THE FAIRMONT FIVE teachers share secrets for good kid behavior

Here at Fairmont, we believe our teachers are superheroes!  And when it comes to super powers, our early childhood educators have some of the coolest skills. Our ECE teachers can predict meltdowns and stop temper tantrums with a single bound.  They seem to bring out the best in children without yelling or resorting to bad behavior themselves.  Just how do they do it?  Here are a few of their secrets for handling some of parents’ toughest challenges:

1. Solving separation anxiety--Begin each day with a positive outlook.  Take time to talk about the day before you leave for school. Try asking your child simple questions about their daily routine.  “When you are at recess what is your favorite thing to do?”  “I noticed your classroom has some great toys.  What will you play with today?”  Children develop confidence and security by following a routine.  When it is time to leave your child, always say good bye. Give them a hug and send them on their way. Do not linger or keep coming back--this sends the message that something is wrong.  Don’t panic if your child starts to cry.  Have confidence in your child's teacher.  Once a youngster has mastered a daily routine they will be confident and content at school.
2. Positive parenting--I have seen time and time again that children respond better to praise than punishment.  When parents and teachers keep things positive, they see better results.  Children want to feel that pat on the back even more than a reward.  Keep everything positive!
3. Using age to your advantage--"Age Advantage" is using a child's age as a motivation.  For example, "When you are four you will be able to do X.”  “When you are five you can do X."  Also, it can work the other way around, for example: "Now that you are four you no longer need X,” or "Five year-olds don't do X."
4. Mood matters--We have learned through teaching, as well as through parenting, that children will feed off your mood. If you are calm, they are more apt to be calm as well.
5. You're in charge--Being a parent is wonderful, but it comes with responsibility.  Parents are responsible for making decisions for their children. Children need guidance on what is in their best interest. Children are not capable of making those choices.  Parents need to teach that there are consequences for good and bad behavior. Acknowledge when a child makes the right choice and have appropriate consequences when poor choices are consistently made. One hundred percent consistency is imperative and possible. This is where “mean what you say and say what you mean” comes into effect.

To see Fairmont's ECE teachers in action, check out this new video.

Image from photobucket

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

BOOK REPORT fairy tales with a twist

Since launching Fairmont's summer program, we've all had fairy tales on the brain.  We love those "happily ever after" stories complete with princesses, dragons, and magical godmothers. But fairy tales are even more fun when they're told with a twist, like these five original takes on familiar tales. 

Kate and the Beanstalk
by Mary Pope Osborne

Bubba the Cowboy Prince
by Helen Ketteman

Cinder Edna
by Ellen Jackson

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
by Jon Scieszka

Dusty Locks and the Three Little Bears
by Susan Lowell

Image from barnesandnoble
Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

SHORT STORY fairmont prep tec launch gala

On Thursday, March 28 Fairmont Preparatory Academy kicked off its Prep TEC (Technology-Enhanced Curriculum) Program with a special gala event. The evening began with a presentation by Dr. Matt Brandstetter about the components of the program and the importance of technology in education. 

Next year, Fairmont Prep will have a 1:1 student iPad program and iPads will be incorporated into the curriculum in every subject. At the Gala, families were able to see the iPads in action by visiting classroom demonstrations around the gym. 

We were so pleased to have so many Fairmont families in attendance to see the technology integration in action. Thank you to everyone who joined! 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools

ARTS & CRAFTS flower sun catchers

It's officially spring which means flowers are blooming everywhere. Let's get some of those blooms inside too. It's time to make your own Flower Sun Catchers. This craft is easy to do with your child and lets you recycle too! Only a few arts and crafts staples are needed (empty plastic water bottle, colorful tissue paper, glue, a paint brush, and string or yarn). Just follow this easy tutorial from The Chocolate Muffin Tree blog.  Your child will love displaying his or her work on your windows!

Image from The Chocolate Muffin Tree

Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools

THE FAIRMONT FIVE fairy tale summer

This year, Fairmont's summer program has taken its inspiration from fairy tales.  From Jack in the Beanstalk to the Princess and the Pea, we let our imaginations take us far, far away on a journey to a world compete with knights-in-shining-armor, fire-breathing dragons and, of course, princesses.  

The story of how Fairmont Private Schools came into being back in 1953 is a kind of fairy tale.  There was a humble schoolteacher with a big dream.  He worked  long and hard and found lots of other great teachers along the way who shared his dream.  Sixty years later and Fairmont Private Schools is now educating bright, imaginative, courageous kids in Southern California and all over the world.  It's a happily-ever-after story that continues this summer at Fairmont Private Schools.  

