February 19, 2021 - Issue #67
It's Vaccination Day!
Pierz School District was extremely fortunate to receive some of the earliest vaccinations for all staff who wanted to participate. As of today, 123 district staff members will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, having received both rounds of the Pfizer vaccine through CHI. This will go a long way in allowing those staff who are vaccinated to continue working, safely, while not having to quarantine due to possible exposure to the virus. We continue to be in awe of our staff, parents, families, and students, and your resiliency, patience, and grace through these nearly impossible times. Thank you!
COVID-19: Nurse Update
Vaccinating over 60% of our staff and volunteers is a phenomenal feat, and this will help to ensure our staff and students are healthy and safe. However, Covid is still around, and we still must do our part to social distance, mask-up, and remain diligent in our efforts. To that end, contact tracing is still required in schools. Students with a close contact exposure can return to school/activities after 7 days IF:
* the exposure was to someone that is not in the same household,
* they test negative,
* the test is taken after day 5 of the first contact day (the test after day 5 must be a PCR [send out] test, and not an antigen [rapid] test,
* and are symptom-free.

If all 4 circumstances are not met, the return to school will be after day 10 or as determined by the school nurse.

Minnesota has opened up at-home testing for everyone in MN. You can follow the links below to order test kits for all in your family. Each person must have a unique email address to order the kits. These tests are FREE. Please take advantage of these and have them on hand in case of exposure. 


Additionally: It is very important that families continue to keep the district nurse updated with any Covid-related illness or quarantines occurring in the home--even if your child is distance learning. Please use this form to provide information to the nurse.
Happenings at Healy
Learning the Old-fashioned Way
Making a match game to memorize body systems and functions in Health class
Working with plaster gauze and paper-mâché in Art class
Getting the ol' band (and choirs) back together
Real-life welding with your buddies: masking on a whole new level.
Sewing quilt squares in Fabrics & Textiles class : we are 'sew' into it.
When you don't have to use the computer - don't! Teachers are enjoying being back in the classroom as much as students - and creating analog (read: old-fashioned) ways of learning once again! Memory games, hands-on labs, art projects, welding, sewing, dancing, collaborating, and all the things we just couldn't do when we were in distance learning.
Mrs. Horning's Spanish students took over the DAC last week as they shimmied to show off their Latin dance prowess.
Mental Health Check-in
Brittany Bueckers - High School Counselor x1213
Scott Herold - Middle/Elementary Counselor x1212
Marilyn Keith - High School Social Worker x1214
Michelle Ferguson - Elementary Social Worker x2216
Happenings at Pioneer Elementary
Spreading Love at Pioneer
It was a building full of Valentine's Day celebrations last week: heart-shaped hats, window streamers, candy exchanges, and coloring contests. Love was in the air at Pioneer Elementary!
Elementary Students in a Color War
Pioneer students dressed up for Color Wars last week. Each grade was assigned a specific color to demonstrate their Pioneer Pride. Fourth graders were the 'winners of the war' with 94% participation —and to the victors go the spoils: ice cream treats for the entire grade!
Student Activities Updates
Winter Sports & Activities Updates
New Guidelines for Spectators at events is based directly on guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Education. Each participant is allowed two spectators. Note: because of the venues not meeting the guidelines, there will be no fans allowed at any away Junior High events. Also, no fans at home Junior High wrestling events. 

• Spectators must be separated from the competition by a minimum of 12 feet.
• Spectators must be separated by at least 6 feet between households/spectator groups.
• For indoor events where 12 feet can’t be maintained between participants and spectators, participants must be included in the total capacity count.
• If spectators and participants can be clearly separated by at least 12 feet, then participants do not need to be included in the total capacity count.
• Spectators are only allowed at official events.
(*Participants will be emailed the link (like we did in the fall) to get tickets online through our online system.)

Indoor Events:
• All spectators at all indoor events must wear a mask/face covering at all times.
 
Note: All home Varsity games/matches/meets will be broadcasted on our school Youtube channel. A few of our non-varsity events will be streamed as well.
 
Transportation To/From Activities
The district will continue to provide student transportation to and from events as always.
Because of possible Covid situations and the contact tracing, adult family members may drive students to and from contests. Parents must complete the online transportation waiver form on our Student Activities page.

Schedules, links to live-streams, and updated changes always available from our Student Activities page (bookmark it!)
Looking Ahead...
March 1 - No School-Teacher Workshop Day
March 10 - Healy High School Parent/Teacher Conferences (online)
March 26 - No School-Teacher Workshop/Grading (End of 3rd Qtr.-Elem.)
Current Community Ed Classes
Betty Fyten will offer CPR and First Aid classes and refresher classes at the High School. You can register online using the link below. CPR is March 8 from 5:30-9pm.
First Aid is March 15 from 5:00-9pm. CPR Refresher is February 22 from 3:30-6pm. First Aid Refresher is March 1 from 3:30-6pm. All classes have limited spaces and pre-registration is necessary. The fee is $27.
Pierz Public Schools #484
District Office: 320.468.6458
112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364