Friday, March 9, 2019--Issue #32

It has been an unprecedented season of snow and cold days, resulting in school closings and delays. However, these setbacks didn't stop the construction crew from powering through, keeping the project on track and moving forward.

The addition which will connect the high school and the elementary is getting enclosed. The roof should be completed by next week, at which point they will tap into the natural gas line that will feed the school and start heating that shell so internal work can begin. The connecting gym walls are up.The hallway is built and the classrooms are taking shape. Next week, the crew will also start ground heating.

At the front of the high school, the band room shell is up and getting enclosed. Band students have cleared out of the old band room and have moved to the PAC stage. This is to clear the space for the new kitchen and updated commons area.

Inside the high school, the lunch room and kitchen will serve it's last meal today, Friday, March 8! Starting March 11, students will eat lunch in the PAC, with all meals being prepared at the Pioneer elementary kitchen and brought over.

Yes, there will be small pains now for big gains in the future. Once the dust has cleared, we are planning an open house/construction tour for the public to take place late summer 2019. We continue to thank you--our community, staff, parents and students--for your patience and accommodations during these exciting months!

Media Center provides more than books-- virtual reality offers new learning opportunities

It's well-known: Pierz students love to read. And the Healy Media center is the place to go to get book recommendations, peruse new and cherished titles, and yes, read. But today's media center also provides green screens for video production, virtual reality stations, and interactive CoCreation opportunities to learn live from experts around the world.

Pictured: the new virtual reality stations are a student-led installation. Currently, the student team is researching learning opportunities and creating a virtual reality library for staff and students throughout the district. For example, biology students will be able to dissect and study human anatomy 'hands-on' through virtual dissection labs. Students are also finding virtual reality experiences in art, health, science, agriculture and more.

The public is encouraged to stop by the media center and check out this and more during the Showcase/Open House night, Wednesday, March 13.

Spanish students engaged in second language learning

Mrs. Horning's Spanish classes are always interesting and engaging. Her approach is to allow students to immerse themselves in various Spanish-speaking cultures,which teaches them not only the language but also cultural appreciation.

Students in Spanish II/III also have the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica this summer to fully appreciate, engage in, and learn from this immersion experience.

Top: students learned various Latin dances, including the Salsa, the Tango and the Merengue.

Bottom: students wrote and performed skits to practice reflexive verbs. The catch? Their verbs all centered around getting ready--eating, putting on lipstick, etc...and their arms were not their own!

Last week was Bus Driver Appreciation Week; this week it's Paraprofessional Appreciation Week as well as School Social Worker Appreciation Week. So--this week we spotlight and thank all our hardworking, dedicated, tireless and GIVING support staff that make the lives of our teachers, students and parents better. From the bottom of our Pioneer hearts, THANK YOU, ALL!

Mr. Otte takes the plunge to celebrate student's reading success!

To culminate "I Love to Read Month", Pioneer elementary students who worked hard and met their reading goals were rewarded with the chance to dunk Mr. Otte. The theme was "Building Readers" (to coincide with the exciting construction project). Happy to celebrate success with an invigorating swim to the delighted screams and cheering from the students and staff, Mr. Otte was dunked more than 80 times! Good thing the water was warm:)

Illustrator and author, Gary Harbo, talks to and teaches Pioneer 6th graders

Author and illustrator Gary Harbo spent the day working with the Pioneer 6th graders, teaching them the tricks of illustrating trade. He taught the art of perspective in drawing, shading, background, foreground as well as his experience with the writing process. He took time to have a fun lunch with the student council, and donated several of his books to our Pioneer Elementary Media Center! More about Gary Harbo here .

Community Education Happenings

DIY Chalk Art

Wednesday, May 8, 6:30pm

Choose from 3 surfaces and then choose 1 of the 3 designs. Designs are yours to keep and reusable. Some surfaces are also reusable; some are permanent.

Fee is $27 and registration is due by April 21 so your choices can be ordered.

You will learn how to use chalk paste and a transfer to create something unique! Register today!

We are always looking for great adults who want to spend time with our students.

We do ask all volunteers to complete and pass a background check. The school pays for this process.

If you have an area of expertise or hobby, give us a call to see how you can share it!

Sarah, 320-468-6458 ext 7

Pierz Public Schools #484

[email protected]

District Office: 320.468.6458

112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364

www.pierz.k12.mn.us