Pioneer Press
March 21, 2025
Message from Principal Fernandes
Upcoming State Testing
Dear Pioneer Families,
As we head into the spring season, it’s time to prepare for our upcoming state assessments. Our students will participate in the Smarter Balanced Assessments for English Language Arts and Math on May 13, 15, 20, and 22. Eighth-grade students will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science on May 21.
Attendance during testing is critical. Please help set your student up for success by ensuring they are present and well-rested on testing days. We kindly ask that you avoid scheduling appointments or other activities that could interfere with these important assessments.
State testing is mandatory for all students. If you are considering opting your child out, a meeting with an administrator is required prior to April 4. Opt-out requests will not be accepted without a meeting, and no opt-outs will be granted after the deadline. To schedule a meeting, please send a message to the Pioneer Office via ParentSquare (include your student’s full name) or call Mrs. Dueñas at 253-583-7265.
Thank you for your support in helping create a smooth and successful testing experience for all of our students.
Warmly,
Principal Fernandes
Spring Season Sports Registration
Spring Season Sports Registration OPENS -Monday, March 24th
Sports offered:
Co-Ed Track and Field
Girls' Volleyball
Boys' Baseball
Registration CLOSES - April 14th - NO EXCEPTIONS
__________________________________________________________________________________
We are transitioning to a new program for sports registration, please read the information below:
FinalForms - INTRODUCTION
We are very excited to announce that the Pioneer Middle School Athletic Department has partnered with FinalForms, an online forms and data management service. FinalForms allows you to complete and sign athletic participation forms for your students. It also allows you to see exactly where they are in the registration approval process and if they are ineligible to play for any reason. The most exciting news is that FinalForms saves data from season-to-season and year-to-year, meaning that you will never need to enter the same information twice! FinalForms also pre-populates information wherever possible, for each of your students, saving you time.
FinalForms will also allow our coaches to see where their athletes are in the registration process and give assistance there. They can also help track athletes’ status for return to play for medical, academic, fee-related or discipline reasons. Coaches will be able to use FinalForms to track uniform and other equipment checkout and streamline the fee process saving parents time and frustration.
You may review your data at any time to verify it is current. You will be required to sign your forms once per year and after any update.
Click on the Parent Playbook (attached) to get started in FinalForms. If you require any support during the process, scroll to the page bottom and click “Get Help”.
We are asking the parents/guardians of all students planning to play sports to create accounts in FinalForms and register your student(s).
Please register at: https://steilacoomhist-wa.finalforms.com/ and follow the prompts to create your account, create your students and sign your forms.
Thank you for your assistance in streamlining our paperwork processes.
FinalForms - PARENT REGISTRATION
How do I sign up?
Locate the parent icon and click NEW ACCOUNT below.
Type your YOUR NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, and EMAIL. Next, click REGISTER.
NOTE: You will receive an email within 2 minutes prompting you to confirm and complete your registration. If you do not receive an email, then check your spam folder. If you still can not locate the FinalForms email, then email support@finalforms.com informing our team of the issue.
Check your email for an ACCOUNT CONFIRMATION EMAIL from the FinalForms Mailman. Once received and opened, click CONFIRM YOUR ACCOUNT in the email text.
Create your new FinalForms password. Next, click CONFIRM ACCOUNT.
Click REGISTER STUDENT for your first child.
Final Forms - REGISTERING A STUDENT
What information will I need?
Basic medical history and health information. Insurance company and policy number. Doctor, dentist, and medical specialist contact information. Hospital preference and contact information.
How do I register my first student?
IMPORTANT: If you followed the steps on the previous page, you may Jump to Step number 3
Click LOGIN under the Parent Icon.
Locate and click the ADD STUDENT button.
Type in the LEGAL NAME and other required information. Then, click CREATE STUDENT.
If your student plans to participate in a sport, activity, or club, then click the checkbox for each. Then, click UPDATE after making your selection. Selections may be changed until the registration deadline.
