December 18, 2020 - Issue #63
Generosity Overflows in Pierz Community
Once again, the generosity of the Pierz area community has left us speechless. Despite a year of hardships, restrictions, and social and emotional toil--the students, staff, families, and community members have donated so generously to the Toy Drive. Healy's MHS set up donation jars around town and collected over $800 for the Drive. The Pioneer Elementary student council supported the Gum and Hat Day, which raised over $700 for the cause. Sixth-grade staff rang bells, played music, and collected money, toys, and donations from loving parents, students, and community members last week. (Second photo) Staff came together to hand out toys and gifts last night to families in need.

The way in which this community comes together in times of struggle is nothing short of amazing. The Pierz area and surrounding communities of Genola, Harding, Lastrup, Buckman, and Hillman don't back down from a challenge or adversities. It's a special community that we are blessed to be a part of. Thank you--all--for your continued support this year and always.

P.S. See if you can find two Pioneer Elementary staff elves hidden in one of the photos!
Latest Learning Model Update 12.16.20
New addendums to the Safe Learning Plan Executive Order were released to MN school districts late Wednesday, December 16. We will keep all staff, parents, families, and the community updated as we know more. Please standby (as are we!). There is just so much we don't know yet as we (and all districts in MN) await instructions from MDE and MDH. More information on the district news blog.

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
Students and music back in the halls of Healy this week
Students in grades 5-12 were invited back into the building for in-person learning days December 17, 18, 21, and 22. Along with the familiar sounds of chatter and laughter--the Healy Music Department brought the sounds of the season outdoors as they carolled around the outside of the building.
Art intersects with STEM for 7th graders
Students in Mr. Teske's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) class are making art--from a distance. Using the UV printer on loan from Sourcewell, students are able to send files of their artwork to Mr. Teske, who is then able to print with the hi-tech machine onto canvas (and nearly any other type of material). Don't tell mom and dad what they are getting for Christmas!
Mental Health Check-in
As always, please contact any of our school counselors or social workers if you or someone you know is in need of physical, mental, emotional or financial help or assistance:
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
Gum and Hat Day raises money for Toy Drive
Gum and Hat Day had students and teachers chewing and sporting their favorite 'lids' for a good cause. For $1, students could buy a pack of gum from Pioneer Student Council (and sometimes teachers even let them chew it in school!) For another $1, students (and staff) could wear their favorite hat for the day. All money raised went to the Pioneer Elementary Toy Drive--raising $761.50 for families in need this holiday season!
Rockin' in the 50th day of kindergarten
Last week, kindergartners celebrated the 50th day of school in 1950s style. They counted to 50 by ones, fives, and 10s with tally marks and with 10 frames. They showed their collections of 50 items that they counted themselves and then they wrote about their collections. At their Sock Hop, the class learned to do the Hand Jive, made root beer floats, and finally read a story about a Sock Hop. What a fun blast from the past for these 'cool cats'!  
Student Activities Updates
The Show Must Go On
As they say in show biz ... the show must go on! And, despite quarantines, executive orders, and all odds against them, the Healy High School Drama department put together "A Christmas Carol". Part movie, part play, the production was shot over months of separate scenes to comply with all COVID safety protocols. While the department wasn't able to finish the entire project, what they put together is nonetheless a wonderful and creative rendition. Enjoy!
Choir students finding harmony in distance learning
Choir teacher Ms. Kolodji has been coming up with creative ways to engage and challenge her choir students while in distance learning. She also managed to make it creative and fun for all.

"Concert Choir and A Cappella Choir have made it to the final round of their Flipgrid (www.flipgrid.com) Masked Singer Contest! This virtual contest has been going on since early November and has been a very close contest with incredible songs submitted from both choirs. Each singer submitted a song of their choice to our Flipgrid with their face covered by an emoji of their choice. At the end of each week, the choir votes on who moves onto the next round. Now at our final round, the three finalists will each be mailed prizes and their peers will vote on who they think is behind the mask. First, second, and third prizes will be announced early next week.

Grade 7 and 8 are busy at work on their Holiday Christmas Albums. In collaboration with the 7th and 8th-grade band, the musicians are creating albums full of all the Christmas classics. In addition to the music, the students are also learning how to produce and review albums by creating album artwork and listening to and responding to their classmates' albums.

Missing all the Christmas carols this holiday season? Well, you are in luck! A Cappella choir is hard at work on a set of community sing-along caroling videos. Each video has its own theme and words so you can join us at home. Keep an eye out for this next week!"

--Ms. Kolodji
Looking Ahead...
December 23 - January 3 - No school K-12: Winter Break
January 4 - Classes resume
January 22 -No School—End of 1st Semester - Teacher Workshop/Grading
January 25-No School
Current Community Ed Classes
Additional Defensive Driver (55 Alive) 4-hour refresher safety classes will be scheduled soon by local community member, retired teacher and driving instructor, Rick Sczublewski. Call 320-468-6458 ext 7 to add your name to the list for the next class. Walk-ins will not be accepted. Masks and social distancing are required. A mid-January date is tentatively being scheduled.
Pierz Public Schools #484
District Office: 320.468.6458
112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364