Pioneer Press

Dear Pioneer Families,

We are pleased to announce that Pioneer Middle School will be adding a Student Assistance Program to support the behavioral health needs of our students. A Behavioral Health Assistant provides information, guidance and support to students who are impacted by emotional stressors and behavioral health challenges.

The goals of the program include:

1. Improve access to behavioral health services

2. Increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of mental distress and encourage help-seeking behavior

3. Develop healthy coping skills

4. Improve school attendance and academic performance

Please look for additional information coming out next week.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the program.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Fernandes, Principal

8th grade families are invited to: Rising 9th Grade Night

Steilacoom High School will be hosting a "Rising 9th Graders" night for parents and guardians to get more information about registration and hear from Mr. Tyrrell, Mr. Johnson, and more about the process of transitioning to high school. This will be held on March 12th at 6:00 pm in the Steilacoom High School theater. Following the presentation, parents and guardians will have the opportunity to tour the school with Steilly Crew students.

For more information regarding "Rising 9th Grade Night," please contact Steilacoom High School directly at 253-983-2300

Mr. Byrd's 6th grade classes have been working on our CER's (Claim Evidence Reasoning) to answer the question, “Which heating system will heat the school better?” We also just finished taking the Thermal Energy summative test.

Next, we will focus on the Traits and Reproduction unit. Students will be learning how traits, like spider silk, are inherited. They will dive into how genes play a role in traits, which are passed down to offspring. Variations in those traits can affect things like survival and reproduction, which they will reconnect with in 8th grade.

7th grade classes are working on chemistry using the Amplify curriculum. The unit phenomenon consists of a house with “rusty pipes” located in a rural area contaminated by pesticides. Through the phenomenon, students studied effects of fracking on groundwater, and the 2014/15 Flint Michigan water crisis. After the recent water quality testing report came out from the District, students are looking into the published water report in table groups. Our student generated class motto is “We are, Beautiful, Curious, Authentic People who ask Questions"

The science team is grateful to announce that Ms. Yuckert is recovering well from her recent surgery. Ms. Harris is covering her classes until Ms. Yuckert’s return in May. Many 7th grade students had the pleasure of learning math from Ms. Harris as 6th grade students!

8th Grade science classrooms are overlapping 2 topics, magnetism and natural selection. While learning about Magnets and Magnetism, students will be making electromagnets to discover how adding electricity amplifies the strength of magnets. The phenomenon for the unit is how magnets could potentially launch a rocket into space. The closest thing we have to these rockets right now is Roller Coasters! Students will research the world’s fastest roller coasters that have ‘fins’ to speed up or slow down the cars along the route using magnetism.

Natural Selection focuses on adaptive traits and taps into the role genes and environmental factors play in passing traits for survival from parents to offspring. Variations in those traits can affect things like survival and reproduction, which they will reconnect with in 8th grade. Mrs. Mateus’ classes planted some daffodil bulbs and made predictions about what the flower color combinations will look like based on just the bulb. Once they start blooming in March/April, students will bring home their colorful crop.

🚍 Bus Loading Zone Reminder 🚍

The bus loading zone is reserved for buses only. To ensure safety and smooth operations, parking in this area is not permitted at any time.

If you're attending a sporting event, please use the parking lot near the blacktop or the lot in front of the building.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping the bus zone clear!

Girls Soccer:

Tuesday, March 4th - AWAY at Hudtloff MS

Thursday, March 6th - AWAY at Yelm MS

Tuesday, March 11th - HOME vs. Hudtloff MS

Friday, March 14th - NO PRACTICE

Tuesday, March 18th - AWAY vs. Yelm MS

Friday, March 21st - AWAY vs. Thomas MS

Tuesday, March 25th - HOME vs. Lochburn MS

Boys Basketball:

Tuesday, March 4th - HOME vs. Hudtloff MS

Thursday, March 6th - AWAY vs. Yelm MS

Tuesday, March 11th - AWAY vs. Hudtloff MS

Friday, March 14th - NO PRACTICE

Tuesday, March 18th - AWAY vs. Yelm MS

Friday, March 21st - HOME vs. Thomas MS

Tuesday, March 25th - AWAY vs. Lochburn MS

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

Wednesday, March 12th - ACE DAY

Friday, March 14th - NO SCHOOL for students - Staff professional development

Wednesday, March 19th - ACE DAY

Thursday, March 20th - Band Concert 6:30 pm in PIO Gym

Monday, March 24th - Choir Concert 6:30 pm in PIO Gym

Wednesday, March 26th - ACE DAY

Friday, March 28th - NO SCHOOL - Snow make up day (weather dependent)

Is Your Student Arriving Late to School?

Classes begin at 8:10 a.m.

• If your student arrives at 8:10 a.m. or later, they must check in at our kiosk for a pass to class.
• Tardies require a parent/guardian excuse.

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—attendance messages are checked frequently. No need to call multiple times.

Option 2: Email pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us or ParentSquare message at Pioneer Middle School Office to update attendance.

• Do not email staff directly regarding attendance.

Transportation Changes

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 us at pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us to request transportation changes.