PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Eighth Grade Travel Week to Washington, DC
The Eighth Graders spent an amazing week in our nation's capital, Washington, DC. A few of the highlights of the trip were visiting the Capital, Washington Monument, Lincoln Monument, Monticello, Mount Vernon, The White House and even visiting New York to see the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building!
7th GRADE TRAVEL WEEK - GRAND CANYON
Last week I had the opportunity to accompany the 7th graders on their trip to the Grand Canyon. This is an amazing trip filled with adventure! We arrived in Phoenix where we boarded our busses and trekked to Montezuma's Castle just outside of Sedona, Arizona. There we learned about the native American tribes who build this amazing feat of engineering. Students learned about the lifestyle of these tribes and how environmental changes eventually led them to migrate to other areas. We continued our journey with a hike through the aspen groves on top of the San Francisco Peaks which overlook Flagstaff. Here the students saw how quickly the desert climate shifted to the mountain biome as it began to snow along our hike. That evening our group attending a tour of Powel Observatory, which is home to the telescope that helped to discover Pluto. Here students had the opportunity to view the rings of Saturn through a telescope as well as learn of NASA's most recent missions.
The next morning we rose early to go mountain biking around Bell Rock in Sedona. We then traveled to Slide Rock where students saw how the process of erosion from running water can create a fun water slide within the bedrock. We rose early again the next morning and headed for the Grand Canyon. Students enjoyed amazing panoramic views of the Canyon as they hiked down the Kaibab trail ¾ of a mile below the rim. Students observed the sediment layers and even caught a glimpse of some ancient sea life fossils trapped within the Kaibab limestone. After our hike we enjoyed a little relaxing time on the historic Grand Canyon Railway. Along the way, students saw deer, elk, galloping antelope, and enjoyed the traditional cowboy entertainment of harmonica music. Thursday morning we headed to the Glen Canyon Dam where we boarded rafts for an amazing trip down the Colorado river. The shear cliffs of the canyon towered over our heads and revealed the long history of the canyon. Our adventure continued that evening with a visit to a local rock climbing gym. On the last day of the trip we traveled to the Hoover Dam where students toured and learned how humans have harnessed the power of the mighty Colorado river in order to provide water and power to our homes. Students then enjoyed the excitement of the Adventure Dome at Circus Circus in Las Vegas. Our tired crew then flew home, happy to see their families and share their adventures! A wonderful time was had by all!!!
Contributed by Stephanie Conklin, JH Science Teacher
JK & KINDERGARTEN TAKE THE STAGE!
On Wednesday, May 11, the Jr. Kindergarten and Kindergarten students did an amazing job with their music performance! Students showed what a typical day in music class is like by singing, playing, dancing and learning with Mrs. Zavoral!
Jr. Kindergarten showed that they are learning to keep the beat, recognize the sounds of percussion instruments, and move to classical music. Parents joined the students in a fun circle game called "Bluebird."
Kindergarten students showed that they are learning to sing in tune, play drums, read a beat map, recognize rhythmic notation, and dance freely to classical music. Parents joined the students in their favorite listening and movement game, "Talking Piano."
The show ended with a Grand Finale that included all 90 students singing the West African folk song "Fanga Alafia" with African drums, rhythm sticks, maracas, bells, finger cymbals and scarves. What a show!
COUGAR CHORUS VOLUNTEERS AT HOAG HOSPITAL
On May 6, Cougar Chorus volunteered their afternoon free-time to perform at the Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. A live recording of their singing in the chapel was broadcast into every room throughout the hospital. Patients, employees and doctors were uplifted by the beautiful music. The recording will be re-broadcast for patients in the coming days and months!
The Hospital Administrative Assistant, Maxine Tzur, was thrilled to have the group visit the hospital. She said, "This is such a rare occasion to have students perform here!" Her favorite piece was the students' version of "Soul Sister," a song from the popular band Train.
Cougar Chorus includes 50 students from 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. They rehearse before school under the direction of our music specialist, Mrs. Zavoral.
CONGRATUALTIONS TO KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, HEATHER LOPEZ!
The Orange County Department of Education choses the top 15 teachers in early childhood education and a panel of people in the education field select a winner based off of a teaching observation, a resume review and an essay describing their teaching philosophy.
Heather received an honorable mention for the
"Early Childhood Educator of the Year 2010-2011"
We are very proud of Mrs. Lopez and her outstanding achievements in education and her continued efforts to improve her skills to better educate our Fairmont students.
TEMPORARY LIBRARY CHANGES
Our wonderful librarian, Mrs. Harmon, will be having orthopedic surgery on Tuesday, May 24 and will return in the fall. In the interim, Miss Jackman, Mrs. Hall and Ms. Tria will be helping in the library. There will be no library instruction from Monday, May 23 until Friday, June 17, however the library will remain open before school, at snack and after school to check out books and to take Accelerated Reading tests. All library books will be due back in the library on Friday, June 3 for year-end inventory. Students can continue to test using books from their home, their classrooms, or from the public library.
WEEK IN REVIEW
DATES TO KNOW
Monday, May 23
Mastery Testing begins
Tuesday, May 24
Mastery Testing
Fifth Grade to Riley's Farm
Sixth Grade to San Onofre Power Plant
Wednesday, May 25
FUN RUN!!!
Friday, May 27
Bruce Hockman Carnival at Mable Campus