District Awarded $10,000 Grant!
L-R: Paul Gruber (Industrial Tech teacher), Karrie Boser-(high school principal); Chuck Tax (nominating farmer); Pat Tax (Agricultural Sciences teacher and writer of the grant); Dave Lanners (nominating farmer) and George Weber (superintendent).
Pierz School District receives $10,000 from Monsanto for the purchase of 3 MIG welders and 2 TIG welders and carts
Mrs. Pat Tax, agriculture teacher extraordinaire at Healy, is good at many things. And to our good fortune, one of those many talents is grant writing. Tax found Monsanto's "America's Farmers Grow Rural Education" grant and figured Pierz is the perfect place where this money could be used wisely to do just that. Partnering with Farmers, "America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Program" provides rural schools with about $2.3 Million in grants to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education. Read all about the grant and award press release here .
Watch grant award/acceptance ceremony
Healy Highlights
It's Homecoming 2018--and you're invited!
Homecoming Court from left to right:
Back-Luke Girtz, Ryan Stangl, Jack Suska, Alex Poster, Reese Kapsner
Front-Teresa Karst, Ella Kalusche, Sara Loidolt, Kalyn Gritzmacher, Laura Skiba
Slogan: “The Lakers better panic: you’re going down like the Titanic!”  

Monday, Oct. 1-- DRESS: Crazy Day
Coronation in the MAC 2:45pm
Medallion Hunt Begins
JV Football (H) vs. Eden Valley-Watkins 4:30pm
C Football (H) vs. Eden Valley-Watkins 4:30pm

Tuesday, Oct. 2-- DRESS: Teacher/Student Switch Day
Cross Country @ Sauk Centre 4:30pm
JH 8th Football (H) vs. Crosby-Ironton 4:30pm
JH 7th Football (H) vs. Crosby-Ironton 4:30pm
JH 8th Volleyball (H) vs. Crosby-Ironton 4:30pm
JH 7th Volleyball (H) vs. Crosby-Ironton 4:30pm

Wednesday, Oct. 3-- DRESS: Movie Day
Thursday, Oct. 4-- DRESS: Color Wars Day
Spirit Pepfest in the MAC 2:28pm
JH Tennis (H) vs. Pequot Lakes 4:15pm
JH 8th Football (H) vs. Pequot Lakes 4:30pm
JH 7th Football (H) vs. Pequot Lakes 4:30pm
C Volleyball (H) vs. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 5:45pm
JV Volleyball (H) vs. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 5:45pm
V Volleyball (H) vs. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 7:15pm
Friday, Oct. 5-- DRESS: Spirit Day
Dodgeball in the MAC 2:28pm
FB-V (H) vs. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 7:00pm
Dance following game until 12:00am
GMOs vs. Hybrid Plants - do you know the difference?
Students learned the different cultivars of apples that have been developed at the U of MN through grafting techniques. Students also compared cultivars, determining which factors were most important to them and suggesting a new variety. Students then learned the process of genetically engineering or modifying the gene structure of cells and planted soybeans that have been genetically engineered and soybeans that were not, to see if there was a noticeable difference in the seed and the germination and growth. Students were surprised to learn that only one apple cultivar, the Arctic apple, is genetically modified and is based out of Canada. 
BreakerSpace has students constructively deconstructing!
The BreakerSpace opened today in the Healy media center. Three eager young men were grinning from ear to ear when handed the tools. They were beyond fast at taking things apart--so next time they will have to put things back together!

We are in need of more items to take apart and tinker with! Please let Roxanne Welle know if you are willing to donate old, small appliances.
Pride at Pioneer
Pioneer Cafe gives students a book 'taste-testing' experience
Library Media Specialist, Ms. Jenny Dalsted, treated Pioneer students to a Book Tasting event at her “Pioneer Cafe”  🙂
Students were able to ‘taste test’ a variety of books by reading book summaries, jotting down the highlights, then reviewing their favorites and checking out the ones that most interested them. Think of it as 'speed-dating' for books!
Creative learning at PK!
The preschool students were busy exercising their small muscles while writing letters and drawing shapes in shaving cream. What a clean mess!

Screenagers: Tech Tips
This week: S iblings and Screentime
From Delany Ruston, MD, from Screenagers:

" When going into homes and filming Screenagers I would often see siblings in parallel worlds for hours at a time, each in their personal screen silos. I remember when 12-year-old Chris, who is in the film, told me that “The only time my sister talks to me is when she bangs on the bathroom door telling me to get out.”
Chris and his sister told me about the funny dress up activities they used to do and family gatherings they would have, but how it has all gone away since he started wanting to play video games all the time and she was constantly interacting with her phone."
How do your children interact with their siblings? When does the presence of technology bring them together and/or pull them apart?
Here are some questions to help get your conversation started:
  • Are your kids intentionally ensuring screen-free time together?
  • How much is screen time replacing face-to-face time?
  • How does screen time enhance sibling relationships?
  • And how do we take a moment to show our appreciation to our siblings?
Events and Reminders
Community Education Classes
Join local artist, Bev Gold, and paint your own barn quilt. All materials will be provided and you will take home a 16x16 inch masterpiece. Bev will provide several patterns and ideas and teach you how to mark off your board to create a desired pattern.
When: Thursday, October 25, 6:00pm Art Room, High School
Cost: $20
Deadline to register: October 19
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Tutors Needed!
Pierz High School is looking for tutors! AVID is a college and career readiness elective course for 8th grade students and we are looking to employ tutors who would come in twice/week to assist with homework.

Who: Anyone with college experience, preferably current college students
What: Assisting 8th Grade AVID students with questions they have on their homework
Where: Pierz High School, Amy Jindra’s Classroom
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays - 2:30pm - 3:15pm
Why: Great experience! Letter of recommendation! $30 per session! You get to hang out with some cool 8th graders!

Contact Amy at ajindra@pierz.k12.mn.us for an application or more information!
The refresher course is a 4 hour class for those who have taken it.
October 30 - 5:30-9:30pm
December 11 - 1:30-5:30pm

The 8-hour course for those who haven't taken the course is Tuesday and Wednesday, November 13 and 14 from 5:30-9:30pm

All classes held at the PIerz Senior Center.
To register, call Sarah 320.468.6458 ext 7

Cost: $25 per person
Participants with an AARP membership receive a $5 discount.
Looking ahead:
October 1 : Coronation at 2:45pm at the MAC/Homecoming Week

October 12 : High School Picture
Re-take Day

October 15-16 : Parent-Teacher Conferences (Gr. K-6)

October 15: Parent-Teacher Conferences (Healy)

October 18-19: No School – Professional Days (MEA Break)
Pierz Public Schools #484
District Office: 320.468.6458
112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364