Wednesday, October 16 - Issue #41
Healy High School Hall of Fame Inductees
The 2019 Healy Hall of Fame inductees were honored at the Homecoming football game on October 5. The recipients of this year's honor includes the 1995 and 1996 Girls Track Team, who won back-to-back State True Team Championships.

Also inducted to the Hall of Fame was Coach Zimney ('Z' to his many athletes), who started his career in Pierz in the fall of 1973. In his first year, he started the Boy’s Cross Country program, was the B Squad Boys Basketball coach, and was the Head Boys Track Coach. For the next 46
years, Coach Z would continue to coach 2 or 3 sports every year. This fall was his 39th year as Head Cross Country coach. He coached a total of 25 years in the boys basketball program, and this spring will be his 45th as Varsity Track coach. This adds up to a total of 109 seasons of coaching!

Congratulations to the girls track teams and Coach Z! Click here to read the full article.
Healy Highlights
Students travel to The Ordway, Boca Chica for authentic experiences
Spanish Club members and Spanish 3/4 students got the opportunity to travel to 
The Ordway Center for Performing Arts in St. Paul. They saw the musical Sugar Skull: A Día de los Muertos Adventure. It was a performance full of traditional Mexican music, dance, costumes, and customs surrounding the celebration of The Day of the Dead. Afterwards, the group enjoyed an authentic Mexican buffet lunch at the Boca Chica Restaurant after hearing the history of how Boca Chica was established in 1964 by the current owner's grandfather. ¡Qué interesante!
Seventh graders study, draw 3D
Mr. Teske's 7th grade PLTW (Project Lead the Way) class is learning how to draw isometric drawings. They are taking the isometric drawings and learning how to draw orthographic projections--this is the first step to learning how use the 3-D modeling software Onshape. Using the 3-D printer, students will literally print the objects they have created--light switches, key rings, puzzle pieces, gears, etc.
Students work with plasma cutter
Students in Mr. Gruber's classes will be using a plasma cutter in the weeks to come. This high-tech tool can cut through 3/4" metal and steel. Here, students are getting trained on the high-pressure gas cutter before designing and creating their own projects.
Pioneer Elementary School News
The Pumpkin Patch, a kindergarten tradition
It just wouldn't be Kindergarten without the annual Pumpkin Patch day! Yes--this is all 99 Kindergartners from Pioneer Elementary enjoying a day at Triple S Pumpkin Patch in Royalton where they slid down slides in the hay barn, climbed on hay bales, and enjoyed the petting zoo. Hello, class of 2032!
Math Masters, Rothstein start 24th year at Pioneer Elementary
Pioneer will send two 5th grade teams and two 6th grade teams to the Math Masters competition on Monday, April 27th in Staples. A few alternates for each team will also practice and go to the competition. Between now and then, Mrs. Sadlovsky and Mr. Denny Rothstein will work with the Math Masters students on problem solving every Tuesday. 

Mr. Rothstein has volunteered his time to work with Math Masters for 24 years! We are thankful for his fantastic work with this program, and we are happy to allow even more kids to experience this opportunity this year with two teacher coaches and four teams registered to compete. Math (sorta) joke: Q: What did 0 say to 8? A: Nice belt!
**Staff Spotlight**
It's the nurses time to shine. We pulled them out of the sick room, made them put down their thermometers and med lists, and give us a few minutes to find out more about them!
Robin Skwira, RN-LSN
Hello all! I’m Robyn Skwira, and I am the district school nurse for all Pierz Schools, including Healy High School, Pioneer Elementary, and Holy Trinity. I’ve been a nurse since 2007, and this is my 3rd school year in Pierz.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have been a part of this community my entire life. There is such a strong sense of community, belonging, and support here, that I couldn’t imagine living and working anywhere else. I’m also extremely grateful to live and work in a town where the community supports our work here at school and values our kids as much as we do. It's a great day to be a Pioneer!  Read more about Nurse Robyn here
Nicole Gross, LPN
Hello from Nurse Nicole--or Mrs. Nurse as the students call me. In my 'off-the-clock' hours you will most likely still find me at school at a variety of events. I am usually watching football, basketball, baseball or working at the track meets. This year, I started line judging at the volleyball games and I also work at the speech meets with our incredible speech team. They are amazing and I encourage everyone to come to a meet and experience the fun! 

Biologically, I have 5 kids-- but in my heart I have about 1400! I enjoy working in such a supportive community. Everyone knows everyone around them. The support is unbelievable. Go Pioneers! Read more about 'Mrs. Nurse' here .
Community Education Happenings
Fall Garden Tips
Tuesday, October 22, 6:00 - 8:00 pm @ Healy Ag Room, enter the main door #2. Fee $5 Register by October 18
Join us for an evening of fall basics including: 
  • planting fall bulbs and garlic
  • lifting non-hardy plants such as wax begonias, cannas, dahlias, gladiolus,etc...
  • getting your flower garden ready for winter (mulching, pruning, etc...)
  • how to care for your roses
  • collecting seeds for next season
  • soil amendments for your flower and vegetable gardens
  • lawn care suggestions
  • wrapping and pruning of trees and shrubs
  • and more!

The instructors are Ag Teacher Pat Tax along with master gardeners Mary Seelen and Kari Dembouski.
Securing and Preserving your Retirement Strategy
Monday, October 21, 6:30-8 pm 
Healy Media Center, enter through the Door #2 (main high school door).
Provided free courtesy of Tara Hemsing Woitalla
Register by calling 320-468-6458 ext 7 by October 18

Join Tara Hemsing Woitalla for an educational class to better understand the opportunities available to you to help secure and preserve your retirement. Together we’ll focus on determining your needs and wants when it comes to your retirement goals and plans. We will explore high-level concepts around protection and preservation options for you to get started on a plan that provides for both the expected—and the unexpected. 
Looking Ahead...
October 16 - Football at Maple Lake

October 17-18 - No School MEA Break

October 28 - Choir Concert

November 3 - Daylight Saving ends

November 4 - Band Concert

November 11 - No School

November 21-24 - Fall Musical

Upcoming Community Ed classes:
  • Piano lessons with Joan Novak will be offered on Tuesdays.

  • Cribbage - Grades 3-6--Register by October 18

  • Faux Feather Earrings - Grades 4 to adult. Register by November 1

  • Set, Trump, Uno - Grades 4 to adult--Register by October 15

  • Use the CLASS REGISTRATION button to learn more and register!
Pierz Public Schools #484
District Office: 320.468.6458
112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364