Pioneer Press

Greetings Pioneer Families,

I want to make you aware that Digital Citizenship Week is coming up the week of October 21-25.

During September and October, students in Advisory class are discussing important topics related to technology, such as social media, screen time, artificial intelligence, and misinformation. These discussions are especially relevant as we continue to face challenges related to technology use during school and school events.

Over time, more students have engaged in technology-related behaviors that negatively affect our school’s culture, climate, and learning environment. This is the primary reason we created the “Off and Away All Day” policy for cell phones at Pioneer last year. The new school board policy on electronic devices has sparked ongoing conversations about how students interact with technology.

In response, our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) team has chosen the Common Sense Media curriculum to guide these discussions. The goals of these lessons are to:

1. Provide structure before function: Ensure students understand responsible technology use.

2. Reduce disengagement: Decrease the number of students who disconnect from learning due to online harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB).

3. Support staff: Enhance staff capacity to have meaningful conversations with students about navigating digital environments.

4. Improve school culture: Positively impact the school culture, so that students feel a stronger sense of belonging.

I want to share a few resources from Common Sense Media with you that you may find helpful in navigating hot button these topics with your child. Check out these links:

Explaining the News to Our Kids

Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Tik Tok

Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Fortnite

Kids’ Mental Heath Apps and Websites for Anxiety, Depression, Coping Skills, and Professional Support

Thank you for all you do for your kids!

Principal Fernandes

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Program:

The District began offering Transitional Kindergarten (TK) at Anderson Island Elementary School this year. Based on enrollment capacity, we have decided to offer TK at Cherrydale Primary School and Chloe Clark Elementary School, beginning in November.

Transitional Kindergarten is an early learning program for children who do not have access to high-quality early learning experiences prior to kindergarten. A screening process is used to determine whether a child qualifies for the program. We have waitlists for both Cherrydale Primary and Chloe Clark Elementary, with strong interest at both schools. Students qualify through an application and screening process. This free program is available for children who will turn 4 years old by August 31, 2024, and are not currently enrolled in an early learning program and demonstrate financial, academic, and/or social-emotional needs.

Transitional Kindergarten will focus on essential academics, social-emotional skills, and learning habits to empower children as they launch into their academic journey. Please visit our TK informational page, which includes an interest form to complete for families who are district residents and considering TK.

https://www.steilacoom.k12.wa.us/who-we-are/departments/enrollment-withdrawals-student-transfers/transitional-kindergarten-program

Conferences are October 22, 23 and 24, 2024

The parent-teacher conferences on October 22 and 23 will be scheduled as individual meetings. If you would like to have a private discussion with a teacher, this is an excellent opportunity. Teachers may also contact you to arrange meetings during these days.

On October 24, we will hold arena-style conferences. All teachers will be available in the gym on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that these meetings are brief and not fully private. If you prefer a more private conversation, you are encouraged to contact your student's teacher directly to schedule an individual conference. Hours will be 12:45 pm - 3:00 pm with a 1-hr break for teachers, and 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

The 49th Annual APPLE SQUEEZE

Sunday, October 6th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Lafayette Street in historic Steilacoom

*Make cider with hand operated presses!*

• Food
  
• Hand crafts
• Music

Touch A Truck

Saturday, Sept. 28th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Port of Tacoma, Administration Building

1 Sitcum Way, Tacoma

Learn more at https://www.portoftacoma.com/touchatruck or call 253-888-4765

Students can log into Math Nation through their school's credentials.

Unlimited Support & Homework Help!

See flyer below for more information

6th- Sixth grade ELA students are exploring heroes in ancient Greek mythology. They're learning what it takes to be a hero and to identify the themes found in the myths we read and discuss in class. Students have also been comparing classic heroes found in Greek myths with modern-day heroes. Students are being introduced to the Depth and Complexity concepts of details, patterns, big ideas, and rules found within literature. These concepts will help students analyze what's happening in the stories they read.

Many students are also learning how to write with fountain pens as they practice writing in their cursive writing packets. The goal in practicing cursive writing is to help students slow down and be more mindful when they write, to encourage students to be patient with themselves, and to build resiliency in students so they don't give up so easily.

In addition, they have been exploring what poetry can do, with nonconventional topics like McDonald’s and Spider-Man.

