Transcription

1 Brandon Valley High School 301 South Splitrock Blvd. Brandon, SD Brandon Valley High School September Newsletter September 2018 From the Principal We are excited to be back and beginning another school year at BVHS. Our building has the largest enrollment in its history with over 1100 students on campus. We have over 100 staff members that work to meet the various needs of our students throughout the day. The message for the year is Lead, Learn, and Serve. We saw great examples of Leadership and service from a group of seniors that assisted with Freshmen Unity Day. It is our belief that if we can help our students to achieve their leadership potential, foster a love for life-long learning and create a servant heart that they will be successful in all aspects of their life. There are many ways that a parent can get involved at BVHS and send a very visual message to their children about how much they value education. Showing an interest in the academic side of your child s life beyond their grades sends the message that grades are not the only indicator of academic success. I encourage you to have regular conversations with your children about their progress at school both in and out of the classroom. Ask them about their successes and frustrations and what types of things are going on in their classes and school activities. Ask them about classmates, friends, teachers, and other staff members. Visit with them about potential options for their future beyond high school. Pick a day and spend it at BVHS travelling the halls with the students and meeting the teachers. You can volunteer your time one day or many days in classrooms or in the office. Coordinate your visit with your child s counselor. We have three very active booster clubs at BVHS. If your child is involved in a school activity and you want to become connected to other parents that support that activity you are encouraged to join one of our booster clubs: The Band Booster Club: the Fine Arts Boosters: finearts/default.htm; and the Athletic Booster Club: default.htm Attend events that your students and their friends participate in on and off of our campus. Students love to see family and staff members at their events reinforcing the time and effort that they have put into their activities. Get to know the other students and families that are involved in the activities. Principal Dr. Gregg Talcott Gregg.Talcott@k12.sd.us Website: Brandonvalley.k12.sd.us Link: Principal Associate Principal Mark Schlekeway Mark.Schlekeway@k12.sd.us Associate Principal Randy Marso Randy.Marso@k12.sd.us Counselor (A-G) Kara Likness Kara.Likness@k12.sd.us Counselor (H-N) Michelle Stemwedel Michelle.Stemwedel@k12.sd.us Counselor (O-Z) Katie Murdy Katie.Murdy@k12.sd.us

2 Challenge Day Challenge Day is coming back to Brandon Valley High School in October. This is a very unique opportunity for some of our students to participate in an event that will help to shape the culture and climate of our high school community. Challenge Day has existed for 25 years and returns to BVHS for the sixth straight year. Thanks to a partnership with Sioux Empire United Way we are able to offer a Challenge Day on Wednesday, October 17. Challenge Day regulations are very specific that to a host a day there must be at least one adult for every four student participants. This means for us to provide this opportunity for students we will need at least 25 parent or community volunteers and five staff volunteers to make these days happen. It would be sad if we could not give as many students this great opportunity because we are not able find enough adults willing to volunteer! The vision of the Challenge Day organization is that every child will live in a world where they feel safe, loved, and celebrated. At the direction of the organization we select a cross-section of students to try to make sure that all student groups were represented. We have students attending that like school, do not like school, are involved in activities, are not involved in activities, that do well in school, that struggle in school. The staff is excited to see what results from these days. Learn more about Challenge Day at: Dr. Talcott at Gregg.Talcott@k12.sd.us if you are interested in volunteering. Family Access Updates Jennifer.Swenson@k12.sd.us Every school year the Brandon Valley School District requires parents to review and update student information. These updates are completed in your Family Access account. If you don t have a Family Access account, contact your building secretary or the BV Administration Center to create one. Please complete the Family Access updates for each student by Friday, September 7, HOW TO COMPLETE FAMILY ACCESS UPDATES: To review and update student information, log onto your Family Access account (brandonvalleyschools.com, Skyward tab), and select the Family Access Update tab on the left-hand menu. Even if your information hasn t changed from year to year, you still need to confirm that it is correct (bottom of each page). Free and Reduced Applications The application for free and reduced meals for the school year is available as of August 1, This application process will also be submitted online through Family Access instead of completing a paper application. You can access the application while completing the Family Access Update, or you can select the Food Service tab in Family Access. Computers will be available in all schools and the BV Administration Center for families to use throughout the school year. The Brandon Branch of the Siouxland Public Libraries (located at the Brandon Valley High School) also has computers to use if you have a library card (library cards are free for Brandon and Minnehaha County residents). 2

