Pioneer Family Communication

Thank you Pioneer Caregivers,

We had a very successful week! Capsule Night was a great success and a fantastic turnout! Thank you to all of our caregivers for all of your support. We had Picture Day, Senior Parent Meeting, and Wagongate as well this week! Thank you to our Staff, PTSO, and Community for all of your continued support.

This Wednesday, 9/20/23 we will practice our first updated Club Day Schedule with a Club Fair. Our goal is to increase our participation in our clubs and create opportunities for our students. Students will have the opportunity to check out all of our clubs and sign up for one of our 80+ clubs/organizations. Thursday, 9/21 1st quarter interim grades are due. We will be reaching out to our students not meeting their academic potential this week. Please review your students grades this week and email your students Principal or Counselor if you need support.

CLOSED CAMPUS

Pioneer is a closed campus for all students until further notice. This means students are not allowed to leave the building and/or campus at any point during the day unless they are approved through our office. The campus being closed includes food delivery services. They will not be accepted the entire school year. We plan to open our campus for 11th and 12th grade students to leave for lunch on Fridays in the near future.

No Drop Off Along S. Seventh in Bike Lane or Loop

Please remember that at Pioneer the student drop off and pick up areas at the clock tower and the flagpole entrance. The S. Seventh entrance is strictly for bus drop off and pick up. It is illegal to use the bike lane on S. Seventh as well. Please do not use the S. Seventh St. loop or the bike lane on Seventh for drop off and pick up of your student.

We encourage all of our students to be involved at Pioneer!

We have over 70 clubs at Pioneer and we want all of our students to participate both in the classroom and in Pioneer activities/clubs. Please CLICK HERE to see a list of clubs or CLICK HERE to start a new club! If you have questions about clubs/activities please email Dr. Hyliard - hyliardd@aaps.k12.mi.us We are planning a Career Fair on September 20 for students. On this day we will also practice our two lunch Club Day Schedule!

Be Extraordinary!

Mr. Desmond Smith, Principal

Pioneer High School

9/20 - CLUB DAY Schedule

9/22 - Last Day for course ""Level" changes.

10/6 - Homecoming Game vs. Skyline

10/7 - Homecoming Dance - Semi-Formal - Tickets on sale soon! $25

10/11 - PSAT/NMQST - 11th Grade Students only - Digital Tests Ordered for all Juniors!

Testing/Late start on Wednesday, October 11th. Please email Dr. Hyliard directly regarding any questions about PSAT/NMSQT Testing - hyliardd@aaps.k12.mi.us

11th GRADE STUDENTS only:

1. PSAT/NMSQT - The digital PSAT/NMSQT is required to participate in the National Merit Program. This test is for Pioneer Juniors only. Students in 9, 10 or 12th grade will NOT be taking the PSAT/NMSQT test on October 11th. Pioneer 9th & 10th Grade students will take the PSAT in the Spring of 2023. 12th Grade Students have already completed their testing requirements.

2. Preparing for PSAT/NMSQT Test Day

All AAPS High School Issued Chromebooks have the BLUE BOOK APP. Students can access by logging out of their chromebook then turn on the chromebook and in the lower left corner is a tab that says APPS. Click APPS and choose the BLUE BOOK APP. Then click” practice test” for PSAT.

* 1) PSAT testing must be taken with a District supplied Chromebook - HIGH SCHOOL

2) Students who have not used their Chromebooks recently should make sure they are holding a charge, have been updated (most current Chrome OS is 117.0) and have been on a network (even home internet) for a few hours so that they have the most current DRC insight and Blue book apps installed on their chromebook.

FREE TESTING PREP - Click HERE -

DIGITAL RESOURCES LINK -CLICK HERE

3. TESTING ROOM ASSIGNMENTS: Room assignments will be posted on 10/6/23 near the Learning Center Doors, 2nd Floor-Planetarium Wall, and on the 3rd Floor on the wall in-between rooms C325 & C327.

