Band/Orchestra pictures

It was so neat to see all of the elementary students together as one large group for both band and orchestra. Mrs. Nelson & Mr. Hubers announced that this year has the most 5th grade band members and 4th/5th grade orchestra members than in the history of any other groups in Brandon Valley Elementary Schools. Well done, students!

Band/Orchestra program

Congratulations to the musicians in both band and orchestra! Their holiday performance was outstanding. It's always fun for me to watch the performer's feet ~ everybody's 'tapping' to the beat. Aw.... such wonderful memories.... I'm definitely in the holiday spirit now. More pictures to follow ~

My Marvelous Magical Sleigh

Our first Christmas program ~ December 2009!

Students in grades 1 - 3 presented My Marvelous Magical Sleigh under the direction of Mrs. Gingi Hanson. Congratulations to Riley, Sterling, and Jacob as the reindeer; Sarah and Anna ~ elves; Carley as Sally Snowflake and Ka'Tavia as Santa! Speakers throughout the musical: Grace, Emily, Carson, Samantha, Jackson, Anab, Hailey, Sydney, Trey, Chayden, Danica, Audrie, Alexis. Audrie is on the sleigh while Jacob (just call him Rudolph!) is patiently waiting for the show to begin! I will post other pictures from the musical as the day goes on. Merry Christmas!

3rd grade students are Math Magnificent!

Riley, Carson, and Trey are working hard on those math facts. Trey tells me that he just passed his multiplication and is now working on division! WOW!! We have mighty magnificent math students at Fred Assam Elementary! Way to go, guys.

The Angel (Pet) Tree grows!

The Christmas tree in the Commons Area continues to add decorations and presents! These children are from Mrs. Brown's second grade classroom. They made very cute reindeer out of dog bones and hung them on the tree. The "loot" continues to grow as more and more items for the Humane Society are brought in. They report on their website that they are desperately in need of dog food. Just a reminder ~ you can find the link to the Humane Society on the Fred Assam Elementary website. All donations will be accepted until December 23. The Student Council will be delivering all donations on that afternoon. Merry Christmas!!

Soldiers in the Making

5th grade students are getting ready to study the Revolutionary War. To help set the scene ~ Mr. Woodle divided the students into American and British groups to research the strengths and weaknesses for each side. In these pictures, students drew life size soldiers in their respective colors.
I've been told that the soldiers will appear in the 5th grade hallway as they study about the War.

Humane Society Angel Tree growing

Donations for the Humane Society continue to add up! We will accept donations until Wednesday, December 23. The Student Council will deliver all donations to the Humane Society on the afternoon of December 23.

MS Jazz Band performs at Fred Assam Elementary

The students at Fred Assam Elementary School were entertained by the Middle School Jazz Band today. In their festive attire ~ they played some familiar Christmas songs as well as a "jazzy" jazz song. Under the direction of Laura Baker, these 7th and 8th grade jazz musicians did an awesome job on their performance! I noticed quite a few toes tapping and bodies moving to the music. Come again next year!!

Christmas Cantata

I had the pleasure last evening of attending the Christmas Cantata at Brandon Lutheran Church. What a beautiful setting for an absolutely wonderful Cantata.

"Many thanks" to the choir and others ~ it was a terrific start to my holiday season!

More additions to the Christmas tree

5th grade students adding their decorations to the Angel (Pet) tree. Be sure to stop in and check out the tree!

Service Project ~ Humane Society

The Student Council's service project this month is an Angel Tree for the Humane Society. Today, Monique from the Humane Society came to visit and tell us about what services they provide and what some of their needs are at this time. She also brought along a CUTE little puppy ~ only 6 weeks old! Of course, this sleepy, adorable, little puppy captured the hearts of everybody in the audience!



We will be accepting donations for the Humane Society until December 23. All donations my be brought to school and put under the Angel (Pet) Tree! Some of the much-needed items are as follows: DRY Purina dog, puppy, kitten, and cat food; dog & cat treats; grooming supplies; collars & leashes (all sizes); pet toys; pet beds & pillows; kitty litter; bird, rabbit, gerbil & hamster food; blankets & towels; paper towels; plastic trash bags; bleach; hand sanitizer; kleenex; Windex; office supplies ~ stamps, Sharpies, scissors, note pads, staples, tape, colored paper; Frontline.

You can check out the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society at www.sfhumanesociety.com . We will have a link to them on our website as well.!

3rd grade student mathematicians

Congratulations to these 3rd grade students. They have completed their addition and subtraction math facts. Now on to multiplication!! Look out 4th & 5th graders ~ they are HOT on your trail!

My Marvelous Magical Sleigh ~

Be sure you plan to attend the Holiday Musical! My Marvelous Magical Sleigh will be presented in the Fred Assam Elementary gym on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 2:00 and at the PAC at 7:00 the same night. The kids (in grades 1, 2, & 3) are enjoying the fun songs and Mrs. Hanson assures me you won't be disappointed! The musical message is that it's not so much about what you receive but rather what you believe!

Student Council "Pet" Tree

The Student Council decided to sponsor an Angel (Pet) Tree this year for the Humane Society. Any type of donation will be accepted for the shelter. Examples of donations might be dog or cat food, leashes, collars, dog or cat dishes, toys, pet snacks, etc. Any & all donations may be brought to the school and placed under the Pet tree in the Commons Area. The Student Council will deliver the donations to the Humane Society just before Christmas! Be sure to remember our pet friends during the holiday season.

Students in each classroom are joining right along with the Pet theme by making decorations for the tree. Ornaments appearing so far . . . a variety of animals from 5th grade, bones from kindergarten, and ever-so-cute dogs & cats in Santa hats from 1st grade. It won't take long and our tree will be very festive.

Representatives from the Humane Society will be at school on Wednesday, December 2 to visit with students and tell us about the services they provide. They are planning to bring along a few animal friends, too.

Artistic Expression

4th grade students working with Artist in Residence Vickie Fuller.

PTA sponsored Artist in Residence

Meet Artist in Residence Vickie Fuller. She is spending the week working with students at Fred Assam Elementary School. Both Monday and Tuesday, she worked with 4th grade students on Pioneer Days. They explored the Universe in 5th grade classrooms. Vickie will spend the remainder of the week working with students in grades 1, 2, & 3. Thanks, Vickie for sharing your expertise with all of us!

More Math Facts Finishers

The race is on to finish their Math Facts in a Flash! Congratulations to the following 5th grade students: Cole, Alexa, Angel, Lexi, Mitchell, and James! Also ~ marvelous Micah from 4th grade finished his 52 levels as well. With math students like these . . . WOW!

I think that I got a good sampling of pilgrim ladies, pilgrim dudes, Indian chiefs, and Indian princesses! Kindergarten and first grade students got together today to make their Thanksgiving bracelets and to share a treat with each other. Many volunteer moms, dads, grandmas & grandpas came to help with the activities. If you see a Thanksgiving bracelet, be sure to ask what each color stands for! They can tell you!! Happy Thanksgiving!