FAIRMONT FIVE tips to stay healthy during the holidays!

As holiday festivities fill the calendar in December, we want to provide some helpful tips to protect your children’s health.

1. Make sure they wash their hands and don’t share cups or utensils. This habit is especially important during family gathering, visits to the shopping mall, eating at restaurants, and attending other large gatherings.

2. Balance indulging in holiday treats with eating healthy snacks and meals. The daily allowance of fruits and vegetables provides the nutrition needed to fight germs and maintain energy. Have these healthy snacks available for your children during parties where sweet treats are the main fair.

3. Keep the holidays fun and healthy by making sure your children receive adequate rest times and plenty of sleep. Think of quiet activities such as craft making and baking in the kitchen to offset rushing around and attending large parties. Remember, the immune system needs 8.5 to 9 hours of sleep each night.

4. Dress appropriately when seasonal temperature changes are apparent. Keep sweatshirts, beanies and jackets handy for cooler mornings, overcast afternoons and chilly nights.

5. Don’t let exercise take a holiday break. Create holiday traditions that involve running, hiking, playing sports or engaging in other activities. For example, the whole family can participate in Wii games that involve plenty of moment and fun competition.

Have a happy and healthy holiday season!

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools
Image credit: Destiny In Bloom 

FRIDAY FOLDER december 5

Highlights of the week:

Photos from previous CHOC Toy Drives.

CHOC Toy Drive 2014

On Friday, December 12, the Harley Motorcycles will ROAR onto all the campuses as part of Fairmont's CHOC Toy Drive. Our students love hearing the noise and seeing all of the motorcycles coming to pick up toys they have collected for young patients at CHOC. Even SANTA pays a visit to give out candy canes and wish students a happy holiday. 

For exciting news and updates from the campuses, check the weekly newsletters below:

Weekly Newsletters:

Anaheim Hills Campus 

Historic Anaheim Campus 

North Tustin Campus 

November 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

CHALK TALK benefits of after school programs

After school programs offer a safe and rewarding atmosphere for children to excel in their existing talents and skills. They also provide exciting opportunities for children to be introduced to new interests related to art, sports and academic subjects. Under professional supervision, children appreciate engaging in fun activities that contribute to their personal, academic, physical and social development.

The increased time spent in participating in academic activities in an informal setting naturally pays off in good grades. It also offers insights as to understanding practical applications involving math, science, language arts and other subjects. For example, Fairmont offers Robotics and Engineering with Legos - Gadgets and Gizmos, which enables elementary students to explore concepts of engineering, architecture and physics while building “real life” objects with Legos.  This is just one of many opportunities for children to enjoy the afternoon with friends while learning and discovering possible career interests.

For preschoolers who want to move, Fairmont offers age appropriate after school sports and dance classes.  From an early age, they develop skills and confidence necessary to excel in future organized sports and performing arts productions. For example there is a Pee Wee Dance and Creative Movement, which introduces little ones to rhythm, jazz, tap and ballet dance techniques.

After school programs help children appreciate fine arts and culture. From learning Spanish and French to exploring different art media using charcoal, art pencils, acrylics and watercolors, Fairmont students discover talents they thought they never had and take the first steps in becoming true global citizens.

In our busy world where time can be our most precious commodity, after school programs make any given afternoon become an exciting adventure.  It also reassures parents that their children are safe and having fun with their peers  while participating in a beneficial activity. 

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools

Image credit: King Tiger

FRIDAY FOLDER november 21

Highlights of the week:

Fourth Grade "Gold Fever" Music Program

Gold Fever!
On Thursday, our fourth grade students went for the GOLD! They explored the rich history of California while participating in the musical program "Gold Fever." Students brought history to life as they reenacted pioneers traveling overland and argonauts sailing across rough seas to find riches. The students were absolutely wonderful as they shared their talents with us. There's ore in them thar' hills! Let's get some!

For exciting news and updates from the campuses, check the weekly newsletters below:

Weekly Newsletters:

Anaheim Hills Campus 

Historic Anaheim Campus 

North Tustin Campus 

November 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

SCOREBOARD Lady Panthers Complete Perfect Season; Win Tri-Way League Championship!

Click here to see the action-packed video. 

The Fairmont Private Schools - Historic Anaheim Campus junior high girls’ volleyball team completed an undefeated season by taking home the Tri-Way league championship trophy on Thursday, November 6.  Led by Coach Katy Kitchen, the Lady Panthers defeated Orange County rival Pegasus in two straight games, 25-16 and 25-17, in the championship match.

Traditional volleyball powerhouse Pegasus, with several players also on club teams, presented a formidable challenge for the Panthers.  Their defense held firm against a hard-hitting Pegasus team, with the Panther players showing their determination not to let a perfect season slip away.

“The girls demonstrated that doing your best and putting your heart into the game are the keys to  success,” said Coach Kitchen. "This is not a team made up exclusively of volleyball players. Their main interests include other sports and academic pursuits, such as speech and debate. They came together with the strong determination to win and to affirm that hard work pays off.” 

SNACKTIME recipes for healthy Thanksgiving favorites that kids will enjoy

Make Thanksgiving mealtimes even more enjoyable by making traditional favorites attractive to little ones. See how your dishes can be transformed into healthy, kid-friendly favorites in a few easy steps. Motivate your children to eat typical Thanksgiving dinner favorites by encouraging them to participate in making these delicious recipes.

Smashed Sweet Potato
Bake yams or sweet potatoes at 350°F for 90 minutes or until caramelized sugar seeps from the skin. Peel, mash, and flavor with orange peel and pumpkin-pie spice. Have children pick out their favority topping: a bit of brown sugar, a sprinkle of pecans or a crunchy layer of granola. You just might win a few converts.

Crunchy Carrot or Sweet Potato Fries
Loaded with phytonutrient goodness! Slice carrots or yams into 1/2-inch-wide sticks and toss in a bowl with olive oil and salt or other seasoning. Bake at 425°F on a dark, non-stick baking sheet or foil-lined baking pan until crisp, turning once. For even crispier fries, keep them in the oven a little longer (with the heat turned off).

Yummy Baked Apples
Fill a casserole dish with cored, unpeeled apples. Combine brown sugar, vanilla sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a small bowl and spoon into the apple cores. Dot with a bit of butter, pour boiling water into the bottom of the casserole dish and bake at 375°F for 30 to 45 minutes, or until tender. Baste the apples with the juices from the pan. Yum!

Spaghetti Squash
Children will be interested in trying a new food item that looks similar to some of their favorite foods. This squash dish looks like spaghetti when cooked. Use a fork to shred baked squash and toss it with garlicky butter along with a bit of Parmesan cheese.

Submitted by Leslie Kay-Getzinger, MS RD
Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services Company

Image Credit sheknows.com