February 23, 2024 - Issue #121

Pioneer Elementary and Healy High School have been selected as a High Reliability Schools Model Site 

Pierz Pioneer Elementary School and Pierz Healy High School announced today that they have been awarded, and accepted, the designation of a High Reliability Schools (HRS) Model Site.

As part of the nationally-recognized Marzano Institute for Effective Schools’ HRS Framework that helps schools focus on specific, research-based conditions for continuous school improvement, the designation of a High Reliability Model Site lifts up schools that have the capacity to produce consistently high achievement results with students year after year.  

Pierz has been on a journey with HRS for more than five years, working with nationally recognized educational leaders to develop its own internal set of teams, structure, and consistent checking of outcomes in order to be considered as a Model Site. It is an ongoing process to evolve through the five levels HRS identifies and schools are constantly tracking outcomes and making any needed adjustments. The five levels that the Marzano model examines include:

1. Safe and Supportive Collaborative Culture
2. Highly Effective Teaching 
3. Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum
4. Standards Referenced Reporting
5. Competency-Based Education

“It takes sustained and committed leadership at every level of a school to create the conditions for all students to succeed,” said Kassidy Rice, Sourcewell’s senior director of education solutions. “Today, we celebrate Pierz for their dedication to implementing the HRS framework, while setting a benchmark for schools as a Model Site.”

Being selected as a Model Site will allow Pierz to access national experts in these areas who will work directly with staff. It means other schools will visit Pierz to learn and see what is working well. It also means Pierz will build relationships with other highly effective schools that are achieving amazing results.

“We, at Pierz Schools, are very blessed to have enough stability, consistency, and hard-working positive people throughout our system to allow these components to provide the building blocks of our students’ educational experiences.

• Consistently high success requires teachers and other staff to master and implement skills and approaches that meet the various learners in a way that creates the best learning day and builds learning throughout the school year.
• It requires parents and students to support their teachers and their school and navigate the expectations and standards as children develop.
• It demands united leadership over time, where School Board, Administration, and Teacher Leaders stay the course and hold to our core mission.” —Supt. George Weber

We are so fortunate to live and teach and raise families in a supportive and successful school district, focused on the outcomes of our students. Thank you to all our dedicated staff —all of whom make Pierz Schools' success possible.

Happenings at Healy

Greenhouse classes help out Cupid

Mrs. Gotvald's Greenhouse class is learning all about the fine art of flower arrangement—just in time for Valetine's Day last week. They were given three carnations and an abundance of leatherleaf ferns to create their masterpiece bouquets. Student's displayed them for sale at both Pioneer and Healy.

Computer science career exploration

Local expert Tom Girtz took time this week to visit with juniors and seniors interested in the world of computer science. Mr. Girtz explained how he got into the industry and talked about the vast amount of career options including cybersecurity, networking, coding, and more. The context of HTML and coding is its own language, and it was impressive this group was able to keep up with our expert presenter!

Happenings at Pioneer Elementary

Exploring indigenous games with an expert

For the past several years, Pierz Schools has been working toward developing a stronger relationship with American Indian heritage and educational opportunities that can be infused throughout the district. An excellent opportunity to continue our learning presented itself when the grandfather and founder of Northern Indigenous Games came to visit Pioneer Elementary last week. 

Dr. Dan Ninham, who obtained his PhD in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sports Pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado in 2009, has worked in education for over 30 years. Last Tuesday, he worked with Pioneer students in 3rd, 5th, and 6th grade during their physical education time. He integrated indigenous games and Ojibwe language into our school’s curriculum. Following instructions from Dr. Ninham, the attentive classes burned up all kinds of energy while playing and learning about traditional indigenous games. During one activity, they used traditional lacrosse sticks and tennis balls to practice some of the skills needed to play lacrosse. A favorite game was fishnet tag, where each student held a rope made into a loop in one hand. The three that were “it” were connected by holding the loop of the person next to them. They had to stay connected as they caught more fish in their net that were then 'added onto the line.'

Students observed that many of the activities and games were related to hunting and perhaps aimed at teaching young children some of the necessary skills of being a successful hunter or fisherman. The students loved the experience and would love for Dr. Ninham to come back again. It is always a great day to be a Pioneer!

From Dr. Ninham:

"One of my role model physical education teachers is Dr. Bob Pangrazi, professor emeritus at Arizona State University. He said, 'Teaching is complex. Just as no two students are alike, no two teachers are similar. My experience has shown effective teachers to be filled with enthusiasm, a love of learning, a concern for all students, and a passion for greater knowledge. I am appreciative that I have been given the opportunity to touch and share with many students and practicing teachers.'”

Quack Open a Good Book for rewards

This year's I Love to Read Month theme was "Quack Open a Good Book." Throughout February, students focused on creating time to read. To celebrate their dedication, any student in preschool-6th grade who accomplished their weekly reading goal can come to the media center and pick a duck from Ms. Dalsted's duck pond for a prize—stickers, books, tattoos, keychains, and rubber duckies.

January PRIDE Students of the Month are recognized for their character actions reflecting Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, (Self) Discipline, and Empathy. Teachers are encouraged to nominate students each month that they feel are strong leaders among their peers using these character traits. A committee of teachers, counselors, and administrators then chooses 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!

5th Grade, top left to right are Millie Japp and Brooke Foss and 6th grade students below from left to right are Easton Hanson and Ellie Smude.

March 2-3: Junior High Musical, The Lion King, Jr.

March 4: No School - Teacher Workshop

March 25: Kindergarten Roundup

Upcoming Community Education

Calling all adults—the archery team is offering you a chance to learn a new hobby! Competition archery is the art of shooting at targets without having to sit in a cold stand waiting for your prey to arrive. But, you could use these introductory skills to become a hunter!

Join the team on March 12 or 14, 2024 to learn more. No experience or equipment is necessary; they will provide everything. All proceeds will go to the archery team.

Rachel Young will be offering CPR certification on March 14 at 6:00pm.

When dropping off your students in grades preschool through grade 3, stop in for coffee while spending a few minutes visiting and meeting other parents. PTO, ECFE and Community Ed are teaming up to help you meet others, learn more about Pioneer Elementary and PTO! March 21, 7:45-8:30am just inside door 20.

Pierz Public Schools #484

newsletter@pierz.k12.mn.us

District Office: 320.468.6458

112 Kamnic Street, Pierz, MN 56364

www.pierzschools.org