3 TESTING DATES August 25 SAT September 8 ACT October 6 SAT October 10 PSAT/NMSQT REGISTER BY OCT. 5th IN THE OFFICE SOPHOMORES & JUNIORS ONLY $16.00 FEE October 27 ACT November 3 SAT November 14 ASVAB FREE! SIGN UP IN THE OFFICE JUNIORS & SENIORS ONLY December 1 SAT December 8 ACT February 9 ACT March 9 SAT April 10 & 11 SDDOE State Testing *REQUIRED FOR ALL JUNIORS IN SD* ELA, MATH & SCIENCE April 11 NCRC SENIORS April 13 ACT BVHS LOCATION FILLS UP FAST! REG- ISTER EARLY! Fall Information and Financial Aid Night Kara.Likness@k12.sd.us Katie.Murdy@k12.sd.us Michelle.Stemwedel@k12.sd.us Ms. Likness, Mrs. Murdy and Mrs. Stemwedel are offering a Parent Information Night and Financial Aid presentation on Thursday, October 4th from 6-7:30pm in the PAC (Performing Arts Center). The counselors will start with an informational session from 6-6:30pm to discuss testing, when to apply to eligibility centers, future college planning, scholarship information, when to apply to colleges, etc. From 6:30-7:30pm, we will have a Financial Aid presentation by University Center staff which will walk through the process of applying for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Sophomore through senior students and their parents are encouraged to attend. Hope to see you there! Message from the Nurse Renae.Peyton@k12.sd.us Welcome back to school! Hopefully the first couple of weeks have gone well! Just wanted to put out a couple of reminders for the new school year. First, please remember that students should not be carrying any medications in their backpacks unless it is an inhaler, diabetic supplies, or EpiPen. All medications need to be dropped off in the high school office by a parent along with the Medication and Treatment Authorization Form which can be found on the high school website. Any medication refills also need to be dropped off by a parent do not send medications with students to be dropped off in the office. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this. The second reminder is to review the South Dakota Department of Health Recommendations for Temporary Exclusion from a School setting. You can find this information at doh.sd.gov/diseases/infectious/diseasefacts/. Lastly, please double check that your student is up to date on all immunizations. Please either contact your student s doctor or myself if you are questioning if they are up to date on immunizations. I am usually at the high school from about 12:30-2:00. Please be sure to contact me with any health concerns or needs. Spring AP Exams REGISTRATION FEE REQUIRED Best Buddies Amy.Frantzen@k12.sd.us May 4 SAT June 1 SAT June 8 ACT July 13 ACT ***TEST DATE NOT AVAILABLE AT BVHS REGISTER FOR THE ACT ONLINE AT Costs: $50.50 OR $67.00 with writing*** No school in SD requires the writing component REGISTER FOR THE SAT ONLINE AT Costs: $47.50 OR $64.50with writing Advisors - Amy Frantzen, Kelly Eichelberg, and Maggie Youngberg Best Buddies is a program that builds one-to-one friendships between people with and without disabilities, offering social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded. Through their participation, people with disabilities form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self confidence and self esteem, and share interests, experiences, and activities that many other individuals enjoy. Applications are available in the office. They are due September 7th! QUESTIONS? Contact your BVHS counselor. 3

