PACT Pilot E-News | November 12

PACT honored Veterans Day with programs recognizing the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who have served our country. Nearly 300 veterans and families joined our students and staff for the tributes.

The programs featured remarks from Secondary teacher and U.S. Navy veteran Jason Tossey, Principals Dr. Lara Bronson and Dr. Shawn Lohse, and Superintendent Dr. Nathan Flansburg. Student speakers and moving musical performances made the day even more special, reminding us all of the importance of gratitude and remembrance.

Thank you to every veteran who joined us, and to all who have served. We are grateful for you. 

Congratulations to Ms. JoAnne Jankowski, Character Corner Teacher and Intervention Teacher, PACT’s October 2026 Employee of the Month! JoAnne has served PACT as a parent, a special education paraprofessional, and now a teacher.

In the Character Corner, she brings character development to life for K–2 students through music, dramatic play, and engaging lessons. She also provides literacy intervention for grades 3–5, meeting each student with compassion and flexibility.

Colleagues describe her as someone who is always asking where she’s needed and often steps in before anyone has to ask. Her energy is contagious, and her purpose is clear: making sure every student feels known, supported, and able to succeed. Please join us in congratulating JoAnne!

Current PACT families are welcome to join our Online Campus Info Session during Preview Night. Learn how our virtual learning pathway works and how it supports student success. This year, the Online Campus serves grades 6–10 and will expand to grades 6–11 for the 2027–2028 school year. Questions? Email Mr. Keefe, Online Campus Coordinator, at t.keefe@pactcharter.org. 

Please RSVP so we can plan for you. Find more details and the RSVP form at this link. 

The Panthers Booster Club’s newest sponsor, In the Game Pickleball and Golf, is hosting three open houses for PACT families. Try pickleball or the golf simulators, sign up for a free 30-minute beginner lesson, and enjoy free desserts from Baked by Camacho. Food and drinks will be available to buy. It’s also a chance to learn about memberships and event hosting. Questions? Contact the boosters at boosterclubpanthers@gmail.com. 

Due to a venue change, we are moving the Elementary Winter Concert dates to Monday, December 14 (Grades 3, 4, 5) and Tuesday, December 15 (Grades K, 1, 2) at the PACT Secondary Campus Auditorium. Please see the times below. We are excited to share our students' musical talents with the PACT community! The dress code for students is "fancy and festive." 

A neighboring business to PACT, NAU Country Ins, has asked us not to block their exits when their employees are leaving work. If you are waiting in the car pick-up line, please leave a gap at the NAU exit for their employees to exit. Thank you!

Eighteen PACT Charter School student-athletes earned All-Conference Academic honors from the Minnesota Classic Athletic Association (MCAA) for the fall season. To qualify, students must be on a varsity roster of an MCAA sport and earn a 3.5 grade-point average or higher in their most recent semester.

Congratulations to these Panthers for excelling in the classroom and in competition!

Please join us in congratulating Secondary Campus Custodian Scott Pacey on his retirement! At its November 5 meeting, the PACT School Board honored Scott for three years of keeping our school safe, clean, and welcoming, and for the kindness he has shown our students and staff every day.

Scott’s last day with PACT is November 25. If you see him around campus before then, be sure to thank him and wish him well!

Meet Mr. Jared Barsness! He teaches 11th-grade World History and 10th-grade Geography in person, and 8th-grade Global Studies and 10th-grade World History via PACT Online.

Mr. Barsness has enjoyed getting to know students online and sees the program as a fantastic opportunity for students who feel online school is the right fit. "It's a great opportunity for students who see online school as the right option for themselves to still be part of the PACT community!" He acknowledges that teaching online is different, but has been a positive experience.

When asked what helps online students succeed, Mr. Barsness points to discipline. With assignments due at the end of the week, it can feel like you have all the time in the world to finish them. He's taken several online classes in college and knows firsthand how important a routine is. He also remembers how good it felt to finish everything early and then enjoy the rest of the week without deadlines.

He tells students to get started early and not wait until the last minute. That way, you build the habit of getting it done, and it reduces the stress of doing it all at the end.

Thank you, Mr. Barsness, for helping our online students stay connected to PACT and for sharing your experience as an online learner.