Weekly Update

We want to welcome 6th grade students and get them off to a wonderful and comfortable start at Pierce. The 7th and 8th graders will start three hours late on the first day of school so we may hold First Day festivities for 6th grade students. This will give 6th grade students a chance to become familiar with their teachers and pick up lots of information in a way that makes them special.

Schedule for 6th graders

7:50-8:00 - Arrival

Due to building safety protocols, visitor entry to the building will be limited, by appointment, when possible. Therefore, parents will not be permitted to enter the building for a "Clap-In". Any parent who desires to come to the school for a shared first day experience (i.e., pictures and hugs) may do so according to the guidance below.

• Park in the front parking lot on Hatchery. If overflow parking is needed, parking is available in lots off of Civic Center Drive.
• "No parking, or standing" is permitted in the bus loop or parent drop-off lane.
• Parents may exit their vehicles and stand in the grassy area between the sidewalk and the building. This area is located between the parking lot and the building. Please see the red arrow on the photograph.
• Please do not stand on the sidewalk. A clear sidewalk is needed for our students to have safe passage into the building.
• 6th graders who are dropped off and walkers should report to the 6th grade wing doors where staff will welcome and organize them for entry. We ask that parents resist joining their student and congregating in this area.

Morning Schedule for 6th Graders - Students report to their 3rd hour classroom

7:50-8:05 - Welcome students in the classrooms

8:05-8:10 - Explain the schedule for the day

8:10-8:15 - Attendance and schedule check

8:15 - Students report to breakfast

8:35 - All staff and students report to the gym for Web Kick-off

8:45-8:55 - Administration Introductions

8:55-10:30 - Web Programming

10:30-11:00 - Lunch for all 6th graders

Afternoon Schedule for All Grades

11:05-11:42 - 1st period

11:46-12:21 - 2nd period

12:25-1:02 - 3rd period

1:06-1:43 - 4th period

1:47-2:24 - 5th period

2:28-3:08 - 6th period

Note - We will be calling 6th grade classes to the library in the afternoon for Chromebook distribution.

Please bring your instrument to school starting on September 3. Do not bring instruments the first week of school in August.

All students should have their picture taken for student ID and school record purposes. Students do not have to purchase a package in order to receive a student ID card.

Students will receive picture packet information during 6th hour a week before the picture date. Students who wish to purchase a picture packet should complete the order form and give it to the photographer, along with payment, at the time their picture is taken.

Please note - Yearbooks are not purchased through Kaiser Studio. See the Yearbook Orders information below for instructions on how to purchase a yearbook.

ID cards will be created and given to students immediately after the picture is taken. Students who lose their ID cards may obtain another one from the office for a $5.00 fee.

National Junior Honor Society Applications will be available on Monday, September 9th. NJHS is open to 7th and 8th grade students. Applications are due by Friday, September 20th. Acceptance letters will be sent to the students Friday, September 27th.

Application link - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PdsXkQKeKmjXW3Q0diM2TZ0dooEFO5map_6Pui7A-8s/copy

Applications may also be obtained from Ms. Cavendish in room 112 or Ms. Brokaw in room 102.

Football will start practicing on Monday, August 26, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Players will be given pads and equipment at the first practice. For the first two practices we will be in shorts, shoulder pads, and helmets doing conditioning and introduction to offensive and defensive plays. Please have them bring cleats and tennis shoes. Athletic cups shouldn't be necessary until we are in full pads.

Students who want to join football must have a valid sports physical on file. The sports physical must be on the official MHSAA physical form and the physical must have been given on or after April 15, 2024 to be valid for the 2024-25 school year. Sports physicals need to be uploaded to Final Forms - https://waterford-mi.finalforms.com/.

If you have any questions, please contact one of the coaches.

Coach Brendan Barker - brendanbarker44@gmail.com

Coach Evan Foster - fostee01@wsdmi.org

In an effort to support our local community, Pierce PTO has partnered with Buffalo Wild Wings for monthly fundraiser days! The way it works is you just need to show the fundraiser ticket below (on a mobile device or printed out) and Buffalo Wild Wings will give back 20% of all sales (on the specific dates indicated), to Pierce Middle School. You may use these fundraiser tickets for both dine-in and carryout, including alcohol. It's a fun way to get together, have great food and earn money for our school! Thank you for your support!

As a school, our goal is to offer an environment that is conducive to learning. We are an educational institution, preparing our children for life-long learning and the world of work. With this in mind, we work hard to establish an atmosphere that is respectful to all, encourages work, is safe and does not distract from the learning process. Our dress code policy is aligned with these goals.

The school has a right to ask a student to change his/her dress or personal grooming habits if it is deemed inappropriate or disruptive to the educational environment. Repeat violations of the dress and grooming code shall be considered defiance of authority and may result in disciplinary action as described in the Student Code of Conduct. Administrators will make the final determination as to what constitutes appropriate attire.