4. TEST DAY: Testing Day is Wednesday, October 11, 2023. Students must be in their testing room by 8am! Late students may be turned away. Once chromebooks open and testing begins students cannot be let in the testing room. Students should arrive at 7:30am.

5. WHAT TO BRING: Drivers License or other photo ID (test ID's provided at Pre-Bubbling), Face coverings are encouraged, 2 No. 2 pencils sharpened with erasers, a calculator (not provided), a drink, or snack for your break. A calculator app is available digitally in the testing app.

6. WHAT NOT TO BRING: Prohibited Items List - CLICK HERE, Do not bring any prohibited electronic devices including airpods, smart watches, or cell phones. Do not bring ear plugs(unless approved accommodation). You will be dismissed from the test if these items enter the testing room.

More information about PSAT/NMSQT & click the corresponding link below.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN about PSAT/NMSQT Digital

CLICK HERE TO LEARN about Digital SAT Testing Information

Pioneer Leadership Team

Information for 9th, 10th, & 12th Grade Students:

1. LATE START SCHEDULE ATTENDANCE: Attendance is expected for all students 9-12 on Wednesday, October 11. Students (9,10 & 12) should arrive at 11:30a and report to the cafeteria, annex, or courtyard for lunch. There will be no admittance to the 2nd or 3rd floors until testing is over.

2. TRANSPORTATION: Buses will run on normal times. There will be no late buses. Students that ride the bus will report to the cafeteria annex please bring any homework. We will have staff available to support students in any academic needs.

*3. ACADEMIC SUPPORT: Pioneer specific subject Staff Instructors will be located in the Cafeteria Annex for any 9th, 10th, or 12th grade students that want to arrive by 8am and receive additional academic support. Students that arrive early must stay in the cafeteria or cafeteria annex. *Please contact Dean Bullinger - bullinger@aaps.k12.mi.us to reserve a spot as spaces are limited.

Homecoming 2023 Dance Tickets are on sale! Homecoming is a semi-formal event!

PLEASE CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets! NO CASH will be accepted.

Access Code = Student Number

Pioneer High School takes great pride in our AP program. Please review the AP Communication as we prepare for AP registration - CLICK HERE. Please email Dr. Hyliard at hyliardd@aaps.k12.mi.us for any AP questions. Registration and payment for AP Tests begins in September! A separate communication will be sent to all AP parent during the week of August 28, 2023.

Breakfast and lunch will be available to ALL Pioneer Students during designated times. Students must use their ID to receive a meal at no charge and students must take the full meal.

Students are able to purchase additional items at cost.

We request that all families fill out the Free & Reduced Meal forms. The forms can be filled out using the following link: https://www.a2schools.org/Page/8315

Please return the following form - CLICK HERE - completed to the Main Office at Pioneer.

Building Principal - Mr. Desmond Smith

Athletics - Ms. Eve Claar

9th Grade Dean - Ms. Jodi Bullinger

10th Grade Last Name A-L - Dr. Daniel Hyliard

10th Grade Last Name M-Z - Mr. Kevin Hudson

11th Grade - Mr. Kevin Hudson

12th Grade - Dr. Daniel Hyliard

Students & Families - Technology Virtual Help Desk

Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Call: 734-997-1222
Open a ticket: family_techsupport@aaps.k12.mi.us

Schedule an In-Person Appointment: call the Student & Family Help Desk

COUNSELING WEBPAGE - CLICK HERE

The Level Change Deadline is Friday Sept. 22nd

The Writing Center at Pioneer High School wants to help! We are open daily during both lunches and 4th Hour in room C216. We offer online writing assistance through our website and hold fun writing competitions throughout the year. We want to help with brainstorming, revising, editing, polishing, and really any part of your writing assignment! Come see us!

