DIG those Lynx!

WOW! I just returned from the Brandon Valley/Yankton volleyball match. Although the Lady Lynx didn't come away with the win tonight, they played some of the best volleyball I've seen this season. They started out on the slow side, but once they found their rhythm ~ they played hard. Both teams had outstanding ball handling tonight. It's volleyball at its best when both teams are hot! Once again ~ those Lynx players and fans have captured my attention and school spirit! I'm proud to be A BRANDON VALLEY LYNX! P.S. The concession stand supper of popcorn and Diet Coke hit the spot!

Donuts for Dads

A grand group of dads came to Donuts for Dads on Tuesday morning. The event was sponsored by the Fred Assam Elementary PTA. The first dads to arrive came in about 6:35 and continued strong until 8:00 am. The coffee was hot, the milk & juice cold, and the donuts were DELICIOUS! I noticed a few sleepy heads throughout the crowd ~ but everyone enjoyed their time together. A few dads even made it to the playground for a little activity before heading off to work. GREAT TO SEE YOU, DADS!! COME AGAIN!!

Mrs. Sunne's Fantastic Friday

Mrs. Sunne's second graders enjoyed a Fantastic Friday! In addition to Sunne's Store and their shopping experience, students had a picnic style lunch in the Commons. Lots of giggles were shared by everyone!

Fred Assam Elementary

This is an aerial view of Fred Assam Elementary. Really impressive!

Meet Mason!

Meet Mason! He's our latest Math Facts in a Flash finisher! Way to go, Mason. Anybody need help with their math assignment? Just call Mason ~ he's smart (and quick)!

Mason received a DQ gift certificate for his efforts. I hear that others are working hard to catch Zach and Mason.

TV Turnoff Week

TV Turnoff Week is Sunday, Sept. 20 - Sept. 26. Will your family be participating in TV Turnoff Week?

Screen time cuts into family time and is a leading cause of obesity in both adults and children. Excessive use of screens for recreational purposes leads to a more sedentary and solitary lifestyle, and that is unhealthy for all of us, both mentally and physically.

What's So Great About TURNOFF Week? Turning off the screen gives us time to think, read, create, and do the things we never have time for. This allows us to connect with our families and engage in our communities. We feel good about ourselves as we grow more physically and mentally active.

I stopped and checked out a book this afternoon from the Public Library. Take my lead ~ turn off the TV and find a good book! Make it a family evening of reading and fun! Enjoy the time with your children.

We've Got Spirit ~ Yes We Do!

Friday Fun! Students from the High School visited today. We enjoyed a pep rally. Black & Red shows our school spirit!

BVHS Homecoming Coronation

Brandon Valley High School ~ you continue to impress me! I attended the Coronation program last night at the Performing Arts Center. The evening started with the Marching Lynx Drumline. WOW! Their precision was outstanding! The entertainment was wonderful ~ the vocal selections AND the skit. Congratulations to King Austin Sumner & Queen Anna Hyronimus and other members of the court. You represent your school very well! I'm excited to have you visit Fred Assam Elementary School today! As a "newbie" to the school district - I was very touched to hear about the Tradition of Giving ~ and the response to that giving. If my memory serves me correctly, there were over 250 teddy bears donated this year! Awesome! Enjoy your Homecoming experience and thanks for being great role models to our elementary students! We are watching you! :)

3rd grade ORANGE

Thursday was COLOR day at Fred Assam Elementary school. Each grade dressed in a specific color. These "orange" students are in third grade. We don't require uniforms at school ~ but it sure was easy to identify what grade level was walking down the hallway!

PICTURE DAY

LIFETOUCH pictures will take student pictures on Monday, September 21.
Choose the look you want & mark the order form. Be sure to return the order to school on picture day. You may pay by credit card and order on-line or use the order form on your flyer.

If you need additional information or order form, please stop by the elementary office or call 582-1500.

LATE START

Friday, September 18
Late Start due to Staff In-service
School begins at 10:15

Congratulations, Zach!

Let's hear it for Zach! He finished the entire program of Math Facts in a Flash. Anybody need help with their math assignment? Just call Zach ~ he's smart (and quick)!

