SNACKTIME when kids with food allergies visit your home

What do you do when your child's friend has serious food allergies? How do you prepare snacks and meals when kids with food allergies visit your home?

Food allergies are common—three million children, or about one in 13 kids under the age of 18, have at least one food allergy.  Your children may not have food allergies, but their friends might. Would you be able to meet the challenge and confidently serve food to children with food allergies? 

Here are some tips and guidance about food allergies and how to minimize the risk of exposure in your home.

   
Understanding Common Food Allergies

First of all, become familiar with the most common food allergies. This includes (but not limited to) peanuts and other nuts, seafood, such as shrimp, cow's milk, eggs, soy and wheat. Scrutinize labels for allergens.

Creating a Safe Environment to Help Avoid Potential Problems

Restrict eating to the kitchen or dining room only. Crumbs are likely to find their way onto carpets, furniture, counter-tops, toys and other surfaces. Everyone should wash their hands before and after eating to avoid the transfer of food allergens. Counter tops and tables should be scrubbed down after food preparation and after meals.  

To avoid cross contamination, make sure cutting boards, knives, slicers, spoons, measuring cups, mixing bowls and other food prep equipment (barbeque grills) are clean and free of allergens. Have separate sets of utensils for handling safe and unsafe foods.

Separate safe and unsafe food. Label either the foods with allergens or the safe ones — whichever is easier.

Beware of airborne allergens when cooking.  Keep a safe distance from the cooking area and allow the air to clear for 30 minutes afterward before entering the room. For young children, having fixed seating arrangements at the table is helpful in preventing little ones from sharing “tastes.”

Contributed by Leslie Kay-Getzinger, MS RD

Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services Company 
Image Credit: DIY Health

FRIDAY FOLDER september 12

Highlights of the week:

Patriots' Day Flag Salute.

Patriots' Day Flag Salute at Anaheim Hills Campus

The Greenler family considers their international students part of the family.

Fairmont Homestay in the News!

The editor of Marmalade magazine spent an evening with the Greenler family to find out first hand the rewarding experiences of hosting an international student. Please click here to read "Hosting International Students can be an Experience of a Lifetime."  The article was published in the September 2014 issue of Marmalade. Share the story with your friends and neighbors!

Weekly Newsletters:

Anaheim Hills Campus 

Historic Anaheim Campus 

North Tustin Campus 

September Lunch Menus:

Anaheim Hills (2nd - 8th Grade)

Anaheim Hills (P - 1st Grade)

Historic Anaheim Preschool

Historic Anaheim Campus 

North Tustin Campus 

Contributed by Neha,Fairmont Private Schools

FAIRMONT FIVE tips for keeping kids healthy

 

Simply said, transitioning from summer to the school year seldom goes by without a hitch. During this busy time, it’s easy even for the most organized parent to overlook simple steps to protect your child from colds and the flu. Despite your best efforts, cold symptoms can suddenly appear at the worse possible times.
    

The following practical health tips will go far in keeping your child healthy. This is especially helpful when your child is getting settled with a new school schedule and on a different campus setting.

Wash Your Hands

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out that improved hand hygiene is one of the most important steps for avoiding illnesses and spreading germs to others. Children need to be reminded on how important it is to wash their hands. Below is an outline on proper hand washing provided by the CDC.

Using Soap and Water

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.

Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.

Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Using Hand Sanitizers

Apply the product to the palm of one hand.

Rub your hands together.

Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

Calling in Sick

Even with your best efforts in keeping hands clean, catching a cold is still a possibility. Have a plan ready in advance for times when you need to keep your child home to recovery from a cold or the flu. Keep them hydrated with water and always discuss any medical concerns with your doctor. Medical experts recommend that a child with a fever needs to stay home for 24 hours after the fever ends.

Getting Enough Sleep

Elementary school-age children need 10 to 11 hours of sleep. This can be a challenge during the school year. Taking an afterschool nap, having quiet reading times with no television (30 to 35 minutes each day) and going to bed early will help your child receive the rest he or she needs to effectively manage a busy school schedule.

Exercising as a Family

Make time for walks, bike rides or other outings involving the family. Everyone will enjoy this well-deserved break especially during the school year. Laughter, exercise and having good times also relieve stress and keep immune systems strong. This is a good opportunity to talk with your child and discuss ways to reduce stress.