Whether you enroll in our incredible summer program or create your own DIY summer camp at home, we think you'll love these five fairy tale activities, for more inspiration head to Fairmont's Once Upon a Time Pinterest board.

1. Fairy wand tutorial
2. Mini-crown craft
3. Crystallized "dragon" eggs
4. Monster slime recipe
5. Red riding hood snack

Image from weheartit
Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER march 22

Junior Kindergarten celebrating St. Patrick's Day!

Highlights From This Week

Prep TEC Program Launch Gala

Please join us at Fairmont Preparatory Academy on Thursday, March 28 from 6-8pm for a gala event to launch our new Prep TEC Program. We invite you to join us to hear all about our technology program, including the two years of research and professional development behind it. See the program in action by visiting our department-specific "classroom experiences." You'll be amazed at the ways our 1:1 iPad program will enhance student learning in every class, from calculus to P.E. This event is open to all Fairmont families, preschool-12th grade. 
Click Here to RSVP

Fairmont Summer Programs: Now Enrolling! 

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The Fairmont Summer Programs website is now LIVE and accepting applications for all the lords and ladies of the kingdom! Sign up before April 30th to receive a 10% discount on summer school and summer camp.  

Preschool-8th Grade:
http://www.fairmontsummerprograms.com/ 
High School:
http://www.fairmontsummerschool.com/

Weekly E-Newsletters 

Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus

March 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

A TO Z...gardening with kids

There are few things I enjoy more than gardening with my three children. I was delighted when Fairmont added gardening to the early childhood curriculum.  If you've ever spent a few minutes gardening with kids, you'll soon discover that it's an incredible activity for supporting any number of learning objectives (from science and math to literature and creative writing) as well as a great way to teach children to work together.  

In my experience, children who may be shy and reluctant to speak out in class "blossom" in the garden. Kids love being out in the fresh air and sunshine.  They enjoy the physical work that goes along with watering, weeding, planting and cultivating a garden. And it's so rewarding for them to experience the progression of the garden...seed, sprout, plant, flower, fruit.

I grew up in and around a garden, but you don't have to have gardening genes to be successful at creating a family-friendly garden.  It's surprisingly simple, inexpensive and you don't need lots of space.  In fact, a container garden is a great way to get started if you've never planted a garden before.

Here are some of my favorite tips and resources for gardening with kids--happy planting!

• Start small--It's easy to get carried away when you visit the garden center and see all of the amazing flowers, veggies, trees, shrubs and seeds for sale.  Temper your enthusiasm to do too much, especially if you want to get your kids involved.
• Take conditions into consideration--Plants are living things and they need the right conditions (light, water, soil) to thrive.  I'd suggest purchasing a Sunset Western Garden Guide to serve as your basic guide for selecting and caring for plants that work given your garden's conditions. Veggies need lots of sun and water, but there are other plants that love shade and many that are water-wise after a year of becoming established in the soil.
• Buy kid-sized tools--Children will enjoy working in the garden more when they have the right tools, plus they're super cute!  I like the picks from Life on the Balcony.
• Use seeds and seedlings--Many plants are fun and easy for kids to start as seeds. I like working with larger seeds when kids are involved (sunflower, squash, pumpkin, melons, beans, peas and nasturtium) since they are easier for children to hold.  Radish and carrot seeds are small, but kids can sprinkle them directly into garden soil.  Tomato and pepper plants may be easier to purchase and plant as seedlings since their seeds are teeny tiny.  For help picking plants that play nice together, refer to this handy companion planting chart.
• Get creative with containers--Container gardening is often less intimidating for new gardeners. Containers require less space and you don't need a lot of prep before you can get started planting.  There are so many clever container garden ideas.  One of my favorites is a vertical garden you create by recycling a shipping pallet.
• Have fun with critters--You may find your garden attracts ladybugs, butterflies, birds, worms and more. Make learning about the creatures in your garden part of the fun.  You can encourage beneficial insects by planting plants that attract them.
• Eat what you grow--It's a proven fact that kids are more likely to eat their veggies when they've been involved in growing them.  Watch the Edible Schoolyard segment from Growing a Greener World for inspiration--these school kids are really getting a hands-on lesson on where their food comes from.
• Start a garden reading list--There are some wonderful children's books about seasons, seeds, gardening, etc. that will help educate and excite your children about their garden.  I love The Gardener by Sarah Stewart and The Curious Garden by Peter Brown. 

Image from Hearthsong
Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools