Engineering Extravaganza By: Sidney Rice and Paige Smiskey

Thanks to the generosity of the Nordson Corporation, an instructor from the Minnesota Science Museum visited St. Peter School for a “Carnival of Engineering.” This included a Family Fun Night and Engineering Residency. MN Science Museum’s outreach program brings the museum to regional classrooms to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

On February 1, an instructor from the Science Museum visited St. Peter School. Each class participated in a fun science activity. The first and second graders built bridges with the process of engineering. The fifth through eighth grade students learned about wind tunnels. The third and fourth graders did a simpler version of the wind tunnel activity. They each made a contraption and were challenged to make it go up slowly, up quickly, down slowly, down quickly, or float. The whole school gathered together to talk about the steps of engineering and the speed of trains. The instructor showed us one of his creations which he made by using the steps of engineering. It was a traffic flashlight which is used in the science museum parking lot. Everyone had a blast and is looking forward to it again.

Blanket Making By: Grace Dachel

To start off the Lenten season

every year, the 5-8th graders make blankets in the church basement. The students cut and tied these blankets on Ash Wednesday (March 1). The students made these blankets to give to the Fire Department. The Fire Department in turn gives the blankets to people in need. For example, when someone’s house burns down, the fire department gives them a blanket and a few other goods.

With the money donated by the Christian Mothers, the students were able to make eleven blankets. Mrs. Carrie Geissler was also a big help; she prepared the blankets for the students and helped the students make them. Although some of the blankets were incorrectly tied and students needed to fix them, everyone still had fun.

Left: 5th and 6th grade students

Above : 7th and 8th grade students

Spring 2017

All Saints’ Day

By: Rachel Eisenreich

On All Saints’ Day, November 1, 2016, the students and teachers of St. Peter School dressed up like saints. At the beginning of October, Mrs. Stoffel assigned students saints to study. The 8th grade students and teachers were able to choose their saints. Most people used costumes from school, while others brought in their own. The students and teachers dressed like this for Mass and the school day. Some of the saints were well-known while others were less popular saints. Mrs. Christopher chose a student from each grade to explain who he/she dressed like. At the end of Mass, these students shared some important facts about their saint. Michael Herron, Aleah Bowe, Ryan Smiskey, Morgan Hilger, Emily Cooper, Andrew Plendl, Lilly Bohman, and Elizabeth Normand were the students chosen to tell about their saints. All of the students did a great job!

School Sports By: Paige Smiskey

The students at St. Peter School play many sports. The sports played in first through

eighth grades in the spring and fall include softball and football. Others include soccer and volleyball. In the winter, some students play basketball. In the summer, some students enjoy playing baseball. Some students play year- round sports, too. These include figure skating, swimming, and gymnastics. Good luck to all the athletes in their upcoming sports seasons.

St. Peter Student Body at All Saints Day

Fire Department Visit By: Sidney Rice

All of the students at St. Peter

School were surprised on October 13,,

2016, when the Tilden Volunteer Fire Department came to visit. They came to answer questions and tell the students what to do if there is a fire somewhere they are. The visit took place at the school, and the fire department brought their fire and equipment trucks. They showed the students some of the equipment like the face masks, extra hoses, helmets and so much more. They told the students how everything works and demonstrated how to use some of the equipment. Everyone had the chance to spray the fire hose and look at the fire trucks up close. The visit was a blast. In the end, everyone was treated to an ice cream treat. This is a visit the students look forward to every year.

Conservation Speeches By Peter Herron

On October 17, 2016, St. Peter’s school participated in the Chippewa County Conservation

Awareness Speaking Contest. These conservation speeches were speeches about how to improve our world. The students competed and the student whom the judges deemed best won. There were first, second, and third places. Students from St. Peter’s, along with St. Paul School from Bloomer, WI, shared their speeches in the St. Peter’s church basement. The students from St. Peter’s were Maria Herron, Lauren Weimert, Matthew Dachel, Will Zwickel, Becca Baier, Griffin Dachel, Gracie Wild, Paige Smiskey, Lilly Bohman, Peter Herron, and Sidney Rice. Speeches were judged in two groups: fifth and sixth grade students in one group and seventh and eighth grade students in the other. Will placed first in the fifth and sixth grade group. Lilly placed first and Gracie placed second in the seventh and eighth grade group. The students hope these speeches will make the world a better place.

