May 19, 2023 - Issue #108

We will celebrate the Healy High School Graduating Class of 2023 during the commencement ceremony on Friday, May 26, starting at 7 pm in the MAC. For those unable to join us in person, the event will be live-streamed on the district's YouTube channel. Congratulations to the students and families of the Class of 2023!

Experiential learning, improving grounds

Students in Ms. Tax's Electrical Wiring, Plumbing, and Concrete class culminated their unit on concrete with a pour this week. Working with Knife River, students poured a bleacher pad at both the C baseball field and the softball field. In the defense of the students pictured with hands in pockets, we only had so many shovels and trowels to use--everyone got a turn!

Lakeland PBS was also onsite recording the experience - check local listings to see our students 'on the news'.

District celebrates retirees and years of service awardees

This week, we took time to celebrate. First, we honored the 36-year career of Janel Jansen, head cook at Pioneer Elementary: as Janel put it - "I started at Healy, but I came with the new Pioneer Elementary [back in 1991]!" She quipped that she has served nearly 4 million meals, and has worked here long enough to serve the grandchildren of the first students she served when she first began at Pierz. The students made thank you 'aprons' for Janel, each thanking her with a colorful creation. The one that stands out the most: "Thank you for all the extra beans." Thank you Janel for your dedication (remember COVID and bussing meals?!), your get-it-done attitude, and your kindness each day to hundreds of little people. We wish you best as you get to spend more time with your little people every day.

We also celebrated Shari Sullivan for 20 years of service to Pioneer Elementary. Thank you Shari for you unending patience and support for our students, staff, and families at the frontlines of Pioneer Elementary. You never know what will be thrown your way on a daily basis, but you're always ready and willing to take it on!

Happenings at Pioneer Elementary

Fine Arts Festival at Pioneer

Pioneer Elementary students had a busy week celebrating music and art. Students in K-3 performed their spring concert on Tuesday. On Wednesday it was 4-6 grade's turn as they held their annual Fine Arts Festival Band and Choir Concerts. Pictured: sixth graders are setting up for the Fine Arts Festival, displaying art created throughout the year.

Bringing donations and bingo to Harding Place

Pioneer Elementary held a Pops and Tops Fundraiser earlier this spring. The Student Council voted to give the proceeds to Harding Place. The Student Council delivered the $800 check and also brought prizes and played bingo with the residents. It was a great afternoon!

Harding Place is an assisted living residence and comprehensive home care site for gentlemen. This site has a strong emphasis towards Veterans and is in Harding, MN. 

A day of history at Snake River Trading Post

Sixth graders took a field trip to Pine City's Snake River Fur Post along with students from Onamia School District. This annual field trip to explore the way of life of early Native Americans is part of the Achievement and Integration grant through the Minnesota Department of Education. The intent is to provide students with opportunities to engage with students in a high-integration school district. The Snake River Trading post field trip also aligned with the sixth-grade curriculum of studying Minnesota History: "We tell the wider history of Native Americans, French voyageurs, and British fur traders in the early 19th century on the Ginebig-ziibi (Snake River)."

Pioneer P.R.I.D.E Students in Middle School

April students recognized and rewarded for living out Pioneer PRIDE

Each month, teachers have the opportunity to recognize and nominate students from each grade in 5-8. The selected students are then narrowed down to just two recipients of the Pioneer PRIDE award from each grade. Each month, we will feature the winners from each grade.

Perseverance Respect Integrity Discipline (self) Empathy



These are five of the characteristics our students strive to exhibit throughout the day here at Pierz Schools. Teachers are encouraged to nominate students each month whom they feel are strong leaders among their peers using these character traits. A committee of teachers, counselors, and administrators then choose two students from each grade as recipients of the PRIDE award. Students get their choice of Subway or Red’s for lunch, a sign for their locker, and have their names and pictures displayed in the hallways. Congratulation to ALL the nominees!

L to R: Jake Virnig (6th), Kobe Weyer (6th), Brynna Woitalla (6th), Grace Thielbar (5th), Jaylen Wyatt (5th)

L to R: Link Toops (8th), Alex Rybaski (8th), Garrett Kessler (7th), Colton Brau (7th).

Upcoming Community Education

New items have been added to summer rec; pickleball for adults, soccer for grades 3-6, ballet, and more to come! With the resignation of the head track coach, plans for summer track camp have been put on hold but we still hope to offer a couple of track options. Check online or FB next week!

Pierz Public Schools #484

newsletter@pierz.k12.mn.us

District Office: 320.468.6458

112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364

www.pierzschools.org