Pioneer Press

With 6th grade camp fast approaching, we are looking for parent/guardian volunteers to serve as chaperones. This is a great opportunity to support our students and be part of this exciting experience.

Please review the information below for details and instructions on how to sing up.

Thank you in advance for your continued support!

Go Pirates!!

JoAnne Fernandes, Principal

Join Us as a Volunteer for 6th Grade Camp!

Make a difference in the lives of our 6th graders by volunteering at camp this spring! Your support will help create a memorable and enriching experience for our students.

How to Sign Up

• All volunteers must have cleared fingerprints on file with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) by March 27, 2026.*
• Schedule your fingerprinting at ESD 113 in Tumwater. Cost $84 + tax

• You’ll receive an email from Vector/Safeschools with instructions to complete the required online training.

Have Questions?

The last day of 1st semester is Friday, January 23rd.

Monday, Jan. 26th, is the start of the new semester, families can view student schedules in Skyward-Family Access.

For schedule change requests, please carefully read the information below.

We will honor requests based on electives when space permits, or placement (i.e. wrong math level). Keep in mind that space in electives is limited and is affected by your student's placement in core classes (Math, Science, English).

How to request a schedule change:

1. Schedule Change Request forms will be available in the Main Office.
2. Your student can pick up a form starting Monday, January 12th.

3. Parents/Guardians, please review the schedule change request form with your student, complete it, sign and date the form.
4. Your student will submit the completed form to the Main Office.
5. The scheduling team will review your student's request and, when possible, make the changes and call your student down to pick up a copy of the new schedule.
6. Students WILL NOT be allowed to walk into the Counseling Office to request a schedule change.
7. ONLY paper copies of the Schedule Change Request form will be accepted, no emails or phone calls.

****Our scheduling team has 72 hours to review and process requests****

*Parents/Guardians can request an appointment with a counselor to discuss details pertaining to their student's schedule change request by emailing pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us. Please do not arrive at the school without an appointment as our counselors may not be available to meet with you. When requesting an appointment, please include your student's full name and grade.

Emailing counselors directly is acceptable, but keep in mind they are currently inundated with emails and response time can be longer than 72 hours.

6th grade-

6th graders are finishing up their metabolism unit, where they played the role of med students and learned about the body systems toi discover how the medical condition of our fictional patient, Elisa, affected her body's ability to create energy within her cells. Next up we are starting a new unit on Thermal Energy to answer the question, "Why do things change temperature?"

7th grade-

7th grade students are exploring Earth’s powerful forces by studying earthquakes and faults, how seismic waves travel through the Earth, and how scientists map Earth’s interior. They are also learning how earthquakes are measured and how tsunamis form, helping them better understand the dynamic processes that shape our planet.

8th grade-

8th graders are at the end of the Earth, Moon, Sun unit, the students chose to learn about Evolutionary History. The Evolutionary History unit will dive into animal history and shared physical structures. Students will observe and compare various mammals, reptiles, and bird species and their shared structures like limbs, skull shape, and Common Ancestors of mammals and reptiles.

⏰ School Start Time & Attendance Reminders ⏰

Classes begin promptly at 8:10 a.m.
If your student arrives at 8:10 a.m. or later, they must check in at the kiosk to receive a pass to class.
🔹 Please remember: Tardies require a parent/guardian excuse.

Reporting Absences & Tardies:

✅ Option 1: Call 253-583-7200 and select the attendance option.
If no one answers, please leave a voicemail—messages are checked frequently.
There is no need to call multiple times.

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

or send a ParentSquare message to the Pioneer Office.

🚫 Important Reminder:
Please do not email individual staff members regarding attendance, tardies, or other time-sensitive issues. If the staff member is out, your message may go unseen.

To keep traffic flowing smoothly and ensure everyone’s safety, please do not drop your student off in the parking lot without first parking in a space. Students should only exit safely from a parked vehicle and walk to school.

🚫 Handicap parking spaces and surrounding areas are strictly reserved—please do not use them for drop-off or pick-up.

Thank you for helping us keep our school community safe!

Pioneer will host a Valentine's Dance on Thursday, February 12, 2026. In order to make this event a success, we will need parent volunteers. We will need approximately 20 volunteers to make the dance a success. Those interested should email Mrs. Ruby at cruby@steilacoom.k12.wa.us and complete the volunteer application. Use the link below to register to be a SHSD volunteer.

https://www.steilacoom.k12.wa.us/who-we-are/departments/volunteers

Please see the flyer for more details

Our ASB Leadership students are seeking sponsors to fund our Color Run t-shirts. Sponsors will have the opportunity to advertise their business or highlight their family name on the back of over 800 students, staff, and community members' shirts! Those interested should complete the attached form. Payment can be made via TouchBase or in person at the Attendance Office.

Thank you for supporting the Pioneer Pirates!

Season 3 (Winter II) Sports:

Girls Soccer
Boys Basketball

Registration is: January 19 - February 2:
https://steilacoomhist-wa.finalforms.com/students

Tryout Schedule:
Monday–Friday, February 2–6
2:45–3:45 PM

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.

January 14th - ACE Day - 1:40 pm student release time

January 19th - MLK Birthday - NO SCHOOL

January 21st - ACE Day - 1:40 pm student release time

January 23rd - HALF Day - 11:40 am student release time

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