Midnight Mass By: Isabelle Eslinger

Midnight Mass was held at St. Peter Church in Tilden. The fifth through eighth grade students along with some adults sang in the choir at Midnight Mass. Monsignor Gorman celebrated the Mass. The whole church was decorated with beautiful Christmas trees and lights. Midnight mass is a very traditional Mass that we celebrate each year. The choir sang very beautiful songs. Many different instruments were used including the guitar, drums, and trumpet. The Mass was a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Catholic Schools Are One in a Minion

By: Lilly Bohman & Grace Erickson

During the first week of February, Catholic Schools around the United States celebrated Catholic Schools Week. It was a very eventful week at St. Peter’s School. Monday was Jean Day, in addition, the students also got the benefit of wearing their favorite shirt. On Tuesday, the deanery schools all gathered at McDonell Central High School for Community Day. The theme was “Catholic Schools Are One in a Minion.” The students participated in an all school Mass, watched different short films, and engaged in a variety of fun activities. Wednesday, the Science Museum of Minnesota came and presented different science related activities to the classes. Thursday, the eighth grade students treated the teachers to lunch in the church basement for Teacher Appreciation Day. The theme was the 1950s. The menu included burgers and fries, and there was even a juke box with 50s music that the teachers could listen to. Finally, on Friday, the students were able to dress up for Student Appreciation Day. The students were served chicken strips for lunch. Catholic Schools Week was a very exciting week!

First Reconciliation By: Cheri-Grace Wild

The second grade students, Aleah Bowe, Gabby Quall, Maddie Erickson, and Hunter Hilger all made their First Reconciliation on December 10, 2016 at St. Peter Church. They were questioned about this special event. They were asked why they did it and they replied with, “Because it takes away sin,” and “It puts grace in our souls.” They were also asked how they did it. Aleah said she told her sins and it went fast. Maddie said that she stayed calm. Hunter said that it was kind of scary. Gabby said that she thought about Jesus. All of the second graders went on a retreat, and their favorite part was the diagram of a soul without sin, what happens to it with sin, and what confession does to the soul.

Carnival of Engineering By: Lilly Bohman & Paige Smiskey

Tuesday evening, January 31, 2017, an instructor from the Science Museum of Minnesota came to St. Peter’s for a “Carnival of Engineering.” Despite the snowy weather, over sixty students, parents, and community members joined this fun event. The main topic was engineering. Everyone learned the five steps engineers use: Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, and Repeat. There were many fun activities such as the “Cantilever Building Challenge” which had students stack blocks up and over to across an 18 inch span. The “Frog Flinger” had students adjust weight and tension to fling frogs onto lily pads. The “Giant Slide” showed how different size and texture changes how fast a stuffed animal slides. Engineering is everywhere. The Minnesota Science Museum tries to introduce engineering in a fun positive way so children both look forward to visiting the Museum in person and keep their minds open to science, math, and technical careers.

This event was funded by a grant received from the Nordson Corporation.

First Grade Favorites By: Elizabeth Normand

Since they are the new kids in school, I decided to set out and ask the first grade students what some of their favorite things about this school year have been. This is what was discovered:

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Favorite Thing To Do When Homework Is Done

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Favorite Thing To Do At Recess When There Is Snow

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The Fantastic Forensics Frenzy By: Andrew Hunt and Peter Herron

The fifth through eighth grade students of St. Peter’s School were assigned acting pieces that were performed on April 27. These skits were performed in the church basement. The pieces are short and do not take long to perform. The fifth grade students performed standing skits which are from a single person’s point of view and do not require people to move. The rest of the students performed acting pieces. The students were assigned their pieces to learn public speaking skills, and this is a fun way of doing just that. The students received these pieces a month beforehand. After that, the actors practiced their pieces to perfect their skits. The students had a lot of fun while learning public speaking skills.

