Monday April 22, 2019--Issue #35
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Preschool students are learning about ways to improve their emotions when feeling cranky, angry, sad or disappointed. An Emotional Quotient is related to how well you can manage emotions and regulate yourself. The importance of this to a child can make or break their school experience. With an enhancement grant from Pathway 1 scholarship money, we were able to provide a half day of training for all preschool staff along with the addition of an Early Childhood Specialist in preschool to assist in teaching social-emotional skills.
Alyssa Kroll, a licensed parent educator, teaches small groups of preschoolers the skills they need to manage their big emotions. One day she might be teaching them how to take deep breathes; this will send oxygen to their brain and help move an emotional person from their brain stem to their executive functioning frontal lobe. On another day, Alyssa might be playing a matching game looking at facial cues to define and name emotions. The idea is that young children need to know big emotions happen, and are normal and manageable.
The training for staff reinforced brain research and the importance of connections and relationships with students. We were able to bring all early childhood preschool, special education, and Head Start together for an afternoon full of brain research, relationship building and practical classroom strategies to increase self-regulation skills.
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All about Minnesota Honor Society at Healy - guest writer, Miss Jindra
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Spring is a busy season for the Pierz Chapter of the Minnesota Honor Society! We kicked off the month of April accepting 13 new members into the organization. They will be inducted into the Honor Society on Sunday April 28th, where we will also take the time to recognize our six graduating seniors as well. The new inductees and seniors are listed below:
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2019 MHS Graduates
Jake Andres
Katelyn Becker
Kirsten Heschke
Decorah Iverson
Laura Skiba
Laura Tautges
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2019 New MHS Inductees
Courtney Strohmeier
Victoria Mitchell
Emily Herold
Alissa Girtz
Kloe Kapsner
Ellie Fischer
Landon Schomer
Kaylee Becker
Brekanda Lashinski
Madison Poster
Madison Hoheisel
Emily Sadlovsky
Matthias Algarin
Jake Andres
Katelyn Becker
Kirsten Heschke
Decorah Iverson
Laura Skiba
Laura Tautges
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Also in April, Senior Laura Tautges organized and put on a Book Drive Competition for the Learning Disabilities Association of Minnesota. During their 2nd hour classes, students brought in gently used books for children in need, here in Minnesota, of reading material during the summer. Competition was fierce and Mrs. Horning’s class were the champions. In total, over 1,200 books were collected for this amazing cause.
Adding to the April calendar, we hosted our Spring Blood Drive. Although Mother Nature was not on our side and even with the two hour late start, we were able to collect 31 units. There were 6 students who donated successfully for their first time creating a young new generation of donors.
Our final project for the year will be cleaning the ditches north on Highway 25 for our Adopt-a-Highway stretch. Unfortunately we were unable to make it out in the fall due to the early winter, so I am sure there will be plenty of things for us to pick up! Keep a watch out for our bright yellow vests in the next couple of weeks.
Finally, it is with great excitement that I would like to introduce the new MHS co-advisors Mrs. Jaime Strohmeier and Ms. Becki Schmidt for next year. I have had an amazing time working with this incredible group of students and will miss all of the fun activities but I am happy to pass off the baton to a pair of such capable ladies. --Miss Amy Jindra
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Juniors/Seniors in Foods tour Smude Sunflower Oil facility
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Last week, students in Mrs. Strohmeier's Nutrition and Wellness class had the opportunity to tour Smude Sunflower Oil located in the Industrial Park in Pierz. The students also toured the flavored oil and microwave popcorn processing facility where they were able to taste and rate the new popcorn flavorings that Smude Oil is considering adding to their line of products. Thanks to the staff at Smude Oil for the tour, information, and a glimpse into the food industry world for our students and staff!
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Pioneer Elementary School News
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TechMobile explores medical technology with Pioneer students
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This quarter's TechMobile was all about Medical Technology! Students learned about the human anatomy through hands-on activities and experiments, including looking at and analyzing actual X-ray scans (no--we didn't X-ray the students!) Future doctors, surgical technologists, nurses? We hope so!
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Book motivates creativity, rock painting for 2nd graders
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Miss Dalsted read the book, "Ricky the Rock that Couldn't Roll" last week to the 2nd grade classes. After the reading the book, students were motivated to paint their own rocks. And were they ever creative!
Pioneer Media Specialist, Miss Jenny Dalsted, is always coming up with creative ways to engage students with books, expanding the way they interact with each other and literature---including working with Legos, Perler beads, cardboard, and so much more. The Pioneer 'library' is seldom quiet--but it is the perfect spot for learning, creativity, collaboration, and FUN!
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**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!
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Nominated by Ms. Hannah and the entire preschool staff: "
Aaron has been an excellent role model to my preschool class. He brings a smile to the classroom and works really hard to relate to the students. My students are very excited to see him everyday and can not wait to go into the hallways to possibly see him. The preschool class can spot Aaron all the way down the hall. He really makes his buddy feel special and always takes the time for the preschoolers! Very patient and kind.
" Thanks for being a great role model, Aaron!
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Nominated by Mrs. Tax: "Lane works hard in my class whether it is helping others with their electrical wiring, making their fishing rod, or paracord bracelets or working to organize my classroom's plants, tools and supplies. Lane is amazing and I will miss his smiling face!" Lane is also a member of the Minnesota State High School League Rodeo where he rides bulls and will be bronc riding starting this year. Their first show is May 18 in Lake Elmo, MN. Come cheer on Lane on the other Healy students who are part of the team!
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Community Education Happenings
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Fast Yet Healthy Meals
April 24, 5:30-7:30 pm
High School FACS Room $20
Did you join the craze and buy an Instant Pot and now wonder what to do with it? Join us for a chance to learn 4 new recipes using the Instant Pot. Instructors are Melissa Poser and Nicole Gross.
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Stacy Gahler hosted an easter centerpiece class at Pierz Floral giving these ladies an authentic experience at floral design! Sponsored by Pierz Community Education and Big Ideas, Inc, this class not only provided the opportunity to create something beautiful but shared knowledge about one of our valued trades. Learn more about how you can partner with us to offer a community ed class in your field by calling Sarah.
Big Ideas USA
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April 27- PIoneer Walk/Run
May 1- Academic Awards Night
May 3- Night of Jazz
May 6- Choir Concert
May 9- Pioneer Fine Arts Festival
May 13- Band Concert
May 24- Graduation
Last day of school
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Upcoming Community Ed classes:
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Instant Pot - April 24, 5:30pm
Summer Rec book distributed! - May 1 (some class info is online already)
DIY Chalk Art - May 8, 6:30-8:30pm
30 hour Driver Education Course
must be 14 years or older
AARP Driver Safety course
May 14, 5:30-9:30pm, Pierz High School
$25 (AARP membership qualifies you for a $5 discount)
Call 468-6458 ext 7 to register
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Pierz Public Schools #484
District Office: 320.468.6458
112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364
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