SNACK TIME gardening this summer

Give the gift of gardening this summer by introducing your child to a fun activity that can last all summer long and beyond. Let your children be dazzled by dirt and critters, inspired as seeds sprout and vegetables and fragrant herbs grow.

 

Benefits of Gardening

Tending to a garden, including regular watering, checking for growth, removing harmful insects, etc. can foster independence and responsibility. Allowing the child to select their own seeds or plant teaches them about expression.

 

Master gardeners know that exposure to gardening also shows kids the importance of food and healthy eating, as well as caring for their environment. Gardening can be a great way for children to expand their food choices since kids are more likely to eat something they have grown.

 

A trip to the local nursery to pick out seeds and a child’s very own gloves and tools can delight with anticipation.  Seed packets usually include instructions for caring for the plant, giving young gardeners an opportunity to practice their reading skills, too.

 

Kids love using their hands to create things. It can be as simple as one plant in a single pot or a full designated garden onsite. Decide on where you will plant- directly in the ground, on raised beds or in containers.

Growing tomatoes, green beans, strawberries or sunflowers are popular and easy options.

 

Theme gardens are fun too. You could create theme gardens with foods kids like. For example, if they like pizza, have them plant tomatoes, basil, oregano and peppers. Or stimulate their imagination by planning a fairy garden. Or plant a “hidden treasure garden” by harvesting root plants such as carrots or potatoes or radishes.

 

It’s also a great way to elevate a child’s self esteem. There are many benefits to gardening at home, school or as part of a community project.

 

Preparing the soil, planting the seeds, watching the first sign of life instills a sense of wonder and connection with the soil and plants that nourish them. Give your children an activity that will give them inspiration and a sense of accomplishment all summer long.

 

For tips on making gardening a family activity refer to the resources below.

Books:  "We Grew It, Let's Eat It!" (Tenley Circle Press, $15) and "Dig, Plant, Grow: The Kids Guide to Gardening," (Cool Springs Press, $16)

 

Websites: -- http://kidsgardening.org/

For nutrition education printouts for preschool and elementary school children:

http://www.nourishinteractive.com/nutrition-education-printables/category/9-kids-gardening-growing-healthy-food

 

Contributed by Leslie K. Kay-Getzinger, MS, RD, Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services Company

HOW TO make the most of your child's report card

School is almost out and that means parents will soon be receiving their child's final report card of the school year. Understandably, parents can get a little apprehensive when report card time rolls around.  Here are some tips from Fairmont's early childhood experts to help you make the most of your child's report card.

A+ for effort--“Parents should praise the effort not just the outcome. Children need to know that working hard and giving their best effort is more important than making the equivalent of straight A’s,” says Kelly Robinette, Fairmont’s Senior Education Coordinator.  “At this age parents need to reinforce the idea that working hard and practicing a skill is key to success; otherwise, children can be tempted to throw in the towel when learning doesn’t come easy.”

Avoid comparing your child to others--Since a child’s early years are so developmental in nature, it is important that you try to avoid comparing your child with other kids in the class, and keep in mind that each child is unique and will master skills in his or her own time.  Instead of comparing, celebrate your child’s achievement and focus on the areas where you know he or she worked extra hard. 

When to intervene--If your child is “below expectation” or “approaching expectation” in a certain skill at the end of the school year, check with your child’s teacher to see what you can do at home to help your child improve.  Even if your child has aced certain areas, there’s nothing wrong with reinforcing key skills over the summer so that he or she starts the new school year strong.

Simple ways parents can support learning

Language Arts--While at the grocery store, have children read as much as they can--the products listed on each aisle, the labels on canned goods, etc.  They can do a letter or word hunt while you shop.  Have them search for and count as many letter “A’s” as they can...and so forth.

Math--Count the forks and spoons as you empty the dishwasher.  Work on writing numbers that are important to your child like their age, birthday or address.  Dominos, dice, and playing cards are all great tools for teaching young children about math.

Handwriting/Penmanship--Any activity to strengthen fine motor skills helps with handwriting.  Try having your child cut a variety of materials including paper, cardboard and playdough.  Playdough is a great tool for strengthening little hands and fingers in preparation for proper pencil grip and penmanship.  Encourage little ones to trace out letters with their index finger in shaving cream or sand, or mold letters with clay or “moon sand,” which you can find at stores like Target.

Science/Social Studies--Take advantage of summer by getting outside and experiencing nature. Go on nature hikes and scavenger hunts.  Plant a garden. Visit local parks, the beach, and wonderful learning museums like the Discovery Science Center and the Aquarium of the Pacific. If you plan to travel with your family this summer, have your child chart your travels on a map and record memories in a journal.

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER may 17

Our North Tustin 2nd Graders has a "wild" time at the Los Angeles Zoo!

Highlights From This Week

Fairmont Students Lead the Way in Student Led Conferences 

Fairmont Private Schools and other schools around the country are leading the charge on a new style of conferences that are student-led. We introduced Student-Led Conferences this month with wonderful, positive comments from parents, students, and teachers. We encourage you to participate in your child's conference if you have not done so already.  

 

Student Led Conferences help put students on "center stage" and take more responsibility for their academic achievement, self-discipline, and physical well-being. Student Led Conferences reflect the belief that students should be actively involved in their learning and assume responsibility for the learning process. We look forward to seeing you at the Student Led Conferences to celebrate your child's growth and learning!  