4 Choir News Orchestra News The new school year is off and running, and sweet singing from the choir fills the northwest corner of the building... SD Senior Honor Choir --Congratulations to two BVHS Concert Choir members who sang in this summer's SD-American Choral Directors Association High School Honor Choir. Senior Emili Widrig and junior Keaton Beyer auditioned last spring for the 150-voice Honor Choir. The choir rehearsed the last week of July at the Univ of Sioux Falls, and performed in concert at the Washington Pavilion. SD Junior Honor Choir -- the SD-ACDA also sponsors a Junior High Honor Choir (grades 7-9) to be held January in Sioux Falls. Interested freshmen need to contact Mr. Gullickson for more information. Motivated 10-12th grade choir members looking for a challenge are encouraged to audition for NATIONAL men's and women's Honor Choirs, which will rehearse and perform in conjunction with a national ACDA convention in Kansas City next February. The 91-voice Lynx Choir and 71-voice Concert Choir will perform their Fall Concert Monday, October 1 in the PAC at 7:30 pm. Choir members are reminded to have black closed-toe dress shoes (and black dress pants for boys) to wear with their robes. Concert admission is free! ALL-STATE CHORUS AUDITIONS... SD All-State Chorus auditions will be held Wednesday September 19 after school in the BVHS choir room. Twenty BVHS Concert Choir members will be chosen to attend this year's SD All-State Chorus & Orchestra to be held October in Rapid City. Contact Terry.Gullickson@k12.sd.us for more details, or with any questions. Shelly.Berg@k12.sd.us All-State Orchestra will be held in Rapid City on October 26th and 27th. All-State material packets for all string players are still available. Wind and percussion players interested in auditioning may request copies of the Orchestral pieces from Mrs. Berg. Any orchestra or band member may audition for the 2018 SD All-State Orchestra. Auditions for All-State Orchestra will be held this year at Tea on Thursday, October 11th. The registration deadline is Monday, September 10th. Please contact Mrs. Berg if you would like to register or have any questions regarding All-State Orchestra and the audition process. The Brandon Valley High School Orchestra will have its first performance on Monday, October 22nd at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. The HS Orchestra concert is free and open for all to attend. You are invited to come and kick off our BVHS Orchestra season. FALL PLAY INFO 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Student Informational Meeting Sept. 5 in Room 117 at 3:30 Community Bulletin Board The Brandon Valley School District shares opportunities for locally sponsored student activities. The Brandon Valley School District neither endorses nor sponsors the organizations or activities represented on the Community Bulletin Board. The distribution of this material is provided as a community service. Please click here to view opportunities for student programs and workshops. Be sure to scroll through all pages. The Community Bulletin Board will be updated on the 1 st and 15 th monthly, so check back frequently! No paper flyers will be distributed to students effective the school year. Auditions Sept Performance Dates: Nov See Melanie Sittig for more. (Room 117) Melanie.Sittig@k12.sd.us 4

5 September Calendar Saturday, September 1, 2018 FB vs SF Howard Wood - 3:30 BS (JV/V) vs BV - 11:00/1:00 GS (V/JV) vs BV - 11:00/1:00 Huron Quad - 9:00 AM Monday, September 3, 2018 NO SCHOOL - Labor Day F Harrisburg - 6:00 Tuesday, September 4, 2018 JV Keuhn Park - 4:00 FAE/VSE PTA Meetings - 6:30 MB Rehearsal - 6:00 JV FB vs BV - 4:30 PM Sub-V BG SF Kuehn Park - 4:00 JV SFW - 4:00 Mitchell (ESD) - 4:30/5:30/7:00 Wednesday, September 5, 2018 Sub-V BG Country Club of Sioux Falls - 3:45 Thursday, September 6, 2018 Yankton Inv - 5:30 PM Sub-V BG vs SF O SF Elmwood - 4:00 SB vs BV - 6:00 Friday, September 7, 2018 Yankton Inv (Fox Run) - 10:00 BS (V/JV) vs BV - 4:00/6:00 GS (JV/V) vs BV - 4:00/6:00 GT BV Jamboree - 9:00 AM Saturday, September 8, 2018 PIGSKIN CLASSIC CC LYNX McHardy - 9:30 FB vs Aberdeen (Pigskin Classic) - 7:00 GT BV Jamboree - 9:00 Monday, September 10, 2018 BOE Meeting - 6:30 PM MB Rehearsal - 6:00 F FB vs BV - 4:30 JV Huron - 4:00 Brookings Inv - 10:00 Sub-V Huron JV Inv - 10:00 SFL - 4:00 JV GT vs BV - 4:00 Tuesday, September 11, 2018 SALSA BVHS - 7:00 AM BS (JV/V) vs BV - 5:30/7:30 GS (V/JV) vs BV - 5:30/7:30 Harrisburg - 4:30/5:30/7:00 Thursday, September 13, 2018 Sub-V BG vs SFO BV - 3:30 BS (V/JV) vs BV - 5:30/7:30 GS (JV/V) vs BV - 5:30/7:30 SB vs BV- 6:00 SFW - 4:00 JV SFR - 4:00 VB vs SF O+G BV - 4:30/5:30/7:00 Friday, September 14, 2018 RCC (O'Hara Field) - 6:00 (MST) Mitchell Inv - 10:30 Saturday, September 15, 2018 Rosemount, MN Brookings Inv (Swiftel Center) - 11:00 AM Huron Inv - 9:00 AM F SF O'G - 10:30 AM Monday, September 17, 2018 MB Rehearsal - 6:00 JV FB vs BV - 4:30 PM SB vs SF SF Sherman Park - 6:00 GT vs Yankton - 3:00 Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Huron Inv - 5:00 PM BS Huron - 4:00/6:00 GS Huron - 4:00/6:00 VB vs Yankton BV - 4:30/5:30/7:00 Wednesday, September 19, 2018 All-State Chorus Auditions - 3:30 JV SFL - 4:00 Friday, September 21, 2018 FB vs BV - 7:00 Saturday, September 22, 2018 Marshall, MN Harrisburg Inv - 10:00 BG ESD Huron - 10:00 SB ESD BV- TBA GT SF McKennan Park - 9:00 Monday, September 24, 2018 HS Picture Retake Day BOE Meeting - 6:30 Coronation - 7:00 JV Yankton - 4:15 Tuesday, September 25, 2018 SF O'G Inv - 5:30 PM BG Metro BV Municipal - 1:00 Sub-V BG SF Elmwood - 4:00 BS (V/JV) vs HWF - 4:00/6:00 GS (JV/V) vs HWF - 4:00/6:00 SB vs SF Sherman Park - 6:00 GT vs BV - 4:00 JV Mitchell - 4:00 VB vs Pierre BV - 3:30/4:30/6:00 Thursday, September 27, 2018 Watertown Inv - 4:00 F FB vs BV - 4:30 Sub-V BG Lynx Inv (BGC) - 3:00 GT ESD Brookings - 8:00 VB vs Harrisburg BV - 4:30/5:30/7:00 Friday, September 28, 2018 HOMECOMING 2018 FB vs RC BV (Homecoming) - 7:00 JV SB SF Sherman Park - TBA Saturday, September 29, 2018 Luverne, MN, and Big Sioux Review SFR Inv (SF Pentagon) - 11:00 JV SB SF Sherman Park - TBA Thursday, September 20, 2018 V Yank Inv (Fox Run GC) - 4:15 F FB vs BV - 6:00 BS Watertown - 4:00/6:00 GS Watertown - 4:00/6:00 Sunday, September 30, 2018 SB vs BV- 6:00 BG Brookings (departure) JV GT vs BV - 4:00 Watertown (ESD) - 4:30/5:30/7:00 5

