Friday, January 10, 2020 - Issue #45
Full Speed Ahead!
The post-Christmas break brings many of us back to reality, back to routine, back to school--and nearing the end of the first semester (January 17, we are halfway there--have you checked your student's grades lately?)

As always, the building is bustling with activity. Stop by on any night, and you'll find students playing, rehearsing, producing, building, learning. We also open our doors to hall walkers from the community (contact Sarah Funk at Community Ed for more information), as well as various community groups--last weekend we hosted Buckman Trailblazers for the youth snowmobile safety training as well as the Mark Jensen Youth Wrestling tournament--332 wrestlers from all over central Minnesota). It's the support of staff, parents, and community that make this a great place to be.

We wish all our staff, students, families and community members a prosperous, healthy 2020; thank you for your continued support of Pierz Schools!
Healy Highlights
Forensic Science Class = Scientific Supersleuths
Forensic Science is a class offered to juniors and seniors that looks at how science is used in crime scene investigations. Some topics that are covered include fingerprint analysis, blood and blood spatter, shoe impressions, hair analysis, and fiber analysis. At the end of the unit, a final crime scene is created to test their knowledge on the topics. In teams, students must collect evidence and determine how the crime was committed and who was involved.
Middle School Metier Classes Start Exploration
Students in Mr. Holbrook's Metier classes have started the Explorers unit in the self-discovery class this week. To kick it off, students were treated to guest speaker Tammy Moore, who talked about how a simple idea amongst friends turned into one of her greatest accomplishments when she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa.
Senior High Robotics Team Take On the Tower Takeover, Sixth Grade Team Forms
The Senior High Robotics team were on the road during Christmas break, competing at tournaments in Princeton and St. Cloud.

"Our mission this year was 'Tower Takeover' for Senior and Junior High, and 'Squared Away' for the newly formed 6th grade team. We were fortunate to be the recipient of a grant that afforded us the robot kit for the 6th graders, and they are going on their first and only competition on Saturday, Jan 11th. The Senior and Junior High teams showed so much innovation in their robot design this year, and while we fell short of state qualifications, we were very proud of them!" --Pat Tax
Pioneer Elementary School News
TechMobile Brings Transportation, Engineering
This week, TechMobile was at Pioneer Elementary to explore engineering, science and technology standards through the subject of Transportation. Students had to think critically to solve problems like how to build the strongest structures, which road surface was best for given conditions, and explore how an engine functions.
Makerspace Fun (shhh--don't tell them they are learning)
This week, fourth graders worked with the Makey Makey boards, programming them using block coding and electrically conductive materials. Sounds serious--but consider this: they learned how to program their own Simon Says board with playdough, and code the Flappy Bird game to swoop through the pipes by pressing on broccoli and carrots!
Looking Ahead...
Meat Raffle at Patrick's Tonight (1/10)--supports senior trip to Washington DC & NYC. 8:30pm start time.

Pierz Pizazz Dance Team Annual Soup Cook-off and Fundraiser
Saturday, January 18

Knights of Columbus Free Throw Competition - January 19 and 26 - Jason Sadlovsky for more info: 320-360-0001

No School- All Schools
Monday, January 20

Conferences, HS & PE- February 12

No School- All Schools
Monday, February 17
Upcoming Community Ed classes:
Dance, Grades Pk-6
January 15, 22, 29, Feb 5
Register by Monday!!

Kombucha January 28, 5:45pm
Register by Jan 22

First Aid Refresher February 3, 3:30
Register by Jan 29

Freezer Meals February 3, 5:30
Register by Jan 29

Chess, Grades 3-6
February 5, 12, 19, 26 3:15

Watch for the new class offerings online and in the Education Today included with your January 12th Morrison County Record edition.

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