Fairmont Blog

Tuesday, May 24

BOOK REPORT mable second grade teacher recommends grad season fav

We've gone with a patriotic theme for our Fairmont book report selections this month in honor of Memorial Day, so Dr. Seuss' Oh, the Places You'll Go! is something of a departure.  Consider it our one-and-only pick for graduation season.  You just can't find a more whimsical way to congratulate the new grad in your life or to motivate your little ones to keep up the good work as they approach their own big days.  As Summer Burbage, Mable second grade teacher says, "I believe every student has the ability to "move mountains!"

Contributed by Danyelle, Marketing

BOOK REPORT citron suggests the pledge for memorial day read

The Pledge of Allegiance

By Scholastics Inc. 

The Pledge of Allegiance pairs pictures of America with the
words of the Pledge of Allegiance to help children better understand what the pledge
means. The text of The Pledge of Allegiance is illustrated with stunning
photographs of American landscapes, monuments, and flags. In addition to the inspiring
pictures, at end of the book, the authors include historical facts about
America that serve as a mini history lesson for students.  This is a great book to share with your children
on all of the special holidays when we celebrate America.

Contributed by Elly, Citron campus

BOOK REPORT mable fifth grade teacher suggests historical fiction

The
Year of the Hangman,
by Gary Blackwood is a wonderful piece of historical fiction. In fifth grade,
we study American history and the Revolutionary War. This book is a fictional
story about what might have been had we lost the war. The story gives insight
into what life was like during this time period and also provides an
imaginative look at what life could have been like. This book is a page turner
and very hard to put down! 

Contributed by Nicole, Mable campus

BOOK REPORT anaheim hills suggests inspirational american story

The Land

by Mildred Taylor  



Every year, my students enjoy reading The
Land, by Mildred Taylor.  Set in the South after the Emancipation
Proclamation, it tells the story of Paul Edward Logan, the son of a wealthy,
white plantation owner and his black slave.  Although Paul’s mother is now
free, she chooses to stay on the plantation and give her son the opportunity to
know his father.  Paul’s father treats him like his own white children,
until one day when Paul hits one of his white brothers.  Mr. Logan must
make Paul understand that he is black and cannot hit a white man. The story
takes the reader through Paul’s life, as he feels he does not fit in-—he is not
accepted by the whites, because he is half black-- he is not accepted by the
blacks, because he looks white.  In spite of many hardships, he perseveres
to fulfill his dreams.  It is an inspirational story that brings to life
an important part of American history.



Contributed by Nancy, Anaheim Hills campus

BOOK REPORT edgewood recommends poignant picture book

The Wall

By Eve Bunting 

Illustrated by Ronald Himler 

Appropriate for grades 1-4 or as a read aloud

A boy and his father have come to the Vietnam War Memorial
to look for the boy's grandfather's name among those who were killed in the
war. They find his name surrounded, but far from lost, in the rows of print
that "march side by side, like rows of soldiers." "I'm proud
that your grandfather's name is on this wall," says the boy's father. The
boy agrees, adding, "but I'd rather have my grandpa here." Before
this powerful book is half finished, readers will be deeply moved. Bunting's
understated prose captures the meaning of the memorial to the American people,
especially to those who lost loved ones, without being maudlin or heavy-handed.
Himler's gauzy watercolors are a perfect accompaniment: impressionistic enough
for the characters to appear as everymen. A sensitive and moving picture book,
and a great discussion book as well. Review by School
Library Journal from amazon.com

Recommended by Yvonne, Edgewood Campus

Friday, May 20

FRIDAY FOLDER anaheim hills campus may 20

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

FACULTY LOUNGE anaheim hills' stephanie conklin loves the fairmont adventure

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

FRIDAY FOLDER mable campus may 20

7th GRADE GRAND CANYON TRIP

In the early morning on Monday, May 9, a group of sleepy 7th graders met at John Wayne Airport about to embark on a journey to Arizona. What they did not realize is that the experience would be a life-changing opportunity.Waiting for them in "The Grand Canyon State" was a variety of activities ranging from rafting in the Colorado River to hiking in the Grand Canyon.The combined students of Mable, Edgewood, and Anaheim Hills made new friends along each journey. Each night there was yet another activity to enjoy. Each day, a main event was planned for the students, who eagerly took on any challenges that came their way. One of the most popular events took place on Tuesday, when students were able to hike up Bell Rock and mountain bike across the trail. Later in day the kids jumped in for a splash at Slide Rock Park, where natural water slides and currents form a fun adventure .Wide-eyed travellers were also able to marvel at the majestic wonder of the Grand Canyon.All in all, every participant enjoyed the experience and has something to remember for a lifetime.

Contributed by David Kwon and Tarek Sahyoun, 7th grade

8th GRADE INTERNATIONAL LUNCHEON
On Thursday May 12, Mable Jr. High hosted its annual 8th grade International Luncheon. 8th grade students participated by bringing food from their respective cultures to share. Parent volunteers transformed the cafeteria into a display of multicultural celebration, and helped make this experience memorable for the departing 8th class. Students and teachers had the opportunity to enjoy dishes from all the cultures present in our 8th grade, and learn about one another's cultural background. 8th graders Lauren Huntly, Vasiliki Courelli and Stephanie Oh commented on how outstanding the variety of dishes was, and how carefully all the food was presented. Some students also dressed in traditional attire. We thank everyone who partcipated, especially the FPA, and we look forward to our next year's event.

Contributed by Mrs. Lina Gamboa, JH teacher

2nd GRADE SPELLING BEE
No matter how you spell it, Fairmont students are "A-M-A-Z-I-N-G...AMAZING!" After a week of mock Spelling Bees, five students from each second grade classroom were chosen to enter the official Spelling Bee on May 17th The enthusiatic and gut-wrenched fans listened to seven grueling rounds until Jennifer Cresap came out on top with the correct spelling of the word "kneel." In true Fairmont fashion, the other competitors cheered for our newly crowned Spelling Bee Queen. All participants were recognized for their bravery and were awarded with a warm crowd cheer, a heartfely handshake by Mrs. Calabria, and a certificate. So hats off to all of this year's second graders and good luck to next year's participants.

Contributed by Mr. Adame, 2nd grade teacher