June 2008 pdf - Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Times
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sioux Empire
Little Moments. Big Magic.
Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to congratulate everyone who
graduated from high school or College! Way to Go!
Summer at the BBBS Office:
With summer here, our office will close at noon on Fridays, but you will be able to catch your case specialist more hours the rest of the week. We would also like to Welcome Megan Oswald and Ashley Gallagher, our two interns for the summer.
June 2008
Volume 5 Issue 6
Inside This Issue:
Upcoming Events
2
Activity Card Pick
2
Incentive Winners
3
Match of the Month
3
New Matches
3
Looking for ways to avoid the “I’m bored” catchphrase this summer without breaking the bank?
Great ideas and activities can be found across the Sioux Empire this month.
Match Anniversaries
3
Pictures of the Month
4
- Summer Developmental Track Meets: held every Wednesday night in June (4, 11, 18 and 25)
FAQ’s
4
beginning at 5 p.m. The event is FREE and offers kids and adults of all ages and abilities a chance to test
their track and field skills at the Washington High School track. For more information, call 367-8222.
Mentor Mom
5
Native American Scholars
5
- Siouxland Renaissance Festival: held at the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds June 7 and 8 beginning at
Amachi
5
Summer Boredom Busters for Bigs, Littles and Parents
10 a.m. Admission to the 7th annual event is $10. Give kids a chance to interact with the people of
Shrewsbury County, England, in the year 1575. There will be a children’s stage, jugglers, magicians, musicians, comedy, live jousting and much more. More than 60 vendors will be on hand selling food, crafts
and wares.
- Automania: downtown Sioux Falls will host several blocks’ worth of muscle cars, fast engines and
entertainment June 18 beginning at 5 p.m. along Phillips and Main avenues. Admission to this fun family
event is FREE and there will be food and rock-n-roll bands while you view hot rods, imports, classics and
motorcycles.
- Juneteenth: this African-American holiday honors the emancipation of slaves and is a great way for
kids and adults to learn something new culturally while having a good time with music, children’s activities
and soul food. The FREE event will be held June 19 at McKennan Park by the Bandshell from 6-9 p.m.
- Sioux Falls Festival of Cultures: enjoy ethnic food, music, crafts, dancing and other FREE activities at Falls Park June 21. The day begins at 11 a.m. with a parade of flags from nearly 200 countries and
Native American nations.
- Teensville USA Swim Party: Terrace Park Family Aquatic Center will host this FREE teen-only
event June 26 beginning at 7 p.m. Music will be provided by Music-To-Go. There will be inflatables, water
games and contests.
Other kid- and family-friendly events will take place throughout the summer.
Sioux Falls Office
1000 N. West Ave Ste. 300
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
The Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission is $3.80 for kids ages 3 to 12 and $6.80 for adults ages 13 to 59. Seniors 60 and
older and children younger than 2 are free. On activity card!
Tel: 605-334-1632
Huset’s Speedway in Brandon has several racing events beginning at 7 p.m. June 1, 8, 13, 15, 22,
25 and 29. Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for children ages 8 to 14 and kids under 7 are free.
Watertown Office
The Sioux Falls Canaries play home games June 1-5, 17-19, and 23-29. General admission is $6.
901 4th St NW
Thunder Road Family Fun Park has several activities for the whole family to enjoy, including batting
cages, water wars, human foosball, go-karts, slick track, mini golf, and a climbing wall. Prices
vary. Call 334-4181 for more information. On activity card!
Watertown, SD 57201
Wild Water West Waterpark is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the Adventurepark (go-karts,
mini-golf, bumper boats and batting cages) is open until 10 p.m. The June Summer Special
$19.95 unlimited access pass both parks from open to close. An unlimited access evening pass
can be purchased for $12.95 beginning at 4 p.m. Waterpark-only passes are $17.95 ($9.95 after
4 p.m.) for people over 48 inches; $8.95 ($6.95 after 4 p.m.) for people under 48 inches; $5.95
($4.95 after 4 p.m.) for non-swimmers; and free for children under 2. On activity card!