Bruce Hockman Carnival - May 24th 

Join your fellow Fairmont Private School students for a day full of fun, prizes, and activities at the Historic Anaheim Campus! Enjoy all carnival attractions for one low price. Snacks for all carnival guests include popcorn, cotton candy, and snow cones. Pizza and drinks will be served to 2nd grade-7th grade students. Activities include inflatables, classic carnival games, hairspray, face painting and many other exciting booths. Don't miss out on the fun! The Bruce Hockman Carnival is created and staffed by 8th Grade students from the Anaheim Hills, Historic Anaheim, North Tustin, and International Academy campuses. All profits are used for 8th Grade end of the year activities. Please contact Karen Saturday (ksaturday@fairmontschools.com) or Christina Dodson (cdodson@fairmontschools.com) with any questions.

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

May 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...21st century learning

21st century learning--it's something you hear a lot about these days, but do you really know what it means? Doesn't it  have something to do with computers, the Internet and technology? With mastering the skills necessary to compete in our rapidly changing, global society? I have to admit I was a little fuzzy on the subject before reading Edutopia's A Parent's Guide to 21st Century Learning. Here's what I learned.

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills defines the key competencies that form the basis of 21st century learning or the "4Cs" as:

• Collaboration: Students are able to work effectively with diverse groups and exercise flexibility in making compromises to achieve common goals.
• Creativity: Students are able to generate and improve on original ideas and also work creatively with others.
• Communication: Students are able to communicate effectively across multiple media and for various purposes.
• Critical thinking: Students are able to analyze, evaluate, and understand complex systems and apply strategies to solve problems.

If you're more of a visual person, check out the video above from Thesys International to see the 4Cs in action! So that's what all the hubbub is about! 

While the 4Cs won't replace reading, writing and arithmetic, they help push parents and educators to re-think the way we teach our children. Kids today will hold dozens of jobs in the course of their lifetimes--and who knows what these jobs will be. Chances are they haven't even been "invented" yet. What we do know is that students won't succeed unless we prepare them to be highly creative, flexible thinkers with the emotional intelligence to communicate and work well with others.

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

THE FAIRMONT FIVE get moving for physical fitness month

The President has officially declared May National Physical Fitness month.  Today in America, one-third of all children and two-thirds of all adults are overweight or obese.  It's a serious problem, but taking steps to get healthier is actually lots of fun.  You don't have to overhaul your daily family routine to fit in a little more fitness.  Here are some simple ways to get moving this May:

1. Walk the dog. Fido needs his exercise too, so why not round up the whole family for a brisk trot around the block.
2. Pull weeds. Yard work can be very constructive exercise. Make a game of pulling weeds, raking up debris, and riding in the wheelbarrow.
3. Play hopscotch. Get out the sidewalk chalk and invite the neighbor kids over for an afternoon of hopscotch.
4. Have a hula hoop contest. If you have a few hula hoops collecting dust in your garage, great!  If not, a 30-minute dance party works just as well for showing off those moves.
5. Jump rope. Take it from Rocky Balboa, this is one effective way to get in shape.  Boys love the challenge of jumping rope and girls love the sing-song schoolyard chants.

Photo from letsmove.gov

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools 

FRIDAY FOLDER may 10

Anaheim Hills Preschool Celebrating Mother's Day with "Mommies and Muffins!"

Highlights From This Week

Anaheim Hills "A Typical Day in Music Class" Program

On May 2, the Jr. Kindergarten and Kindergarten students impressed their parents with a musical performance called "A Typical Day in Music Class." From beginning to end, the performance was conducted just like music class. Students sang nursery rhymes and songs, danced to music by Tchaikovsky and Vivaldi, played percussive instruments, and participated in critical listening games. The parents joined their children in games like "Johnny Get Your Haircut" and "Talking Piano."  The highlight of the performance was the special

finale when both the JK and Kindergarten students came together on stage to perform "Funga Alafia." This West African folk song has become a tradition for the students to sing each year because it is about friendship. During the song, the children played rhythm sticks, maracas, finger cymbals and our special African tubano drums, creating a magnificent sound of joy and unity!

We want to thank our teachers for all their help! Our music teacher, Mrs. Zavoral, directed the show with the tremendous support of Mrs. Foeldi, Mrs. Bush, Ms. Jensen, Miss Johnson, and Miss Dominguez.

Check out the pictures on FLICKR!

Bruce Hockman Carnival - May 24th 

Join your fellow Fairmont Private School students for a day full of fun, prizes, and activities at the Historic Anaheim Campus! Enjoy all carnival attractions for one low price. Snacks for all carnival guests include popcorn, cotton candy, and snow cones. Pizza and drinks will be served to 2nd grade-7th grade students. Activities include inflatables, classic carnival games, hairspray, face painting and many other exciting booths. Don't miss out on the fun! The Bruce Hockman Carnival is created and staffed by 8th Grade students from the Anaheim Hills, Historic Anaheim, North Tustin, and International Academy campuses. All profits are used for 8th Grade end of the year activities. Please contact Karen Saturday (ksaturday@fairmontschools.com) or Christina Dodson (cdodson@fairmontschools.com) with any questions.

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

May 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

THE FAIRMONT FIVE motherhood quotes

In honor of all of the loving, hard working, patient, beautiful...amazing mothers out there (many of whom are also teachers here at Fairmont), we wanted to share some of our favorite quotes about motherhood.  We hope you will take advantage of Mother's Day this Sunday to honor the women in your life who have helped you become the person you are today.  And if you're a mother yourself, give yourself a pat on the back for us.  You are your child's first and most important teacher and have an incredibly important and difficult job.  Kudos to you!

1. A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.  ~Tenneva Jordan
2. All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.  ~Abraham Lincoln
3. Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother. ~ Lin Yutang
4. The mother is the one supreme asset of national life; she is more important by far than the successful statesman, or business man, or artist, or scientist. ~ Theodore Roosevelt 
5. There was never a great man who had not a great mother, it is hardly an exaggeration. ~Olive Schreiner

Image from webclipart.about.com

Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools