THE FAIRMONT FIVE educational winter break activities

Winter break is a much needed time for kids to let their minds and bodies relax from the everyday school grind. But if you want to make sure your children stay alert and engaged, here are five places to visit that are both fun and educational.

1. Laguna Beach Art Walk

Visit beautiful Laguna Beach the first Thursday of every month and enjoy a free walk through the town's galleries with Main Beach in the background. Arrive between 6pm and 9pm and a shuttle bus will pick you up from the Laguna Art Museum.

2. Discovery Science Center 

Head to the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana to really get your "hands on" some science! Have a blast with more than 100 science exhibits that you can actually touch. Hours during winter break are 9am-6pm and children (ages 3-14) are $12.95 and adults (ages 15+) are $14.95. There is also a yearly family membership for $99.

3. Fullerton Arboretum 

The Fullerton Arboretum is the largest botanical garden in Orange County. It boasts 26 acres with 4,000 unique and unusual plant species from around the world. Enjoy its ponds, streams, and wildlife together as you walk and enjoy the tranquility of this beautiful oasis in the city. Visit 7 days a week 8am-4:30pm.

4. Angel Stadium Tour 

For some sports fun take the Angel Stadium Tour. Get behind the scenes and visit the Angels dugout, visitors clubhouse, the press box, and dugout suites. Call in advance to make a reservation. Kids cost $3 and adults $5. 

5. Santa Ana Zoo 

It's always fun to go to the zoo. And we have one right in our backyard. The Santa Ana Zoo focuses on the animals and plants of Central and South America and is known for its extensive primate collection with over a dozen species from around the world. It is open daily from 10am-4pm and costs $10 for adults and $7 for kids.

Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools 

SHORT STORY choc toy drive

On Friday, December 14 Santa Claus led an entourage of Harley Davidson Riders to each of our campuses to pick up Fairmont's CHOC Toy Drive donations. Our children had a blast watching the motorcycles roll in and then going to see Santa. 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

FRIDAY FOLDER december 14

Ryan S., Emaad R., Lauren J., and Ozi O., hold down the trumpet section during the 

Historic Anaheim Winter Instrumental Concert on Wednesday. 

Condolences for the Victims of the Connecticut Shooting 

We at Fairmont send our sincere condolences to the victims of the tragic Connecticut school shooting. We mourn those students' and teachers' lives that were lost in this terrible act of violence. We would like to ensure our Fairmont parents that your children's safety at school continues to be our utmost priority, and we thank you, as always, for entrusting us with the education of your child.

Weekly E-Newsletters 

Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus

December 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

SNACK TIME cures for the common cold

On average, children have six to eight colds per year. As flu and cold season approaches, it may be wise to stock up on some old time remedies and maybe introduce some new ones. Though you can't actually "cure" a cold, you can improve the way you feel with some simple foods --- see below for some tips that may be worth your while.

Chicken soup is a traditional favorite that has been used to soothe colds and the flu as far back as the 12th century.  Studies have shown that chicken soup can ease the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, including congestion, stuffy nose and cough. Hot fluids also help to keep nasal passages moist, prevent dehydration and soothe a sore throat.

An exotic food once reserved for royalty, mushrooms contain powerful substances including antioxidants and vitamin D that help support the immune system. The majority of mushrooms contain immune building compounds but the Maitake and King Trumpet variety are especially high in these compounds. Use mushrooms as a pizza topping, add them to an omelet or pasta sauce, or include in soups for virus-fighting benefits.

Laboratory evidence indicates that garlic contains antimicrobial and antiviral properties, however, research proving the effectiveness of garlic against the common cold remains limited. Still, it may be worth a try, especially if garlic-infused foods helps improve a stubborn appetite and gets a child to eat.

Drinking hot tea is soothing to mucous membranes while spicy tea such as ginger tea, may temporarily help “open” nasal passages making it easier to breathe.

Flu and cold season have arrived. Is your kitchen pantry cold-remedy ready?

Image via Discover Magazine 

Contributed by Leslie K. Kay-Getzinger, MS, RD, Nutrition Management Services 

THE FAIRMONT FIVE playful gift ideas

The holiday season is here!  Are you feeling the pressure?  I can't help with everything on your to-do list, but I'm happy to let you in on a secret we recently pinned to our Pinterest board (the cutest holiday gift guides for kids you'll find anywhere south of the North Pole).  Whether you're shopping for a budding scientist or a ballerina-to-be, you'll get plenty of great ideas for gifts that delight this season and for many moons to come.  Here are a few themes to guide you:

1. Play
2. Read
3. Music
4. Imagine
5. Scientists and Explorers

Photo from A Lovely Lark

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER december 7

Anaheim Hills Preschool Sing Along 

North Tustin Cheerleaders Take 1st Place in Regional Championship

Highlights From This Week

Congratulations North Tustin Cheerleaders! 

For the second year in a row, our North Tustin Cheerleaders have won first place in the Southern California Regional Championship! Now they will move on to the state and possibly national level to continue competing.  We are wishing them lots of L-U-C-K! 

CHOC Toy Drive 

The spirit of the holiday season is underway, and our Annual Toy Drive kicked off this week. We would appreciate if you could help us by donating a toy for a boy or a girl who is at CHOC - Children's Hospital of Orange County. These children would truly benefit from receiving a special gift on Christmas morning and all year long. You can drop your donation off at your campus now until December 14th. The toys will be picked up by the Orange Coast Harley Davidson's Chapter. They will come to all of our campuses on Friday, December 14th via motorcycles! Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.

Winter Concerts 

The holidays are just around the corner, and our campuses are all abuzz with holiday cheer! Our annual winter concerts have begun, and they've been a great success so far! You can read re-caps of the 1st and 2nd Grade Performances at the Historic Anaheim Campus and the Preschool Sing Along at the Anaheim Hills Campus (pictured above) in this week's newsletters. 

We still have lots of performances coming up! Check out your campus' newsletter for the dates and times.  

Weekly E-Newsletters 

Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus

December 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

SNACK TIME rudolph sandwiches

The holiday season is a great time to add a little fun to your child's days! Make a winter break lunch extra special by serving up these Rudolph Sandwiches. They look fancy, but don't worry you probably already have all the ingredients on hand. 

What you need:

-fixings for a sandwich

-heart shaped cookie cutter

-candy coated chocolate candy (M&M's)

-pretzels 

Steps: 

1. Make your sandwich according to your child's taste (PB&J is recommended but you could also use grilled cheese). 
2. Use your cookie cutter to cut out the heart shape.
3. Put the pretzels at the two curves of the heart partially inside the sandwich so the peanut butter or melted cheese will help them stay in place. 
4. Place the candy eyes and make sure to use a red candy for the nose so your reindeer can be Rudolph!

Serve this special lunch as a surprise or let your little one get involved.  The important part is that you are making memories! 

Image from And Everything Sweet 

Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools