Pioneer Press

Dear Parents/Guardians of 8th Grade Students,

It’s hard to believe that the school year is almost over. With the school year ending comes an exciting time with 8th grade promotion.

The 8th grade promotion ceremony and dance will be held at Pioneer on Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, starting at 4:30pm. The promotion ceremony will be in the gym with the dance following in the cafeteria.

The dress code for the promotion ceremony requires 8th graders to dress as if they were going on a job interview. Students may wear a nice pair of pants and a dress shirt with a collar – no jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts or sagging pants. Sport jackets and ties are nice but not required. Students may wear a nice skirt and blouse, dress or pants outfit – no shorts, short skirts or too revealing dresses, please. This is not a formal occasion, so we ask that students not wear tuxedos or formals.

We know that families are eager to celebrate 8th grade promotion, but we must ask that you keep parent/family attendance to a minimum so that we abide by fire code. We ask that each 8th grader have three (3) or fewer guests attend so that we do not exceed code limits. Also, please do not bring balloons to promotion as it blocks the view of others.

Below is a schedule to help promotion run smoothly; please have your student arrive on time.

11:40am - 8th grade students dismissed (bus transportation is provided home)

4:00pm - Students return to school (no transportation)

4:30pm - Promotion ceremony begins. 8th grade dance begins when promotion

ends for Pioneer students only - no outside guests.

7:30pm - Dance concludes, please arrange to have your child picked up promptly. (no transportation is provided.)

If you have questions, email us at pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us

Sincerely,

JoAnne Fernandes

Principal

Smarter Balanced Assessments (Math and ELA):

• May 20, and 22

Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS):

• May 21 (8th grade only)

Attendance is Critical
To ensure your child has the opportunity to participate and complete all testing, please avoid scheduling appointments or other activities during these dates. Missing a test can impact their assessment schedule.

How You Can Help Your Student Succeed:

• Make sure they get plenty of rest the night before each test.

• Provide a healthy breakfast each morning.

• Encourage a confident, positive mindset.

What to Bring on Testing Days:
✅ Water bottle
✅ Snack (avoid sugary snacks)
✅ Headphones (no wireless headphones)
✅ A book to read (for after testing)

Questions?

Call us at 253-583-7200

6th- Sixth graders are nearly finished reading Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl, and have been inspired by the book to write a variety of stories and an argumentative research essay on corporal punishment in schools. Many also participated in lively Socratic Seminars about corporal punishment in schools. The challenge was to provide evidence for their opinions and to speak respectfully to classmates. Teachers heard that there were interesting discussions at home, too!

Students in Ms. Nixon's classes created works of art in the form of blackout poetry and Mrs. Brown's students learned the Triple Stuff OREO format of writing a persuasive essay. So of course, they had to eat Oreos while writing!

7th- Students have been hard at practicing their power of persuasion! They have learned about the three rhetorical appeals that are used in writing and speaking and have crafted argumentative essays in support of a claim. We have also been busy preparing for the Smarter Balanced Assessments. Seventh graders are rocking state testing this week!

8th-After a year of reading several books and writing various works, 8th Grade Language Artists were recently practicing reading and writing skills, in preparation for the state test.

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!

Tuesdays:

Junior Student to Student (JS2S) Room A115 with Ms. Taylor

Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) - Room C102 with Mrs. Iglesias

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

Math Help - Room B101 with Mr. Martin

Homework Help in the Library with Mrs. Hilton

Art Club with Mrs. Palacios has been suspended for the rest of the school year

Thursdays:

Builder's Club in the Library with Mrs. Holyfield

Pokemon Go! Club with Mrs. Elshire

Game Club Room C202 with Mrs. Nixon

Math Help Room B101 with Mr. Martin

Homework Help in the Library with Mrs. Hilton

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-2698

If your student has a fine, pay a sports user fee or if you want to put money on their lunch account you can pay online through https://wa-steilacoom.intouchreceipting.com/signin.

May 20 and 22 - Smarter Balanced Assessments (ELA and Math)

Wednesday, May 21st - WCAS - 8th grade ONLY

Thursday, May 22nd - Day of Champions - Student Services

Friday, May 23rd - Snow Makeup Day - NO SCHOOL

Monday, May 26th - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, May 27th - 1st half of 5th grade students visit Pioneer MS from Saltar's Point Elementary - 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Thursday, May 29th 2nd half of 5th grade students visit Pioneer MS from Saltar's Point Elementary - 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Tuesday, June 10th - 8th Grade Promotion - PIO GYM 4- 4:00 pm - 6:000 pm, followed by a dance in the cafeteria

Check our district calendar for more information:

https://www.steilacoom.k12.wa.us/welcome-center/calendars?cal_date=2025-04-0