Eating Right

Eating plenty of healthy food and frequently drinking water are essential for good health for children and adults. Maintaining a balanced diet of fresh fruit, vegetables and meats in the home sets a good example for children to follow for the rest of their lives. Having your child contribute to meal preparations is another way to enjoy quality time together. Point out at an early age the importance of eating a well-balanced diet to sustain good health.

Image Credit:  World’s Children Blog

Contributed by Doug, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER september 5

Highlights of the week:

The junior high faculty at Historic Anaheim Campus after taking the ice bucket challenge!

Mr Calabria at Anaheim Hills Campus taking the  ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Anaheim Hills Ice Bucket Challenge!

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge for a good cause

Two weeks ago, the junior high faculty at Fairmont Anaheim Hills Campus took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

The Anaheim Hills faculty challenged the junior high faculty at Fairmont Historic Anaheim Campus to take the ice bucket challenge. Last Friday, all the junior high kids at the Historic Anaheim Campus gathered around the pool area, and all the teachers participated in the challenge by dumping a bucket of ice cold water over their heads. In addition, the students were able to nominate a homeroom. The students from the winning homeroom were allowed to jump in the pool. While this event was a whole lot of fun, the junior high students raised over $1,000 to donate to the cause. Way to go!

For more updates from our campuses please check the weekly newsletters below: 

Weekly Newsletters:

Anaheim Hills Campus 

Historic Anaheim Campus 

North Tustin Campus 

September Lunch Menus:

Anaheim Hills (2nd - 8th Grade)

Anaheim Hills (P - 1st Grade)

Historic Anaheim Preschool

Historic Anaheim Campus 

North Tustin Campus 

Contributed by Neha,Fairmont Private Schools

HOW TO backpack safety tips for students

Strengthen students’ knowledge without overworking their backs

As Fairmont students become familiar with the routines of school and carrying their backpacks, we would like to offer sound advice for parents to help their children use backpacks properly. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Occupational Therapy Association have provided helpful tips on backpack safety.

The backpack should be appropriately sized for the student to use comfortably. It should have enough room for necessary school items and have wide, padded shoulder straps as well as a padded back. 

Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly on the student’s back. A backpack hanging loosely from the back will strain muscles. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can also strain muscles. Your student should always use both shoulder straps.

Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments and pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. Try to arrange books and materials so they will not slide around. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight. 

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this topic and provide additional tips that will help students have an enjoyable and rewarding learning experience at Fairmont Private Schools.

Please click here for more information regarding proper backpack use. 

Image Credit:  http://www.promoteot.org/ai_backpackstrategies.htm

Contributed by Doug, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER august 29

Highlights of the week:

Daphne and her family with her artwork at the Festival of Arts. 

Lily and her mom with her artwork.

Student Art Wins Awards at Festival of the Arts

Lily C. and Daphne S. had their art chosen to be part of the student art show at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach all summer. They both received special awards in addition to their art on display. They were also given special artist medals. Congratulations Lily and Daphne for your creative talents!

To get more interesting updates from our campuses check the campus newsletters below:


Weekly Newsletters

Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus


Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

Contributed by Neha, Fairmont Private Schools

SNACKTIME helping kids eat right

 

Kids can have fun being active and eating right.  Preparing them for a lifetime of healthy eating is possible by shopping smart, cooking healthy and having family meals together.

Shop smart. Take advantage of nature's abundance and purchase seasonal produce from local farmers at a farmers' market near you.  A juicy peach or plum, sweet berries or a freshly picked corn-on-the-cob are packed with flavor and nutrients. Encourage children to select ingredients for family meals or snacks.

For a fun family outing and to find out what’s harvested seasonally in your area, click here to find a farmers market near you.

What is your favorite food to buy at your local farmers' market?

Cook healthy.  Eat right with healthy recipes. Get children involved in planning and cooking healthy meals together. When kids are involved in planning and preparing healthy meals, they are more likely to try new foods. Click here to check out a few healthy recipes from Kids Eat Right.

Do you have a favorite recipe to share?

Role model healthy eating habits. When kids see parents and older siblings eating healthy and trying new foods, younger kids are more likely to follow. Eating family meals together, contributes to family health and bonding.

Start the school year off right! For more ideas and resources, click here to visit the Kids Eat Right web page. 

Contributed by, Leslie Kay-Getzinger, MS RD

Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services Company

Image credit: www.eatright.org