Heavy lifting with the best crew: High school students move our school's new flagpole into position.
Take Notice: A highly visible addition to our school lobby this year is the big screen TV, which keeps students, staff, families, and visitors informed of today’s happenings at Pawnee School including the lunch menu, birthdays, weekly schedule of meetings and events, important announcements and honor roll. Our yearbook editorial staff, Jordan Garcia and Bailey Loyd, are responsible for designing and producing the TV announcements. Every week, they produce an original and creative video that catches everyone’s eye and entertains as well as informs. Excellent job, Bailey & Jordan!
The results of the recent election have left the school district with one board member vacancy for a term of two years. If you meet the qualifications, and are interested in serving in this capacity, please let the district know by contacting the superintendent before December 11th.
Qualifications include being an eligible elector, having been a resident of the Pawnee School District for at least twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the election, and must not be term limited from prior board service.
Eligible Elector: An eligible elector is a person who on or before the date of election shall be 18 years of age or older, is a United States citizen, and is a resident of the State of Colorado and has resided in the school election precinct for at least 25 days prior to the election date and has registered to vote in the Office of the Clerk and Recorder of Weld County at least 29 days before the election. A person is ineligible to run for a school director position if he or she has been convicted of committing a sexual offense against a child.
Qualifications include being an eligible elector, having been a resident of the Pawnee School District for at least twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the election, and must not be term limited from prior board service.
Eligible Elector: An eligible elector is a person who on or before the date of election shall be 18 years of age or older, is a United States citizen, and is a resident of the State of Colorado and has resided in the school election precinct for at least 25 days prior to the election date and has registered to vote in the Office of the Clerk and Recorder of Weld County at least 29 days before the election. A person is ineligible to run for a school director position if he or she has been convicted of committing a sexual offense against a child.
Grover FFA members spent the day at the Rural Colorado Career Expo, joining schools from across northeastern Colorado for a full schedule of career exploration. The event featured nearly seventy employers, colleges, and organizations for students to visit. There were also opportunities connected to more than fifty internships and close to sixty employers who are currently hiring, making this one of the most comprehensive career events available to our region.
The day began with a welcome session in the ES French Theatre before students moved to the Event Center. This large space included businesses, colleges, workforce partners, and details about a two thousand dollar NJC scholarship that awards one thousand dollars per semester for one year.
Students then headed to the ES French Atrium where many booths focused on healthcare careers. They met with representatives from nursing homes, Banner Health, local hospitals, and private medical organizations. This rotation highlighted nursing and allied health pathways.
After lunch in the cafeteria, students continued to the Ballroom in the Hays Student Center. This area focused on service and community based fields including law enforcement, banking, social services, early childhood development, and several state agencies. Morgan Community College and CSU were present along with the Marines, the Army, Northeast Colorado BOCES, Weld County Probation, and a therapy dog who quickly decided that Camille was its favorite person of the day.
The afternoon wrapped up with a career coaching and interview etiquette session. Our students sat in the front row, asked questions, participated appropriately, and represented Pawnee with maturity. Several presenters and staff members went out of their way to praise how respectful, attentive, and responsible all of our students were compared to many of the other groups.
We were excited to learn that Pawnee students earned the “session hire” in three of the four rotations, standing out among more than seven hundred participants.
Isiah earned one, Sering earned one, and Aubrie earned two.
Our students made a strong impression everywhere they went and represented Pawnee with pride today.
Today the third and fourth grade started the research part of the "How Many Licks Does it Take to Get to the Tootsie Roll Center of a Tootsie Pop" science lab to introduce the scientific process. We had an outlier today; for the first time in doing this activity, one of the Tootsie Pops didn't have any Tootsie Roll! Talk about a fun way to learn some excitement with a lab!
The District Leadership Conference was held in Briggsdale on November 17 from 8:30 to 2:30, and our Grover FFA members had a full and productive day. Aya and Jadyn represented our chapter in Creed Speaking, with Aya earning a Silver rating after delivering a 100 percent accurate FFA Creed, and Jadyn earning Bronze. A big thank you goes to Mayson Cacciola for supporting our district by serving as a judge for the Creed Speaking competition.
Our members played an important role throughout the day as they helped facilitate the community service project. Students from across District 17 worked together to make tie blankets for Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and Grover students also helped run the college carousel workshops.
Throughout the conference, members had the chance to explore a wide range of hands-on career, leadership, and CDE workshop sessions. Standout favorites included the agricultural drone demonstration, where a drone the size of an ATV flew a precise spraying pattern over the area, the farrier workshop led by Dean Geesen, and the animal science workshop with an inside look at the process of Artificial Insemination taught by Dr. Brenda Haun and Bridget Rose. Students also enjoyed workshops with Travis of Hamblen Hats, Titan Machinery’s mini excavator challenge, Parliamentary Procedure basics, a Past State Officer workshop with Aiden Datteri, and an Auctioneering CDE session with Jess Nighswonger.
Several members won prizes in the drawing. The entire event was organized by the District 17. Our students walked away with new skills, new experiences, and a strong sense of connection with members from across the district.