Complete each form and sign your full name (i.e. ‘Johnathan Smith’) in the parent signature field on each page. After signing each, click SUBMIT FORM and move on to the next form.
When all forms are complete, you will see a ‘Forms Finished’ message.
IMPORTANT: If required by your district, an email will automatically be sent to the email address that you provided for your student that will prompt your student to sign required forms.
How do I register additional students?
Click MY STUDENTS. Then, repeat steps number 3 through number 7 for each additional student.
How do I update information?
Login at any time and click UPDATE FORMS to update information for any student
You can link all your students to your parent account within the district. For assistance in creating your parent account, please follow this link: How to Create a Parent Account.
Spirit Shirt Design Winner!
Pioneer would like to congratulate Mylah Roberts for her winning entry into our 2024-2025 Pioneer Spirit Shirt Design contest.
If you would like to purchase the new design, the order form is attached.
We have t-shirts, crewnecks and hoodies available. Please complete one order form per item.
Payments can be made in person at the Attendance Office or online via TouchBase. Pre-Orders are due by March 26th.
Parking Lot Safety - IMPORTANT
Pioneer MS Drop-Off & Pick-Up Reminder
To keep traffic flowing smoothly and ensure safety, please pull into a parking space when dropping off or picking up your student(s). Students should exit safely from the 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!
School Clubs
Clubs Offered:
Builders Club: A student-led service organization focused on community involvement and leadership development.
Christian Faith Club (CFC): A space for students to explore and discuss their faith in a supportive environment.
Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Club: Promotes a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Homework Help Club: Provides academic assistance to students seeking extra support with their studies.
Junior Student to Student (JS2S) Club: Assists new students in transitioning to Pioneer Middle School, fostering a welcoming community.
Math Club: Encourages interest in mathematics through engaging activities and competitions.
Pioneer's Game Club: Offers a venue for students to play and discuss various games, promoting strategic thinking and camaraderie.
Pokemon Go! Club: Combines physical activity with gaming, encouraging exploration and teamwork.
For more information on these clubs and how to join, please visit the Clubs & Organizations section of the Pioneer Middle School website.
If you have further questions or need assistance, feel free to contact the school office at (253) 583-7200 or email pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.
Reminders from the Main Office
Classes begin 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. 🔹 Tardies require a parent/guardian excuse.
Reporting Absences & Tardies
Don’t forget to excuse your student’s absences and tardies!
✅ Option 1: Call 253-583-7200 and select the attendance option.
- If no one answers, please leave a voicemail—messages are checked frequently.
- No need to call multiple times.
✅ Option 2: Email pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us or send a ParentSquare message to the Pioneer Office.
🚫 Do not email staff directly regarding attendance.
Transportation Changes
If you need to update transportation plans:
✅ Option 1: Call the office by 2:00 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) or by 1:00 p.m. on ACE days (Wednesdays).
✅ Option 2: Email pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us to request transportation changes.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our attendance and transportation processes running smoothly!
Coming Up!
Monday, March 24th - Choir Concert 6:30 pm at Lagerquist Hall - Pacific Lutheran University 868 Wheeler St. S, Parkland, WA 98444
Wednesday, March 26th - ACE DAY
Thursday, March 27th - Nisqually Wildlife Refuge Fieldtrip- 9:00 am - 1:30 pm Mrs. Joslin's Animal Advocates classes
Friday, March 28th - NO SCHOOL - Snow make up day (weather dependent)
April 2nd - April 4th - Spring Conferences - students 1/2 day release (11:40 am)
April 2nd - April 4th - Spring Bookfair - Pioneer MS Library
April 7th - April 11th - No school - SPRING BREAK
No School Fun Day - Sign up today!
🎉 Join Us for the No School Fun Day Fundraiser! 🎉
This exciting event is open to all students—don’t miss out!
✅ How to Sign Up:
Pick up a permission slip from the attendance window or print one from this post.
📅 Deadline: Turn in your completed permission slip and payment by Thursday, March 27th.
📞 Questions?
Call us at 253-583-7200 for more information.
Let’s make this fundraiser a success—see you there! 🎈