Fax: 605-271-8011
Tel: 605-886-1554
Fax: 605-882-8620
Upcoming Events
BBBS Calendar
June 19, 2008
Wild Water West Water park—Join BBBS at Wild Water West Water park for a fun night of swimming and waterslides from 4-8pm. This event
is for all ages and all programs (Amachi, Core, Mentor Mom and NAS). Due to cost we will need to limited this event to MATCHES ONLY (Big/Littles or Mentor Moms/Young Moms). To receive wristband for admission into water park, please find BBBS staff at water park entrance. Please let Sarah know if you plan
attending this event, 334-1632 or [email protected].
June 26, 2008
Kickball with Dakota Lawdawgs- Come play kickball with the Dakota Lawdawgs from 6-8pm, Meet at the Horticulture Building (building right
next to the armory) at the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds. This activity is for all BBBS participants matched or waiting! Please let us know if you plan on attending
by calling 334-1632 or email Sarah at [email protected]. This event is FREE!
Community Calendar
June 10, 2008-10am & 7pm, June 11-10am & June 12-10am
Storyland Children’s Theatre @ McKennan Park Band shell
Parks and Recreation will present The commedia-Princess and the Pea. By using skits both familiar and not-so-familiar, these show will focus primarily on children’s stories, beliefs, and everyday happenings. They will involve the audience in fairy tales, music characterizations, costumes, and
dance. These shows are free and open to children of every age. Performances are subject to change and will only be cancelled if it is raining at
performance time. This event is Free!
June 14, 2008—6am & 6:30pm
Great Plains Hot Air Balloon Race
The Hot Air Balloon Race will hold two flights-weather permitting, there will be 30-35 hot air balloons from all over the region. This event is Free!
June 20, 2008-10am & 7pm, June 21st-7pm, June 22nd-7pm, June 23rd 10am & 7pm
Theater in the Parks @ McKennan Park Band shell
Page to Stage-Chapter Three is an original USF adaptation of three popular children’s books. The books that will come alive with acting, song, and
dance are Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Diary of a worm and Fancy Nancy. This event is Free!
June 21, 2008– 1pm
Family Fest 2008-A day of Wellness at Covell Lake
Dow Rummel Village will be having a “Spend a day with Grandpa and Grandma”. Registration will be at 1pm and you can choose a 1 mile or 3 mile
walk, at 2:30pm there will be registration for kids' activities for K-5th grade. For more information or to receive a registration form please contact
Tracey Hughes at 336-1490 or the BBBS office at 334-1632! Free t-shirt for the first 200 kids to register and a 25 dollar donation gets a prize! Some of
the proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters!
June 4, 11, 18 & 25th-1pm, 2pm & 3pm
Starlab Inflatable Planetarium at the Old Courthouse (6th St. and Main Ave)
Discover the night sky. Explore the constellations! Starlab is for children and adults to begin their own sky exploration. Each Starlab presentation
last approx. 40 to 45 minutes. We can accommodate up to 25 people per program. Suitable for ages 6 and older. Programs begins promptly on the
hour, no late admission. This cost $1.
Catch the Reading Bug @ Your Library
. . .is a summer reading club for preschool through elementary school-aged children. To participate:
• Pick up a reading log at any branch library and keep track of your summer reading. (Have them at the BBBS office, just call 334-1632)
• Read 20 minutes a day for 30 days between May 24 and August 2 to qualify for prizes.
Enter our grand prize drawing for a $20 gift certificate. Ten winners will be drawn.
Summer Tutoring Program
Struggling readers who have completed first, second, third, fourth, or fifth grade can receive eight hours of reading instruction with trained reading tutors.
Tutoring at the Oak View Branch will be held on Monday and Thursday mornings, June 2 through 26, from 10 to 11 a.m. or from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
Tutoring at the Ronning Branch will be held on Monday and Wednesday mornings, July 7 through 30, from 10 to 11 a.m. or 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Registration is required and begins May 5. For registration information, call 367-8710. Summer tutoring is funded through a grant from Dollar General.
Activity Card Pick of the Month:
2729 W. 10th St.
Arby’s
5050 N. Cliff Ave
4615 W. Homefield Dr.
3820 W. 41st St.
If you show them your BBBS Activity Card:
Buy one adult combo meal and receive a kid’s meal or second combo meal of equal or lesser value FREE. Good at all four Sioux Falls Locations.
