Friday, January 25, 2019--Issue #29
Critical Incident Response Drill a Success
Last Friday, the Pierz Public Schools along with Holy Trinity School conducted a Critical Incident Response drill. The drill included a scenario in which an active shooter entered the high school building. This active drill was jarring: blank rounds were shot, screams were heard, and staff and students had to make their way past 'deceased' student and staff volunteers to safety. Law enforcement and rescue crews responded as if it were a real-life active shooter, making the training that much more harrowing...and helpful.

The number of volunteers involved in a drill of this type is a testament to the type of community we live in. While the purpose of the drill was to prepare for what would be one’s worst nightmare, the drill itself put into motion the coordination of multiple agencies that desire to protect and serve the residents of Pierz and Morrison County. Eleven agencies were brought together by the planning and coordination of Eric Hanneken, Pierz Police Chief; Sgt. Joel Gross, Commander of S.W.A.T; and Deputy Dan Rocheleau. Morrison County Deputies, Pierz Police Department, Pierz Fire Department, Pierz First Responders, Gold Cross Ambulance Service, Minnesota State Patrol, Morrison County Sheriff's office, Morrison County SWAT team, Morrison County Chaplain, Morrison County Emergency Management, Minnesota DNR and Sourcewell of Staples were all participants and critical to making this drill a success. Read all about this training day and reactions
Healy Highlights
Pierz Bands and Choir experience Nashville, Chicago and more
The Pierz Band and Choir recently returned from their 5-day trip to Nashville and Chicago. They had some great musical opportunities, including working with professors at Loras College in Dubuque, IA and at Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, as well as recording at the iconic RCA Studio B. They also went to the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium, learned how to line dance, saw "Beauty and the Beast" at the Drury Theatre in Chicago, toured the Shedd Aquarium and performed at the Field Museum in Chicago. Along with all of the musical experiences, the students, chaperones and directors all had a great time!
**Meet the Team**
(Find out what makes Pierz Schools so successful--our employees!)
Ms. Amy Jindra, English teacher at Healy
Hey everyone-- my name is Amy Jindra and this is my fifth year being an English teacher at Pierz Healy High. During my first couple of years here, I worked with the middle school students in 7th and 8th grade and have transitioned into the high school world now.

In addition to teaching, I work with our MN Honor Society students giving back to the community, and I help coach our Speech team. My passion is reading, and I try to instill that same enthusiasm in my students by incorporating a variety of stories into the curriculum as well as connecting them with books based on what they enjoy. Read more about Ms. Jindra
Ms. Steph Andres, Math teacher at Healy
I am Stephanie Andres, and this is my fourth year at Pierz. I am currently teaching 9 th  and 10 th  grade Geometry, Financial Algebra, and Algebra I. Along with my teaching duties I am also a volleyball coach, and the Washington DC / New York trip advisor.  On a professional level, I am a part of the AVID team and a technology coordinator. As a teacher and advisor it is my goal to help my students understand you may not find value in everything you are asked to do, but school is a place for you to find and explore your passions. Read more about Ms. Andres
‌
Pioneer Elementary School News
Sixth graders learn about cardiovascular system--hands on!
Sixth graders had the educational experience of dissecting cow hearts to learn about the cardiovascular system - up close and personal! Some enjoyed it, some didn't so much. Nurse Robyn Skwira also 'made blood' with the classes and showed them how to read and take blood pressure.
District Spelling Bee finalist are fifth graders, out-spelling older competition
The 2019 Spelling Bee, open to grades 5-8, had the audience and participants on the edge of their seats! Round and round the last two contestants went. In the end, Gavin Winzenburg out-spelled his fellow competitors. Pictured L to R: Erin Thesing (3rd place), Davin Willis ( 2nd place), Gavin Winzenburg (1st place). Gavin and Davin are registered for the regional spelling bee which will be held Tuesday, February 19th at Sourcewell in Staples, MN.
**Student Spotlight**
Featuring students in grades 4-12 selected by their teachers for being awesome humans.
We wish we could feature ALL our hard-working students!
Link Toops, 4th grade
Nominated by Mrs. Kowalczyk: "I am very pleased to nominate Link for the Student Spotlight because he is an outstanding student and wonderful person. He is very self driven, responsible, dependable, and a high achiever. Link is also a very kind, respectful, modest and helpful person. He is always willing to help his fellow classmates with anything they may be struggling with. Another quality I have noticed in him is that he is very grateful and does not take things for granted. Link always comes to school with a big smile on his face and ready to learn! It is my pleasure and a privilege to be his fourth grade teacher!"
Alyssa Sauer, 5th grade
Nominated by Mrs. Fuhrman: "Alyssa Sauer is one of those students who we say seems to "fly under the radar." She quietly goes about her day, striving to do the very best that she can on every task she takes on. Her hard work and diligence have paid off, because her grades are top-notch. She is kind and helpful to everyone. In our new Metier program, Mr. Schmidtbauer says it's been great to see Alyssa opening up. He was really impressed with her knowledge of song lyrics, so we know she is 'music-smart'. Alyssa is a great role model to all of her fellow fifth-graders!"
Community Education Happenings
Community Education's Introduction to Welding class has been a great addition to the list of offerings. Both participants and instructors learned much! Watch for more great Community Ed classes for adults coming soon! Class instructors are Marvin Thomas, Paul Gruber and Pat Tax with the help of high school students Ellie Lochner and Jake Winscher.
Looking Ahead...
February 8, 7pm - Pioneer School Play, "Tied to the Tracks" at Pioneer Gym

February 12-13 - Parent Teacher Conferences (Gr. K-6)

February 15 & 18 No School – President’s Day Break

February 20  Parent Teacher Conferences – H.S.

March 26 Preschool Open House and 2019-2020 school year registration
Have you ever wanted to learn to curl? Take a quick survey and let us know! Curling survey link
Upcoming Community Ed classes:
CPR Refresher
February 4, 6:00-8:30pm
February 7, 3:30-6:00pm

First Aid Refresher
February 19, 5:30-9:30pm

AARP Driver Safety course
4-hour refresher
February 12, 5:30-9:30pm

8-hour new course
March 12 and 13, 5:30-930pm
Pierz Senior Center
$25 (AARP membership qualifies you for a $5 discount)

Early Childhood Screening
March 22 by appointment
If you have a 3 or 4 year old child, call Kandice to schedule their screening at 320-631-2505



Call 468-6458 ext 7 to register
Pierz Public Schools #484
District Office: 320.468.6458
112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364