6 Brandon Valley Pigskin Classic Dodgeball Tournament Friday/Saturday, September 7/8, 2018 Sponsored by: Brandon Valley Booster Club Hosted by: Brandon Valley Power Lifting Cost: $35 per team Payment done on website at Registration ends: September 3, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) No late registrations will be accepted. About the tournament: Anyone in grades 1-12 can form a team (please note what grade your team represents) Double Elimination tournament. Grades 1-6 Friday, September 7 6:30 p.m. Grades 7-8 Saturday, September 8 2:00 p.m. Grades 9-12 Saturday, September 8 12:00 p.m. All games will be held in the Brandon Valley High School gym. Players listed on the registration form are the only ones who can play on the team. There is a maximum of five players per team. The game schedule and rules will be ed to your Team Contact on Wednesday night (September 5) after 7 p.m. No schedule change requests will be accepted. Payment and registration form can be found at the following website: The team contact will receive an confirmation once the registration is received. If you do not receive an , please contact Craig Weber at (605) or cmw51nbc@aol.com

7 Saturday, August 11 TH 8:00 a.m. Shotgun Start Brandon Golf Course Check In No Later Than 7:30 a.m.!! Entry Fee: $60 Per Player (Includes Golf, Cart and Lunch) Register By: or MAIL Mail this form to Bethany Gusso, 1700 Rushmore Drive, Brandon, SD Team Name: Player #1: Phone: Player #2: Phone: Player #3: Phone: Player #4: Phone: When sending in your registration, please make fees payable to the Brandon Valley Booster Club Registration Deadline: August 1 MULLIGANS: 2/$10 LIMIT 1 PER 9 HOLES PER PLAYER T E A M R E G I S T R A T I O N Mulligan(s): Mulligan(s): Mulligan(s): Mulligan(s): Thank You For Supporting The Lynx!