Zach received a Dairy Queen gift card for his efforts! Now . . . I'm wondering if there are any other students out there who will finish the Math Facts in a Flash program, too???

Pajama Day!

Students and teachers enjoyed wearing our pajamas to school!

Cells

5th grade students from Mr. Peters' science class used sidewalk chalk to diagram the parts of a cell.

Community Meeting

Because of continuing concerns regarding Six Mile Road and safe passage to school, there was a Community Meeting held at Fred Assam Elementary Monday night. About 30 parents from Mystic Meadows & Pine Lake Hills were in attendance along with Brandon Valley School Board members and Superintendent, members of the Sioux Falls Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff's Department, Brandon Police Department, County Highway Superintendent, and a representative from the County Commissioners' office.

Three main concerns were highlighted from the parents ~ uniformity (between other elementary schools and their school zones); volume/speed (highway vs residential road and proper signage); safe route to school (sidewalks & crosswalk).

Captain Jim Hoekman from the Sheriff's Department will be heading a task force to address these issues and what can be done 1) in the short term, 2) in the long term. The first meeting of the task force will be Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 3:30 at Fred Assam Elementary School.

I will post any updates as they happen ~ "thanks" to the many parents who have brought this concern forward and to the numerous drivers traveling Six Mile Road who are observing the speed limits, crosswalk area, and school zone!

Bodacious Ball

WOW! If you haven't watched a volleyball match lately ~ you need to check out the Brandon Valley Lady Lynx!!! Brandon Valley dominated the volleyball action with Mitchell. BV lost the first game 23 - 25, but took the next three games with scores of 25 - 18, 25 - 16, 27 - 25 to win the match. The energy on the court was contagious! This old volleyball coach and parent got swept up in the excitement and had to return to my office to blog about it. Way to go players and coaches! Congratulations on a truly exciting WIN!

"Hats Off" to the Brandon Valley student body! I'm impressed! They stood the entire match, cheered with gusto, and rallied right along with the volleyball team. I must say . . . I'm proud to be a Brandon Valley Lynx!

Homecoming Celebration Week

Fred Assam Elementary School

Homecoming Celebration Week

Tuesday, Sept. 15 ~ Hat Day

Wednesday, Sept. 16 ~ Pajama Day

Thursday, Sept. 17 ~ Color Day

(K/1st - Green; 2nd - Yellow; 3rd - Orange; 4th - Gray; 5th - Blue)

Friday, Sept. 18 ~ Black & Red Day

(we are planning to take a school picture on Friday!)

Students are encouraged to join in the fun!

Please call the office ~ 582-1500 ~ if you have any questions.

3rd grade boys in the Fire Safety House

These 3rd grade boys experienced the "smoke-filled" bedroom. I am confident they know their escape plan should they ever need it!

Fire Safety House visits 3rd grade

Third grade students had a visit from the Sioux Falls Fire Department today. Along with a video, students experienced first-hand how to get out of a "smoke-filled" bedroom and also how to call 911 and relate important information. "THANKS" Sioux Falls firemen for helping with this important experience!

Bookmobile is a Hit!

Fred Assam students enjoyed browsing and checking out books from the Bookmobile. Just a reminder ~ the public is welcome to visit the Bookmobile when it is at our school. The hours are 9:00 - 2:30. The next scheduled visit is October 1.

Be Creative @ Your Library

Congratulations to the following students for their summer reading accomplishments! They successfully completed the reading requirements of the Siouxland Libraries free summer reading club, Be Creative @ Your Library. These students were awarded prizes for reading at least 20 minutes a day for 30 days during the summer.
Joey and Sidney - kindergarten; Kole and Carter - 1st grade; Caleb and Jonathan - 2nd grade; Hannah and Joe - 3rd grade; Ty, Erika, Courtney, and Sarah - 4th grade; Julia, Kaitlyn, Chloe, Carter, and Kaylee - 5th grade.

KEEP READING!!

Bookmobile at Fred Assam Elementary

Back to School on the Bookmobile! Fred Assam Elementary School 9:00 - 2:30
September 3; October 1; October 29; November 20. Public is welcome!