We will be having Class/Club Pictures and Retakes tomorrow, November 13.
On Monday the 10th, the third and fourth grade took a trip to the turbines east of Grover. We learned how the turbines work, why they are important, and how they function. During the trip we also went to the point where Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska meet and to the highest point in Nebraska. Students studied some science and social studies while on this trip and gained some good knowledge, us adults learned things we never knew before, too!
Basketball Mini Skills Camp will be on THURSDAY this week instead of Tuesday.
Come join the Juniors for an afternoon of fun painting! This Saturday (11/15) at 1pm. $40 per person. We have a few spots left.
Proud moment: SawyerMalcom-Dunfee takes on a leadership role for FBLA District 1. Way to go, Sawyer! She was selected as the District 1 VP of Public Relations. This week, she officially met with the rest of the officer team from other schools including Eaton, Valley, Platte Valley, Roosevelt, Greeley Central, as they begin planning the District Conference in Greeley.
Turning ideas into reality: Our student entrepreneurs toured Laramie County Community College yesterday to see where their dreams can take them! Jordan Garcia and Isaiah Trujillo are pictured with the director of the Business Studio @ LCCC, a resource center for business owners and entrepreneurs. Jordan and Isaiah pitched their business ideas to LCCC personnel and received excellent feedback.
How can you tell reading is important? When the members of this motley crew are able to take a break in their shenanigans to read a book for Dr. Smith! Little late, but Happy Hallowe'en!
The district would like to express a great appreciation to those parents/guardians who participated in our reunification drill! We learned a few things we can adjust and improve on, and overall it went very well! Thanks again!
Parents and Guardians. It is NOW time for you to proceed to the Friendship Alliance Church to collect your students.
Our Reunification Drill has started. Students will be held in their rooms, followed by Securing our building, and finally loading buses and moving to the Friendship Alliance Church in Grover for Reunification. We will begin at approximately 1:30PM. Expect law enforcement presence.
• The line-up will be going North on Custer Street from the Post Office to Cheyenne
Avenue where you will turn right
• Proceed to the front of the Church, and wait in your car. Your student(s) will be
escorted to your car
• You will sign them out, and leave with them for the day.
If you are unable to participate in the drill, your students will be returned to school at about 3PM, and early release will occur for all students, including bus routes etc...Please note that in the case of an actual emergency evacuation and reunification your students will be held and taken care of at the reunification site until you arrive.
• The line-up will be going North on Custer Street from the Post Office to Cheyenne
Avenue where you will turn right
• Proceed to the front of the Church, and wait in your car. Your student(s) will be
escorted to your car
• You will sign them out, and leave with them for the day.
If you are unable to participate in the drill, your students will be returned to school at about 3PM, and early release will occur for all students, including bus routes etc...Please note that in the case of an actual emergency evacuation and reunification your students will be held and taken care of at the reunification site until you arrive.
Our final day at the National FFA Convention & Expo was full of celebration and reflection before beginning the long trip back to Colorado.
We started the morning early, joining thousands of members and guests for the American FFA Degree Ceremony to witness a record setting amount of FFA members receive their degrees. Because of the huge crowd of over 73,900, we found ourselves up on the 6th level of Lucas Oil Stadium, but it was worth it to witness such an honor. Only about 0.5 to 1 percent of all FFA members ever earn their American Degree, making it very prestigious.
After brunch, we returned to Lucas Oil Stadium for Session 7, where we had great seats for the final session. Our FFA members watched the retiring address of National FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider and the installation of the new National Officer Team. It was a powerful way to close out the week and send members home inspired for the year ahead.
In the afternoon, we loaded the bus and began our 16-hour trip home. We made a quick dinner stop along the way and will switch drivers overnight before making the final stretch back to Colorado.
This week has been full of learning, inspiration, new friendships, and memories that will last far beyond the miles traveled. We’re tired, grateful, and heading home with lots of new experiences and relationships to reflect on!
Safety Drill - You can also see this information in the November Newsletter.
As you are aware, the school practices all hazards drills with our students according to our site emergency plan. We have done a fire drill and a tornado drill so far this year, and are planning an evacuation drill with parent reunification on the afternoon of November 3rd. We are asking parents/guardians to take part in
this drill as you are available to see how a reunification would work in the case of an actual emergency
evacuation.
We hope to learn much from this drill and welcome input from you as a result of your
participation. The goal of the drill will be to move the student body to an alternate location and unite students with their parents/guardians as quickly and efficiently as possible.
On the day of the drill the district will begin with a made up scenario that will give students a chance to practice Standard Response Protocol; https://iloveuguys.org/The-Standard-Response-Protocol.html, to
include a Hold in their rooms, followed by Securing our building, and finally loading buses and moving to the Friendship Alliance Church in Grover for Reunification. We will begin at approximately 1:30PM. Please watch your phone for messages from the school for instructions for your part in the drill. The district uses email, phone messaging, and the Pawnee App notifications to send these kind of messages to you. Please make sure you are signed up for one of these and it is working. Notifications need to be turned on if you are using the Pawnee App. The message will relay information about proceeding to the reunification site, and directions to follow once you arrive. Watch for your notification about 2PM. Expect law enforcement presence.
