March 18, 2022 - Issue #88

Two Doses of Laughter: coming right up

Comedy has its unique way of disarming our emotions, unmasking our motivations, and revealing often deeper perspectives within its storyline or plot. Characters might share a fascinating and revealing piece of information while ironically facing an extreme obstacle at the same time. Comedy at its best helps us to smile in the face of challenges, laugh at our shortcomings, or endure an unexpected trial—sometimes while pondering a more profound thought at the same time. True comedy helps us to both laugh while provoking us to think.  This year, Pierz Theatre Department will perform not one but two 30-minute plays. And you guessed it: they are both comedies. The first play, Check Please, examines a series of blind dates gone awry as over-the-top characters are introduced onto the stage. The second play, The Importance of Being Earnest, in addition to being delightfully entertaining, is a comedy of manners that examines and makes light of a society obsessed with titles, rank, possessions, and protocols. The performances will be Thursday, March 17, and Friday, March 18, both at 7pm in the PAC. In addition to watching live theatre, audience members will also be able to purchase a sweet treat and a coffee. —Ms. Iris Kolodji, Theater and Choir Director

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Happenings at Healy

Music in Our Schools month

March is 'Music in Our Schools' month. This month-long celebration of music education is facilitated by the National Association for Music Education and has been celebrated in some capacity since 1972. The goal of this month is to demonstrate the significance of music education. This week we are highlighting our Healy High Band program's latest accomplishments.

We are so thankful and ever-impressed by our entire music staff. Thank you Mr. Pohland, Ms. Kolodji, Ms. Mitchell, Ms. Mennis, and Mr. Mathwig!

"Young people can be found in the Music Department before school, during school, breaks, lunch, after school, & when they should be somewhere else. For many people, the Music Department is more than just a place of learning-it's a place of belonging." —Vaughan Fleischdresser, music educator extraordinaire "Music is such a special part of all of our lives. It surrounds us every day. Pierz has so many incredible musical opportunities that our students participate and thrive in! From Choir and Band, to various Jazz Ensembles, to Musicals and Pep Band, the students at Pierz Schools share their talents in so many different musical ways. After a week of incredible performances from our choir program, the band program will now share their talents at the return of our Band-O-Rama Concert on March 22nd. This will feature all of our 5-12 Concert Ensembles and will culminate with the nearly 300 students who participate in band, combining together to play music together under the direction of a special guest conductor! This will be such a great night, and we encourage you to attend in the MAC at 7 PM or watch the livestream on the Pierz Schools YouTube channel. Thank you for your continued support of music in our schools and all Pioneer activities and athletics! Go Pioneers!" —Mr. Joel Pohland, Healy Band Director

Happenings at Pioneer Elementary

Life lessons in middle school

Last week, Officer Calvin Tschida talked to fifth graders about the dangers of vaping. This was a follow-up lesson to their health unit on Drug and Alcohol Prevention. According to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, more than 2 million U.S. middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2021, with more than 8 in 10 of those youth using flavored e-cigarettes.

This week, Mr. Herold and Mr. Otte talked to fifth and sixth graders about what it means to have Integrity and Self-Discipline and how it relates to our Pioneer Pride model. Parents and guardians: you are the best role models for your children, and actions speak louder than words--keep modeling these attributes for continued success in raising kind, resilient, successful humans!

Making arcade games...on a budget

Miss Jenny Dalsted's media center is the place to go for fun and games--always with a learning twist.  This week, fourth graders have been working on creating a cardboard arcade. Given a budget of ten dollars in play money and working with a team, students had to come up with an idea, create a plan, and shop for the best parts from the Miss Daldsted's cardboard store in order to build their game. So far, the Pioneer arcade boasts a ping pong table, foosball, pinball and other creations.

Putting their energy knowledge to the test

Fifth graders in Mr. Mann's science class are studying energy and energy transfer. To demonstrate their learning, they were tasked with making a car that uses a rubber band as its power source with the goal of making a car that goes the furthest distance. Isaac Schmidtbauer and Brynna Woitalla created the top car, with a distance of 16.1 feet. Lucy Seppelt and Alivia Seppelt also won in their class with a final distance of 9 feet.

Looking Ahead

Thursday, March 17: Kindergarten Roundup 5:30pm Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18: Healy High School Spring Theater, Check Please and The Importance of Being Earnest, 7pm @ PAC. Tickets at the door: $6/adults, $3/students. Tuesday, March 22: Band-O-Rama, 5-12 Band Concert, 7pm @ MAC

Friday, March 25: No School, Teacher Workshop Day Wednesday, April 6: MHS Blood Drive, 8-2 in the MAC Thursday, April 7: Preschool Registration 6pm Monday, April 18: Snow Day make-up; school is in session

Community Education

We are offering a four-hour refresher course for your insurance discount. The fee is $24 and the instructor is Rick Sczublewski. Call the Community Education office to add your name to the list. The next class will be held on Thursday, April 21 from 5:30 - 9:30 pm.

Registration for preschool for the 2022-23 school year is happening now! You can download the forms and return them to school or if you are new to Pioneer Elementary, join us on April 7 at 6pm. This night is designed to answer parent questions; students will have a chance to meet their teachers in the fall right before school starts. If you need childcare to attend, please call 320-468-6458 ext 7.

Pierz Public Schools #484 newsletter@pierz.k12.mn.us District Office: 320.468.6458 112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364 www.pierz.k12.mn.us