Pioneer Press

Holiday Issue Pioneer Press

Volume 3, Issue 2 December 18, 2020

Holiday Giving
By: Selma Burtnett

This year marked the 20th annual food drive. This school tradition
was started by Mrs. Symons and is continuing on! If you don’t
know what the food drive is, it is where the students and family
members bring in non-perishable foods to school for struggling
families around our area. Food was e dropped off at the office, or
brought to the grade-level classrooms.
Non-perishable items included; canned goods, cereal, pasta, and
many more. To make it more interesting, a challenge was created
between the grade-levels. This year, the prize is an extra recess
provided by Mr Hilts.
Fourth grade collected and kept track of all the donated food. It is
then distributed to local families in time for the holidays.
Congratulations to our 4th graders this year! Who brought in 117
donated items! In total, the elementary school brought in 350 items
for the food drive! Way to go everybody!
Thank you to all that donated! Happy Holidays!

Holiday Concert: Need to Know 1
By: Mackenzie Delfosse & Alexis Staats

This year the Holiday Concert is going to look a little bit different, from songs being more winter themed to
Ms. Angelo filming the kids singing.
Ms. Angelo will be filming A and B groups singing their holiday songs, then edit the songs together. She will
send the whole video to parents and the community. We are going to be expecting the videos to come out
some time after the new year.
The theme of all of the music is peace and making a difference. Each grade level will have their own video,
featuring their song. The songs that will be performed are:

- 1st grade: “Just One Candle”
- 2nd grade: “Make a Difference”
- 3rd grade: “Sing for Peace”
- 4th grade: “Shine a Light for Peace”
- 5th grade: “Many Children, One World”
Not only are the grades going to be singing, they are going to be holding props for their videos that
represent parts of the song that they are singing. For example, in 2nd grade, the kids are holding signs that
they made about how they can make a difference. In 4th grade, they will be holding candles to “shine a
light.” We are very excited to see the hard work of everyone!

Ice Everywhere!
By: Abby Rock

With winter coming soon, and snow and ice on the way, there are many outdoor activities that you
can do around the world. One of these are ice sculpting. Check out what Sturgeon Bay, and places

around the world can do with ice!

Sturgeon Bay Sculptures

Next year, on Saturday, February 13, professional ice and snow
carvers will be joined by ambitious ice carvers for the annual carving
competition. As the day wears on, simple blocks of ice and snow will
be transformed into unique sculptures. Many families come to visit
the breathtaking attractions and to do some local shopping.
Other icy attractions in Door County include Cave Point, a county
park. Many spectacular views are accessible from the grounds, while
a moderately difficult trail leads the park to Whitefish Dunes State
Park.

Ice Castles

Ice Castles is an award-winning frozen attraction located in four cities across
North America. The castles are built using hundreds of thousands of icicles
hand-placed by the best professional ice artists. The castles include stunning
LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones,tunnels carved out if ice, slides, and much
more. Ever since 2011, Ice Castles has been dedicated to creating an memory
that will be cherished for long after leaving. To learn more about the Ice
Castles, visit https://icecastles.com/.

Swedish Ice Hotel

Icehotel is a hotel in Sweden, and it is completely carved out of ice and
snow. The temperature inside an ice hotel room is usually around 23 to 25
degrees Fahrenheit. It can be considered an art exhibition with
ever-changing art made out of ice and snow. Icehotel is created in a new
form every winter, thoroughly made out of ice from Torne River, one of
Sweden’s national rivers. When the winter suites have melted back into the
river in spring, a part of the hotel still stands, a wing where visitors can
experience the ice and snow all year-round.

