SHORT STORY 2013 halloween parades

It seems like everyone has moved on to turkeys and tinsel, but we still haven't had our fill of cute students in Halloween costumes.  We think you will agree after you watch the 2013 Halloween parades!

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

BOOK REPORT milly and the macy's parade

Milly and the Macy's Parade

by Shana Corey

Illustrated by Brett Helquist

Treat your child to a festive story of how one small person makes a big difference. It's Thanksgiving, and spirited Milly sees that the whole town is in need of some cheer, so she comes up with a way to blend her family's old country traditions with their new American heritage, and thus the Macy's Day Parade is born. Inspired by the true story behind the first Macy's Parade in 1924, bright paintings and easy-to-follow text will captivate your child. Milly's story provides a glimpse into immigrant life in America in the 1920s and shows the value of a child's ideas and dreams.

Review provided by Scholastic

Image credit: http://inchmark.squarespace.com/inchmark/2008/11/26/nyc-6.html

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

FAIRMONT FIVE rainy day playdates

I think everyone loves fall. You pull out all of the warm sweaters and boots.  You cuddle up under cozy blankets.  And EVERYTHING is pumpkin flavored!  It also means being a little more creative for playdates because fall can also mean rain. But don't worry, plenty of fun can be had indoors! Here are 5 playdate ideas when rain is threatening:

1. Build a blanket fort. Whether you're 4 or 14 fort building is always fun. Give kids full access to all blankets, chairs, tables, etc. that will be needed for their forts. Building is most of the fun but snack time in the fort is great too.
2. Balloon swatting. For those of us with young boys who have lots of energy, balloon swatting is the perfect solution. Blow up a handful of balloons or let the kids do it themselves. Give them some boundaries and then just let them get all of that energy out keeping the balloons off the floor!
3. Bake cookies. Baking a sweet treat on a cool, rainy day fills the house with wonderful smells and keeps little ones busy. Let the kids help out with measuring, mixing and licking the spoon!
4. Walking in the rain. Put on your rain gear and grab an umbrella because kids love walking and splashing in the rain. Go on a walk down the street or just let the kids play in the backyard with their rain gear on. 
5. Go to the library. If the kids are getting stir crazy then just head to the library. Check your local library's calendar and you can find different story times and fun activities geared for different age groups. Or just let the kids choose a few books and get cozy in a chair.

Image credit: www.campspirit.com

Contributed by: Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools

A TO Z kindergarten readiness

Is your child ready for kindergarten? The skills that kindergarten teachers are looking for may surprise you. You might think it’s important for children to enter kindergarten knowing their ABCs, numbers, shapes and colors so they can keep up with the curriculum. While teachers love it when children are familiar with these building blocks of academic learning, they are also looking for students with:

• Good listening skills. Loves listening to stories. Answers questions about a story. Hears and identifies letter sounds in words. Detects rhyming words and patterns. Concentrates on what the teacher is saying. Listens carefully for directions. Follows 3-step directions.
• Strong fine motor skills. Correct pencil grasp. Forms letters and numbers, and writes first name. Weaves and threads objects. Colors a simple picture. Cuts on a line. Copies simple shapes. Has mastered practical life skills i.e. buttons, zippers, and fasteners on clothing. Also beginning to learn to tie shoes.
• Solid oral language skills. Has a strong knowledge about their world. Uses words to convey needs, feelings, likes and dislikes. Uses language/words in the correct context. Identifies letter sounds. Responds to questions in complete sentences. Retells a story in own words.
• Ability to play with others. Invites other to play through conversation and body language. Communicates with others by expressing personal wants. Understands and respects rules--often asks permission. Takes turns and shares (toys and attention with others. Shows self-control by using words instead of hands. Pretends while playing (combines fantasy and reality). Is silly, playful and happy. Plays through gross motor skills (jumping, climbing, etc.)
• Enthusiasm for learning. Asks questions. Participates in activities. Becomes engaged in lessons. Wants to come to school. Is developing a habit of cooperation. Is curious and wants to investigate. Is willing to take risks and not afraid of making mistakes. Shows independence.

Watch your child's behavior and look for these key signs to ensure that he or she is ready to transition to "big kid school." Starting kindergarten when the child is truly ready is one of the first key steps towards academic success. 

Image credit: Fairmont Private Schools
Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

ARTS + CRAFTS bat-o-lanterns

Halloween is such a fun time for arts and crafts. There are so many simple ways to decorate your home with things you and your children have made yourselves. One of the most popular crafts during Halloween is carving pumpkins!  But if you are like me, you have young children who you can't trust with a knife yet. Here is an adorable bat-o-lantern craft from Spoonful that will let your younger children join in on the pumpkin decorating fun!  For more great Halloween-themed crafts, check out Fairmont's Pinterest boards.