**Remember to use your activity card and look at the participating businesses before you go on your outing. The activity
card is now online.
(www.bbbsse.org/activitycard.php)
Page 2
Match of the Month
June’s Match of the Month is Big Sister Christine Grode and
Little Sister Maggie.
They have been matched for 11 months in the BBBS Core Program.
BS Christine’s Answers:
Why did you become involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program?
I became involved with BBBS because I wanted to do something where I could make a difference
and I've always wanted to have a sister so it was perfect!
What do you like the best about having a Little Sister?
We have so much fun together and she always makes me laugh. We are so much alike and enjoy doing the same things!
What is your favorite activity you have done together?
My favorite thing was going to the circus.
How has having a Little Sister helped you?
She's reminded me that the small things in life can be so much fun like going to the park or the
circus.
Anything else you would like to add…
She's not just my little sister, but my friend. And I always look forward to hanging out with her and
I'm so thankful we got matched together!
Happy Birthday!
BB Carl Swenson
6-1
BB Roy Simental
LS Amber H.
6-1
YM Kassie M.
6-18
6-2
LS Natali A.
6-18
BS Buffy Montgomery 6-2
BS Mary Abbott
6-18
BB Jeremy Iversen
6-3
BS Kim Te Slaa
6-19
BB Matt Sayler
6-3
BB Victor Chairez
6-20
LS Nyssa A.
6-3
MM Vicky Mulloy
6-20
LS Katelyn C.
6-4
MM Tara Eckstaine
6-20
BS Laura Roos
6-4
LS Kylee T.
6-20
YM Nidia B.
6-6
BB Brain Jans
6-21
LS Erika S.
6-7
LS Karra P.
6-21
LS JoAnne R.
6-7
BB Bryan Jackson
6-21
LS Essence L.
6-8
LS Lexie Jacobsen
6-22
BS Sheri Swier
6-10
LB Brady K.
6-23
LB Rory L.
6-23
LS Ashley G.
6-24
LS Alyssa H.
6-24
BB Eric Engberg
6-25
LS Gifti G.
6-25
LB Devon A.
6-25
YM Jenisey F.
6-26
BB Keith Neuharth
6-26
BS Abby Brault
6-26
BS Kristi Buelow
MM Erin Thin Elk Contreras
6-10
LS Maggie’s Answers:
YM McKenzie W.
6-10
What do you like best about being matched with Christine?
LB Austin R.
6-12
LS Rebeka G
6-12
BS Jackie Daniels
6-12
LB Tailey B.
6-13
LB Seth B.
6-13
BB Bob Watson
6-14
LB Andrew C.
6-15
LS Daisy R.
6-15
LB Kurt P.
6-16
YM Heather P.
6-16
She’s really nice and sometimes she lets my brother Jo come with us on our activities!
What is your favorite activity you have done with your Big Sister so far?
My favorite activity has probably been Chuck E. Cheese, don’t know why but it is fun!
What would you say to a girl thinking about becoming a part of this program?
You should get a Big Sister because you won’t be bored!
How do you think having a Big Sister has helped you?
I am not as bored, I am happy! I get to do stuff more often!
Anything else you would like to add..
Christine is really nice and I am glad she is my Big Sister!
New Matches
BS Brittany Grode & LS Faith
BS Marianne Larsen and LS JoAnne
BS Jolene Groen & LS ArieOnna
BS Allene Flora and LB Silas
BS Penny Powers & LS Brittany
MM Janet Smit & YM Tracey
BB Howard Hubers & LB Devon
MM Kim Staebell & YM Ausia
BS Amy Roesler & LS Alexxus
BB George Srur & LB CJ
BS Harmony Larsen
6-16
LS Gloria Z.
6-17
BB Ryan Jennings
6-17
YM Shea F.
6-17
LB Anthony M.
6-17
6-17
BB Dan Duba
6-27
LB Aaron R.
6-27
LB Race V.
6-28
LS Crystal A.
6-28
LS Maggie O.