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Featured Story

Nanga the Gnome
By: Abby Rock

Hello, my name is Nanga. I am a gnome, or more specifically, a tomte. A tomte is
a type of gnome. I know that you are probably thinking that I have the most
boring life ever, and that you should not waste your time reading about it. Let me
tell you: that is an incorrect statement. Very incorrect. My life is, actually, very
fun-filled. In fact, a very interesting thing recently happened to me. Let me take
you back….
I was sleeping when I was urgently woken up to a violent shaking of my hat. I
hate when anybody touches my hat, so I woke up immediately. I saw my best
friend staring down at me. She is also a tomte.
“What is it? Is it really so important that you need to shake my hat!?” I
questioned.
“Yes, it is. My locket is gone!” Zana, my friend, answered.
“Gone? Really? Gone? It can’t be!”
“But it is! I searched everywhere.”
Zana’s locket is magical. It holds all the magic of keeping all tomtes safe, by giving them magical
food and other necessities. If an evil person is in possession of it, all tomtes could die. I was
determined to save myself and all my friends.
“We need to get it back. Now!”
The moment we left the house, we felt the signal of the locket leading us to the miniature juniper
plant in a burgundy pot. Together, me and Zana were able to lift it. It was extremely heavy, and it
slipped from us, crashing on the porch. There, in the soil, we saw Zana’s locket! She carefully lifted
it out, checking for bugs, cameras, or mini microphones. As soon as she was convinced there was
nothing, she brought it to her face and hugged it, as I had seen her do so many times before.
I was relieved to have the locket back, but I heard someone coming down the street. Quickly, we
went inside.
I am overjoyed to have the locket back. I will always remember this day, and will always wonder
who and why the locket was under the pot. But for now, I had better look like a statue; my owners
are coming in. Until next time!

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Fun Holiday Recipes
By: Mackenzie Delfosse

As you know, with everything going on with Covid, many people will be staying home for the
holidays. With that in mind, here are some ideas for treats that you could make during winter break.

Buckeye Balls Puppy Chow

If you are a peanut butter lover, you will Puppy chow is something that kids
love buckeye balls. would love, because it tastes good

Ingredients: and you can make it quickly.

● 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter Ingredients:
● ½ cup butter, softened
● 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ● 9 cups Chex Mex cereal
● 4 cups sifted powdered sugar ● ½ cup peanut butter, creamy
● 6 ounces chocolate chips ● 1 cup chocolate chips
● 2 tablespoons shortening ● 1 ½ cups powdered sugar

Directions: Directions:

Step 1 Step 1
Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside. In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate;
Step 2 add peanut butter and mix until smooth.
In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter, butter, Step 2
vanilla, and confectioners' sugar with hands to Remove from heat, add cereal and stir until
form a smooth stiff dough. Shape into balls using coated.
2 teaspoons of dough for each ball. Place on Step 3
prepared pan, and refrigerate. Pour powdered sugar into large plastic bag, add
Step 3 coated cereal and shake until well coated. Store
Melt shortening and chocolate together in a in airtight container.
metal bowl over a pan of lightly simmering
water. Stir occasionally until smooth, and
remove from heat.
Step 4
Remove balls from refrigerator. Insert a wooden
toothpick into a ball, and dip into melted
chocolate. Return to wax paper, chocolate side
down, and remove toothpick. Repeat with
remaining balls. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to
set.

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What DoFYuonuHDoolidOavyerRetchiepeHsolidays?

Rice Krispie Trees Peanut Butter Blossoms

These rice krispie treats are a fast, easy These peanut butter blossoms are tiny,
treat. You don't even have to put them but flavorful, with a cute little Hershey's

in the oven. Kiss on the top.

Ingredients: Ingredients:

● 3 tablespoons butter ● ½ cup sugar
● 1 package (10 oz) marshmallows ● ½ cup brown sugar
● ¼ teaspoon green food coloring ● ½ cup creamy peanut butter
● 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal ● ½ cup butter, softened
● 2 tablespoons multi-colored sprinkles ● 1 egg
● 14 candy confetti stars ● 1 ½ cups flour
● 14 pretzel sticks ● ¾ teaspoon baking soda
● ½ teaspoon baking powder
Directions: ● Extra sugar
● Hershey’s Kisses
Step 1
Microwave butter in large microwaveable bowl Directions:
on HIGH 45 sec. or until melted. Add
marshmallows; toss to evenly coat. Microwave Step 1
1-1/2 min. or until marshmallows are completely Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, beat 1/2 cup
melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after granulated sugar, the brown sugar, peanut
45 sec. Stir in food coloring. butter, butter and egg with electric mixer on
Step 2 medium speed, or mix with spoon, until well
Remove cereal mixture from pan. Cut lengthwise blended. Stir in flour, baking soda and baking
in half to form 2 long rectangles, then cut each powder until dough forms.
rectangle diagonally into 6 triangles to resemble Step 2
Christmas trees. Press 2 scrap pieces from ends of Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in additional
each rectangle together to make additional tree. granulated sugar. On ungreased cookie sheets,
(You will have 14 trees.) place about 2 inches apart.
Step 3 Step 3
Press confetti star into top of each tree. Insert Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light
pretzels into bottoms of trees for the trunks. golden brown. Immediately press 1 milk
chocolate candy in center of each cookie.
Remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack.

