​Experiential Learning at Healy and Pioneer Opens Doors & Minds

Learning within the four walls of the classroom is one thing; experiencing all the world has to offer in living color opens up all new opportunities, inquiries, and possibilities.

At Pioneer Elementary, Spring brings travel season. Field trips for all grades provide essential learning experiences that enhance our students’ overall learning.

Many classrooms will spend part of an afternoon visiting the Pierz Public Library. They are able to get their very own library card, check out books, and get the schedule of fun learning opportunities our great little library has to offer all summer. The hope is to encourage reading ALL SUMMER LONG, lessening the academic slide that students encounter in the Fall when they start school again.  

In addition to the library, first graders also traveled to the Pierz Food Shelf, learning about the needs in our own community, and what they can do to help families. As a side note - Pioneer students raised $1100 for the Pierz Food shelf!

Second graders were able to experience local government when they visited Pierz City Hall and had a mock city council meeting during which the children were city council members and the  mayor. They needed to decide if the city of Pierz had enough money for a pool or a waterpark; of course, the students thought there’s plenty of money for it, ha! Later, a few second graders wrote a letter and had a signed petition to ask the Pierz mayor, Toby Egan, to dedicate a “Kids Appreciation Day” in Pierz. He said, “YES!” and made a proclamation for it!

Second graders also visited Litke’s Veterinary and learned how veterinary doctors take care of animals just like medical doctors take care of people. They were able to check out x-rays of a pregnant dog, look in microscopes, and check out where the animals wait to have surgery.  Lastly, they were able to wear some of the special clothing vets wear on animal calls - they had so much fun! They will be visiting Kelley Farms this week to experience life as it was before cars, electricity, plumbing, and (gasp!) Netflix.

This past Fall, third graders went to the Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook play in St. Cloud at the Paramount Theatre.  They were already very familiar with the story and the characters, because teachers read the story aloud to all of them. Many students have read many books in this series on their own also. They compared and contrasted the characters from the story and from the play.

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Third graders also visited the Stearns History Museum. The director first taught third graders about museum manners and museums throughout the world. They had a great time learning about granite quarries, seeing a realistic quarry display and video. They learned about World War I history and had the opportunity to see many clothing, armor and weapon displays from the wars. They also learned the importance of nurses and doctors during the war. Students finished with a museum scavenger hunt.  They had lunch at the Skatin Place and it was a first time experience there for many of our students. They had a great day!

Fourth graders have put on plays throughout the year, bringing the characters in their books to life for other students at Pioneer. This week, they travel to the MN the Zoo to take in all the sites and sounds of the city.

Fifth graders were fortunate to experience Camp Ripley, walking the trails on the expansive property, learning about military drones, and visiting the military history museum. Continuing their studies of the past, they traveled to Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, home to Pillsbury Flour, which used to be the milling capitol of the world! They also spent a day at Safety Camp at the Morrison County Fairgrounds, learning about animal safety, farm safety, and more.

One component of the Minnesota Standards for 6th Grade is knowing about Minnesota History. Having studied Minnesota’s rich history in mining, logging, fur trading and more, students were able to hit the road and tailor their trips specifically. They visited the Lindbergh Site & MN Fishing Museum, the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, NW Company Fur Trading Post in Pine City, and the MN State Capitol.

ASPIRE students in grades 3-6 participated in the Young Authors/Young Artists Conference at the College of Saint Benedict.  Students took part in a variety of writing and illustrating activities from professional writers to enhance their love of writing and illustrating.

There were countless other experiences at Pioneer this year, too numerous to list--planetarium, fire station, fishing, skiing, plays, music. Allowing our students to not only learn about the world, but also EXPERIENCE the world is an important value we hope to instill.

Healy Students Hit the Road, Experiencing Life and Opportunities for their Futures

The Fit for Life Class traveled to Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area in Crosby. Students were able to experience three lifetime fitness activities: mountain biking (on some of the best trails in the nation), canoeing & fishing. They spent the morning mountain biking around Huntington Mine Lake on the trails, ranging from easy to quite difficult. They spent the afternoon canoeing in Huntington Mine Lake. Students canoed around the entire lake and some students stopped in certain spots to fish, catching and releasing bass and trout.

Art Club and Spanish Club join together to take students to the decades-old Festival of Nations in Saint Paul. Minnesotans representing dozens of countries around the world showcase their heritage through food, music, dance, art and more.

Juniors and Seniors who have 3-4 years of Spanish language experience will be going on an 8-day trip to Costa Rica in June. Twenty-four students from Healy will experience zip-lining, whitewater rafting, snorkeling, hiking in the rainforest, a coffee plantation and kayaking all while practicing their communication skills and learning about the Costa Rican culture. ¡Que Bueno!

This past April, 12th graders spent 2.5 days taking in the monuments, museums, and memorials of Washington DC, touring the Capitol building, and participating in the Changing of the Guard - Wreath Laying Ceremony.  They then traveled to New York City where they spent 3 days exploring the Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Museum, Times Square, and taking in a Broadway Musical.

Each year, Spanish Club partners with The Brainerd Area Kids Against Hunger and raises hundreds of dollars each November by selling bracelets at lunch. They then go one evening to package a couple thousand meals that will serve area food shelves, disaster relief areas, and the most impoverished nations around the world.

In the career and industry areas, Healy has countless guest speakers present throughout the year--presidents of manufacturing companies, nursing directors, construction managers, and so many more. Students always have opportunities to ask questions and even apply for jobs with some of these business leaders.

In March, all 10th graders attended the Bridges Career Exploration Day at CLC.  Nearly 2,800 students from 21 school districts interacted with more than 250 volunteer businesses, non-profits and educational partners to explore more than 150 career options. Bridges strives to provide students career awareness, exploration and preparation to ensure a viable workforce.

In addition, all 11th graders attend the Minnesota Education Fair at CLC each Fall. They have the opportunity to visit with admissions representatives from over 80 different colleges and universities in the United States.

Junior high students are responsible for service projects, including rake leafing for elderly community members and cleaning up the Camp Confidence campground in the Spring.

As with the elementary, the high school has countless trips, speakers, and real-life learning opportunities too numerous mention. Our hope is to allow our students to apply the knowledge they’ve gained in our four walls to do greater good for all outside of these walls.