8 PIGSKIN CLASSIC 5K FUN RUN OR WALK Saturday September 8, 2018 Brandon Valley High School Football Field PreRegistration: Mail to Judy Cheever 508 N Oak Ridge Rd. Brandon SD Registration day of race: 7:00am 7:30am Race Starts at 7:30am Cost $20.00 (includes shirt) Name: Female: Male: T-Shirt Size: Small Medium Large XL Age Group: 19& Under Address: In consideration of accepting this entry, I waive and release any and all rights and claims for damages I may have against the Pigskin 5K Fun Run or Walk and its sponsors for any and all injuries suffered by me in said competition. I also give permission for the free use of my name and/or pictures for publicity. Signed: Parent/Guardian Signature (if minor):

9 18th Annual Pigskin Classic Brandon Valley Lynx vs. Aberdeen Golden Eagles Saturday, September 8, 2018 Go to for more information and registration forms. ALL PROCEEDS benefit our Brandon Valley athletes! Saturday, August 11th 8:00 a.m. Pigskin Classic Golf Tournament. Check-in no later than 7:30 a.m. 4-person scramble format. Registration form on the Booster Club website. $60/player includes golf, cart and lunch. Friday, September 7 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Boys and Girls Soccer. Varsity Boys at 4:00 and Varsity Girls at 6:00 vs Aberdeen Central at BVHS. 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Dodgeball Tournament. Elementary 1-4 and Intermediate 5-6, $35 entry fee per team. BVHS gym. Concessions available. Registration deadline September 3. Register at 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Middle School Dance. BVMS, Grades 7-8. Concessions available. Saturday, September 8 7:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Booster Club Memberships. Brandon Valley Booster Club will be selling memberships during the day of Pigskin. We will be back again before the game from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm. There are many great membership benefits including a potential gift certificate for use on Lynx Spirit Wear. 7:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Reserve your stadium seat at the Pigskin Classic. For $10 tape down your 6-ft blanket to reserve your game seats. Game admission fee not included. 7:00 a.m.-7:30 a.m. 5K Fun Run or Walk registration at BVHS Football Complex. Start time 7:30 a.m. Entry fee $20. Pigskin t-shirt for all participants. Registration form on website. 7:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Information Booth provided by BV Football. Brandon Valley Spiritwear created by Monarch Sales available for purchase. 7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Concessions throughout the day. Tents provided for your comfort by the S.D. National Guard; picnic tables provided by the City of Brandon. 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Inflatables, Obstacle Course and Bouncer for kids. $5 fee for unlimited use. 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Medical assistance provided by Gary Lembcke (Brandon Fire Dept) & BVHS student trainers 9:00 a.m. 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. Boys and girls grades 4-8. $65 entry fee per team. Registration deadline Aug. 30. Register at 9:00 a.m. BV Cheer Camp. Grades K-2; 9:00-10:30. Grades 3-8; 11:00-12:30. $25 entry fee, includes Pigskin t-shirt & participant s admission to the game. Participants will perform 9:00 a.m. during pre-game activities. Registration form on website. Dakota Kid Pedal Pull. Ages Entry fee is $5. Trophies will be awarded. Event starts at approximately 9:30 a.m. Registration at the Dakota Pedal Pull trailer in parking lot north of the basketball courts. Lynx Invitational Cross Country Meet at McHardy Park 9:30 a.m. 12:00-4:00p.m. Dodgeball Tournament. High school Teams 12:00-2:00. Middle school teams 2:00-4:00 $35 entry fee per team. BVHS gym. Registration deadline September 3. Register at teambrandonvalley.com 1:00 p.m. Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge. Register at BVHS Complex. Boys & girls ages Free. Trophies awarded. 1:00 p.m. Brandon EDGE Punt, Pass and Kick. Register at BVHS Complex. Boys & girls ages Free. Trophies awarded. 5:15 p.m.-5:55 p.m. BV 5 th and 6 th Junior Football Exhibition. BVHS Football Field. 6:40 p.m. Game ball arrival by special delivery. 7:00 p.m. BV Lynx vs. Aberdeen Central Football Game Half time Pig Auction. Pig donated by Bly Brothers and processing donated by Renner Locker. Get your bid number before the game and bid individually or as a group.

10 I want YOU. to join me for Close Up in DC! What? Close Up is a civics education organization that encourages students to engage and participate in politics and the world through education and awareness. Where? Washington, DC When? May 26-May 31, 2019 Why? To see the sights, learn about the American government and current issues facing our country/world, to have FUN! How much? $1,867 (includes airfare, lodging, food and transportation in DC) Interested? Contact Mr. Risty at jeremy.risty@k12.sd.us or room 123 for more details!