I hope that you will try some of these fun Holiday treats. I know that I will make some of 5
them. I think that the best treat, but also the hardest treat to make, is Rice Krispie
Christmas trees. In the end, they will look beautiful and taste delicious.

What’s Going On?

PTO T-Shirts Ugly Sweater Art Contest
By: Judah Ortmayer By: Judah Ortmayer

Have you wondered who made the design for the Do you know what the ugly sweater contest is? Have
front of the Pioneer Pride T-shirt that all of us got you wanted to know how the ugly sweater contest
from the PTO? Well, Graham from fifth grade works and how people vote?
designed the front of the shirt and Isaac from The ugly sweater contest is a design and coloring
sixth-grade designed the back of the shirt. They contest of holiday themed sweaters, it is open to the
did this as part of a T-Shirt design contest held 4th and 5th grade. The contest is optional, but if you
last Spring. do it, your sweater has to have an original idea, has to
Graham designed the t-shirt during last spring's be neatly done, colored in Mrs. Krueger’s level three
quarantine. He came up with the idea by and four expectations, it has to be festive, and has to
combining ideas from several other t-shirt until he have your NAME ON THE BACK! Mrs. Krueger goes
got the design that won. over all the entries and picks the finalists. Then, the
third grade votes on a winner. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
place get an art related prize.
The sweaters have to be
turned in by December
18th. We can’t wait to see
all the entries!

What to Do Over Break
By: Tyce Olsen

Do you need some ideas to have fun outside this winter? Are you finding yourself bored in winter, because you 6
are stuck inside? Well, you are in luck, because below is a great list of activities to do outside. So without
further ado, let's get on with the “snow.”
Go Sledding! Hole 17 at Peninsula State Park Golf Course has a fun sledding hill. Or you
can make your own snow hill! After it snows, look for an area where the snowplow left a hill,
and go sledding there! Don’t have a hill...try surf sledding. Running really fast, jump on
your sledding and enjoy the ride!
Build a Snow Fort! Building a snow fort can be done by just one person or many people. Grab some friends
and make a game out of it, or build one by yourself and go into hiding.
Try Ice Skating! Sturgeon Bay ice rink is open daily. If you have never gone ice skating,
now is the time to try! There are many games you can play on the ice, like hockey and
broomball. It may seem tricky at first, but it can be a lot of fun!
Need a few more ideas? Go snowmobiling, go tobogganing, snowshoeing, or even build a snowman. Just get
outside and have fun! Go play with your cousins, friends, or family members. Enjoy these winter activities
and have a Holly Jolly winter!

EcoLab Updates
By: Everett Luedtke

In our last article, we mentioned that some classes
are doing projects at the EcoLab. In this article
we will dig deeper and let you know what the 5th,
2nd, and kindergarten classes are doing. We will
be focusing on the projects they are working on
and their progress.
The fifth grade is making an EcoLab-BINGO
game for the lower grades. On the BINGO boards,
there will be photographs of plants that the fifth
grade has found at the EcoLab, as well as a short
description of the plants. There will also be a map
showing where you can find the plants on the
back of the BINGO board. When you find the
plant, you cross the plant off on your
BINGO-board. This project has been completed
and will be ready to share when we come back in
January. They also did a project with finding
letters in nature at the EcoLab, and spelled their
names.
The second grade did the Halloween trick or treat
project, and although nothing is planned yet, they
would like to do an event in the snow, and a
spring project. It will be exciting to see what they
do. Mrs. Grooters says, “She wants people to learn
from these events.”
The kindergarten classes go to the EcoLab every
Wednesday, much like the fifth graders. At the
Ecolab, they have been collecting pine cones to
make bird feeders for the birds in the winter. They
also did a nature scavenger hunt at the EcoLab.
It looks like the EcoLab is pretty busy with
school projects. Don’t forget, you can visit the
EcoLab anytime to hike the trails, study the
plants, and enjoy the fresh air.

