Friday, April 20

FRIDAY FOLDER april 20



Highlights From This Week
Upcoming Events 
Chalk Talk: Special Week of the Young Child Workshop 
Wednesday, April 25, 5:30-7pm 
Fullerton Public Library 
Are you ready for preschool but not sure about your toddler? To celebrate the Week of the Young Child, we invite you to an Early Childhood Education workshop. Beginning with Potty Training 101, our expert will help you breeze through the process with some simple potty training tips and tricks. Our next topic is a comprehensive Preschool Readiness presentation from a seasoned early childhood educator. This event is geared for parents with children ages 1-3. Children are welcome! 

AHOY MATEYS!
Fairmont's summer program offers summer experience packed with adventure, academics, friends, and memories! Save 10% on Fairmont Summer Camp and School registration through April 30th! Discounts are not valid for enrichment workshops and are only valid online. Look for additional online promotions via Facebook and Twitter! 
Enroll Online Today! www.fairmontsummerprograms.com


Special Announcement: Fairmont Family Night @ Angels Stadium    
Don't forget, this Friday April 20 is Fairmont Family Night at Angels Stadium! We can't wait to see all our Fairmont families there. As you may know, we have a star baseball player at Fairmont Prep this year named Felipe Perez. He helped lead the USA Baseball 16U Team to victory against Mexico in 2010, and he has already accepted a position on the UCLA Baseball team for the fall. We will be congratulating him during the game with the message CONGRATULATIONS FELIPE PEREZ. FAIRMONT TO UCLA up on the stadium screens during the 4th inning. We invite you all to show your Fairmont pride and stand up to cheer when the message comes up!   

Mable Students Add Up Awards at Math Invitational 
On Saturday, April 14, nine Mable Junior High students and students from the Orange County area participated in the 2nd Annual Sage Hill Math Invitational. The competition was held at Sage Hill High School in Newport Coast. Read the whole story here

Weekly E-Newsletters 

April Lunch Menus 

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

Thursday, April 19

ARTS & CRAFTS tin can herb garden


With Earth Day just around the corner, we love this practical Kaboose craft that recycles and creates new life! The kids will enjoy helping paint the can and watching their plants grow week by week. And the fresh herbs just might inspire some new recipes! 

What you'll need:
  • Empty aluminum can
  • Screwdriver and hammer
  • Liquid gesso (recommended: Liquitex Basics Gesso)
  • Acrylic craft paints in colors of your choice
  • Acrylic sealer spray, matte finish
  • Craft stick
  • Thin cardboard
  • Pinking shears
  • Black permanent marker
  • 5-10 small rocks, stones or pebbles
  • 1.5 cups potting soil
  • 4-inch potted herb plant
  • White craft glue
  • Water
  • Flower stickers (optional)

How to make it:
  1. Completely wash and dry aluminum can. If necessary, sand off any rough edges from opening of can.
  2. Turn can upside down. Parent should use screwdriver or other pointed object to poke holes in the bottom of the can. Use a hammer to tap the end of the screwdriver to make the holes.
  3. Paint outside of can with one coat of gesso. Let dry completely.
  4. Paint can in the desired color, repeat coats if needed.
  5. Decorate however you like. Use a thin paint brush for long lines, dip the end of the paint brush into paint for polka dots.
  6. Decorate with stickers if desired.
  7. In a well-ventilated area, spray the outside of the completed can with acrylic sealer spray. Let dry.
  8. Place enough rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can to form a single layer.
  9. Add enough potting soil to fill the can two-thirds full.
  10. Remove potted herb from its container and transplant into the can.
  11. Fill edges with remaining potting soil, gently pat down so that plant is firmly in the can but not compacted so much that it’s too tight.
  12. Place can on a plate (to catch any water drainage) and add some water to the newly planted herbs.
  13. Paint craft stick whatever color you like. Allow to dry.
  14. Cut a piece of thin cardboard into a small rectangle (about 1.5 x 3 inches) using pinking shears.
  15. Paint both side of the cardboard with gesso, let dry.
  16. Glue the rectangle to the top of the craft stick.
  17. Use a black permanent marker to write the herb name onto the rectangle.
  18. Insert your plant marker into the soil, being careful not to crush any roots along the way.
  19. Place your new garden in a sunny window and remember to water them!
(Image from Kaboose)

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

Wednesday, April 18

FAIRMONT FIVE creating a backyard habitat

Since I was a kid, I've loved digging in the dirt. My mom was an avid gardener.  My grandfather and his father and his father...were all farmers, so I guess I come by it naturally. So, when I arrived in the concrete jungle that was LA county, I was determined to start digging.

