October 13, 2023 - Issue #112

Playing with fire in the new chemistry lab

One of the many projects completed over the summer is the facelift of the Healy High School chemistry lab: ventilation, cabinets, tables, chairs, and flooring were all replaced to name just a few of the improvements.

In this new space, students in Mr. Essen's Intro to Chemistry class completed the Flame Test lab, during which students learned how to properly use bunsen burners for the first time. Students also introduced individual chemicals to the flame and observed their flame color. The flame color is an indicator of what metals are present in the substance. This type of experiment is used in real-world applications during forensic investigations.

College Knowledge Month at Healy

October is College Knowledge Month (CKM), and Healy High School students are taking part in many activities to prep them for life after high school. On Fridays, students and staff are invited to wear college apparel, representing the college that they attended. Later this month, there will be a 7th-12th grade "Blackout Bingo." Students who turn in their Blackout Bingo card are put in a drawing for college apparel of a value of $50! There will be a drawing for the 7th-9th grade students and also the 10th-12th grade students. More information will be sent out to students through their Google Classroom.

On Thursday last week, the seniors participated in the “senior round tables.” During students' Econ class, they broke into four small groups lead by Ms. Essen, Ms. Cooper, Mr. Herold, and CLC advisor Nathaniel Warnke. Students rotated from one station to the next, gathering information from applying to college, scholarship/financial aid, to learning where to access all the information.

On Friday, seniors learned how to send transcripts through Parchment and also started applying to colleges. During CKM, all MinnState colleges and some private schools waive their application fee, so students are encouraged to apply early.

At the end of September, all 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students were able to attend the Central Lakes College (CLC) college fair and tour CLC. There were over 70 different colleges, universities, community and technical colleges, and specialty schools represented.

Upcoming events for 10th, 11th and 12th grade students include:

EPIC: Exploring Potential Interests and & Careers 

When: Friday, Oct. 27th, 2023 

Where: St. Cloud Technical and Community College

Who: 10th-12th grade students

Time: 11:15am, meet at Door 2 / Return at 2:45pm

Lunch: All students attending will eat “A” Lunch at 10:40am

- We took a bus last year and the hands-on activities were awesome!

Manufacturing Tours

When: Monday, October 30, 2023

Where: Falls Fabricating, DJ Products, 3rd location TBD.

Who: 10th-12th grade students

Time: 9:25am, meet at Door 2 / Return no later than 3:00pm

Lunch: The bus will be stopping at a fast food place; please bring money if you wish to eat there. If you would like a bagged lunch from school, please notify Mrs. Essen by Thursday, Oct. 26th.

Bemidji State University

When: Tuesday, November 7th, 2023

Where: Bemidji State University

Who: 10th-12th grade students

Time: 8:00am, meet at Door 2 / Return 3:45pm

Lunch: Please turn in your permission slip with $10 to cover for lunch at their dining hall.

If the $10 is a hardship, please see Mrs. Essen or Ms. Keith, we do not want to exclude anyone due to cost.

We strive to create activities, visits, and opportunities to ensure Healy High students are ready to take whatever next step they want to take after high school. Encourage your students to start thinking about what they want their futures to look like!—Mrs. Essen

September Pioneer PRIDE Students

The first round of 2023-24 Pioneer PRIDE students have been nominated

September award winners are L to R: Brandon Solinger (9th), Emily Boser (9th), Siri Saehr, (7th), Kate Hoheisel (8th), Grayson Stumpf (8th), and not pictured, Whitney Stangl (7th)

Perseverance 

Respect 

Integrity 

Discipline (self)

Empathy



These are the five characteristics our students strive to exhibit throughout the day here at Pierz Schools. Teachers are encouraged to nominate students each month 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 each month. Earners of the award get their choice of Subway or Red’s for lunch. Congratulations to ALL the nominees!

Happenings at Pioneer Elementary

Third graders visit Crane Meadows

Pioneer Elementary 3rd graders visited Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, a treasure in our own backyard near Little Falls. Students listened to expert volunteers and learned about the wildlife and plant species that live and grow in the area, as well as the challenges they face and the adaptations they have that help them survive. 

This hands-on day of learning had them interacting at various stations at Crane Meadows: the Sedge Meadows Classroom, Woodlands, Wetlands, and Prairie.

"Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1992 to protect one of the largest, most intact wetland complexes remaining in central Minnesota. Currently, the refuge is made up of 14 different parcels of land, totaling 2,150 acres. Featuring a rich mosaic of healthy sedge meadow, shallow lake, oak savanna, prairie, shrubland, and forest habitats, it provides critical habitat for many species."

Fun and learning at the pumpkin patch

Kindergarteners visited Triple S Pumpkin Patch in Royalton last week. Owners Dave & Polly Stish along with Carla Gerads took the kids through various stations. They learned about the pumpkin life cycle, different kinds of pumpkins, and about the pumpkin's close cousins: the squash and the gourd. They also visited the huge pumpkins.

At another station, they visited the petting zoo and played on the hay bales. When all the learning and fun was done, students walked the path to go find their perfect pumpkin out in the big patch. It was a great fall day full of smiles!

Upcoming Community Education

Join us in learning the 11 steps to archery success. This beginner class will focus on range and safety rules, fundamentals of archery, and scoring. NASP is taught using the Genesis bow equipment, and the equipment is provided. This beginner Archery Class is a requirement for archers wanting to join the team.

Classes are November 8, 13, 15, 16. Learn more and Register online. There are only a couple of spots left in the early session and several spots in the 2nd session.

Team Archery will start at the end of November and run through March with practices on Tuesday and Thursday. Open to grades 5-12.

The halls are open! We know how hard it can be to stay motivated when the dark settles in so early, and the sidewalks are icy during a Minnesota winter so we open our halls at Healy High School for walking. All adult community members are welcome; we just ask that you sign in when entering. To gain access, you or someone in your walking group will need to request a key fob for door 7. There is a $20 deposit and a FOB is available in the district office of the high school.

The fall schedule for ballet with Andrea is out! It includes some fun new classes with a short 6-week commitment. We are so lucky to have her talent in our community.

Classes are starting October 30 with several options, from 2-year-olds all the way up to polishing dance skills for 12-18-year-olds. Register here.

Follow Pierz Community Education on Facebook for upcoming class announcements. Classes coming soon include Creating a Charcuterie Board, Christmas Candies, and a student Spikeball tournament.

We are always looking for community members willing to share their talents in an informal class with 5-10 participants. If you have a skill or recipe you think others want to learn, give us a call and learn how easy it can be to host an event at school.

Pierz Public Schools #484

newsletter@pierz.k12.mn.us

District Office: 320.468.6458

112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364

www.pierzschools.org