Wednesday, May 28

SNACK TIME healthy summer camp snacks

Healthy snacks are important for growing children and teens, but being away from home often poses nutritional challenges. Planning ahead and packing your own snacks can be a plus.



Many healthy foods are perishable and need to be refrigerated to ensure freshness and flavor, but by bringing perishable-free snacks to camp--problem solved! Try the following:


Fruit (canned or dried). An all-time favorite, applesauce, fruit cups and canned fruit are still popular as snacks. Check canned fruit for an easy to open, pop-up top. Dried fruit and canned fruit in juice have a long shelf life, are low-cost, convenient, and healthy.

Dried fruit. Raisins, figs, dates, pears, apricots, apples, cherries, cranberries, pineapple, and papaya are delicious alternatives to fresh fruit. Some dried fruits contain sulfur dioxide (such as golden raisins) which keeps the product from discoloring, but can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Read labels and choose brands that don't use preservatives including sulfur dioxide.

Nuts. High in protein, with healthy monounsaturated fats, and rich in antioxidants, just a small handful of nuts can prevent hunger. Pick your favorite (raw or roasted), such as:  peanuts, pecans, pistachios, pine nuts, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, or cashews. Caution with peanut and/or tree nut allergies.

Trail mix or "gorp". Trail mix is a filling snack that can satisfy your salty and sweet cravings all in one bite. They are easy to make and can be tailored to suit your own taste. Items to include in your trail mix: low-fat granola, whole grain cereals, nuts, seeds (sunflower, pumpkin), and dried fruits. For an extra sweet treat, include dark chocolate bits.

Soy "nuts". Soy nuts are made from soybeans soaked in water, drained, and then baked or roasted. They can be used in place of nuts and are packed with protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Granola bars. Store-bought or homemade granola bars offer a wide variety of flavors and textures, from chewy to crunchy and everything in between.

Nut or seed butters on whole grain crackers or rice cakes. Nut butters include peanut, almond, hazelnut, cashew, sunflower and soy butter (from soybeans). It is recommended that you select rice cakes made from brown (whole grain) rice, which come in many flavors including plain, apple cinnamon and caramel.

Non-perishable snacks are also a smart choice for emergency preparedness. Or just keep non-perishable snacks on hand  to ensure you won’t be caught hungry.

Image Credit: rockettes.com
Submitted by Leslie Kay-Getzinger, MS, RD
Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services Company

Friday, May 23

FRIDAY FOLDER may 23

Highlights of the week:


Fairmont Dominates at IVC
This past Saturday, the Fairmont Debate team participated at the Irvine Valley College Spring Classic.  Four teams competed across 3 divisions of public forum debate.  In the Elementary School Division, the team of Alexisse Y. and Jacob G. placed seventh in a highly competitive division.  Jacob also earned eighth place speaker. An impressive accomplishment considering this is his first tournament.  Fairmont was also successful in the Middle School Division. Ellie G. and Gurveer S. finished as the second place team.  Gurveer also finished as the second place speaker in the largest division at the tournament. The team of Adnan and Kyle K. fell just short of placing at the tournament, but they had impressive wins over Perfect Score Academy.  Finally, in the high school division, the brother tandem of Jake and Nick P. finished as the top placed team. Nick continues to earn speaker awards, taking home third place. Jake, a sixth grader participating in the high school division earned second placed speaker. The Fairmont Debate program seeks to continue its success at the NCFL tournament in Chicago on May
25-26. The team is diligently preparing for this prestigious tournament.

Weekly Newsletters:

May Lunch Menus


Contributed by Neha,Fairmont Private Schools

Monday, May 19

FAIRMONT FIVE sun protection

The summer season is almost here!  Children will be spending more and more time outdoors having fun, if they aren't already doing so.  That’s why it’s more important than ever to protect them against the sun’s harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays. Although the sun is a great source of Vitamin D, which helps us to absorb calcium for stronger and healthier bones, educating our children about good sun protection habits is essential.   



Here are a few simple tips on sun protection for the entire family:
  1. Always use sunscreen. The first thing anyone thinks of when it comes to sun protection is sunscreen.  Choosing the right sunscreen for your child is important.  Experts recommend selecting a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30, and preferably one which is water or sweat-resistant. For maximum sun protection benefits, sunscreen should be applied approximately 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and re-applied every two to three hours. 
  2. Seek shade. The sun is usually at its strongest between hours of 10:00AM and 4:00PM. It is best to avoid being in the sun between those hours.  However, if children must be outdoors during those hours, it is important to take all the possible sun protection measures to keep them safe and hydrated. It is advisable to make sure there is adequate shade to avoid exposure to sun. A wide umbrella or a pop up tent to play is an alternative way to have children play in the shade.
  3. Wear sun protective clothing. One way to ward off damage from the sun is by wearing sun protective clothing or cover-ups. The best way to ensure that the clothes screen out harmful UV rays is by placing your hand inside the garment and make sure you can’t see through garment. Have your children wear dark colors, full sleeves, long pants, cover-ups, or sun protective swimwear. Wide brim hats are a wonderful way to protect the scalp and face.
  4. Don’t forget the sunglasses. Just like the skin, eyes are also susceptible to sun damage. Not all sunglasses offer UV protection, with some sunglasses giving a false sense of safety. Buy sunglasses with labels ensuring 100% UV protection. To encourage children to wear sunglasses allow them to select a style, such as designs with multicolored frames or cartoon characters.
  5. Be a good role model. Last but not the least, setting a good example for your children is a powerful way for them to pick up on sun protection habits.  These preventative measures not only reduce the risk from sun damage, but also teach your children good sun-safety sense.