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Fun Holiday Traditions
By: Autumn Sargent & Jack Haen

Does your family have any crazy traditions? Well, here
are a few traditions you may or may not have heard of.

Secret Santa is in December and leading up to Christmas
(December 25). You start with a small group of people,
friends and family, and each person picks someone to buy
a gift for secretly. The friends and family get together and
exchange the gifts. The point is to try to guess who got
you the gift.

White Elephant is a silly exchange where you can get a
gift that is easily bought and is inexpensive. When you
get a gift, you unwrap it, and your turn ends. The next
person can either choose to steal the gift that the you just
opened, or they can steal a gift from someone else who
has already opened their gift. Once a gift is stolen three
times, it cannot be stolen anymore. Then, the game
continues until everyone has a gift.

Elf on the shelf is an elf that watches over you and reports
to Santa. Each night the elf visits Santa and reports your
if you have been good or bad, then the elf is in a new spot
when you wake up. The elf may sometimes even do silly
things while you are sleeping. On Christmas night, the elf
leaves and goes back to the North Pole until next year.

These are a few examples of family activities that you can
enjoy this holiday season. There are many more out
there!

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Holiday Traditions Changing
By: Willa Snyder

Have you ever wanted to know more about our teachers, staff, and students' holiday life? Like all
things, holiday traditions will be changing this year. Read on to find out how some of our elementary
school pioneer’s holiday traditions are changing!

Mr. Hilts was going to spend the holidays with his in-laws and all his family in Port
Washington, Wisconsin. With Covid 19 on the rise, they will be watching the
amount of cases to help them decide what to do. His family normally does
participate in Black Friday shopping, but this year they might not do it, because of
all the cases in Wisconsin.

Mrs. Rikkola usually spends the holidays making cookies and spending time with
her family in Melon, Wisconsin. She loves to go to church on Christmas Eve. This
year she will not travel for the holidays. Due to all the changes this year, it will be
the first year that the Rikkola family will be celebrating Christmas at home. Can
you believe she has never had Christmas at her house?

Mr. Bothwell, known as Mr. B, usually has a big family gathering for the holidays
with more than 50 people. Every year he spends the day before Thanksgiving at a
buffet restaurant, but this may look different this year. He usually doesn’t do Black
Friday, so that won’t change much for him. Christmas is a different story for Mr. B.
His family plays games that include stealing gifts from each other. All these fun
activities that Mr. B usually does in person, will now most likely be taking place
virtually. Although he will still get to see his family, it will definitely feel different!

Brooklyn Ayer, fourth-grader, usually goes back to Central Wisconsin, near
Wausau, to spend time with her family. This year, she couldn’t go back for
Thanksgiving, so instead Brooklyn stayed home with her mom and dad and had a
“mini” Thanksgiving dinner and her and her mom decorated for Christmas. For
Christmas, they usually go back to to Central Wisconsin to spend time with her
family. This includes Christmas Eve day at her Grandma Judy’s house, and
Christmas Eve at her Dad’s uncle’s, where Santa visits every year! On Christmas
Day, her mom’s whole family comes over and they eat and exchange gifts! Brooklyn
hopes that they can still do that this year.

I know some of you have changed traditions this year, so you can understand the stress that these 9
changes can bring during the holiday season. Hopefully, you will all be able to enjoy the holidays the
best you can this season!

Silly Staff

Meet Our Elves

By: Alexis Staats & Kaile VanDenBogart

Did you know that teachers can have an Elf
name? Well, they can! Here are a few teachers’
elf names, and their origin stories.

Meet “Adventurous
Twinkle Toes,” also
known as Mr. Hilts.
He got his name,
because after every
student leaves he
sneaks about
tiptoeing through
the hallway. Why
do you ask? He wants to make sure all his
elves are getting their presents in a row.

Welcome Lastly, meet “Sweet
“Adventurous Happy Sparkle Pants” or Ms.
Feet,” also known as Bortle. She likes really
Mrs. Neuman. She got sparkly things, but
her name because particularly pants. Her
everytime you see her classroom looks like a
in the hallway she is shaken up snowglobe.
dancing or doing cool She is the sparkle
moves. The students princess!

in her classroom can be found jingling all the
way with her.

If you want to find your elf name, or your teachers; check out the elf name chart to find a
fun elf name of your own!

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