News

Dickinson Elementary School in De Pere was selected as one of 35 schools nationwide to receive resources from the American Heart Association and the National Football League to a conduct an NFL PLAY 60 Day of Play on Wednesday, April 23, just ahead of the start of the NFL Draft in Green Bay. 

Dickinson was also one of 3 schools in the US to receive a $2,500 NFL PLAY 60 grant to enhance the planned activities. All 35 schools receive an NFL PLAY 60 Day of Play interactive kit packed with footballs, frisbees, jump ropes, kickballs, fitness dice, cones and markers, along with a Day of Play School activation guide, featuring exercise video content, game and challenge ideas, heart-health video modules and activity suggestions. 

“These resources transformed our school into an active play zone, ensuring every child could engage in fun, physical heart-healthy activities,” says Dickinson Principal Luke Herlache.  “Students had the opportunity to join in games, challenges and exercises while learning about heart health. The experience aimed to make health and wellbeing fun and to inspire students to take charge of their health.”

Korren Jewitt, Midwest Development Director for the American Heart Association (AHA) said the NFL PLAY 60 initiative is rooted in AHA science and research that shows children who develop healthy habits have a better chance of a healthy adulthood. 

“The NFL and the AHA have been teaming up since 2006 to inspire kids through fun and engaging ways to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. The impact of physical activity on overall mental and physical wellness is essential to help children grow to

reach their full potential,” she notes.

“At Dickinson, and throughout the Unified School District of De Pere, we believe in creating a foundation of health and wellness that lasts a lifetime. The NFL PLAY 60 Day of Play was an incredible opportunity for our students to experience the joy of movement while learning about the importance of staying active and caring for their hearts,” Joe Prange, Dickinson Elementary physical education teacher.

“We were excited to see our students engage in this fun and educational event, and we’re grateful for the American Heart Association and NFL for providing these resources that will inspire lasting healthy habits.”

Last August, Dickinson Elementary was the winner of a drawing for a $10,000 gymnasium makeover through Finn's Mission—part of the AHA's Kids Heart Challenge Program. During the 2023-2024 school year Dickinson students, staff and families were invited to learn the four signs of stroke and hands-only CPR. For every 18 members of the school community who completed the mission, the school was entered into the drawing. Makeover plans will be finalized in the coming months.
 

 He’s played high school athletics as well as attended several major professional sporting events, including three Green Bay Packers games. 

“That was a really cool experience,” he said. 

Pinto is proof that Packers fandom extends across oceans and continents. “I have been a Packers fan for a long time,” he said. “My Dad started cheering for the Packers because of Aaron Rodgers, but he’s still a fan (now).”

He also credits his father with encouraging him to understand and speak English. 

“I always watch (English-speaking) movies and TV shows with my Dad,” said Pinto, rattling off a list of his favorites including TV series The Office and Breaking Bad and films Star Wars, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Beverly Hills Cop.

“When he was younger, my Dad did an exchange year in New York state and it was amazing for him,” Pinto said. “It’s very important knowing a language that almost all other countries speak as their second language. It opens up a lot of job opportunities.”

Whereas Brazil is known worldwide as a soccer powerhouse, and Pinto did play on the Redbirds’ JV team last fall, he admits it’s not his favorite sport. He prefers playing beach tennis, which is much like sand volleyball, only with a tennis racquet and ball. 

The net stands 5 feet, 7 inches high and the goal is to keep the ball from hitting the sand. Pinto and his friends often play doubles, and he’s won several tournaments in his city. 

“I think it’s easier than regular tennis,” he said. “It’s a sport for everyone.”

Family: The Kerbel family is hosting Pinto. After the school year, he’ll return to the Brazilian state of Sao Paolo, to a city called Guaratingueta (population: 120,000) where he lives with his parents and two older brothers. Their family also owns a large farm a short drive from their home. Pinto enjoys spending time there with the goats, cows, pigs and herding dogs. 

Favorite classes: Foods Around the World and Baking & Pastry. His Brazilian high school doesn’t offer those types of elective classes. Speaking of food: Pinto has grown fond of Reese’s Puffs cereal while in the U.S. He also enjoys trips to Culver’s.

“I love cheese curds, but the burgers are the best,” he said. He misses certain Brazilian foods such as the acai bowl, similar to ice cream with fruit toppings. 

An encounter with two idols: Pinto attended a Milwaukee Bucks game against the Golden State Warriors, his favorite NBA team. It was a memorable experience, as after the game Warriors star Steph Curry signed Pinto’s shirt. He also met Gui Santos, a native of Brazil who plays power forward for Golden State. 

“I called my Dad instantly, I was so happy,” Pinto said. 
 

The Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to improve teaching about the United States Constitution in secondary schools. The fellowship provides up to $24,000 toward a master’s degree with a concentration in American history, government, or political science. A key component of the program is the Summer Institute on the Constitution, “The Foundations of American Constitutionalism,” held at Georgetown University, where fellows engage in intensive study of the Constitution and collaborate with educators  and constitutional scholars from across the country. 

Weber has taught World History, US History and Philosophy at De Pere High School since 2022. She previously taught at De Pere Middle School.

 

The news of his appointment came unexpectedly: Aaron was traveling with the De Pere High School Mock Trial team to state competition in Madison and had stopped at Culver's for lunch when his phone rang. It was U.S Rep. Tony Wied calling. Aaron was nominated by Wied and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson.

"When I was in elementary school and first saw the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the National Guard at Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport, I immediately knew I wanted to be involved in operations like that," says Aaron.  "I set a goal of going to the Air Force Academy five years ago when we drove past the academy on a family road trip, and I have worked on becoming qualified since then."

Attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

"I am looking forward to a lot of things but the biggest is the opportunity to grow as a leader and serve the mission of the Air Force: 'To fly, fight, and win... airpower anytime, anywhere'," Aaron notes. "My goal is to become a pilot and be ready to help protect America's interests."

Aaron credits De Pere High School teachers Mrs. Mirkes, Mr. McGill, Mrs. Van Remortel, Mrs. Hawley and Mr. Jorgenson, as well as guidance counselor Marcy Becker for helping him navigate the coursework and activities that would lead to a successful application. He is also grateful to city of De Pere Recreation Supervisor Chelsea Moberg, the two members of Congress who nominated him, and many others who helped him prepare for interviews and edited his essays.

"Together, they all let me grow into the person I am today. I also want to thank my parents as they have helped me with interview prep, essays and raised me to be who I am."

Aaron is slated to report for Basic Cadet Training on June 25, but plans to arrive a few days early to acclimate to the altitude in Colorado Springs.