October 25, 2024 - Issue #133 | |
Recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day | |
Pioneer elementary students teamed up to create a beautiful mural decorating the entrance of the school and the ramp in the media center. The theme, "Be a Good Ancestor" was based on the book Be A Good Ancestor, written by Leona Prince of the Lake Babine Nation.
The story was dedicated to all ancestors for the sacrifices they made in order for all of their descendants to be here on this earth today. The goal was for Pioneer students to reflect what it means to be a good ancestor. In World Cultures with Mrs. Moore they focused on being a good ancestor to the land and animals. In media class with Ms. Dalsted, they focused on being a good ancestor to themselves and others in the community.
Healy staff and students also recognized Indigenous Peoples Day as part of our goals around cultural awareness and state requirements during this day of recognition. Students at the high school learned about the impact of Native American boarding schools of the late 1800s and early 1900s, critically thinking about the federally mandated assimilation schools and discussing with their teachers and peers.
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Junior High Service Day: service with a smile | |
Last week, our Junior High Student Council partnered with the students involved in Encouraging Positive Influence and Choices (EPIC) for a meaningful “Service Learning Day.” This collaborative event brought together all 7th and 8th grade students, along with 9th grade AVID participants, to lend a helping hand to the residents of Pierz.
The day was filled with teamwork and community spirit as students raked an impressive total of over 30 yards of leaves. Their hard work not only beautified our neighborhood but also reinforced the values of service and responsibility.
Thanks to the support of the City of Pierz, the collected bags of leaves were transported to the local city compost, making the event even more impactful.
It was a wonderful day for our students to embody the Pioneer spirit, joining forces with the City of Pierz to give back to the community. We are proud of our students and staff for their dedication and commitment to making a difference!
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The Pierz Gearz online store is open | |
Happenings at Pioneer Elementary | |
A special visitor hopped into Mr. Nezerka's room |
This week, Mr. Nezerka's classroom (and the Pioneer office!) was hopping with excitement as we welcomed a very special visitor. Tracy Solinger, a parent of one of our students and a zookeeper at Safari North, brought along her friendly kangaroo, Jupiter.
The students were excited to learn all about kangaroos, their habitats, and unique behaviors. Tracy engaged the class with fascinating facts, and the kids had lots of great questions for her. The highlight of the day was the chance for students to hold and pet Jupiter.
A huge thank you to Tracy for sharing her time and passion for animals with us!
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Celebrating Native culture through physical education | |
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Pioneer Elementary recently had the honor of hosting Dr. Dan Ninham, a member of the Wolf Clan of the Oneida Nation from Wisconsin. Dr. Dan brought an enriching experience to Mr. Monson's 3rd through 5th grade Physical Education classes by teaching native games and activities that celebrate Native American culture. Pictured is Dr. Ninham's granddaughter, a fourth grader at Pioneer.
Throughout his visit, Dr. Dan shared his cultural knowledge, introducing students to the Ojibwe and Oneida languages. His unique teaching style captivated the students, as he often related his lessons to elements of his heritage. One highlight was a creative activity where students “paddled a canoe” across the gym floor using only their bodies, encouraging teamwork and imagination.
Dr. Dan also taught a native version of lacrosse, utilizing custom-made sticks with leather-tied baskets, which delighted the students. Another popular activity was “the scream game,” which he humorously described as a stress reliever for kids and a stress inducer for adults! These engaging activities not only provided fun but also deepened the students' understanding of Native traditions and the importance of cultural heritage. By relating movements and skills to animals, Dr. Dan further enriched the learning experience, making it relatable and memorable for all participants. His visit was a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with and appreciate the diverse cultures in our area.
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Pierz Lions name a winner for Peace Without Limits | |
Back row L to R: Mr. Otte, Emma Corriveau, Nora Luberts, Brooke Foss, Chloe LeBlanc, Savannah Gronsberg, Jaylah Olesch, and Mrs Peterson, 7th grade Art Teacher Front Row L ro R: Nora Smude 3rd Place, Addisyn Happke 2nd Place, and Lilly Bellomo 1st Place | |
Congratulations to Lilly Bellomo, a sixth-grade student at Pioneer Elementary, for winning a local competition sponsored by the Pierz Lions Club. Bellomo’s poster was among more than 600,000 entries submitted worldwide in the annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest, which promotes the theme of “Peace Without Limits.” Lilly’s artwork stood out for its originality and creativity, and she will now advance through various levels of competition (district, multiple-district, and international level) for a chance to be named the international grand prize winner.
Pierz Lions Club President Lion Jean Flicker said she was impressed by the
expression and creativity of the students at Pioneer Elementary. “It is obvious
that these young people have strong ideas about what peace means to them. I’m
so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their
visions.”
To celebrate this accomplishment, Lilly and nine other local winners received monetary awards during a special ceremony at the school today. Each participant will also be gifted travel-size sketch pads and pencils to encourage their creativity. We are proud of Lilly and all the students for their hard work and inspiring visions of peace!
For additional information about the Lions International Peace Poster Contest and media resources, visit www.lionsclubs.org/peaceposter
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October 28: 9-12 Choir Concert
November 1: No School, Teacher Workshop
November 6 & 7: Pioneer Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences & Book Fair
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Community Education will use the same class registration as the Activities Department starting with fall camps and preschool. Please call if you have any trouble creating your account. Although both activities and community ed will use rSchools, you won't be able to check out a varsity sport and a youth camp simultaneously. User experience will be the same making it easier to navigate but they are two different stores requiring separate log-ins. You can create the accounts with the same user name and password to keep things simple! A link to both stores will be on the Activities page and the Community Ed page.
Lunch payments will still be made with Edutrak.
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