


Pioneer Press
December 13th, 2024
Principal's Message
Can you believe we’re just one week away from winter break?
As we wrap up 2024, I want to thank you for your partnership and support in making Pioneer Middle School such a wonderful place for our students to learn and grow.
As we approach the finish line for this semester, let’s work together to help our middle schoolers end the month strong! This is a busy time of year, but consistency is key for their success and well-being. Please encourage your students to stick to regular bedtimes, eat a healthy breakfast, and stay focused during this final stretch. These small habits can make a big difference in helping them feel their best.
Winter break will be here before we know it—a time to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with loved ones. Until then, let’s finish this week with positive energy and determination. Together, we can help our students end the year on a high note!
Thank you for all you do to support our school community. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a fantastic start to 2025!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Fernandes
From Elective Classes
Band
The band students had a proud and very full concert. We have been enjoying our year and really developing into some hard music. The Cadet Band has been focusing on producing a good sound quality, learning our first notes, and playing our instruments with proper technique. We have learned how to sit and breathe like a musician, hold our instrument, and be part of an ensemble. The Concert Band has been focusing on learning time and keeping in rhythm. The Symphonic Band has been focusing on making a mature sound together, listening and blending our sounds. The Symphonic band had a proud performance at our schools Veterans Day Assembly on November 7th. The Concert Band took a visit to the Museum of Pop Culture and learned about some cool music history facts.
Video Production
The Video Production classes have focused on creating video sequences, which they will use in their short films and other video projects. Students have created video sequences using wide, medium, and tight shots to establish settings and characters, recording actor movements from different camera angles and conversations between individuals using over-the-shoulder shots, medium close-ups, and close-ups. Students apply these and the storytelling skills they have learned to create a short film, documentary, or podcast. In the next few weeks, students projects will be featured on the Pioneer Video Production YouTube channel.
View our channel at https://www.youtube.com/@dbeaulieu98388.
We also invite you to watch our daily news show, Pioneer TV, at
https://pio.steilacoom.k12.wa.us/our-school/pioneer-tv to learn what is happening at Pioneer Middle School.
Choir
In the past month the Choir students have been putting the finishing touches on their songs for the Winter Choir Concert on Tuesday, December 17th at 6:30 pm in the Pioneer gym. We will singing songs about winter and the holiday's. The Advanced Choir will be singing a piece in German and the Soprano/Alto choir will be performing a song in Spanish. On December 12th the Chamber and Advanced Choir performed for the residence of Patriots Landing. Advanced Choir members Evalyn Kim and Cameryn Roshon also played piano solos.
Symphonic Band performing at the Veterans Day Assembly
Concert Band visiting the Museum of Pop Culture
Podcasting
Short film
Students are creating Documentaries for Black History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Native American History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Women’s History Month
Cameryn Roshon's piano solo
Evalyn Kim's piano solo
Girls Advance Choir's performance at Patriots Landing
Food Wars - Food Drive
Pioneer MS vs. Steilacoom HS "Food Wars"
The week of December 2nd - 6th Pioneer MS students competed against SHS students to raise the most donated non-perishable food to benefit the Steilacoom Food Bank.
Below are the results of the Food Wars food drive at Pioneer MS
1st place - Mrs. Pilon's class with 323
2nd place - Mr. Martin's class with 206
3rd place - Mrs. Elshire's class with 162
In all Pioneer MS students/families and staff donated over 1,150 items to the Steilacoom Food Bank!
WAY TO GO PIRATES!!!!
Math Help
There will be no Math Help next Thursday, December 19th
Announcements will be made to students Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next week.
Food Service Newsletter and Menu
Sports Schedules
School Clubs
Tuesdays:
Junior Student to Student (JS2S) Room A115 with Ms. Taylor
Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) - Room C102 with Mrs. Iglesias
Christian Faith Group (CFG) - Room B103 with Mrs. Vaccaro
Art Club - Room C126 with Mrs. Palacios
Math Help - Room B101 with Mr. Martin
Homework Help in the Library with Mrs. Hilton
Thursdays:
Builder's Club in the Library with Mrs. Holyfield
Pokemon Go Club with Mrs. Elshire
Game Club Room C202 with Mrs. Nixon
Math Help Room B101 with Mr. Martin
Homework Help in the Library with Mrs. Hilton
All students participating in clubs are required to pay an ASB fee of $15.00
You can purchase your student's ASB through Mrs. Ruby
ASB fees collected go to funding clubs and sports activities at Pioneer MS.
*Students participating in the Math Help, Homework Help, Christian Faith and Pokemon Go groups - are not required to pay the ASB $15.00*
For more information on the clubs we offer, use the link below:
https://pio.steilacoom.k12.wa.us/student-life
Transportation is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays for students attending school clubs.
Use the link below for route information:
Parking Lot Safety
If you opt to drop-off or pick-up your student(s) in the Pioneer MS parking lot, please pull into a parking space and have the student(s) exit there, doing this helps traffic flow smoothly and allows everyone to walk safely to school.
Please remember that the handicap parking spaces and surrounding areas are not to be used for student drop-off or pick-up.
Also, please observe the posted speed limits in the school zone.
Thank you for helping keep our school and students safe.
Bus Zone - IMPORTANT
The bus zone is reserved for buses only.
Kindly note that parking in the bus loading zone is not permitted at any time.
When attending a sporting event, please use the parking lot closest to the black top or the lot in front of the building.
Please be aware that parking in the bus loading zone is not permitted and may result in enforcement actions in accordance with local regulations.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping the bus zone clear.
Coming Up!
Tuesday, December 17th - Choir Concert @ Pioneer MS Gym
Wednesday, December 18th - ACE DAY - students released at 1:40 pm
Thursday, December 19th - Builder's Club, Gingerbread Jamboree - Pioneer MS cafeteria 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
Friday, December 20th - Winter Assembly - 1: 40 pm - 2:40 pm in Pioneer MS Gym
Monday, January 6th - School resumes after Winter Break
Winter Break:
Friday, January 24th - Half Day for students - students released at 11:40 am.
From the Main Office
Hours of Operation:
Offices opens to the public at 7:40 am
-students should NOT be dropped off before 7:40 am unless teacher directed (Chamber Choir, Jazz Band and ASB)
Office closes to the public at 3:30 pm
-students are not allowed in the building after 3:30 pm unless they are participate in sports or clubs.
Late to school:
Students start class at 8:10 a.m.
-If your student arrives at 8:10 a.m. or later, please have them stop at our check-in kiosk for a pass to class. Students must have their student Id to check in.
Excusing absences:
Option 1: Call 253-583-7200, choose the attendance option.
Please leave a message if we don't answer your call. The voicemail to the attendance line is checked several times a day.
Option 2: Email us at pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us
Option 3: Send us a ParentSquare message! You can send a PSQ direct message to Mrs. Ruby or Mrs. Dueñas to excuse your child's absence.
Transportation changes:
Please call the office no later than 2:00 pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) and 1:00 pm on ACE days (Wednesdays) to request transportation changes.
*You can also request transportation changes by emailing us at pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us