11

12 Castles, and countryside, and Celtic culture - Oh my! This 15 day tour through Scotland, Ireland, and England will immerse you into the picturesque and charming landscape of the British Isles. Tour historic cities such as Dublin, Killarney, Edinburgh, Yorkshire, and London. Explore the mystic circles of Stonehenge, delight in the gardens of Anne Hathaway s Cottage, and visit the English countryside of Shakespeare s birthplace. London Bridge, St. Paul s Cathedral, Big Ben, the London Eye, and the changing of the guard are just a few highlights from our stay in London. This tour may leave you at a loss for words... unless, of course, you kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle! June 2019 For more information, contact Melanie Sittig at melanie.sittig@k12.sd.us.

13 Meet your Carroll Institute Project Awareness Counselor Services provided: I will be in the Brandon School District 2 days a week all school year. I am available to provide a variety of different services with all different age groups during that time. Some of those services include: -Classroom education through a Variety of different curriculums. About me: Hello everyone! My name is Kristi VanDeRostyne and I am excited to again be the Brandon Valley Prevention Counselor for the 4th year! This will be my 9th school year at Carroll Institute. A little about me, I graduated from Tri-Valley High School and then attended USD and received a degree in Addiction Studies with a minor in Psychology. I am now a Certified Addictions Counselor as well as a Certified Prevention Specialist. I am currently living in Hartford with my husband and two sons. I enjoy spending time with my family, being out doors, and crafting. I look forward to being back in school with you all! Contact me at: kvanderostyne@carrollinstitute.org -Individual sessions with students that are using or at risk of using substances. As well as students struggling with bullying. -Screenings/assessments to determine if a student is in need of further treatment or prevention services. Referrals can come from the student themselves, school staff, probation/courts or parents. -Small group sessions to connect students dealing with similar issues. This can help develop skills in a certain area. - One time classroom presentations on a variety of topics concerning substances and bullying. -Provide School-wide awareness events to raise awareness about substance abuse and bullying. -Advising student leader groups such as: TATU (teens against tobacco use), improv, SADD (students against destructive decisions) Please let me know if I can assist you and I look forward to being a part of your school this year!

14 Brandon Valley School District Early Childhood Developmental Screening Thursday, September 20, :30 a.m. 7:30 p.m. Screenings are held at Brandon Elementary School Screenings are free for all children from birth to age 5 who live in the Brandon Valley School District. To register, please visit our website at or call the Special Services Office at to schedule an appointment.

15 September 2018 Birth to 5 Preschool Storytime Brandon Community Library Tuesdays, September 11, 18, 25 10:15-10:45 a.m. Encourage a love of reading and develop your preschooler s early learning through stories, rhymes, songs and movement. For children ages 3 to 5. Toddler Storytime Brandon Community Library Wednesdays, September 12, 19, 26 10:15-10:40 a.m. Nurture your toddler s love of books through music, movement and stories, while developing language, motor and social kills. For 2-year-olds and caregivers. Kids K-5 Kids Create Valley Springs Branch Library Thursday, September 6 3:15-4:00 p.m. Explore your creative side through stories, crafts, games, and activities. September s program is Healthy Snacks. Tail Waggin Tutors Brandon Community Library Saturday, September 8 10:00-11:00 a.m. Book a 15-minute reading session with a certified therapy dog and bone up on your reading skills. Registration required. Teens Mark Your October Calendar Special FX: Zombie Skin Makeup/Fake Edible Blood Brandon Community Library Thursday, October 11 6:30pm - 7:30pm Learn how to make fake wounds on your skin and cover them in fake edible blood! For teens 6-12 grades. Registration is now open. Adults Brandon Community Library Book Club Thursday, September 6, 10:30-11:30 a.m. For people who enjoy reading a variety of books. September we will discuss Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls; October s title will be Jodi Picoult s Change of Heart. Call for more information. Families / All Ages Fall Fun! Pumpkin Decorating Brandon Community Library Saturday, September 29, 10:30-Noon Pumpkin decorating and fun activities for the whole family. Decorating materials and small pumpkins will be provided while supplies lasts. Guess the number of candy corns and enter your pumpkin in the decorating contest for a chance to win a prize. Pictures of pumpkins will be displayed for the public to vote on September 29 October 6 and winners will be announced on October 8. Brandon Community Library (605) Valley Springs Branch Library (605)