6-30
BC Nancy Vavra
6-30
LB Terell R.
6-30
BB Jarrod Edelen
6-30
MM Deb Johnson & YM Nikki
BS Mindy Scholz & LS Christine
BS Kathy Freeman & LS Alex
BB Doug Flora & LB Prince
BS Emily Roberts & LS Alysia
Incentive Winners for May:
BS Brianna Wiese & LS Jackie
BS Tara Oltmanns & LS Destiney
BS Erica Wachter
Parent Kris Dickey
9 YEARS
Match Anniversaries
MM Kris Duerkson & YM Kelly
N.
7 YEARS
BB Paul Schock & LB Weston B.
BC Nancy & Jeff Vavra & LS
Amber H.
Parent Melanie Sides
2 YEARS
BS Betsy Maurer & LS Erika H.
1 YEAR
BS Mindy Rumbolz & LS Kecera C.
MM Vicky Mulloy & YM Mauwa M.
6 YEARS
MM Melanie Trites & YM Brandi B.
BB Tony Eick & LB James O.
BS Dawn Sackett & LS Pamala M.
3 YEARS
BS Celeste Omanson & LS Jordan S.
BS Kim Johnson and LS Jennifer S. 1 year anniversary was in May, sorry we missed you!
Call or e-mail your Match Support Specialist
(BBBS Core and Mentor Mom contact Sarah,
NAS contact Taté, and Amachi contact Penny)
to give an update on your match before the
15th of the month, and you could be next
month’s winner!
KEY:
BB = Big Brothers
BS= Big Sister BC= Big Couple
LB= Little Brother
LS= Little Sister
MM= Mentor Mom
YM= Young Mom
NAS= Native American Scholars
Page 3
Pictures of the Month
May Flowers Event
May 22, 2008
April Showers bring
MAY
FLOWERS!
Frequently Asked Question:
Makes You Think
The following list of “requests” from adults was written by a 16-year-old and published in the “New Zealand Herald” as well as in The Spirit of
Mentoring: A Manual for Adult Volunteers (Robin Cox, 2005)
•
Responsibility: Give us a chance to prove to you that we can be responsible
•
Respect: Treat us like you’d like to be treated.
•
Trust: Don’t judge us just because we are teenagers...Not all of us are bad.
•
Give Us a Chance: To make mistakes, learn from experience, and to explain our opinion or our side of the story
•
Care: Let us know you care.
•
Support: We need support; we need to be reassure we are doing the right thing.
•
Understanding: Listen to what we have to say and understand that we have stresses and problems too. Although they may seem insignificant to you, they are big to us. Being a teenagers in not easy; understand this.
•
Balance: Don’t leave us totally alone. We need you to catch us if we fall.
•
Give us praise: When we do things that are good or make the right decisions.
•
Freedom: It may be hard but let us go. We have to leave our own footprints and make our own decisions and mistakes. Part of growing
up is finding out who we are, what we value and what we need as a person. Only we alone can make the journey!
Source: http://www.teammates.org/media/2_Making_the_Most_of_Mentoring_an_Adolescent.pdf
Page 4
Activities for the whole Family!
The Pioneer Spray Park Popular Destination for Families
The Pioneer Spray Park opened for action in 2007 and has become a hit for kids and families. Come down to the big turtle shell and have some prehistoric fun
with our park’s one-of-a-kind dinosaur design. Run through the water tunnel, shoot the dino cannons, or stand face-to-face with the dinosaur. With over 60 different spray nozzles shooting out water, you will get wet. The spray park, a major upgrade of the former wading pool, is located near Laura B. Anderson Elementary
School at Pine Street and Jessica Avenue, north of Rice Street.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through pool season. Fee: [FREE] Children ages 6 and younger must be supervised by someone at least 16 years old.
Kids’ Nites in the Parks
Come find these great parks and enjoy the experience! Who would want to miss the fun of these events? Bring supper or purchase pizza there, pack your lawn
chairs and most of all don’t forget your kids or “kid-like spirit.”
Activities to Include:
Everything is [FREE], except for pizza and pop.
