A Message from Principal McKenzie
Pioneer Elementary Families,
Last month was busy! As we returned from winter break, we spent time reviewing the Pioneer PATH with students, which is: Pioneers Are Trailblazers! Here we are Respectful, Responsible and Safe. Our school took time to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in class activities and assemblies. Our 4th grade students participated in a special field trip to Junior Achievement, learning financial literacy skills, and visited Auburn HS for a Link Up music performance. Our 5th grade basketball program began, and students have been practicing for games against other ASD elementary schools. Additionally, students have been participating in iReady assessments, helping them see their progress in reading and math.
In February, students in K-5th grades participate in DIBELS (reading) assessments. Teachers use the information from this assessment to adjust their instruction for students during small group reading time. Our Multi-Lingual students who are learning English will also be completing the WIDA assessment this month. This assessment monitors English language proficiency. You can support your student by communicating your belief in their abilities, making sure they receive a good night's sleep and getting them to school on time each day.
It is hard to believe we are already at the halfway point in the school year! We are excited to see the progress our students are making. Thank you for all you do to support your child's education.
Sincerely,
Paul McKenzie
Principal, Pioneer Elementary
- Monday, February 5: 1-hour late start (School Starts at 9:45am)
- Thursday, February 8: 5th Gr. Boys & Girls Basketball Games at Bowman Creek Elementary (starting at 4:15pm)
- Monday, February 12: 1 Hour Late Start (School Starts at 9:45 am)
- Tuesday, February 13: 5th Gr. Boys & Girls Basketball Games at Pioneer Elementary (starting at 4:15pm)
- Thursday, February 15: 5th Gr. Boys & Girls Basketball Games at Dick Scobee Elementary (starting at 4:15pm)
- NO SCHOOL - Mid-Winter Break: February 19-23
- Monday, February 26: 1 Hour Late Start (School Starts at 9:45 am)
- Tuesday, February 27: 5th Gr. Boys & Girls Basketball Games at Evergreen Heights Elementary (starting at 4:15pm)
- Thursday, February 29: 5th Gr. Boys & Girls Basketball Games at Pioneer Elementary (starting at 4:15pm)
The ASD has a four-year Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy on the February 13 ballot. Voting is all-mail and ballots must be postmarked by February 13.
The proposed levy replaces the 2020 levy that expires this year and makes up 14% of the ASD budget. Funds from the levy are used for: all athletics and activities and transportation to these events; special education programs and transportation; staffing for positions underfunded by the state including nurses, safety officers, school resource officers, psychologists, librarians; and extended learning opportunities.
The district will collect no more than $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation and the overall school tax rate will remain stable. Detailed information about the levy is available on the ASD district website at www.auburn.wednet.edu/2024levy
Please remember to vote!
Pioneer is one of the largest elementary schools in ASD!
To ensure safety and improve efficiency in our arrival and dismissal procedures, please review and follow these procedures. CLICK HERE to review our arrival and dismissal reminders.
Thank you for your help!
If your student is missing a jacket, sweatshirt or water bottle, please stop by the office and ask to visit our “Lost and Found” to check for their missing item.
We encourage families to write their child’s name inside of their jackets and sweatshirts, as this makes it easier for students to find their items.
Please encourage your student to wear a jacket (with a hood) and shoes (not sandals, slides or flip flops) to school. We try to keep recess outside for students as much as possible, and these clothing items will help keep them warm and dry. If your child is in need of a winter coat, please email Mr. Moyer, Family Engagement Liaison, at nmoyer@auburn.wednet.edu.
When to Send Your Student to School and Medication Use at School
This time of year, when the weather is cold and wet, students often develop a sore throat and cough. Many times, the student is well enough to attend school with these minor complaints.
If your child has a fever of 100.4 or higher, remember they must be fever free for 24hrs WITHOUT the use of fever reducing medication before they may return to school. If your student’s cough is persistent throughout the day, please consider keeping them home until the cough improves. Students with a deep persistent cough often do not have a productive day at school and it can be a disruption to the class.
It may seem harmless to send your student to school with a few cough drops to get them through the day, however, ALL medications must have a physician’s written order for a student to have medication at school, including cough and sore throat drops. Even then, the medications must be stored in the health room and administered by trained school staff. With the exception of a few life saving emergency medications, students are not allowed to self-carry and self-administer medication in elementary school. Unfortunately, state law also prevents any school staff member from administering any type of medication to a student without a written doctor’s order.
If you feel your child’s symptoms require medication to get them through the school day, please make a plan to medicate your child before coming to school or consider keeping them home. If you ever have any questions about whether your student is well enough to attend school, please do not hesitate to call our health room for guidance. You may also refer to the Parent Guide of When My Student Can Return to School, see link below.
Dear Pioneer Elementary Families,
My name is Nolan Moyer and I am honored to be the Family Engagement Liaison at Pioneer Elementary. Here are some of the ways that I can help you help your student(s) have success at school.
I can:
Help you find opportunities to volunteer at the school.
Provide you with academic resources and materials for the house:
Backpacks, books, pens, pencils, rulers, glue etc.
Information on different games and teaching strategies you can use at home.
Provide you with information on resources in the community:
A discount on your internet bill and other information to help save money.
Programs, sports, and events happening in Auburn.
Help celebrate and incorporate your culture into the school:
Multi-Cultural Night in May (Reach out if you are interested in helping contribute)
Morning greetings in different languages.
Be available to answer any of your questions to build a stronger relationship and increase the student’s success.
I like to keep myself as accessible as possible so I have a cellphone that you can call or text, 253-765-8238. You can also call the school, send me an E-mail, or reach out to me on Remind. Whatever is easiest for you works for me.
I wish I spoke every language but unfortunately I only speak English and Spanish. However please don’t let that stop you from reaching out, we have access to interpreters both over the phone and in person.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Nolan Moyer - “Mr. Moyer”
Cell phones and electronic devices are not allowed to be used by students during school hours (ex: in class, at recess, or during lunch).
The goal of our cell phone and electronic device policy is to maximize the safety and learning of students in our classrooms while preventing distractions and reducing inappropriate and unsafe behavior (including bullying and harassment).
Students who bring these items to school are reminded they must remain in their backpacks (stored in their locker) and turned off during school hours. The school is not responsible for loss or damage to personal items.
Students who have their cell phones or electronic devices out of their backpacks and/or in use during school hours will have their device(s) confiscated by staff and brought to the office. A parent or guardian will be asked to pick up any cell phones or electronic devices that are used by a student during school hours.
We ask parents to partner with Pioneer Elementary by reviewing this policy with their children and reminding them of the school's expectations. Parents who need to communicate a message to their child can call the office at 253-931-4986 and the office will relay the message to the student.
Visit us at https://www.facebook.com/asdpioneer to follow our school on Facebook! Each week we post our Monday announcements, and also post other important school and district news.
CONTACT US
Website: www.auburn.wednet.edu/pioneer
Location: 2301 M St SE, Auburn, WA 98002, USA
Hours: 7:30am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday
Phone: 253-931-4986
Facebook: facebook.com/asdpioneer
- Principal: Paul McKenzie - “Mr. Mac” pmckenzie@auburn.wednet.edu
- Assistant Principal: Rachel Collins rcollins@auburn.wednet.edu
- Office Manager: Karin Ode kode@auburn.wednet.edu
- Office Assistant: DesMarie Wilson dwilson@auburn.wednet.edu
- Office Assistant: Kimberly Tenorio ktenorio@auburn.wednet.edu
- Family Engagement Liaison: Nolan Moyer nmoyer@auburn.wednet.edu