From the Boardroom: Updates for Panther Nation 10/7/25
Career Achievement and Civic Readiness. (CACR)
The Pine Island School board approved the CACR annual summary of student achievement and assessment.
School districts are required to plan long-term plans that address the five CACR goals:
All children are ready for school.
All student and economic achievement gaps between students are closed.
All students are ready for career and college.
All students graduate from high school.
All students are prepared to be lifelong learners.
Elementary Points of Pride:
Last year, Pine Island Elementary School experienced growth in both math and reading MCA scores as well as FastBridge scores.
Enrollment numbers continue to be strong at Pine Island Elementary School.
Area for growth:
This year we are examining our PLC procedures.
This year we are focusing on the support we give students who score nationally in the 30th-50th percentile.
Middle School Points of Pride:
Last year, Pine Island Elementary School experienced growth in both math and reading MCA scores as well as FastBridge scores.
Enrollment numbers continue to be strong at Pine Island Elementary School.
Area for growth:
This year, we are examining our PLC procedures.
This year, we are focusing on the support we give students who score nationally in the 30th-50th percentile.
High School Points of Pride:
Pine Island continues to exceed the MN and National average Composite scores on ACT.
Pine Island Graduation Rates continue to stay strong as we work to meet the needs of all learners.
Area for growth:
We are focusing our PLC time on getting back to the core of our 4 driving PLC questions.
We are digging in to establish a strong base for MN-MTSS.
Strategic Planning starts this month with a board work session on October 20th at 5:30-8:30 pm and Story Wall with the community on October 29th at 5:pm-8:00 pm.
Career Achievement and Civic Readiness. (CACR)
The Pine Island School board approved the CACR annual summary of student achievement and assessment.
School districts are required to plan long-term plans that address the five CACR goals:
All children are ready for school.
All student and economic achievement gaps between students are closed.
All students are ready for career and college.
All students graduate from high school.
All students are prepared to be lifelong learners.
Elementary Points of Pride:
Last year, Pine Island Elementary School experienced growth in both math and reading MCA scores as well as FastBridge scores.
Enrollment numbers continue to be strong at Pine Island Elementary School.
Area for growth:
This year we are examining our PLC procedures.
This year we are focusing on the support we give students who score nationally in the 30th-50th percentile.
Middle School Points of Pride:
Last year, Pine Island Elementary School experienced growth in both math and reading MCA scores as well as FastBridge scores.
Enrollment numbers continue to be strong at Pine Island Elementary School.
Area for growth:
This year, we are examining our PLC procedures.
This year, we are focusing on the support we give students who score nationally in the 30th-50th percentile.
High School Points of Pride:
Pine Island continues to exceed the MN and National average Composite scores on ACT.
Pine Island Graduation Rates continue to stay strong as we work to meet the needs of all learners.
Area for growth:
We are focusing our PLC time on getting back to the core of our 4 driving PLC questions.
We are digging in to establish a strong base for MN-MTSS.
Strategic Planning starts this month with a board work session on October 20th at 5:30-8:30 pm and Story Wall with the community on October 29th at 5:pm-8:00 pm.
Pine Island Trap Team- We had two "25" rounds on the same card last night! Both Brecken Lawson, and Ben Bertsinger had a perfect round!
Powerful day at Pine Island Schools!
A huge thank you to Aidan’s Light and the Pine Island American Legion for making it possible to bring in Deb Tackmann, a nationally recognized health educator and speaker.
Deb spoke to our 7th–12th graders today about mental health, suicide prevention, and QPR, a lifesaving skill that helps you recognize the warning signs of someone struggling and respond, just like CPR.
We also recorded a short podcast with Deb that we highly recommend checking out. It’s full of practical advice and hope-filled messages for both students and adults. Thank you to Angela Organ and our High School TZD group for their continued dedication to promoting wellness and safety for our kids here in Pine Island!
Link to Podcast Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3SHVF2t0c3213MYcs9H9fM?si=211321b305824347
Tonight the PIZM Wildcats girls soccer team hosted Caledonia. To show their support, the varsity team sported their Kick Out Cancer shirts to help raise money for the cause!
It's dig pink night tonight at Pine Island High School as our Panthers take on the tigers from Lake City.
Today on National Custodial Appreciation Day, we want to extend a huge THANK YOU to our incredible custodial staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our school spaces clean, safe, and welcoming. Your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed, and we are deeply grateful for everything you do every single day.
We are proud to announce that Nicole Mentjes has been named the 2025-2026 Secondary Art Educator of the Year by the Art Educators of Minnesota. This prestigious award recognizes her outstanding contributions, unwavering dedication, and exceptional impact on the field of art education. Nicole is not only a talented educator but also a passionate advocate and visionary leader who continuously inspires students and colleagues alike. We celebrate Nicole’s remarkable achievements and look forward to her continued influence in shaping the future of art education. Congratulations!
Pine Island Middle School Students are excited to serve their local community! Use this form to sign yourself or another person up to have students rake your yard on October 31st. Please sign up by October 8th!
*DISCLAIMER: We will do our best to rake the leaves for as many people as possible, but may not be able to accommodate everyone.*
Thank you to the grounds crew (Cody, Ken, and Craig) for all of your work to help make the field look amazing!
We are excited to offer a new student activity for our middle school students - Conservation Crew!
Conservation Crew is an extra-curricular program for middle schoolers who are interested in making positive change for people, for animals, and for the environment. Students will develop leadership skills by designing and working on conservation projects that impact our school and community. We will spend the year planning and implementing student-selected projects.
If you have a student who is interested in joining, please take a few minutes to complete this survey with your student. Your input will help us plan the club and determine the best meeting times for those who want to be involved.
Click here to learn more about Conservation Crew and Conservation Minnesota.
Join Roots and Shoots students this Saturday, October 4th from 12:00-3:00pm for a Nature Play Trail Fall Clean-Up! We'll be adding fresh mulch to the trails, removing buckthorn, and making space for new play stations!
The nature play trail is adjacent to the Nature Preserve Park on 8th St SE. Park at the softball field complex and cross the street.
The nature play trail is adjacent to the Nature Preserve Park on 8th St SE. Park at the softball field complex and cross the street.
Pine Island Trap Team—Congratulations to Carter Kramer on his perfect round last night!
Congratulations to Pine Island senior student-athlete, Teagan Barnett, who broke the school record for kills. The record was broken during the victory over St. Charles on 9/25/25.
The Homecoming Parade will begin at 2:00 p.m. See the route below.
🌟 Strategic Planning Kickoff – Coming This October!
Pine Island Public Schools is excited to begin a new strategic planning journey this October with the support of TeamWorks. This process will help us update our operational plan and ensure that everything we do is aligned to providing the best daily experiences for our students.
🔹 “Classroom to Boardroom” Approach – The process starts with input from students, staff, and families. Their voices will guide the work before it moves to the school board.
🔹 Community Engagement – Stakeholders will be asked to share their vision for what school should look like, sound like, and feel like each day.
🔹 Clear Roadmap – Feedback will help shape a three-year operational plan and a districtwide Strategic Roadmap that outlines our Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Strategic Directions.
🔹 Collaboration – The process will clearly define the roles of the school board (governance) and district administrators (management), ensuring everyone is working toward the same vision.
We look forward to working together with our community as we shape the future of Pine Island Public Schools. Stay tuned for opportunities to share your input and help us inspire excellence for every student!
Pine Island Public Schools is excited to begin a new strategic planning journey this October with the support of TeamWorks. This process will help us update our operational plan and ensure that everything we do is aligned to providing the best daily experiences for our students.
🔹 “Classroom to Boardroom” Approach – The process starts with input from students, staff, and families. Their voices will guide the work before it moves to the school board.
🔹 Community Engagement – Stakeholders will be asked to share their vision for what school should look like, sound like, and feel like each day.
🔹 Clear Roadmap – Feedback will help shape a three-year operational plan and a districtwide Strategic Roadmap that outlines our Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Strategic Directions.
🔹 Collaboration – The process will clearly define the roles of the school board (governance) and district administrators (management), ensuring everyone is working toward the same vision.
We look forward to working together with our community as we shape the future of Pine Island Public Schools. Stay tuned for opportunities to share your input and help us inspire excellence for every student!
Pine Island Middle School Service Project Donations Needed
Congratulations to Maria Carter, who was nominated and chosen for the MSHSL Most Valuable Teammate award! Maria’s positivity and energy are contagious. Her encouragement of others, whether celebrating their successes or lifting them up after setbacks, shows her genuine care for her teammates. Maria doesn’t seek the spotlight; instead, she consistently puts the team first, making her a role model both on and off the court.
Bus Route Update
Thank you for your continued patience as we’ve worked through the bus routes this fall. We know these adjustments impact families, and we truly appreciate the understanding and flexibility you’ve shown.
Starting after MEA weekend, we will be making a few more route changes and will notify families who are directly affected (via the stopfinder app). While we recognize that it’s not possible to meet everyone’s needs, we remain committed to improving wherever we can. This includes continuing to look for efficiencies in our routes, ensuring student safety, and exploring ways to create more room for those on the waiting list.
Your communication plays an important role in this process. When families share questions, concerns, or observations, it helps us identify areas where we can adjust or improve. Please don’t hesitate to keep reaching out—we want to make sure we’re staying on top of the needs of our students and families as best we can.
Stopfinder Accounts
If you do not yet have an account with Stopfinder, please email Tammi Quintero at tquintero@pineisland.k12.mn.us for assistance. Stopfinder provides families with the most up-to-date bus information, including route changes due to weather or road construction.
Once again, thank you for your patience and support as we work through these challenges together.
Tammi Quintero
Director of Transportation
Pine Island Schools
Thank you for your continued patience as we’ve worked through the bus routes this fall. We know these adjustments impact families, and we truly appreciate the understanding and flexibility you’ve shown.
Starting after MEA weekend, we will be making a few more route changes and will notify families who are directly affected (via the stopfinder app). While we recognize that it’s not possible to meet everyone’s needs, we remain committed to improving wherever we can. This includes continuing to look for efficiencies in our routes, ensuring student safety, and exploring ways to create more room for those on the waiting list.
Your communication plays an important role in this process. When families share questions, concerns, or observations, it helps us identify areas where we can adjust or improve. Please don’t hesitate to keep reaching out—we want to make sure we’re staying on top of the needs of our students and families as best we can.
Stopfinder Accounts
If you do not yet have an account with Stopfinder, please email Tammi Quintero at tquintero@pineisland.k12.mn.us for assistance. Stopfinder provides families with the most up-to-date bus information, including route changes due to weather or road construction.
Once again, thank you for your patience and support as we work through these challenges together.
Tammi Quintero
Director of Transportation
Pine Island Schools
Our amazing staff has been working hard all year — check out this lighthearted video we put together to bring some smiles your way.
https://youtu.be/JvTZAi3t3cA
Video credit: Ben Thornton
https://youtu.be/JvTZAi3t3cA
Video credit: Ben Thornton
Shout out to the Pine Island Spirit Team- PI Trap loves our locker signs!