7th- Seventh grade ELA has started the year with a bit of a review of the basics. Students have organized composition books and planners, and even learned a little about how their brains work best. Foundational grammar has begun in brief entry tasks and through our electronic reading app Lexia. In the next week we will go over the components of paragraph writing and effective strategies for researching and citing evidence. Please check out our Google Classroom pages for more information.

8th- Students in Mrs. Marrero's 8th grade language arts class practiced using the R.A.F.T. writing strategy paying attention to the Role, Audience, Format, and Topic when writing. Students were given 3 choices: an informational brochure, journal entries, or an advertisement that went with the short story, "The Story of Keesh." The Story is about a young tribal member who lived at the edge of the polar sea and exercised "headcraft" instead of "witchcraft" to hunt and supply food to all members of his village.

Mr. Milton's 8th English class just wrapped up the Welcome Back and Poetry units, and we're about to start reading The Boys in the Boat.

Your student's pictures are available for viewing. Please follow the instructions Class Act Portraits has provided for you.

Use the link below:

https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001154042

You can find your student's ID# in Skyward in Family Access under student information. If you have any questions or have issues with Skyward call us at 253-583-7200.

Cross Country:

9/20 Jamboree - Sellars Park in Dupont

Boys start time - 3:30 pm

Girls start time- 4 pm

9/26 Meet - Sellars Park in Dupont

Boys start time - 3:30 pm

Girls start time - 4 pm

Boys' Soccer:

Varsity

9/24 Away - Hudtloff MS

Start time - 3:30 pm

9/25 Away - Yelm MS

Start time - 3:30 pm

JV

9/24 Home - Hudtloff MS

Start time - 3:30 pm

9/25 Home - Yelm MS

Start time - 3:30 pm

Girls' Fastpitch:

Varsity

9/24 Home - Ridgeline MS

Start time - 3:30 pm

9/26 Away - Yelm mS

Start time - 3:30 pm

JV

9/24 Away - Ridgeline MS

Start time - 3:30 pm

We are implementing a new process for students who need/want to see a counselor.

**The new system will be in place beginning Monday, Sept. 23rd.**

Students who want/need to see their counselor will do the following:

-Check-in using the designated laptop located in the Main Office using their student ID.

-Enter the appropriate code/reason for the visit.

- Wait to be called down.

-Shouldn't ask teachers/office staff when they will be permitted to go to the counseling office; they don't know or have access to the counselor's schedule.

-They can email their counselor directly to ask for a timeline for when they will be seen.

-No longer stop by the counselor's office for an impromptu visit/appointment.

*Counselors will use this tool to call students based on the reason and urgency of the student's issue.

We appreciate your support during this transition!

If you have any questions about the new process, feel free to call us at 253-583-7200.

Information you can find in Skyward Family Access:

Grades

Bus Route

Lunch account number

Lunch account balance

Locker combination

Other Student ID# (need this to check out books, tardy check-in, request appt. with a counselor, etc.)

https://www2.crdc.wa-k12.net/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=wsteilas71/seplog01.w

Transportation Changes:

Please call the office by 2:00 p.m. (M, T, Thurs, Fri) and 1:00 p.m. on ACE days (Wed) to request transportation changes for your student(s) to ensure that we can get them the information before the end of the school day.

Late to School:

Students start class at 8:10 a.m

If your student(s) arrive at 8:10 a.m. or later, please have them stop at our Attendance Kiosk for a pass to class.

All students must know their student ID# or have their student ID with them to check in.

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.

Tuesdays:

JS2S (Junior Student 2 Student)

Room A115 with Ms. Taylor

GSA Room

B105 with Mrs. Iglesias

Art Club - starts Oct. 8th

Homework Help Club

Library with Mrs. Hilton

Math Club - starts Sept. 24th

Thursdays:

Builder's Club (community service based)

Cafeteria/A115 with Mrs. Holyfield

Pokemon Go! (permission slip required) - starts Oct. 3rd

Game Club

Room C202 with Ms. Nixon

Homework Help Club

Library with Mrs. Hilton

Math Club- starts Sept. 24th

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:

https://www.steilacoom.k12.wa.us/who-we-are/departments/bustransportation/after-school-activity-bus#fs-panel-26989