November 11, 2022 - Issue #97

Honoring our veterans; a strong tradition at Pierz Schools

Each Veterans Day, we take time to honor the servicemen and servicewomen who have served and continue to serve and protect our nation. Today, we welcomed Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) Brenda (Boser) Cash back to Pierz Schools.


Graduating from Healy High School in 1992, Officer Cash started her military service early, joining as a junior in high school. Now, with over 30 years of military service, she had an important message for our students. A message of honoring those who have gone before us. Many of those who sacrificed didn't want to. They didn't want to go fight. But they had to. Not because they were ready. But because it was their duty.

Mr. Weber followed up Chief Officer Cash's message with a similar one for our students: it is your duty to do right by your fellow classmates, teachers, communities and families. It's your responsibility right now, to respect and honor those who are teaching you as well those whom are learning alongside of you.

Members of the FFA performed the folding of the flag, along with narration of the meaning of each of the folds.

Thank you to everyone who made this annual program so special: our speakers, band, choir, students, and community. And thank you to all of our staff, families, community members, and students who have served and continue to serve. The full livestreamed program can be viewed on our district YouTube channel.

Happenings at Pierz Schools

Grant provides smoothies, fundraising opportunities

A grant from Midwest Dairy provides Healy High School students with the equipment to produce fresh smoothies twice a week. These real fruit and yogurt concoctions cost students just $3 a cup, with all profits going toward the school group who runs the booth. This week, FFA will benefit from the smoothie sales, with Minnesota Honor Society and others participating next. This is a great opportunity for students to grab a healthy breakfast, while helping out fellow classmates. Thank you, Mrs. Tax, for writing another fantastic grant!

Peer Helper Coat Drive: warming heads, hands, and hearts

Healy High School Peer Helpers along with advisor Ms. Keith held their annual Coat Drive this fall. Once again, our community has so generously donated. Peer Helpers made collection boxes and posters, and collected a total of 232 coats/sweatshirts,12 knit winter hats, and 4 pairs of snow pants. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!

Learning from community members

Thank you to the community members willing to take the time to visit Ms. Rachel Allen's classroom to share their career journey and answer students' questions about specific fields and the path that led our speakers to where they are today.


Students were able to meet with a lawyer, a nurse, a DNR and police officer, a military member and recruiter, and others. Have an occupation you'd like to share with students? We would love to hear from you.


Pictured: Dennis Wacker, retired electrician and local business owner, talking with students.

Pioneer PRIDE Award for Middle School

Awarding and recognizing students 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!

September PRIDE students, back row (L-R): Quinn Gruber (7th), Emily Boser (8th), Addison Marshik (8th), Preston Saehr (7th), and Zoey Virnig (5th). Front row (L-R): Jacob Vang (6th), Roman Wacker (5th), and Sarah Corriveau (6th).

October PRIDE students, back row (L-R): Brett Radunz (7th), Jackson Athman (6th), Rylan Gruber (8th), and Catherine Wehseler (8th).


Front row (L-R): Levi Poser (5th), Ashley Crotty (5th), Leo Medek (6th), and Nico Thielen (7th).

Happenings at Pioneer Elementary

Last week, 4th graders presented their annual 'Ghost of Plymouth Castle' play to the delight of classmates and parents. The students work for weeks memorizing lines, choosing props and costumes, coordinating lighting, and making programs for their production. Students definitely learn first-hand the virtues of collaboration, communication, and creativity during this Pioneer Elementary tradition!

Indoor recess doesn't dampen the fun

We've had a bunch of rainy days here at the Pioneer playgrounds this week. But, being cooped up inside isn't all bad when you have board games, checkers, dice, Legos, puzzles, Twister, and so many other fun games to choose from. Better stash the umbrellas and start looking for the winter gear: it's looking like snow in our near future!

Looking Ahead
  • November 16-17: K-2 Parent/Teacher Conferences
  • November 17-20: Fall Musical: "Once Upon a Mattress"
  • November 14-18: Scholastic Book Fair: Pioneer Elementary
Community Education

The High School halls are open for walking on school days from 4-7:30pm. Just call the Community Education office to reactivate your FOB or stop by the District Office to pick up a FOB key. This will give you access to enter door 7 so you can walk the halls.

Rick Sczublewski will be offering the four-hour refresher course for individuals age 55 and older who want to take the refresher course for their insurance discount. The class is sponsored by the Minnesota Highway Safety and Research Center from St Cloud State University.


The class will be held on November 17 at 5:30pm, just call Sarah at 320-468-6458 ext 7 to add your name to the list. The fee for the class is $24 per person and you will receive a certificate for your insurance agent at the end of the class.

Pierz Public Schools #484

newsletter@pierz.k12.mn.us

District Office: 320.468.6458

112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364

www.pierzschools.org