6 to 8 p.m.: Kids Karnival Booths of skill and challenge
throughout the park
Dates/Location:
• Tuesday, June 17, at Memorial Park (South Sertoma Avenue and West 26th Street)
7 p.m.: Featured Entertainment
• Tuesday, July 15, at McKennan Park (East 26th Street and South Second Avenue)
June: Illusions!
• Tuesday, August 5, at Morningside Park (South Bahnson Avenue and South 33rd Street)
July: Storyland Children’s Theatre
August: Circus Minimus: The Comic Misadventures of Mr. Punch
Mentor Mom Program
Baby Shower
May 15, 2008
Thank you for all who attended the 2008 Baby Shower!
It was nice to see you all there. Hope everyone had fun! We played games, ate
cake, and learned about what the program is. Keep in the mind that the baby
shower is an annual event and all participants are welcome to attend. Here is a
quote from a young mom who attended this year’s event…
“I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for the gifts from the baby shower.
You will never know who appreciated those gifts are. I am just about 8 months
pregnant and I don’t have a lot of baby items for the little boy on the way. The
items that were given to me are really needed and appreciated. Again, thank you
so much.”
See above for ideas to do
with the whole family!
Native American Scholars
Question: Where can you find local Native culture mixed with America’s favorite pastime?
Answer: At the Birdcage June 18 when the Sioux Falls Canaries take on the Wichita Wingnuts. The game will be featured as
Native Night 2008 and local Native dancers and singers will help start the game. The game begins at 7:05 p.m. It’s a Wednesday, so remember the $1 hotdog special.
BBBS will be getting tickets for this night for Native American Scholars matches, if interested in getting tickets for this game
please call the BBBS office at 334-1632!
Amachi
Amachi is nine months old and we are growing!! It is because of the mentors and the families who participate, which make this program
a great one. I recently received email from a mom regarding her son’s new match and I wanted to share it with you.
“Our new match is a match made in heaven…. My son spent a wonderful afternoon / early evening getting to know his mentors and their
family. He had so much fun… just “hanging out”…. He came home from his visit skipped in the house and sang “if you’re happy and you
know it”. Thanks again for your support and concern in all you do.
This is what mentoring is all about, making a difference in the life of a child. Thanks you Amachi families and friends for making my job
fun and exciting.
—Penny, Amachi Case Specialist
Page 5
BBBS Events’ Calendar
Contact Us!
Phone: 605-334-1632
Fax: 605-271-8011
Big Brothers Big Sisters Staff:
Jolene Groen, Executive Director
[email protected]
Melissa Jungemann, Mentor Mom Case
Specialist
[email protected]
Beth Keller, BBBS Core Case Specialist
[email protected]
Taté Finn, NAS Program Manager
[email protected]
Sarah Barclay, Match Support Specialist
June
June 19th— Wild Water West Event, 4-8pm. (More details on pg. 2).
June 23rd-Mentor Training, 5:30pm at the BBBS Office. Training is for new mentors to
the BBBS program. Mentors do need to be trained before being matched. Please RSVP
to your case specialist.
June 26th—Kick Ball Game with the Lawdawgs, 6-8pm. (More details on pg. 2).
July
July 17th—Flag-touch Football with the Law Dawgs, 6-8pm.(More details next month).
July 24th—Thunder Road, 6-8pm.(More details next month).
July 28th—Mentor Training, 5:30pm at the BBBS Office. (See above for details).
We need your help!
Big Brothers Needed!
[email protected]
BBBS currently has about 55 boys waiting to be matched with a Big Brother!
Penny Powers, Amachi Case Specialist
[email protected]
Deb Tornow, Office Manager
[email protected]
Mentors already in the program are some of our best recruiters because they can give firsthand accounts of what it’s like to be matched with a Little. Please consider talking to your
co-workers, family and friends about becoming a mentor today.
We have hundreds of special “Become of mentor today!” business cards you can bring to
your office or with you to social or family functions. If you would like to help us recruit, call
the BBBS of the Sioux Empire office at 334-1632.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
of the Sioux Empire
1000 N. West Ave. Suite 300
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Little Moments. Big Magic. TM
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit # 7899
Sioux Falls, SD 57101