What began as a beautification project soon grew into something more meaningful.  As I researched native and drought tolerant plants, I discovered that they were not only more economical than my thirsty lawn, they were also beautiful.  And as I set about transforming my front and backyard spaces with Mediterranean plants, succulents and California natives, I discovered an unexpected bonus.  My yard became a mecca for bees, butterflies, dragonflies, many different bird species and even a few lizards.  In fact, one year a pair of ducks nested near the water feature.
These days there's lots of talk about transforming our lawns into green spaces that embrace our natural habitat. Up for the challenge this Earth month?  If so, here are a few tips to get you started.
  1. Do your homework before you dig. The CA Native Plant Society is a wonderful resource offering tips, plant lists and garden plans. Visit nurseries that specialize in natives, like Tree of Life nursery in San Juan Capistrano.  You'll have access to master gardeners and a greater variety of natives than at the garden variety garden center.
  2. Start with container plantings. Not ready to rip up the front lawn?  Who can blame you.  You may be surprised how successful you can be in attracting butterflies, bees and hummingbirds with a native plant container garden.  Half wine barrels can even support shrubs and small trees.
  3. Get your kids involved. Children love to get dirty and this is a perfect opportunity to play in the dirt!  They can help with every stage of the process from shopping for plants to helping maintain your new backyard habitat. 
  4. Add a water feature. Don't worry, you don't have to be an engineer to figure this one out. A bird bath or large plant saucer works fine as long as you keep it clean and refresh the water often. 
  5. Avoid herbicides and pesticides. It goes without saying that you won't attract animals to your yard if you're busy killing their food. Stick with organic gardening practices and don't worry if you see the occasional aphid or ant.  A pest to you is a meal for others!
Need more convincing that a backyard habitat is for you?  Check out how a native garden boosted test scores at an LA elementary school.

Photo from CA Native Plant Society website.

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Tuesday, April 17

SCHOOL NEWS mable students add up awards at math invitational



This past Saturday, April 14, 2012, Mable junior high students participated in the second annual Sage Hill Math Invitational, a team-based competition for local middle schools. The goal of the event is to promote and celebrate mathematics by providing a fun environment for middle school students to collaborate and share their interests. There are six competitions based upon the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards: Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Data Analysis and Probability, Reasoning and Proof, and Mental Math. Seventh graders Han C., Ejay C., Tara F. and Ronik K. and eighth graders Jonathan L., Tarek S., Jimmy W., and Nathaniel Y. represented Fairmont at the event, bringing home several top awards!

Take a look at this impressive showing:
Mental Math (7th grade)--First Place, Han C.
Mental Math (7th grade)--Third Place, Ejay C.
Mental Math (8th grade--First Place, Tarek S.
Algebra (7th grade)--First Place, Fairmont
Algebra (8th grade)--First Place, Fairmont
Logic and Reasoning (7th grade)--First Place, Fairmont
Overall Winner (7th grade)--Second Place, Fairmont
Overall Winner (8th grade)--Second Place, Fairmont



Congratulations to our individual award winners and to all of the students who contributed to Fairmont Mable's exciting team awards!  And a special "thank you" to their teacher Michelle Paraiso for all of her hard work in preparing our students to shine!

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools 

Monday, April 16

THE FAIRMONT FIVE bringing 21st century learning home

As parents, you are your child's first and forever teacher.  It's a big responsibility, especially in today's rapidly changing world. You can count on Fairmont to provide great educational opportunities in a fun and challenging school environment.  But there's plenty you can do at home to prepare your child for success in the 21st century.  Here are a few pointers from Edutopia's Parents Guide to 21st Century Learning:
  1. EXTEND THE SCHOOL DAY with experiences that help kids pursue interests and build new skills. Check out the latest extracurricular classes offered at your Fairmont campus.
  2. LOOK FOR SUMMER CAMPS AND OTHER LEARNING EXPERIENCES that build 21st-century skills.  We're a big fan of Fairmont's Summer Programs.
  3. BUILD ON YOUR KIDS’ INTEREST IN GAMING by getting them connected with Massively Minecraft, a digital-media learning community created by parents and teachers for students ages 4-16.
  4. UNLOCK YOUR CHILD’S CREATIVE POTENTIAL through community arts programs. Read Edutopia's article on why the arts are critical.
  5. HELP YOUR CHILDREN MASTER COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION SKILLS by practicing social and emotional learning at home. Borrow ideas from the Edutopia article, Raise Your Student’s Emotional-Intelligence Quotient.
Photo from Microsoft Office photo gallery

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

Thursday, April 12

HOW TO prepare for college early


The key to preparing your child for success in the high school and college admissions process is starting early. Choosing the right high school is extremely important, but it can be a tough decision. Something to look for when considering schools is a strong college counseling program with an emphasis on individualized guidance. Here is an example of what your student's college counselor should be doing each year: 

FRESHMAN YEAR - One to two meetings which include:

