Congratulations to Zach and Lauren!
Yesterday Culture Club students were able to listen to a presentation on Germany from Nadia, a foreign exchange student.
The PIHS Aspiring Educators chapter and SMSU education students welcomed guest speaker and college education student Noah Wernau to learn more about pursuing a career in education today. Thanks Noah!
🎉 Happy American Education Week! 🎉
Did you know this awesome celebration started over 100 years ago? After World War I, leaders were shocked to learn that 1 in 4 draftees couldn't read or write. In 1919, the National Education Association and the American Legion joined forces to raise awareness about the importance of education for every child in America. By 1921, American Education Week was born—and it's been an annual tradition ever since! 📚✨
We give a big shout-out to everyone—teachers, staff, parents, and students—who makes our schools a place where dreams take flight. Here’s to a week of celebrating our progress and inspiring the next generation. Let’s keep learning together! 🙌🍎
#AmericanEducationWeek
Did you know this awesome celebration started over 100 years ago? After World War I, leaders were shocked to learn that 1 in 4 draftees couldn't read or write. In 1919, the National Education Association and the American Legion joined forces to raise awareness about the importance of education for every child in America. By 1921, American Education Week was born—and it's been an annual tradition ever since! 📚✨
We give a big shout-out to everyone—teachers, staff, parents, and students—who makes our schools a place where dreams take flight. Here’s to a week of celebrating our progress and inspiring the next generation. Let’s keep learning together! 🙌🍎
#AmericanEducationWeek
Our middle school Conservation Crew students took advantage of the nice weather and did one last trash clean-up before the snow flies.
These students are making positive change for people, for animals, and for the environment.
These students are making positive change for people, for animals, and for the environment.
PIHS Roots and Shoots Environmental Club and PIMS Conservation Crew have partnered to host a Holiday Light Recycling program.
As you’re getting ready to decorate for the holidays, don’t toss those old or broken Christmas lights in the trash!
Holiday lights contain materials like copper and glass that can be recovered and reused. Recycling keeps these items out of landfills, reduces waste, and helps protect our environment.
So gather up those tangled strands, burnt-out bulbs, and broken lights, and drop them off at the drop boxes located in the lobby of the 5-12 building or at Hardware Hank. It’s a small action that makes a BIG difference for our planet!
Lights can be collected until Monday, December 22!
As you’re getting ready to decorate for the holidays, don’t toss those old or broken Christmas lights in the trash!
Holiday lights contain materials like copper and glass that can be recovered and reused. Recycling keeps these items out of landfills, reduces waste, and helps protect our environment.
So gather up those tangled strands, burnt-out bulbs, and broken lights, and drop them off at the drop boxes located in the lobby of the 5-12 building or at Hardware Hank. It’s a small action that makes a BIG difference for our planet!
Lights can be collected until Monday, December 22!
Celebrating Pine Island School's psychologist, Becki Winter. Thank you for the support you provide for student learning, well-being, and success every day.
School Board Meeting
December 8th at 6:00 pm.
December 8th at 6:00 pm.
Congratulations to the cast and crew on another amazing production! Thank you to Kate Laack and Nicole Mentges for all of their hard work!
Our annual toy/gift drive kicked off this week! We'd love your support!
This just in! We had an astounding number of coloring pages turned in for National Community Education Day! We have some very talented young artists in our schools and today we're proud to announce our winners! (Drum Roll Please!)
Pine Island Panther Preschool winner is Jaxon S (Mrs. Giesen)
Pine Island Elementary School Kindergarten winner is Connor J (English/Yolch)
Pine Island Elementary School First Grade winner is Fern (Senora Perez)
Pine Island Elementary School Second Grade winner is Ella Ann (Mrs. Safe)
Pine Island Elementary School Third Grade winner is Seraphina W (Mrs. Vandegrift)
Pine Island Elementary School Fourth Grade winner is Maria B (Mrs. Wolf)
Congratulations to our winners! They will each be receiving a Pine Island Community Education gift voucher. Thank you to everyone who participated!
#communityeducation #communitysupport #communityeducationday
Pine Island Panther Preschool winner is Jaxon S (Mrs. Giesen)
Pine Island Elementary School Kindergarten winner is Connor J (English/Yolch)
Pine Island Elementary School First Grade winner is Fern (Senora Perez)
Pine Island Elementary School Second Grade winner is Ella Ann (Mrs. Safe)
Pine Island Elementary School Third Grade winner is Seraphina W (Mrs. Vandegrift)
Pine Island Elementary School Fourth Grade winner is Maria B (Mrs. Wolf)
Congratulations to our winners! They will each be receiving a Pine Island Community Education gift voucher. Thank you to everyone who participated!
#communityeducation #communitysupport #communityeducationday
Nurse Kim and Nurse Krista are at the School Nurses Organization of Minnesota annual conference learning best practice updates!
What do you MEAN you haven't gotten your tickets for Charlotte's Web yet!?! What are you waiting for!?! https://gofan.co/app/school/MN19643
The Pine Island Lions Club has selected the 2025 Peace Poster winners. Students were judged in three categories: Artistic Merit, portrayal of the theme, and originality. Congratulations to 1st place: Danny Towers (7th grade), 2nd place: Raelyn Kocer (6th grade), and 3rd place: Kinsley Kothenbeutel (6th grade). Danny's poster will move onto the second round.
The Swanson Owen Oronoco VFW Auxiliary recognized Claire Baird for participating in the Voice of Democracy Contest placing first and advancing to the district level at our Veterans Day program. She also placed 3rd at Nationals for her poster entry for the Illustrating America Art Contest last year. Congratulations Claire!
The Swanson Owen Oronoco VFW Auxiliary requested contest submissions from local students. The Patriot's Pen 2025-2026 Theme was “How Are You Showing Patriotism And Support For Our Country?” For students in 6th, 7th and 8th Grades. Their essay needed to be 300 to 400 words +/- 5 words.
Pine Island Middle School had 8 submissions, 7 from 6th grade and 1 from 7th grade. The students are Anya Petersen, Grace Chilson, Tessa Lynn Grobe, Kyleigh Button, Alexis Weiss, Vanessa Welchlin, Lily Hochsprung and 7th grader Millie Rutledge. They were recognized for their efforts at our Veterans Day program. Congratulations to all who participated!
Pine Island Middle School had 8 submissions, 7 from 6th grade and 1 from 7th grade. The students are Anya Petersen, Grace Chilson, Tessa Lynn Grobe, Kyleigh Button, Alexis Weiss, Vanessa Welchlin, Lily Hochsprung and 7th grader Millie Rutledge. They were recognized for their efforts at our Veterans Day program. Congratulations to all who participated!
Today is National Community Education Day!
We’re proud to recognize the programs and people who make lifelong learning possible right here in Pine Island. From youth enrichment, adult classes to recreation, childcare and family programs, community education helps connect, inspire, and empower learners of all ages.
A huge THANK YOU to all who support and participate in community education — you make our community stronger every day!
We’re proud to recognize the programs and people who make lifelong learning possible right here in Pine Island. From youth enrichment, adult classes to recreation, childcare and family programs, community education helps connect, inspire, and empower learners of all ages.
A huge THANK YOU to all who support and participate in community education — you make our community stronger every day!
🍎 School Food Drive
We’re collecting food donations to support local families in need! If you’re able, please consider donating any of the following items:
Canned fruit (any variety)
Canned tomatoes (sauce, diced, etc.)
Spaghetti sauce
White rice
Ramen
Kidney beans
Canned pasta (like SpaghettiOs)
Soups
Canned corn or peas
Broth
Cereal
All proceeds will go to the Pine Island Sharing Shelves to help support families in our community.
Donations can be dropped off in the collection bins near the school office in the main entryways (5-12 main office, and elementary office).
Thank you for your kindness and generosity! ❤️
We’re collecting food donations to support local families in need! If you’re able, please consider donating any of the following items:
Canned fruit (any variety)
Canned tomatoes (sauce, diced, etc.)
Spaghetti sauce
White rice
Ramen
Kidney beans
Canned pasta (like SpaghettiOs)
Soups
Canned corn or peas
Broth
Cereal
All proceeds will go to the Pine Island Sharing Shelves to help support families in our community.
Donations can be dropped off in the collection bins near the school office in the main entryways (5-12 main office, and elementary office).
Thank you for your kindness and generosity! ❤️
From the Boardroom: Updates for Panther Nation 11/10/25
1. Strategic Planning
We’ve been hard at work continuing our strategic planning process, and it’s been inspiring to hear from so many of you. Over the past few weeks, we held sessions with students, staff, and families to talk about what the Desired Daily Experience should look like in Pine Island Public Schools. The feedback has been honest, thoughtful, and full of great ideas that will help guide our next steps. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far — your voices matter!
2. Transportation
We continue to review our transportation routes and systems to improve efficiency and ensure safety for all of our students. Tammi and the team have been working hard to make thoughtful adjustments where needed, and we truly appreciate the patience and collaboration from our families as we fine-tune routes and communication.
3. Finances
Our district audit is on track to be completed and shared at the December board meeting. We continue to look closely at how we can align our revenues and expenditures to keep the district strong and sustainable. Our Truth in Taxation hearing will be held on December 8 at 6:00 p.m., and we invite the community to attend and learn more about our financial outlook.
4. Veterans Day Program
Our Veterans Day program was outstanding. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community to honor and thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice. A huge thank-you to everyone who helped organize the program and to our students for their heartfelt participation.
5. Policy Updates
We are continuing to review and update our district policies as required. Please take a moment to read through the redline changes when they’re posted — the policy committee will bring final recommendations to the full board for approval in January after the public review period.
1. Strategic Planning
We’ve been hard at work continuing our strategic planning process, and it’s been inspiring to hear from so many of you. Over the past few weeks, we held sessions with students, staff, and families to talk about what the Desired Daily Experience should look like in Pine Island Public Schools. The feedback has been honest, thoughtful, and full of great ideas that will help guide our next steps. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far — your voices matter!
2. Transportation
We continue to review our transportation routes and systems to improve efficiency and ensure safety for all of our students. Tammi and the team have been working hard to make thoughtful adjustments where needed, and we truly appreciate the patience and collaboration from our families as we fine-tune routes and communication.
3. Finances
Our district audit is on track to be completed and shared at the December board meeting. We continue to look closely at how we can align our revenues and expenditures to keep the district strong and sustainable. Our Truth in Taxation hearing will be held on December 8 at 6:00 p.m., and we invite the community to attend and learn more about our financial outlook.
4. Veterans Day Program
Our Veterans Day program was outstanding. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community to honor and thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice. A huge thank-you to everyone who helped organize the program and to our students for their heartfelt participation.
5. Policy Updates
We are continuing to review and update our district policies as required. Please take a moment to read through the redline changes when they’re posted — the policy committee will bring final recommendations to the full board for approval in January after the public review period.
We had a wonderful Veterans Day program yesterday honoring those who have served our country. A heartfelt thank-you to all the veterans who joined us and to everyone who helped make the event special.
A special shoutout to our guest speaker, Beth Benike, for sharing her inspiring words and reminding us of the courage and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes.
We are so proud of our students and staff for their participation and respect shown throughout the program.
A special shoutout to our guest speaker, Beth Benike, for sharing her inspiring words and reminding us of the courage and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes.
We are so proud of our students and staff for their participation and respect shown throughout the program.