Image credit: Spoonful 
Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER October 18

6th graders enjoying Outdoor Education

Highlights From This Week

Red Ribbon Week

Next week, Fairmont will celebrate Red Ribbon Week. This is a week to remind students to live a healthy lifestyle. Depending on the campus, there will be themed dress days through the week. In addition, all students will receive a red wristband to wear throughout the week. While wearing this wristband, students can receive discounts at various businesses around Orange County.

North Tustin JDRF Fundraiser

The North Tustin Campus had a JDRF Fundraiser on Wednesday, October 16th and we reached our school goal of $1,000! Students who participate will have their name written on a JDRF sneaker, which is hung on the car loading bulletin board. All collections go to the JDRF Walk on November 3rd. Thank you so much for your support!

Save the Date: JDRF - Walk to Cure Diabetes

Sunday, November 3rd, 2013

University of California, Irvine

Check in: 8:30 am  

Walk Starts: 10:00 am

Rain or Shine

UCI Parking: $7 per car

Fairmont as a community has registered for the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes and accepted the challenge to form a team and raise money for JDRF, the largest nongovernmental supporter of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. The JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes raises funds, awareness, and hope for the millions of people living with and affected by T1D, a serious autoimmune disease. This year's walk is Sunday, November 3rd at UCI. Visit our campus team pages to register for the walk and donate: North Tustin - Historic Anaheim Campus - Anaheim Hills - Historic Anaheim Preschool

Historic Anaheim and Anaheim Hills 6th Grade Goes Outdoors for Education 

Each year, sixth grade students spend a week in the San Bernardino Mountains hiking, exploring, and observing nature. While there, they are exposed to hands-on lessons in biology, geology, and ecology that enrich the sixth grade science curriculum. While the experience is highly educational, students also gain the opportunity to meet sixth graders from other school communities and develop rich friendships with their peers. Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to walk alongside expert instructors and classroom teachers, learning about the wilderness that surrounds them. Additionally, they studied many topics covered in their science classes, including plate tectonics and the water cycle. It certainly was a week of learning about and engaging with nature! 

Some students exclaimed their favorite moments included: Skit Night, the astronomy hike, and their science sessions. The camaraderie gained through the five day experience was enough to last a lifetime. While each and every student learned more about the world in which they live, they also developed strong friendships and lasting memories. Outdoor Science School provided an experience unmatched for Fairmont's sixth graders!

Weekly E-Newsletters 

Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus

August/September 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 Rickey, Fairmont Private Schools

SNACK TIME pumpkin soup

Feel that chill in the air? Warm soup is on the way! It’s October – why not make it pumpkin? That’s right, pumpkin soup is surprisingly yummy, creamy, and velvety-smooth. Made from scratch using real pumpkins is way more fun and tastier than making soup from canned.

 

Selecting a pumpkin is part of the fun. Kids can watch it transform in the oven and help scoop out the flesh. Remember that children are much more likely to eat food if they are involved in its meal planning and preparation.

 

Cooking tip: The best pumpkins for baking are sometimes called “pie pumpkins” and are smaller than jack-o-lantern varieties. Try Baby Pam, Autumn Kobachi, Hokkaido and Cinderella varieties for the best flavor.

 

Nutrition tip: Colorful plants are loaded with phytochemicals, compounds that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Orange and yellow squash and pumpkin definitely contribute to the “rainbow diet”.

 

Bonus: Scooping out the pumpkins seeds and roasting them is another kid-friendly activity and also makes a tasty and nutritious snack.

 

Imagine serving soup in hollowed-out tiny pumpkin as a special treat! Spooktacular!

Pumpkin Soup (from The Pioneer Woman)

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 8

 

Ingredients:

§  2 whole Pie Pumpkins

§  1 quart Vegetable Or Chicken Stock

§  1/2 cup Heavy Cream

§  1/3 cup Maple Syrup

§  Dash Of Nutmeg

§  Salt To Taste

§  Extra Cream, For Serving

Preparation Instructions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place pumpkins on a cookie sheet and roast them until slightly shriveled and soft. Allow to cool slightly, then slice in half and carefully scoop out seeds and pulp. Scoop yummy flesh into a bowl. Set aside.

In a pot, heat up the pumpkin flesh with the stock and maple syrup until simmering. Mash out the big chunks, the transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor (or use an immersion blender) and puree until velvety smooth. Add cream and nutmeg, then blend again. Reheat if you need to, or just go ahead and serve in a hollowed-out pumpkin of whatever size you'd like.

Image credit: The Pioneer Woman 

Submitted by Leslie Kay-Getzinger, MS RD

Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services Company