September 27, 2024 - Issue #131 | |
Pioneer Elementary is a National Blue Ribbon School | |
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Each year, the U.S. Department of Education works with state departments of education to identify and nominate outstanding schools for this coveted award based on student academic achievement measures and progress toward closing achievement gaps. Through a rigorous review process, the U.S. Department of Education awards several hundred outstanding schools annually, to celebrate their achievement. This prestigious award serves not only as a symbol of exemplary American schools, but also as inspiration for schools across the nation. It affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students thrive.
The National Blue Ribbon School Award is the highest Academic Award in our Nation. The Schools that are selected have to be in one of two categories.
- Achievement Gap – Some schools get selected because they have done amazing work at Closing Achievement Gaps for certain groups of students.
- Exemplary High Performing – Other Schools get selected because they have demonstrated Exemplary High Performance for the entire school.
Pioneer Elementary School was selected in the category of High Performing Schools. Meaning, we have the highest achieving students (the top 15%) in English and mathematics as measured by state assessments. See the full address from Secretary Cardona and learn more about the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award.
“While awardee schools represent the diverse fabric of American schools, they share some core elements. National Blue Ribbon School leaders not only articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards, but they also stay close to the real action of teaching and learning. Faculty are valued and supported through meaningful professional learning and opportunities to work as colleagues and peer supporters. Data from many sources drive instruction and student support services to ensure every student is set up to succeed. Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals.” —U.S. Department of Education
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Coronation on Monday kicked off the 2024 Homecoming Week. Congratulations to Queen Reagan Winscher and King Preston Kapsner, and to all off the nominated royalty. | |
Human Hungry Hippos: 7-9 graders and 10-12 graders competed during Color Wars pepfest | |
Thursday was Class Color Wars Day: 7th graders pictured in white, 8th grade in orange, freshmen in yellow, sophomores in green, juniors in blue, and seniors in red. | |
Wednesday night was Powderpuff with the sophomore girls eeking out a double over time win over the seniors! | |
Students visit College Fair at Central Lakes College | |
Earlier this week, we loaded up nearly 40 sophomores, juniors, and seniors and headed to the Minnesota Education Fair on the CLC Brainerd campus. Our students had the opportunity to visit with representatives from over 60 universities, community and technical colleges, and specialty schools from Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kansas, Michigan, and South Dakota. | |
Concrete class finishes elementary sidewalk | |
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Mrs. Tax's Concrete, Electrical, and Plumbing classes have finished the concrete sidewalk project at the Pioneer Elementary playground this week. Aside from one elementary student finding joy in stacking rocks in the wet concrete during recess, the project went smoothly. Our new welding and metals instructor, Mr. Brisk, will work with his welding classes to manufacture a ramp for the sidewalk. Next up: the students will begin pouring the new visitor's pad at the varsity football field.
These hands-on learning opportunities and skill-building classes are a favorite amongst many of our students. We are fortunate to have skilled teachers in these areas to guide our future tradespeople.
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What's happening in Healy Classrooms? |
- Mr. Brisk's Super Mileage students worked on creating fundraiser posters for their projects. They had to think about how to explain what their purpose is, the skills they would be using in creating their vehicles, and how to demonstrate the value of creating a super mileage vehicle. The two teams also built the shells of their vehicles out of cardboard.
- Mr. Bebeau's Select Choir is singing up a storm down in the music room. Students were singing their parts with much more confidence than even just two weeks ago.
- Mrs. Gruber's Economics students began their cost analysis projects this week. Students used a decision-making process to compare a big purchase of their choices. Students comparison-shopped for a big purchase to learn how to make decisions around spending.
- Profe Becker's Spanish I class was working on All About Me presentations to share about their interests and preferences in Spanish.
- Mr. Pohland's Symphonic Band has been practicing some unique pieces. He keeps a demanding pace, giving feedback, providing opportunities for practice, and then putting things together again.
- Last week, K-7th Grade students experienced a presentation from the Minnesota Raptor Center on Friday. Students got to see and learn about different hawks, falcons, and owls of Minnesota. They even got to see a giant Bald Eagle up close!
- Students in Mr. Kreps' 8th-grade Geography class were learning how to use and interact with online mapping tools.
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Happenings at Pioneer Elementary | |
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World Cultures class learning from local experts
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This week in World Cultures, we learned about the indigenous culture of the Zapotec people in Oaxaca, Mexico. Many of the local families from Mexico that live in Buckman and Pierz are from Oaxaca. They speak Spanish and their indigenous language of Zapoteco. The mother of Brayan in 2nd grade, Gilberta, came into our World Cultures classroom and taught us how to say "Hello" (Shuro), "Goodbye" (Gee-a-la), and "Thank You" (Shu-la-ro). The students finished the lesson by making an intricately woven design much like the traditional clothing of the Zapoteco people.
—Ms. Moore
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Experiencing abstract art in ASPIRE | |
Last week, volunteers Mary Roesler and Bridget Britz volunteered to lead an art Aspire session with Mrs. Sadlovsky and students in grades 2,3,4, and 5 on Tuesday, September 17th! Students worked in a small group setting to learn about pigment, negative space, paint "cells" as a result of density changes, non-porous and porous surfaces, silicone, consistency, and complimentary colors. They created a beautiful tile with their own unique colors and ways they chose to mix them. They learned that art is also science! Some students used an upside down cup, some used a strainer, some used tools, and some used their own breath to move the paint. They were very proud of their works of art! We would like to extend a big Pioneer Elementary THANK YOU to our wonderful volunteers!
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October 4: No School, Teacher Workshop
October 8-9: Healy Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 17-18: No School, MEA Break
November 1: No School, Teacher Workshop
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Parent Feedback Opportunity | |
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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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The first book is Haunted House in Hillman (H2OH), by local author, Frank Weber. We look forward to more joining us! The next meeting is October 17, 2024 at 6:30 pm. | |
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Rick Sczublewski will teach the 55+ Defensive Driver course again this year and we are excited to announce that the state has eliminated the initial 8-hour course requirement. Now everybody takes the 4-hour course every three years and can receive a 10% discount on auto insurance.
The first class of the fall will be Monday, September 30 starting at 5:30pm. Call the Community Education office (320) 468-6458 ext 7. The cost is $24.
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