Have fun and remember to be safe in the sun!

Image Credit: socialmoms.com
Contributed by Neha, Fairmont Private Schools


Friday, May 16

FRIDAY FOLDER may 16

Highlights of the week:

Bookmark Contest Winners!

During the month of April, our campuses hosted an annual Bookmark Contest. Students created their designs for the bookmarks inspired by their favorite books. The entries this year were so spectacular, the judges had a very difficult time choosing winners. Grand prize winners bookmarks are printed and distributed throughout the community.  Congratulations to our fabulous reading-artists!!
 

Anaheim Hills Campus Winners
North Tustin Campus Winners


 
Historic Anaheim Campus



Fairmont Summer  Programs:



It's not too late to reserve your spot in Fairmont Summer Programs' summer school, summer camp, or enrichment workshops! Programs begin in just a few weeks!!

Log on to www.fairmontsummerprograms.com to register. 
Connect with us on Facebook  www.facebook.com/FairmontSummer to witness all the camp fun!!

Weekly Newsletters


May Lunch Menus 


Contributed by Neha, Fairmont Private Schools
 

Friday, May 9

FRIDAY FOLDER may 9

Highlights of the week:




Junior High Debaters Win Top Tournament Award at Orange County Debate Championships!
This past Saturday, May 3rd, the Fairmont Anaheim Hills Debate Team attended the last tournament of the 2013-2014 school year. The 5th Annual Orange County Regional Championship took place at Pegasus School in Huntington Beach and was attended by 150 students from 12 local public and private schools.


Weekly Newsletters

 May Lunch Menus

Contributed by Neha,Fairmont Private Schools

BULLETIN BOARD stay hydrated this summer!


Summer is right around the corner!  This is often the most exciting time of year for children and families who enjoy spending more time outdoors playing sports, exploring nature, having fun at the beach, among other activities.  With our children spending more time outdoors and being exposed to higher temperature levels, it is more important than ever to make sure they stay hydrated.


Below are several tips to help keep your children stay hydrated in the midst of summer heat: 

Drink plenty of water.  Water is hands down the best thing you can have your child consume to stay hydrated.  Health professionals recommend drinking at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. However, some children do not enjoy drinking plain water. 

Here are a few ways to add some flavor to plain water:
  • Dilute juice with water using a ratio of at least 50:50
  • Make juice ice cubes and put them in your child’s water bottle
  • Fill a pitcher of water and toss in some fruit such as berries and lemon slices

Mix it up with flavored water.  A variety of flavored water is available at your local grocery store. It is best to avoid flavored water beverages which are heavy in sugar, as sugar slows down the body’s absorption rate of fluids. Also, be aware of beverages heavy in artificial sweeteners.  Gatorade is another great option to keep children hydrated specially those involved in sports.
 
Offer plenty of fruit and veggies.  Whole fruits are mostly water and are filled with vitamins, minerals, fiber and also aid in hydration. Cantaloupe and strawberries are approximately 90% water. Watermelon, grapes, oranges and apples, as well as vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes and leafy greens are excellent sources of water. The naturally sweet taste of coconut water is another great way to boost hydration and is full of antioxidants too!

Make popsicle treats.  Popsicles made from fruit and water are a fun and effective way to retain fluids in your children’s system. This can be as simple as pouring juice into plastic Popsicle molds.  There are all types of creative ways to turn this into a nutritious treat.  Once again, be mindful of the amount of juice consumption, since the presence of sugar slows absorption. 

Image Credit: zarbees.com
Contributed by: Neha, Fairmont Private Schools

Wednesday, April 30

ARTS + CRAFTS may day basket surprise

May Day is tomorrow!  A fun and traditional way to celebrate May Day is to leave a basket of flowers and treats on someone's doorstep, ring the door bell, and run!  It's the perfect activity to enjoy with your kids. Here is a great tutorial on making your own basket and flowers. Kids of all ages will love helping with this craft. Have fun and happy May Day!

Image credit: Alphamom.com
Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools