September 25, 2020 - Issue #57 |
|
Ushering in 20-21: playing the hand we are dealt |
|
Just before we opened the door to our long awaited students, staff gathered on the football field for a photo op to welcome in the 2020-21 school year, whatever it may bring.
And what a start it's been.
The administration, teachers, paras, cooks, nurses, and drivers have all adapted and changed course in a matter of moments, and every day brings a new challenge-- bus routes changing every day, new lunch and learning schedules, new students in distance learning, contact tracing, mask wearing, social distancing, teachers working overtime to prepare lessons for various learning models while cleaning desks between each group of students, janitors working overtime keeping our school pristine, technology stretched to its limits. And in the background, the administration is handed new processes and procedures each day to try to manage and mandate to keep our district healthy.
It's exhausting for parents and students as well. The uncertainty of what each day will bring. Will you be contact traced? Will you be forced to distance learning through no fault of your own? Will school be in session for the rest of your peers? As a parent - how to navigate children learning at home while still having to work? How to ensure your child is keeping up with their peers, staying socially connected while physically removed, and staying healthy in mind and body?
This is the hand we've been dealt in 2020. It's the hand that makes us want to quit the poker game. Fold. Cash in what little chips we have left and run. We are all feeling it on some level.
But consider another route. Now is the time to come together. To pool our chips. To see how we can help one another. We are all in the same, seemingly endless string of bad hands, but we are in it alongside each other. There is no big bad dealer here. We are all players in the same game. Now is the time to exercise compassion, empathy, and patience for our fellow players. Extend understanding, awareness, and show our children how to do the same. Our children are watching, listening, observing how we react to uncertain times: which means we have the power to show them resilience, determination, and grit --all attributes that will carry them far beyond the hand that 2020 has dealt them.
The coming weeks and months bring more uncertainty as we tread these new waters. We will keep updates on our district News page as we learn more, as well as the district Facebook page.
From the bottom of our exhausted hearts to your weary souls--thank you, thank you, thank you.
|
|
Contact Tracing: Process and Procedures |
|
I want to take a moment to outline the required steps we must take as a district when we have a positive case and/or symptoms. It is not me, or the district, or even the county that gets to determine this. We are following mandates from the Minnesota Department of Health. Certainly, I wish these weren't the rules, but they are indeed. So here we go:
- If your child is identified as a close contact and removed from school, they can not test out of quarantine with a negative test. MDH requires a 14-day quarantine for all close contacts. I know this is an inconvenience. I get it. I wish it weren't so.
- If you have one child who is a close contact and not showing symptoms, everyone else can come to school.
- If your child is identified as a close contact, it is helpful to have them tested. This will allow us to do further contact tracing if needed.
- If anyone in the home is showing symptoms, ALL students must remain home.
- Stay in contact with the nurses; we will be happy to walk you through any questions and processes.
-
We continue to follow the guidance of MDH regarding all COVID related activity. Rules are not set by the school, but are set by the state. They've mandated this policy (link) that we are required to enforce. Again, I wish it weren't so.
- Social Distancing may be the key to keeping our schools open. Please help us out when the school day is not in session. Keep your family's contacts to a minimum, keep up with social distancing, mask wearing, etc. It's a perfect time to be outside--get out there and soak up this beautiful fall weather and scenery!
Thank you all, for you continued vigilance and support as we work through these mandates together.
-Nurse Robyn
|
|
Positive COVID Cases at Pierz Schools |
|
Currently, Friday morning, September 25, we have had 3 positive COVID-19 cases at Pierz Schools: two were at Pioneer Elementary and one is at Healy. All families affected by this have been notified and are away from school for the required 14 days.
We will continue to update the District Home page with links to our News page for updates on cases, mandates, and next steps.
|
|
Homecoming 2020 is happening next week (albeit in alternative formats), and this year's slogan is a perfect fit:
"Can't mask our Pioneer Pride!"
Regardless of the day-to-day challenges, our staff and students continue to show the true spirit of Pioneer Pride, and we couldn't be more proud to be Pioneers right now.
Congratulations to the Homecoming 2020 Top 10! Coronation will be Monday at 2:30pm and will be streamed live to our district Facebook page as it will not be open to the public or the student body.
Back row: Colby Hecimovich, Noah Cekalla, Jonah Prokott, Michael Leidenfrost, Ryan Stuckmayer
Front row: Ellie Fischer, Emily Sadlovsky, Alissa Girtz, Maddie Poster, Courtney Strohmeier
|
|
Teachers (and coaches) are taking advantage of the perfect fall weather and taking classes outside. From biology, to FACS, choir, and band--students are benefitting from much needed mask breaks and fresh air.
This week, Mrs. Stuckmayer took her Digital Media classes to the Pierz Park where they photographed the gorgeous fall colors.
|
|
Coach Virnig set up court on the football field, allowing athletes to soaking up the sun and fresh air - something not often available during a 'normal' high school volleyball practice. |
|
|
Making Music, Enjoying the Outdoors |
|
Teachers at both Pioneer and Healy have been taking advantage of the beautiful fall weather and getting their students outside for classes and breaks. Last week, Miss Mennis 'took to the streets' (sidewalk) to bring music to the masses.
The students enjoyed a mask break and nearby teachers opened their windows to listen to the sounds and laughter of the children.
|
|
Johnny Appleseed Day - a tradition for Pioneer kindergartners |
|
Every year kindergarteners at Pioneer celebrate Fall with Johnny Appleseed Day. They learn all about Johnny Appleseed, read books about apples, do apple projects, make Johnny hats, and make and eat applesauce. Apples are donated from apple-tree-growing community members, and there is always an abundance (thank you!)
Note: all masks were worn prior to the photo--quick take your mask down - click! - put your mask up!
|
|
Student Activities Updates |
|
The MSHSL met on Monday, Sept 21 to revisit having fall seasons for volleyball and football. They voted to have seasons in both sports this fall versus having them in the spring.
Volleyball practice will start on Sept 28 with the first match being Oct 8. The last date of regular season is November 28th. Teams will be allowed 14 matches and no more than two per week. The post-season will start November 30 and last through December 12th. Playoff formats are still being determined.
There will be no spectators allowed at volleyball matches but we will try to live stream all matches. More information on where you can view these matches will be coming to the Student Activities and Healy web pages.
Football practice will start on Sept 28 with the first game on Oct 9. The last date of regular season is November 12th. Teams will be allowed 6 games. The post-season will start November 17th and last through November 28th, with the playoffs only at the section level: no state tournament. Spectators for football games will be held to 250. We are still working on details of how to determine who will be allowed in, visiting team allowance, etc. We will attempt to live stream all football games as well.
Cross country is having their last meet on Oct 10 with their section meet the following week (date TBD). There will be no state tournament.
Tennis will have their last regular season match on Oct 1 with their section meet following the next week (dates TBD). There will be no state tournament.
--Dave Rocheleau, Activities Director
|
|
- September 28 - Homecoming Coronation (Homecoming Week)
- October 7 -Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences—H.S.
- October 9- No School—Teacher Workshop Day
- October 12-13 -Parent Teacher Conferences (Gr. K-6) – Elementary
- October 15-16 -No School – Professional Days (MEA Break)
- October 26 - Choir Concert
|
|
Current Community Ed Classes |
|
|
|
By partnering with the Minnesota Highway Safety Research Center from SCSU, we are again offering in person Defensive Driver classes.
We ask that participants wear a mask, wash their hands or use sanitizer upon arrival and sit socially distanced.
The fee is $22 and dates will be posted on the website as they are set up.
While the Highway Safety Research Center is allowing in person classes, instructors are hard to come by. If you are interested in teaching once or twice a month for a generous stipend, contact me to learn more. 320-468-6458 ext 7
|
|
The first session of 30 hour classroom instruction for students is scheduled for October 12-13, 19-22, 26-29 from 3:30 - 6:30. Registration is online and the fee is $75. Students must be 14 by the first day of class. More information can be found on the school website
|
|
Pierz Public Schools #484
District Office: 320.468.6458
112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