DROP OFF LOCATIONS

1. CLOCKTOWER - this location backs up so please plan accordingly

2. FLAGPOLE ENTRANCE - near student parking lot

3. E-HALL ENTRANCE - near the tennis courts

Please do not drop off students in the 7th Street Bus Loop

Senior Portraits are due by November 17, 2023. Directions to submit them can be found on our website. If you choose not to submit a portrait, we will use your school photo.

Senior Tributes are due by February 10, 2024. These loving tributes to your student can be purchased through YearbookForever.com by selecting "Create a Senior Ad".

Preferred names: If your student goes by a name other than their legal name, that name is in PowerSchool as a "preferred name," and they would like to be referred to as such throughout the yearbook, please direct them to fill out this form so we get it right!

Order a yearbook today! Prices increase on December 31, 2023.

RAHS at Pioneer is a mental health site that is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm year-round which sees students in-person and virtually.

Dear Pioneer Families,

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! At Pioneer High School, we prioritize top-notch education for our students, safety for our students and staff, and community connections for our Pioneer families. The Pioneer PTSO (Parent, Teacher, Student Organization) supports Pioneer High School within all three of these foundational pillars.

Pioneer PTSO funds are used for the following:

- grants for teachers who need to purchase supplemental learning tools for their classrooms (guest speakers, online subscriptions, extra books, lab materials, etc.)

- holiday gift cards for families in need (food, clothing, etc.)

- teacher and staff appreciation events

- student activities and registration materials (Wagongate, Ice Cream Socials, Freshmen Orientation)

-scholarships for prom, yearbook, Bon Voyage, and homecoming

Please consider donating to the Pioneer PTSO for this school year. You can donate on our Square website at https://ann-arbor-pioneer-high-school-ptso.square.site/ or by scanning the QR code below. We typically suggest $50 per student, but welcome any donation you would like to make. We did not mail a letter home with an envelope and need folks to donate so that all programs have what they need to be successful.

The PTSO also needs people to join the organization. Parents who want to help shape the future at Pioneer High School for their children have a voice through the organization. You can help as little or as much as you are able. You can even pick the events that you would like to be a part of! Please click on the QR code below to get your name on our volunteer list. Please note that a one-time background check is required to do any volunteering in the AAPS.

We need help with WagonGate- a special tailgate for the 9th graders. Please sign up to donate snacks or games using the signup genius below. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CADAC23A3FE3-pioneer2#/

You will also need to fill out the volunteer form and submit a background check- it is good for the WHOLE YEAR!

Every year after graduation, Pioneer hosts a Bon Voyage celebration for all seniors in a safe and fun way with food, games, a casino and prizes. This in-school tradition was started after an alcohol-related car crash claimed the life of a Pioneer senior on graduation night in 1994. This year, Bon Voyage will take place on Thursday, June 6, 2024 and requires a lot of volunteer support and resources to make it happen. Please email Dani Jones at danirobillardjones@gmail.com if you'd like to be added to the volunteer list. We need non-senior parent help the most, as most seniors would rather not party the night away with their parents. A great way to pay it forward and meet other families.

Here are some important dates for exciting Pioneer events coming up:

Capsule Night Wednesday September 12th - Senior Parent Meeting 5:00 pm-6:00 pm, visit classes in person 6:30 pm-8:00 pm

Wagongate Thursday September 14th 5- 6:30pm (Wagongate is a 9th grade only event that is essentially a tailgate before a home football game, free to all 9th grade students, includes food and games! A great time for freshmen to build community and have fun!)

Parent Teacher Conferences Arena Style September 28th from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm

Homecoming Saturday 10/7

If you have any questions or want to learn more, please contact Jill Anderson at jill-anderson@att.net

Thank you for your support!

Your Pioneer PTSO

Jill Anderson, Jodi Wilkins, Laura Houk, Michele Loewe, Mary Jane Worden, Dani Jones, Laura McEwen, Lindsay Vlasak, Bethany Williston, Kelly Cleland, Jill Schloff, Rachel Robinson, Laura Florence, Liz Kolb, Lynne Pauer, Jenni Wilkening, and Amy Frontier