• The line-up will be going North on Custer Street from the Post Office to Cheyenne
Avenue where you will turn right
• Proceed to the front of the Church, and wait in your car. Your student(s) will be
escorted to your car
• You will sign them out, and leave with them for the day.
If you are unable to participate in the drill, your students will be returned to school at about 3PM, and early release will occur for all students, including bus routes etc...Please note that in the case of an actual emergency evacuation and reunification your students will be held and taken care of at the reunification site until you arrive.
High school athletes will be transported from school to practice at 3PM as normal.
Please make yourself familiar with the map in this article and plan to help us with our drill if possible.
Thank you for your support!
You can also see this information in the November Newsletter.
As you are aware, the school practices all hazards drills with our students according to our site emergency plan. We have done a fire drill and a tornado drill so far this year, and are planning an evacuation drill with parent reunification on the afternoon of November 3rd. We are asking parents/guardians to take part in
this drill as you are available to see how a reunification would work in the case of an actual emergency
evacuation.
We hope to learn much from this drill and welcome input from you as a result of your
participation. The goal of the drill will be to move the student body to an alternate location and unite students with their parents/guardians as quickly and efficiently as possible.
On the day of the drill the district will begin with a made up scenario that will give students a chance to practice Standard Response Protocol; https://iloveuguys.org/The-Standard-Response-Protocol.html, to
include a Hold in their rooms, followed by Securing our building, and finally loading buses and moving to the Friendship Alliance Church in Grover for Reunification. We will begin at approximately 1:30PM. Please watch your phone for messages from the school for instructions for your part in the drill. The district uses email, phone messaging, and the Pawnee App notifications to send these kind of messages to you. Please make sure you are signed up for one of these and it is working. Notifications need to be turned on if you are using the Pawnee App. The message will relay information about proceeding to the reunification site, and directions to follow once you arrive. Watch for your notification about 2PM. Expect law enforcement presence.
• The line-up will be going North on Custer Street from the Post Office to Cheyenne
Avenue where you will turn right
• Proceed to the front of the Church, and wait in your car. Your student(s) will be
escorted to your car
• You will sign them out, and leave with them for the day.
If you are unable to participate in the drill, your students will be returned to school at about 3PM, and early release will occur for all students, including bus routes etc...Please note that in the case of an actual emergency evacuation and reunification your students will be held and taken care of at the reunification site until you arrive.
High school athletes will be transported from school to practice at 3PM as normal.
Please make yourself familiar with the map in this article and plan to help us with our drill if possible.
Thank you for your support!
You can also see this information in the November Newsletter.
Today was packed with experiences that showed just how many different paths agriculture can connect to.
We started the morning at Chip Ganassi Racing, where we learned about the teamwork, precision, and technology that go into professional racing. Each car costs around $1 million before engines or tires are even added, and it takes a crew of about 120 people to keep the team running while on the road.
Next came Session 5 inside Lucas Oil Stadium, with more than 69,000 FFA members and guests in attendance. Students watched proficiency awards, Agriscience Fair recognitions, and heard the retiring address from National FFA Officer Jack Lingenfelter, titled “What Do You Believe?” He challenged everyone to think about what they believe about themselves and to remember that we’re valued no matter how we perform. Jack shared how real purpose comes from stepping out of our comfort zones to serve and love others, even when it costs us something. His message reminded everyone that “no storm can shake you when you know what you believe.”
Dinner tonight was something special — a Brazilian steakhouse experience at Fogo de Chão. Students sampled a variety of meats carved tableside and enjoyed a memorable evening together before heading to the Indiana Pacers game.
The Pacers didn’t come out on top, but our students had the unique opportunity to shoot a free throw on the court after the game!
It’s been a long week, but the memories, friendships, and experiences made on this trip are what FFA is all about.
We started our morning at Conner Prairie, a 1,000-acre living history museum in Fishers, Indiana. Even though the winds kept us grounded from riding the big helium balloon, it was still a great stop and a perfect example of hands-on history.
FFA members walked through the 1836 Prairietown, where costumed interpreters showed what daily life looked like in early Indiana. They had the opportunity to watch blacksmithing, pottery, weaving, trading, and farming demonstrations, and see the William Conner House while learning about the Lenape people who once lived along the White River and thrived using various technologies.
The balloon exhibit itself was fascinating even though we couldn't go up; its helium design connects modern science to history that stretches back to the Civil War and World War I, when balloons were used for military observation. It was a great reminder of how innovation, agriculture, and history are all tied together.
In the afternoon, we spent time at the National FFA Expo, where students visited dozens of college and career booths, checked out ag-related exhibits, and even saw a four-legged robot designed for the U.S. Army by Boston Dynamics.
We wrapped up the night at the FFA Rodeo, where our members got to see a trick rider, bronc and bull riding, and hear from announcer Roger Mooney, who shared how FFA helped him overcome a childhood stutter and led to a career in the rodeo world.
The day ended with a loud, happy bus ride—always a good sign. By mid-week, it’s amazing to watch students from across the trip start making new friends and memories that’ll last a lifetime.
