscape in this magical book. 

The beautiful mixed-media illustrations and poetic prose has made this picture book a winter favorite at my home! For other great winter picture book recommendations, check out this pin on Fairmont's Pinterest account.

Book cover image and book description from katemessener.com

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

THE FAIRMONT FIVE family resolutions

It's a new year and plenty of people are already hard at work making their resolutions a reality. I have a few personal resolutions (lose those last few stubborn pounds of baby weight, read more, exercise...) but when you're a mom, there's no changing your life without changing the life of your family.  I love the opportunity a new year affords to take stock of things and begin, again, at the tough work of being the best mom I can be. I'm planning to channel this resolution-making energy into some doable goals for me and my family in 2013.  Here are some tips I found helpful from Dr. Phil for making my list of Family Resolutions:

1. Take inventory and prioritize. If you want to turn chaos into harmony and rhythm in your household, you have to be willing to challenge everything. Nothing is sacred. You may have to change your lifestyle, rearrange your schedule or drop some of your commitments in order to fully benefit your family. Are your children involved in too many activities? Are you so busy you never have time alone with your spouse? Ask yourself what's really important to you and your family.
2. Learn to delegate. Oftentimes, mothers take it all on themselves when their children are old enough to lend a helping hand. You can't do everything. It's admirable, but not realistic. Divide up the labor and responsibilities so you're not so worn out all the time. Give your kids specific tasks that they can each be responsible for. Your kids will appreciate it. It'll make them feel helpful and you'll have more to give them in return.
3. Create family rituals. Plan something fun for everyone to look forward to. Pick one night a week for game night. It's the time to de-stress, decompress, relax and have fun together without the TV on or the phone ringing. Do your children like to bake? Bake something new every week. Find special things to do every holiday or birthday. Your kids may roll their eyes, but their ears still work and they'll be grateful for the time together. 
4. Make each child feel special. Make a commitment to have "dates" with each of your kids. Find one thing you can do that's unique to each child that you don't do with the other kids. Know that you are very important to your children. The time you spend with them is vital to who they become as adults. 
5. Nurture your relationship with your spouse. One of the most important things you can do for your children is to take care of their mom and dad. Don't stop being friends and lovers because you've become parents. Schedule in date night for just the two of you. Remember why you fell in love in the first place. 

Image above from Design Sponge: New Year’s Resolution from Sierra of Poppies & Posies

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

THE FAIRMONT FIVE educational winter break activities

Winter break is a much needed time for kids to let their minds and bodies relax from the everyday school grind. But if you want to make sure your children stay alert and engaged, here are five places to visit that are both fun and educational.

1. Laguna Beach Art Walk

Visit beautiful Laguna Beach the first Thursday of every month and enjoy a free walk through the town's galleries with Main Beach in the background. Arrive between 6pm and 9pm and a shuttle bus will pick you up from the Laguna Art Museum.

2. Discovery Science Center 

Head to the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana to really get your "hands on" some science! Have a blast with more than 100 science exhibits that you can actually touch. Hours during winter break are 9am-6pm and children (ages 3-14) are $12.95 and adults (ages 15+) are $14.95. There is also a yearly family membership for $99.

3. Fullerton Arboretum 

The Fullerton Arboretum is the largest botanical garden in Orange County. It boasts 26 acres with 4,000 unique and unusual plant species from around the world. Enjoy its ponds, streams, and wildlife together as you walk and enjoy the tranquility of this beautiful oasis in the city. Visit 7 days a week 8am-4:30pm.

4. Angel Stadium Tour 

For some sports fun take the Angel Stadium Tour. Get behind the scenes and visit the Angels dugout, visitors clubhouse, the press box, and dugout suites. Call in advance to make a reservation. Kids cost $3 and adults $5. 

5. Santa Ana Zoo 

It's always fun to go to the zoo. And we have one right in our backyard. The Santa Ana Zoo focuses on the animals and plants of Central and South America and is known for its extensive primate collection with over a dozen species from around the world. It is open daily from 10am-4pm and costs $10 for adults and $7 for kids.

Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools 

SHORT STORY choc toy drive

On Friday, December 14 Santa Claus led an entourage of Harley Davidson Riders to each of our campuses to pick up Fairmont's CHOC Toy Drive donations. Our children had a blast watching the motorcycles roll in and then going to see Santa. 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools