Huge shoutout to Special Olympics Minnesota for making it possible for our Unified PE class to go to Bowlocity yesterday! We had a great time bowling and playing laser tag!
Students in the PLTW Human Body Systems class have been learning about the nervous system. They got creative and made brain swim caps that illustrate the parts of the brain that contrails many different functions, emotions, and actions.
At last night's City Council meeting, the PIHS Roots and Shoots Environmental Club was recognized as being a Pillar of Pine Island. This award highlights individuals and groups who make significant positive impacts in the community through volunteer work and other efforts.
Roots and Shoots is a global organization which was founded by the late Jane Goodall and seeks to make positive change for people, for animals and for the environment. Our Pine Island group has over 40 members who have participated in trail and river clean-ups, organize the annual Pumpkin Luminary Trail that supports the Pine Island Sharing Shelves, and have worked to create and maintain the Nature Play Trail at the outdoor classroom.
Roots and Shoots is a global organization which was founded by the late Jane Goodall and seeks to make positive change for people, for animals and for the environment. Our Pine Island group has over 40 members who have participated in trail and river clean-ups, organize the annual Pumpkin Luminary Trail that supports the Pine Island Sharing Shelves, and have worked to create and maintain the Nature Play Trail at the outdoor classroom.
Save the date and join us!
The Pine Island Panthers football team finished their regular season last night with a huge 30-0 win over Chatfield bringing their regular season record to a perfect 8-0! As the #1 seed, they have a 1st round bye, so the Section 1AAA tournament will begin for them October 25 at home @ 1:00 pm vs the winner of Lake City and PEM.
Hello Pine Island Community!
Our Early Childhood Center resource room is running low on spare clothing!
We are looking for pants, shirts, shoes, and winter gear for preschool ages (3T-5T). Winter boots are needed in particular - little kid size 11-12 (please touch base with Cait first with this to avoid a surplus).
Donations can be delivered directly to the ELC front desk.
Please contact Cait Carr with any questions at cait.carr@pineisland.k12.mn.us.
Thank you for your generosity!
Our Early Childhood Center resource room is running low on spare clothing!
We are looking for pants, shirts, shoes, and winter gear for preschool ages (3T-5T). Winter boots are needed in particular - little kid size 11-12 (please touch base with Cait first with this to avoid a surplus).
Donations can be delivered directly to the ELC front desk.
Please contact Cait Carr with any questions at cait.carr@pineisland.k12.mn.us.
Thank you for your generosity!
Personal finance finished their credit credit score unit by creating games to test their classmates knowledge. Knowledge and fun all in one setting.
Congratulations!
Craig English, Pine Island ISD, was recognized by The Minnesota Educational Facilities Management Professionals Association (MASMS).
Craig English, was awarded the 2025 Outstanding Educational Contributor Award at the annual MASMS conference held on October 2, 2025.
This award is in recognition of Mr. English’s outstanding dedication and commitment to educational facilities management.
The Minnesota Educational Facilities Management Professionals (also known as MASMS) is a professional organization committed to promoting excellence in the operation and care of educational facilities. It is a group of over 900 individuals in the areas of facilities/grounds/health & safety/operations for Minnesota K-12 and Higher Education organizations. It is a member-oriented, problem solving, professional group committed to facilities management.
Craig English, Pine Island ISD, was recognized by The Minnesota Educational Facilities Management Professionals Association (MASMS).
Craig English, was awarded the 2025 Outstanding Educational Contributor Award at the annual MASMS conference held on October 2, 2025.
This award is in recognition of Mr. English’s outstanding dedication and commitment to educational facilities management.
The Minnesota Educational Facilities Management Professionals (also known as MASMS) is a professional organization committed to promoting excellence in the operation and care of educational facilities. It is a group of over 900 individuals in the areas of facilities/grounds/health & safety/operations for Minnesota K-12 and Higher Education organizations. It is a member-oriented, problem solving, professional group committed to facilities management.
During Administrator/Principal Appreciation Month, we want to extend a big thank you to these four outstanding administrators!
We are excited to offer a Conservation Crew for students in middle school who are interested in making positive change for people, for animals, and for the environment! Our first meeting will be on Monday, Oct. 20 from 3:20-4:20pm in Mrs. Schimek's biology classroom - 240. Students in grades 5-8 are welcome to join!
🎃✨ Join us for the 2025 Pumpkin Luminary Trail! ✨🎃
📅 Tuesday, October 28
🕔 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Trailhead City Park
Enjoy a magical evening along the glowing Pumpkin Luminary Trail, a free community event hosted by the Roots & Shoots Environmental Club! 🌿
Last year, we had 160 pumpkins - we are hoping for even more this year!
🍁 Event Highlights:
🎃 Pumpkin Judging Categories: Environmental • Spooky • Funny • Business • Organization
🥫 Entry is free, but we kindly ask for food donations to support the Pine Island Sharing Shelves.
👻 Calling all local businesses & organizations!
Help make this event even more festive:
Host a trick-or-treat station along the trail 🍬
Carve a pumpkin for your business or organization.
Donate treat items (drop-off at the high school office)
📩 Interested or have questions? Contact Megan Schimek to get involved and help light up the trail!
📅 Tuesday, October 28
🕔 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Trailhead City Park
Enjoy a magical evening along the glowing Pumpkin Luminary Trail, a free community event hosted by the Roots & Shoots Environmental Club! 🌿
Last year, we had 160 pumpkins - we are hoping for even more this year!
🍁 Event Highlights:
🎃 Pumpkin Judging Categories: Environmental • Spooky • Funny • Business • Organization
🥫 Entry is free, but we kindly ask for food donations to support the Pine Island Sharing Shelves.
👻 Calling all local businesses & organizations!
Help make this event even more festive:
Host a trick-or-treat station along the trail 🍬
Carve a pumpkin for your business or organization.
Donate treat items (drop-off at the high school office)
📩 Interested or have questions? Contact Megan Schimek to get involved and help light up the trail!
The registration deadline for Grades 2-6 Boys Basketball is October 15. Registration forms and information can be found on the Boys Basketball page of the school website.
Students in Roots and Shoots environmental club spent the day on the Mississippi River Institute - a barge that travels the Mississippi River and educates students on river related careers.
We learned from professionals from the DNR fisheries department and the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center.
We learned from professionals from the DNR fisheries department and the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center.
Reminder: School will begin 2 hours late on Wednesday, October 8th.
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.
