Pioneer Pride News

Friday, February 9, 2019--Issue #30

Junior Achievement Teaches Financial Literacy

Students at Pioneer Elementary are learning about financial literacy and college and career readiness with classroom volunteers in the fun and innovative Junior Achievement (JA) program of Morrison County. Recently , third graders learned about economics: earning money, saving money, spending money, and donating money with the theme "Our City". The students made a miniature city and are actively engaged in learning about economics through activities and games. The community volunteers for Grade 3 are Kelsey Meyer, Kari Maus, Stacy Gahler, and Amy Zupan.

Volunteer Sheila Avenson (pictured) taught 2nd graders about how people and businesses work together in a community.

Katie Hoheisel (pictured), from Farmers and Merchants Bank, is teaching 1st graders about similarities and differences between families. Students are also learning about the importance of businesses in a neighborhood.

The Junior Achievement program teaches financial literacy and empowers students to make a connection between what they learn in school and how it can be applied in the real world – enhancing the relevance of their classroom learning. And we are in need of volunteers! So far, 20 of our classrooms are learning from the program. We could use five more willing parents/community members to volunteer to teach a pre-set curriculum. Please contact Junior Achievement at 651-255-0055 or www.jaum.org

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Healy Highlights

Junior high Robotics competes at State!

Junior High Robotics took 25th out of 60 robots this past weekend at the River's Edge Convention Center in St Cloud, MN. Members of the team include Caleb and Grant Kuske, Ethan Kowalczyk, Jasper Hennen, Chrissy Schaefer and Creo Block. Senior high team members Michael Faust, Jaden Lindeman, Simon Kroll and Katie Schaefer were there representing the senior high team and acted as great support. The robots were in the challenge titled "Turning Point"; the goal in this competition is to turn flags, stack and flip saucers, and climb platforms. There is a 30 second autonomous period where the robot must be precoded to work and then a 90 second "driver mode". Collaboration, critical thinking, communication and creativity all were important skills used by this team of young engineers--way to go, Mechaneers!

Spanish Club cooked up authentic cuisine

Spanish Club members mixed up some fresh guacamole at their annual Salsa Night event. Students also made a non-alcoholic version of sangria, while tasting different flavored tortilla chips, salsa, cheese and the fresh guacamole they made. ¡Qué delicioso!

Snow Daze royalty crowned at Healy

The 2019 Sno Daze candidates were nominated by teachers and then voted on by their respective class of peers. Winners: Alex Poster (senior), Brandon Stuckmayer (junior), Landon Schomer (sophomore), Isaac Walcheski (freshman), Katie Leidenfrost (freshman), Claire Riedeman (junior), Teresa Karst (senior), and Ellie Fischer (sophomore). Candidates discovered they were chosen as their class' royalty by pouring colored vinegar into a cup with baking soda causing a bubbly, foaming reaction! Other events during the week included a medallion hunt with daily clues, dress up days and pep fests.

Pioneer Elementary School News

Pioneer students are "Tied to the Tracks"

What a crew! These fifth and sixth graders and staff have been working for nearly two months to bring you "Tied to the Tracks", a melodrama/comedy/musical that our test audience of elementary students LOVED on Thursday. Lots of laughs, fabulous songs and superb acting. Show time is 7pm TONIGHT (Friday, February 8) at Pioneer Gym. Come one, come all--and admission is FREE!

Students learn about electricity with SnapCircuits, MakeyMakey kits and...bananas?

This month in TechMobile students are learning about electrical components and attributes, including closed and open circuits, conductors and conductive materials (yes, bananas are conductors and so are WE!) and insulators.

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**Student Spotlight**

Featuring students in grades 4-12 selected by their teachers for being awesome humans.

We wish we could feature ALL our hard-working students!

Jordan Funk and Ryan Stangl

Nominated by Mr. Boman: "Both Ryan and Jordan are part of the Paramount Theater production of "The Little Mermaid" in St. Cloud (it's not too late to see the show--last show is February 10!), as well as active members of Speech, Theater, and Peer Helpers at Pierz."

Brandon Przybilla and Seth Winscher

Nominated by Mrs. Tax: "Brandon Przybilla (President of FFA) and Seth Winscher (Vice President of FFA) have been working tirelessly to better our Pierz chapter. Together they made a bean bag toss game to use during chapter meetings to build unity, and they also helped in the Morrison County Milk Project by selling raffle tickets during the boys basketball game."

Community Education Happenings

Sarah Fyten and Sarah Funk provided yarn, a crochet hook and their expertise to a number of aspiring crochet-ers last week. We had a great turnout, with 20 community members coming out to learn this new skill--along with a few from a younger generation wanting to add to their list of hobbies!

Looking Ahead...

February 8, 7pm - Pioneer School Play, "Tied to the Tracks" at Pioneer Gym

February 12-13 - Parent Teacher Conferences (Gr. K-6)

February 15 & 18 No School – President’s Day Break

February 20 Parent Teacher Conferences – H.S.

March 13 High School Showcase

March 19 Kindergarten Roundup

March 26 Preschool Registration

February 18-22, 2019 is Minnesota School Board Recognition Week

The commemorative week is designed to recognize the contributions made by Minnesota’s school board members.

Please join us by saying thanks to our school board members: Steve Boser, Joanne Brochofsky, Eric Hanneken, Matt Hoheisel, Rick Szcublewski and Marvin Thomas during Minnesota’s School Board Recognition Week.