Solo Ensemble By: Rachel Eisenreich and Elizabeth Normand

Every year, the 7th and 8th graders worked hard to perform songs at Solo Ensemble. This year, Solo Ensemble was held at Chi-Hi on April 1. Students performed and earned scores of a one or two on their performances. Peter H. and Drew H. performed the duet “Drunken Sailor” by Earlene Rentz and earned a two on this piece. In addition, Peter H. performed two piano solos: “Solace” by Scott Joplin and “Sonata Op. 49 No. 2” by Beethoven. He received a one and a star on “Solace.” The star with his score means that he was able to perform his piece at the Solo Ensemble State Competition! Peter also earned a one on the Beethoven piano piece. Rachel E., Elizabeth N., and Sidney R. performed the trio “Shalom to You My Friend” by Allen E. Naplen. Grace D. and Paige S. performed a duet entitled “Sing With Grace In Your Heart” while Isabelle E. and Gracie W. performed the same song. These trios and duets all received a score of one. Paige S. performed a vocal solo entitled “A Little Bit of Heaven” by J.K. Brennen and earned a score of one. Also performing a piano solo entitled “Indian Serenade” by Martha Mier, Paige earned a one. Gracie W. received a score of one when she performed a vocal solo entitled “My Mother Bids Me Bind My Hair” by Joseph Hayden. Even though practicing was sometimes difficult, the students enjoyed performing these pieces.

In the Spirit of Christmas

By: Andrew Hunt

On December 2nd, 2016, the 8th grade class of St. Peter’s went shopping after school. This was no ordinary shopping trip. That night, the 8th grade students of St. Peter School went shopping for a family who could not afford presents for their own children. The shoppers bought for a family of four children. The family was assigned by the Spirit of Christmas of Chippewa County. The class had a budget of $100 per child due to donations from school families. Overall, the program helped more than 500 families and 1,000 children have a happier Christmas. Maybe our good deed will inspire others to do something similar.

St. Peter Holy Herald Staff 7th grade: Lilly Bohman, Grace Dachel, Isabelle Eslinger, Paige Smiskey, Gracie Wild

8th grade: Rachel Eisenreich, Grace Erickson, Elizabeth Normand, Peter Herron, Drew Hunt, Sidney Rice

Advisor: Mrs. Dachel

Photos: 7th and

8th grade students

practicing for Solo

Ensemble

competition

Fun with Geography and Spelling Bees! By: Isabelle Eslinger and Gracie Wild The fifth through eighth graders competed in the

classroom spelling bee sponsored by Scripps National Spelling Bee. Twelve students qualified to participate in the next round of the spelling bee. Six of these students went on to a third round at the local spelling bee in the church basement. These students included: Will Zwickel, Rebecca Baier, Drew Hunt, Gracie Wild, Sarah Zwickel, and Isabelle Eslinger. The Spelling Bee pronouncer was Mrs. Kuss; her job was to give the students the words they needed to spell. This spelling bee was the longest in St. Peter’s School recent history with twenty-four rounds completed. After the twenty-four rounds were completed, Rebecca Baier won with Drew Hunt as the runner-up. Rebecca and Drew then traveled to Thorp to compete in the regional spelling bee. Well done spellers!

The fifth through eighth also tested their knowledge of geography by competing in the Geography Bee sponsored by National Geographic. Ten people qualified to compete in the second step of the Geography Bee. Carter Grill won with Will Zwickel as the alternate. Carter Grill took an online assessment to test his geography knowledge and to see if he qualified for the state-level competition. Great job geography students!

Above: Local Spelling Bee Participants:

Bottom: Sarah Zwickel, Rebecca Baier

Middle: Will Zwickel, Isabelle Eslinger

Top: Drew Hunt, Gracie Wild

Above: School Geography Bee Winner:

Carter Grill

Photos from 2016-2017