Welcome to the 2012 - 2013 School Year!

WOW!  Summer passed by in a 'blink of an eye'.  I enjoyed spending my summer days with my grandson, Boeden - who is now 9 months old!  He loves to be outside ~ especially helping water plants.

We have 395 students at Fred Assam Elementary so far. It was exciting to see returning faces as well as many new faces in our school family.  I'm looking forward to an awesome year!  S

Buddy Walk

Fred Assam Elementary's "Act of Kindness"
Be sure to join us on Saturday, September 10 at Sertoma Park!
Registration begins at 10:00.
Welcome & thank-yous: 10:45.
The walk begins at 11:30.
Food and entertainment: available 10:00 - 1:00.

Registration forms are available on the Assam Anchor. Simply print and bring to the walk.

*BE A BUDDY at the Buddy Walk!
*FAE students ~ $3.00 with adult.
*Turn in $3.00, any donations, and adult signed waiver form at the registration table.
*Go have fun being a BUDDY!

The Buddy Walk is an annual fundraiser for New Directions Down Syndrome Association in Sioux Falls.

Homecoming Week!

Dress-up days:

Tuesday ~ jersey or neon day

Wednesday ~ hat day

Thursday ~ color day ~ JK & K - blue; 1st grade - red; 2nd grade - orange; 3rd grade - purple; 4th grade - green; 5th grade - yellow.

Friday ~ SPIRIT day! Red & Black!

Fred Assam Elementary ~ Distinguished School

CONGRATULATIONS are in order for all students, staff, and parents of Fred Assam Elementary School as we have just been named one of South Dakota's Distinguished Schools! The South Dakota Recognition Program honors the state's most exemplary and inspiring public schools. Schools selected for Distinguished School Awards are strong, well-rounded community schools that offer a quality education for all students. "Kudos" to all six attendance centers in the Brandon Valley School District ~ all are 2011 Distinguished Schools!

Distinguished Schools have met adequate yearly progress (AYP) for two consecutive years in both reading and math and show progress in narrowing the achievement gap. AYP is based on scores from the South Dakota State Test of Educational Progress (Dakota STEP) taken by elementary third, fourth, and fifth grade students, middle school students, and high school juniors. The AYP status is a measure of whether a school is in compliance with the federal government's No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The Dakota STEP test is based on content standards developed by teachers and administrators to test what students need to know.

WEL "GUM" BACK TO SCHOOL!

It was great to see so many students, moms, and dads at Open House! We are excited and ready for an awesome year! 2011 - 2012!

When we left in May, our enrollment at Fred Assam Elementary was 300. Currently, we have 361 students enrolled at our attendance center. Along with many new students, we also have many new staff!

As we begin the 2011 - 2012 school year together, it is important that we continue to focus our efforts and energies on those things that contribute to the well-being, achievement, and success of our children. Collaboration and communication between parents and school is critical for children to excel. Please know that the staff and I welcome you as a partner in your child's education.

I look forward to working with you and your child(ren) as we work toward one common goal: the creation of learning environments that results in success!

Susan Foster ~ proud principal ~ Fred Assam Elementary School

I Need a Vacation!

4th & 5th grade students at Fred Assam Elementary presented the music program "I Need A Vacation". Students sang, danced, talked, acted, and performed a dynamic presentation during the afternoon matinee for students and staff and evening event for parents and grandparents.

It was obvious to the audience that these students thoroughly enjoyed putting on this program. Every boy and girl on stage was smiling and involved in the performance. It's really heart-warming to know that we have so many talented students at Fred Assam Elementary! The middle and high school drama departments should really get excited about their future stars.

Students' hard work really paid off during the performance of "I Need A Vacation". As always, Mrs. Hanson had every student well-versed and ready for performance!

QU Wedding

Kindergarten students celebrated the union of letters Q and U during the recent wedding ceremonies. The weddings were complete with the official ceremony joining Q & U together for life in reading and spelling, delicious cake and juice for the reception, followed by the gift opening where all letters were asked to bring gifts that started with q or u. No wedding would be complete without the wedding dance so students grooved to the Hokey Pokey, the Chicken Dance, and the Bunny Hop!

If the brides & grooms look different in these pictures ~ they are! One happy couple for morning kindergarten class and another happy couple for the afternoon class.

I have pictures of all the wedding guests. If you would like one of your son or daughter ~ just let me know! I would be happy to pass along any pictures of this awesome event.