November 20, 2020 - Issue #61 |
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Supporting each other through crisis |
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As you may know, the district is keeping 5-12 in the distance learning mode at least through December 11. This call went out to parents last night (11.19).
To some degree we are each dealing with some amount of fear and some amount of loss even as we are simultaneously called upon to find more energy than normal to implement our work day with some degree of success. The fears are obvious as we look at the data around us. The losses are personal. For teachers, families and children, we miss so much:
- interacting with children the way we want to
- not seeing friends and family
- watching your child’s school year or season get impacted once again.
None of us can take that loss away. This virus is all over the place, with varying degrees, depending which hallway we are in on what day. But maybe in the midst of all this we can also know some important truths:
- We are fighting the good battle.
- We gave and continue to give children experiences others are not able to do.
- We actually had fall sports, when it seemed in August that was gone.
- Somehow, we will have music, band and theater performances, because that is what we do.
We are so blessed to work in an organization and community where the commitment to each other and to our children is greater than the greatest of crises our world can throw at us. That is pretty amazing.
Luckily, we are keeping our schools safe. Luckily we know more now than we did last May, and we know we can be less fearful of door knobs, but instead must manage our interactions to a greater degree. At the same time, please do what you can to care for yourself. Right now, the settings outside of school in our community are at high risk. I want to thank our entire staff: thank you for supporting each other, constantly picking each other up, and allowing us to celebrate that we can still see each other at work. That alone is a gift many people have not had for months.
--George Weber
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Home saliva tests are now available to order from the state of Minnesota. You will need to upload or take a photo when ordering and the name on the order is the person who must use the test. It is free and mailed to your home. Everyone is encouraged to order the test in case it is needed. For more information, click here.
Please remember that if you are a close contact to a person with positive results or waiting on test results, you should quarantine. If you are waiting on test results, with or without symptoms, you need to quarantine. If you are positive, you need to isolate and anyone in your home needs to quarantine and watch for symptoms- unless you can completely isolate. If you are unsure, you can check with your health care provide or review the information from the Minnesota Department of Health.
--Nurse Robyn
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Ms. Kolodji along with her students found a way to have their choir concert amidst the regulations, stipulations, inhalations and exhalations. Take moment to enjoy the sweet sounds coming from these students and the walls of St. Joseph's church in Pierz. |
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Make Yourself Immune to Secondhand Stress.
Have you ever wondered why yawning seems contagious? Our brains are wired with a network of neurons called "mirror neurons" which are tiny parts of the brain that allow us to empathize with others and understand what they're feeling. When we observe someone yawn, these mirror neurons can activate, making you yawn. These same mirror neurons can be activated when we pick up on others' negativity, stress, and uncertainty like secondhand smoke. Surround yourself with positive people!
Nowadays, we may know to avoid smoking lounges and we wash our hands after being in busy airports, but in the future, we may realize the key to health and happiness is improving our emotional immune system to protect ourselves from others' stress. And of course, it's not just other people's stress that matters. Our mindset affects the happiness of those around us. A positive attitude and mindset can improve our own lives, and the lives of everyone around us.
In such a highly connected world, we need to find ways to improve our emotional immune system, otherwise we risk the negative effects of secondhand stress.
Inoculate yourself
Practice one of the five positive psychology habits (above in photo) that help inoculate your brain against the negative mindsets of others.
Change your response
Instead of fighting and being frustrated at negative people around you, take it as an opportunity to feel compassion or a challenge to help that person become more positive.
Create positive antibodies
We need behaviors that can neutralize the negative effects of a stressed person. Instead of returning a harried coworkers' stressed nonverbals with an equally stress grimace of your own, return it with a smile or a nod of understanding.
Build natural immunity
One of the greatest buffers against picking up others' stress is a stable and strong self-esteem. If you are finding yourself being impacted by others' moods, stop and remind yourself how things are going well and that you can handle anything that comes your way. Exercise is one of the best ways to build self esteem because your brain records a victory every time you exercise.
This information was taken from a Harvard Business Review forum
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Happenings at Pioneer Elementary |
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Pioneer Happenings...at the High School |
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In order to provide enough space for students to spread out for lunch, 2nd and 4th graders were invited to eat at the High School while students in grades 7-12 are in Distance Learning. On day one, many students were in disbelief when they heard they got to go to the high school and eat! Some were pretty excited to eat where their older siblings ate lunch and others were giddy over the pizza. It is cut into triangles at Healy! A good reminder to cherish the little things in life. |
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First Graders Brighten Holidays for Pierz Villa Residents |
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First graders are hoping to brighten the holidays for the residents at the Pierz Villa. They are making placemats for them--one side is Thanksgiving and one side is Christmas. Students have been working very hard on them and are very proud they could make a resident feel loved during this lonely time. They will be dropping off their placemats for the residents and waving to the residents from outside. |
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Student Activities Updates |
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Update as of 11.19.20--
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz released Emergency Executive Order 20-99 which initiates restrictions on all organized youth and high school sports beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. Required by Emergency Executive Order 20-99, all in-person activities—including practices, group workouts, games, and tournaments must be completed or stopped effective 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2020 These restrictions directly impact all Minnesota State High School League fine arts and athletic programs that are in-season or projected to start in the next three weeks. The restrictions remain in force through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020.
Regions are now required to complete section football play by the end of day on Friday, Nov. 20. The volleyball regular season will also end on Friday, Nov. 20. We will play in the Section Championship for Football on Friday vs Albany in Sauk Centre and volleyball will have a match at home with Melrose on Friday.
The dance season is completing the second week of its season and must stop all in-person practice and competition from Nov. 21 through Dec. 18. Coaches may maintain virtual connection with their student-athletes and provide support, mentorship and individualized workouts. Further guidance will be provided regarding virtual coaching by the end of this week.
The League will provide additional guidance prior to the end of this week regarding other programs including remaining winter sports and fine arts activities. In addition, work will continue in studying options for the remaining seasons as well as those scheduled to begin in the spring.
--Dave Rocheleau, Activities Director
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To watch the Section Championship football game tonight, 11/20/20:
(There is a fee of $5.99)
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visit www.prepspotlight.tv/mshsl
- go to top right corner of screen and create an account by clicking on "Sign In" (very minimal information needed)
- Once account is created - click on the game they want to purchase.
- The purchase of the game gets you live viewing as well as archived viewing of that game. (forever and ever)
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- K-12 No School November 26-27 - Thanksgiving Break
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Current Community Ed Classes |
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Another session of the 30 hour classroom will be offered starting November 30 from 3:30-5:30pm, Monday- Friday for 3 weeks.
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Community Education is now a site for students to take their permit test! We will be able to proctor the online test for students who have completed the 30 hour course and have turned 15 years old. Instead of making an appointment at the courthouse, make an appointment in the Pierz Webstore! The state's website is currently undergoing an update but test dates will be posted online as soon as they are available. |
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Additional Defensive Driver (55 Alive) 4-hour refresher safety classes will be scheduled soon! Local community member, retired teacher and driving instructor, Rick Sczublewski, has scheduled the next class for Thursday, December 10 from 5:30-9:30pm. Call 320-468-6458 ext 7 to add your name to the list. Walkins will not be accepted.
Masks and social distancing are required.
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Pierz Public Schools #484
District Office: 320.468.6458
112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364
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