Pioneer Press

Advisory at Pioneer Middle School

One question I’m often asked is, “What exactly happens during Advisory?” I’m glad to share a bit more about how this time supports our students.

Advisory is a protected part of each Wednesday morning and is designed to support the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. Middle school is a time of tremendous growth, and Advisory allows students to build strong relationships with peers and trusted adults while also developing essential skills they need to be successful learners and responsible community members.

During Advisory, students review school expectations and work together to build a positive, inclusive school community. They learn and practice civil discourse skills, including how to listen respectfully, express different viewpoints thoughtfully, and engage in meaningful conversations. Advisory also includes digital citizenship lessons that help students navigate technology responsibly, understand their digital footprint, and balance screen time.

In addition, Advisory provides targeted academic support. Students engage in Lexia PowerUp to strengthen reading skills and IXL Math to build math proficiency—both self-paced programs that meet students at their individual level and help address learning gaps without taking time away from core instruction.

Advisory is one of the most important tools we have to ensure students feel known, supported, and prepared to learn. We are proud of how this time is used to strengthen academic growth, student well-being, and our school community as a whole.

JoAnne Fernandes

Principal, Pioneer Middle School

First semester report cards are now available in Skyward Family Access and can be found under the “Portfolio” tab.

Please note that students will not receive mailed or paper copies at school. Families may print report cards at home through Skyward Family Access. If you would like a paper copy, you may request one by emailing pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us. Be sure to include your student’s first and last name in your request.

If you need assistance logging into Skyward Family Access, step-by-step instructions are available on our Skyward Family Access Support webpage.

For questions regarding grades or teacher comments, please contact your child’s teacher directly.

JoAnne Fernandes, Principal

6th grade

Mrs. Pilon and Mrs. Brown are wrapping up Critical Reading - Monsters/Rescued and moving into a time of writing an essay. After we finish the essay, we will start our Narrative writing and book study. We continue to move forward with our spelling and Lexia work.

Mrs. Nixon's ELA classes are reading Roald Dahl's memoir, Boy: Tales of Childhood and writing their own personal narratives with description, reflection, and dialogue. Students are enjoying the break from essay writing.

Mrs. Stewart's sixth graders in the highly capable classes are also reading Ronald Dahl's memoir, Boy: Tales of Childhood and will be writing a series of narratives. They also continue to work on spelling, and cursive writing.

7th grade

Second semester brings with it two exciting events, perfect for writing an argument; should the Super Bowl be a national holiday and should Valentine's Day be celebrated? Students are busy writing claims and learning how to support their arguments. We will continue to use argumentative writing strategies as we head for our first novel study of the year, The Outsiders - always a crowd pleaser. Maybe you remember reading the coming-of-age classic when you were in school?

Mrs. Stewart's 7th grade high cap students are immersed in free verse poetry: reading it and writing it.

Not Just a Dog, My Best Friend

I don’t remember a version of my life that didn’t include you.

You were already there a steady presence, a name that felt natural to say.

I grew up beside you.

I learned gentleness from your ears, loyalty from the way you waited, love from the way you never asked for anything more than me.

I tell you things I don’t say out loud.

I trust you with the quiet parts of myself.

You listen without judgment, and that's always been enough.

I don’t call you just a dog.

I call you my best friend because that’s what you are.

I am who I am because you have walked with me-

almost my whole life.

Tanner,

you are not just a memory of my childhood.

You are still my home.

by Kendall Courtney

8th grade

Students in Mrs. Marrero's ELA Classes read the short story "The Pedestrian" and have now completed Part 1 of Fahrenheit 451, both of which were written by Ray Bradbury. During this portion of their unit covering dystopian literature, students focused on key literary elements, including tone and mood, and the three main types of irony (verbal, situational, and dramatic). These skills helped students better understand the author’s message and the world of the novel.

Mr. Milton’s class is reading Lord of the Flies. As the stranded boys do, students elected a chief from among themselves to run the class. Each year, this exercise reveals more about the book, the issues raised, and the ideas reviewed therein better than any lecture or literary analysis could do. One chief noted, “Keeping order is complicated…and getting people to do what they’re supposed to do isn’t easy.”

To ensure our buses can safely access the bus zone, this area must remain clear at all times. Parking or playing in the bus zone creates safety concerns and can prevent buses from entering or exiting safely.

Visitors attending athletic events are asked to park in the lot adjacent to the basketball hoops or in the main parking lot at the front of the building.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep our students, staff, and visitors safe during school events!

Girls’ Soccer & Boys’ Basketball

🗓 Monday–Wednesday | ⏰ 2:45–4:45 p.m.

Dance Team
🗓 Monday–Wednesday | ⏰ 3:10–4:50 p.m.

No Practice Dates
Girls’ Soccer, Boys’ Basketball, and Dance Team will not have practice on:

• Thursday, February 12

• Friday, February 13

• Monday, February 16

Wednesday Study Hall Reminder:
All students are required to attend mandatory study hall in the cafeteria on Wednesdays from 1:40–2:45 p.m.

🚫 Students may not leave campus during study hall🚫

Students will report to practice immediately following study hall dismissal.

After-School Transportation, use the link below
After School Transportation - Routes

See our school club schedule below:

Tuesdays

• Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) – Room A101 with Mrs. Percefull

• Christian Faith Group (CFG) – Room B103 with Mrs. Vaccaro

Thursdays

• Pokémon Go! Club – Room E129 with Mrs. Elshire

• Game Club – Room A202 with Mr. Milton

• Builder's Club - Cafeteria with Mrs. Holyfield

Transportation:

After-school activity buses are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays for students attending school clubs. Click here for route information.

⏰ School Start Time & Attendance Reminders ⏰

School begins promptly at 8:10 a.m. Students who arrive at or after 8:10 a.m. must check in at the kiosk to receive a pass to class.

🔹 All tardies and absences require a parent/guardian excuse 🔹

How to Report Absences & Tardies:

✅ Option 1: Call 253-583-7200 and select the attendance option.
If there is no answer, please leave a voicemail. Messages are checked regularly—there is no need to call multiple times.

✅ Option 2: Email pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us

✅ Option 3: Send a ParentSquare message to the Pioneer Office.

Please include your student's first and last name when reporting an absence or tardy.

🚫 Important Reminder:
Please do not contact individual staff members about attendance, tardies, or other time-sensitive matters, as messages may not be seen if staff are out of the building.

February 10th - NAEP Testing for 8th grade students

February 11th - ACE Day - 1:40pm student release time

February 12th - Valentine's Dance (ticket required) - GYM

February 13th - NO SCHOOL

February 16th - President's Day - NO SCHOOL

February 18th - ACE Day - 1:40 pm student release time

February 25th - ACE Day - 1:40 pm student release time

See our website for more information: https://pio.steilacoom.k12.wa.us/

🚍 After-School Transportation Changes 🚍

If you need to change your student's after-school transportation plan, please contact the main office by the times listed below:

• 1:45 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays

• 12:45 p.m. on ACE days (Wednesdays)

Contact the office:

• 📞 253-583-7205

• 📧 pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us

Please note:

• Transportation changes requested after the deadline cannot be guaranteed to reach your student before the end of the school day.

• Bus passes will not be issued to students at the end of the day.

• 🚫 Please do not email individual staff members regarding attendance, tardies, or other time-sensitive matters. If a staff member is out, your message may go unseen.