Giving in Action

The Site Base Committee created a comprehensive plan to outfit classrooms for older kids with "Smart Boards" and classrooms for younger kids with Sound Field Systems (if you aren't familiar with these tools, it's worth stopping by the school and seeing them for yourself). PIE has used a significant portion of the funds raised each year to speed up the implementation of Site Base's technology plan and get these technology tools in the hands of your kids' teachers.

 

Each year, PIE provides the opportunity for all students to spend some up-close time with unique educators. For example, one year, the Minnesota Science Museum presented a residency that revolved around applying problem-solving skills and scientific processes to solve a fictional, non-violent crime complete with suspects, evidence and an intriguing story. Another year, an art themed residency focused on sculpting with clay. No matter what the subject, the entire school is involved from the school assembly level down to the classroom level. 

 

One of our goals is to fund a field trip or lyceum for every student. While curricula may change from time to time, here is what PIE traditionally funds each year. .

 

Kindergarten - Field trip to Gale Wood Farm in Minnetrista

Gale Woods is a 410-acre park that features a working educational farm. The farm provides opportunities for visitors of all ages to enjoy experiences that enhance their understanding of agriculture, food production and land stewardship. For more information, go to Gale Wood Farm.

 

1^st Grade - Lyceum with the “Bug Guy”

Each first grade class is ENTO-tained for about 50 minutes by Dr. Bruce Giebink, an entomologist. His program features a blend of show and tell, storytelling, interesting facts, and fun hands-on activities, including some edible bugs!

 

2^nd Grade - Field trip to the Minnesota History Center

Students got a taste of what it was like to be a kid in Minnesota 100 years ago, including the chores kids did, such as tending the garden, stacking firewood, and emptying chamber pots! For more information, go to www.mnhs.org/historycenter/index.htm.

 

3^rd Grade - Weather Assembly

 

4^th Grade - Field trip to Orchestra Hall and the Minnesota Center for Book Arts - Students attend a concert at Orchestra Hall in the morning, and learn about past and present book-making techniques at the Center for Book Arts, including making their own books. For more information, go to www.minnesotaorchestra.org/orchestra_hall/index.cfm, and www.mnbookarts.org.

 

Another of our goals is to support the school’s I Love to Read Month by inviting an author or illustrator to spend time with our students and discuss his/her experiences of being an author and how ideas develop into stories.  

 

Family Fun Night is an activity we sponsor to help create an atmosphere of involvement within the Elementary School community. Elementary and pre-school aged children come and play various sports with their friends, and also interact with their classmates and teachers in an environment that is very different from the classroom. Parents come too, not only to play with their children, but also to meet other parents.

 

The monetary costs of renting the Tiger Moonwalk (our most popular attraction) are generally offset by the money made from concessions. However, it takes a great deal of volunteer effort and planning. Thanks to all who volunteer!

   

Classroom teachers and Art Adventures volunteers have access to a centrally located supply of art materials including paint, chalk, glitter, paper, beads… the list goes on and on. We are excited to have all of these supplies available to help develop creativity in our students.

 

In addition, here are some of the special projects PIE has funded in previous years.

 

We now have secure, convenient, permanent storage for our playground equipment! Thanks to collaborative field improvement project between the City of Delano and our school district, a concession stand/warming house was built near our main playground. PIE contributed money towards this project to have a section of this building partitioned off for elementary playground equipment storage.

Paved paths were also part of the field improvement project. PIE pitched in to have a paved path built that provides “mud free” access between the school, the playground storage shed, and parking lot play surface.

 

Without the time and efforts of the families in our school community, these things would never be possible! Thank you!!