  • Setting out a four-year academic course of study to fulfill the required academic high school work expected of college admissions offices (includes those at the California State and University of California Systems and top private colleges and universities)
  • Discussing expected levels of academic achievement and extracurricular activities for various institutions during one’s high school career in order to be competitive for admission.  
  • What to do with summers


SOPHOMORE YEAR
- One to two meetings which include: 


  • Reviewing student’s academic plans to ensure college application eligibility   Discussing admissions expectations and requirements of different colleges
  • Advising on extracurricular and summer activities to round out the student’s high school experience, making him/her more interesting to colleges
  • Introducing the latest characteristics of colleges across the country
  • Reviewing the different fields of study at various colleges
  • What to do with summer

JUNIOR & SENIOR YEAR - Up to six meetings per year which include:

  • Beginning a discussion of different types of colleges the student could attend
  • Assessing student goals and desires for college study
  • Introducing resources for beginning a college search
  • Discovering what colleges are really the best for the student and why
  • Assembling a working list of colleges
  • Understanding SATs and other standardized testing
  • Generating ideas for the college essay
  • Securing letters of recommendation
  • Preparing for successful college visits and interviews
  • Keeping track of applications
  • Navigating the financial aid process and looking for scholarships
  • Making a good decision after receiving college acceptances
  • Knowing what to expect upon arrival on campus
  • Exploring the possibility of a gap year after high school 


To learn more about high school and college counseling, attend one of our upcoming info sessions with Fairmont Prep College Counselor Jonathan Dunn. He will provide an overview of the process and answer all your questions. Click on the campus name below to RSVP. 

Upcoming High School/College Counselor Info Sessions

Contributed by Alyssa, Fairmont Private Schools 

Tuesday, April 10

CHALK TALK how to parent your kids (without losing your mind) part 2


Our recent Chalk Talk event, titled How To Parent Your Kids (Without Losing Your Mind), was jam-packed with great parenting tips. So jam-packed in fact, that we needed two blog posts to share all of our notes! Check out yesterday's post for part one and read the rest of  our notes here: 


Question: What are your recommendations for dealing with teens?

Answer:
  • “The I Don’t Care” Attitude. If you give your child a consequence for a bad behavior, say taking away their phone for a week, and they respond with “I don’t care,” trust me, they do. Respond with something like “Oh, Great! I was really worried that you would be upset. Well then how about we take it away for two weeks, since you just don’t care!”
  • The Driver's License: “No B’s, No Keys”. Starting at the end of 8th grade, tell your child that when they start high school you are going to be keeping track of all missing assignments or C or D’s or whatever you think is appropriate. For every missing assignment or C/D on a report card, push back getting their driver's license by one week.
  • “Why can’t I stay out all night?” Because of sex, jail, drugs and alcohol. Anything that happens after midnight when parents aren't around usually involves one of these things.
  • How do I deal with a teen who constantly wakes up disagreeable? Just say… a) "Well at least you have your health." or b) “Who are you and what have you done with my child!?"

Question: How do I reduce the amount of time I spend on the hunt for my child(ren)'s misplaced things, clothes, sports equipment, etc. 

Answer: Slightly off-the-wall parents NEVER EVER EVER look for kids stuff. Encourage your children to be independent and responsible by making them look themselves. Encourage them, but do not help them look. Make it a problem for them so next time they will put it somewhere they can find it. 

Question: My child is still attached to his/her pacifier. How do I wean him/her off of it? 

Answer: Tie the pacifier “binkie” to a string attached to a door knob far away from where you are or where their toys are. Day after day cut the string smaller and smaller and then finally cut a small slit in the tip of the pacifier.

Question: How do we (parents) keep “the love alive” in our relationship after having children?

Answer: 
  • Parents need to define themselves as lovers first! Being human is all about passion.
  • Children can drain the romance from a relationship really fast, but only if you let them.
  • 4 greatest secrets to keeping romance alive with kids is to:
    • Lie… in bed together
    • Cheat…on your budget--get away together
    • Steal… Time away from your daily routine – and spend time together
    • Divorce… Yourself of worries, of what you should do for your children. 
  • Parents who keep their intimate partner primary are happier and are better parents!

Question: What is a good age to start talking to your kids about sex ? 

Answer: From day one! Always have an open line of communication with your children. Make sure they from early on they feel comfortable talking to you. When you do have conversations about body parts make sure you are using the correct and proper terms, and not fluffy cutesy names. 

Question: Is it alright, if you are in the heat of the moment, to let your kids see you upset?

Answer: Yes. But make sure you are explaining to your children why you are upset, and what you need--a time-out, a walk, a bath, whatever it takes for you to calm down, just step away. Make sure you are using the correct terms to describe how you are really feeling: mad, frustrated, sad, angry, disappointed, etc.  Do the same for your children when they are upset; have them explain why they are upset and what they need. 

Learn more about Scott Peebles' parenting methods here

Contributed by Scott Peebles, M.A., MFCC, H.B.