Pioneer Family Times 10/25
Be Bold. Be Brave Be Extraordinary. Be a Pioneer.
“When you get into a tight place
and everything goes against you…
never give up then,
for that is just the place and time
that the tide will turn.”
- Harriet Beecher Stowe
Greetings Pioneer Students & Families:
As we enter the season of giving, there is so much to be excited about across our Pioneer community! This is a wonderful time of year to reflect on the many ways we support one another, celebrate our successes, and continue to build a school community where everyone feels valued and connected.
Let’s keep that Pioneer spirit going as our students continue to find success both on the playing field and in the classroom. Whether through athletic achievements, academic growth, performing arts, or the many ways our students contribute to our school, there is so much to celebrate and be proud of!
We also recognize that this time of year can be busy and demanding for students, staff, and families alike. As we move through the coming weeks, please remember to take care of yourselves, make time to rest, and prioritize your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Taking care of ourselves allows us to continue showing up for one another in meaningful ways.
Thank you for being such an important part of the Pioneer community. Let’s continue to lead with kindness, celebrate one another’s successes, and make this season one filled with gratitude, generosity, and connection. In an effort to enjoy and celebrate the fall season appropriately, respectfully, and in accordance with school rules, we ask that students use the following guidelines when selecting a costume if they plan to wear it on Friday:
NO masks or FULL face paint. Staff must be able to easily identify all students.
Costumes that are provocative, revealing, or sexual in nature or employ questionable props are not permitted.
Costumes that depict alcohol, drugs, or violence are not permitted. Fake weapons, blood, or replicas are not permitted.
Costumes that could be offensive or perpetuate a stereotype of someone’s culture, gender, heritage, or religion are not permitted.
Costumes should not hinder your ability to participate in your classes
Costumes may not disrupt or impede learning, or present issues of safety.
If you have any questions regarding the appropriateness of your costume, we encourage you to speak with your caregiver or school staff. Students wearing questionable costumes will be asked to change.
Be Bold! Be Brave! Be Extraordinary! Be a Pioneer!
Be Responsive,
Your Pioneer Administration Team
(Ms. Claar, Ms. Roberts, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Wade, and Mr. Smith)
- 2nd Hour: SAEBRS Survey
Wednesday, 10/28: COLLEGE WEAR WEDNESDAYS
- 1st Club Day - Club Day Schedule
Friday, 10/30: PIONEER PRIDE or Halloween Costumes
- END OF 1st MARKING PERIOD
To access our full building calendar, please visit the Pioneer School Site and click on the CALENDAR link.
To view all Pioneer athletic events please click on the schedule below:
Follow Pioneer Athletics on X @AAPioneerSports
AP Exam Registration Deadline – October 30
Students enrolled in AP courses this year, as well as students who are self-studying for AP exams, must complete the required exam registration and payment steps by Friday, October 30.
Pioneer students enrolled in an AP Class: After you submit payment through MyPaymentsPlus, the AP Coordinator will complete your exam registration through your AP Classroom within 48 hours.
Students who are self-studying: Use the appropriate AP Exam-Only Join Code to register for each exam and complete payment through MyPaymentsPlus.
The Exam-Only Join Code spreadsheet requires an AAPS Gmail account. Codes can also be accessed through the class description in MyPaymentsPlus.
For registration details, exam information, and the spring testing schedule, visit the AAPS Advanced Placement (AP) Testing Website.
Questions? Contact AP Testing Coordinator Anthony Lauer at lauera@aaps.k12.mi.us.
Important: Complete all required steps by October 30 to ensure your AP exam registration is processed on time.
Questions?
Please contact the AAPS AP Coordinator:
Anthony Lauer
AAPS AP Coordinator
lauera@aaps.k12.mi.us
When emailing, please include your student's name, student ID number, AP course(s), and school of attendance so we can best assist you.
Thank you for supporting your student in exploring these valuable academic opportunities.
Naming Pio Curbside Recycle Bins
Thank you to everyone who suggested names for our curbside recycling bins! We got more than 40 suggestions, but 12 bins, so we're going to put it to a vote. The link to the ballot is below OR you can find it on the GreenTeam Instagram page: at Pio dot GreenTeam (@pio.greenteam). Voting closes at 3pm on October 29!
Join the AAPS AI Student Council
Are you interested in how AAPS makes decisions about AI use?
Share your voice!
Join the AAPS AI Student Council.
Complete the Google Form below.
Translation Support During Parent/Teacher Conferences 11/10/26
Parent Teacher Conferences will be on Tuesday November 10th from 4pm-7pm. To help us prepare, families who would like translation support during parent teacher conferences should fill out this Google form by Friday November 6th. This service is available to all families at Pioneer. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Nicole Macko at mackon@aaps.k12.mi.us
Join the Pio National Honor Society!
Do you have a GPA of 3.6 or higher? If so, consider applying to National Honor Society! It's a great way to get involved in the school and community, AND looks good on a college application.
Deadline is 3pm on 10/30. Applications can be turned in to Ms. Bender via email or in room C-119.
Need a Work Permit?
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is preparing to launch the new Youth Employment Permit Portal, a centralized online system that will modernize the state’s youth employment permit process and make it more convenient and accessible for minors, families and employers. Local school districts and nonpublic schools will no longer issue youth employment permits.
Beginning Oct. 2, employers and minors will use the new portal to complete the youth employment permit process through one statewide system. To help employers, schools, families and other stakeholders prepare for the transition, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity will host a Youth Employment Permit Portal webinar on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 2–3:30 p.m. ET. For additional information and updates, visit Michigan.gov/YouthEmployment.
Student Council GoFan Fundraiser
Pioneer Student Council is having a GoFan fundraiser to support events and activities for the Class of 2027 throughout the school year. The fundraiser will provide an opportunity for parents and families to make voluntary donations that will go toward creating meaningful and memorable experiences for our graduating class. Funds raised will help support events such as Senior Sunrise, Senior Sunset, Prom, and other senior activities planned throughout the year. By keeping the fundraiser open for the duration of the school year, families will have the flexibility to contribute when they are able, while allowing Student Council to build funding that can support a variety of class events. Our goal is to make these experiences as enjoyable and inclusive as possible for the Class of 2027, and we greatly appreciate the support of our Pioneer families.
Recycling Pilot Program
Pioneer is kickstarting a recycling program and needs your help! We are organizing a Green Team consisting of students from all graduating classes. Any student interested in joining Green Team should contact Ms. Bender via email at benderm@aaps.k12.mi.us or in Room C-119.
LEARNING/TUTORING CENTER - FREE AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING!!
The Learning Center is a safe space to complete work and get help if needed. They meet in the Cafeteria Mon-Fri during 7th Hour from 3pm-4pm. We have Tutors (Teacher and NHS Tutors) available everyday.
For questions about the Pioneer Learning Center, please contact Mr. Dresch: dreschd@aaps.k12.mi.us
Attendance Expectations
We will run weekly attendance reports to monitor and we will be in contact with each student and parent as we go through the process. Each week the attendance we monitor will reset, so students do not get penalized in a cumulative manner.
Below are a sample of the incentives:
FREE and/or discounted Homecoming and Prom tickets
Front of the line passes for cookies & cafeteria
Gift cards from various restaurants and businesses
Prime Parking spots
Below is the progressive discipline process:
- 5 Tardies / 5 UNVerified Absences in a week:
- 1st: Lunch Detention
- 2nd: After School Detention (ASD)
- 3rd: Social Suspension
- 4th: Parent Meeting (In Person)
Senior Mailing: Reviewed Transcripts and Letter
Seniors should have received a mailing home from their counselor which contained a reviewed transcript and letter noting their remaining requirements needed for graduation. If a senior failed to receive this mailing, then they should email their counselor to touch base about remaining credits. It is the responsibility of each senior student to make sure that they enroll (and remain enrolled) in the needed classes for graduation.
Basic College Application Information Sheet
Seniors will need to refer to this as they begin completing their college applications. Click Here
Concerns about a discipline or academic problem and its resolution should first be expressed or questioned at the point where the problem occurred. A discipline or academic problem involving a student in a particular class should be brought to the attention of the teacher of that class. If this step does not bring satisfaction, consult the student's counselor, advisor, or principal.
