June/July Newsletter

Dear Pioneer Families,

Our last day of school for our 6th and 7th graders is Thursday, June 11.

• We will have our typical start time at 8:50 AM and end time at 3:35PM .

• This will be a field day for all students and includes 2 hours of pool time for each grade level.

• Pool permission slips have been sent home and must be returned by Monday, June 1 for your child to participate!

The last day for 8th graders is Friday, June 12.

• We will have our 8th Grade Awards Ceremony in gym, from 9:30 -11:00 AM

• Students may leave with their family after the ceremony or stay at school until our early release time at 12:35 PM.

• As a reminder, we do not allow students to receive deliveries at school (food, flowers, balloons, etc.). Thank you for adhering to this policy.

• Congratulations to the class of 2030!

Our office will be open through Tuesday, June 16.

• If you find a lost library book, instrument, iPad, charging brick, cable or anything else that belongs to the school, please drop it off during the hours of 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

• If not returned, your students will incur a fee in Skyward.

• You can pay for fines and/or fees online or come to the office to pay them.

Save the Date for 2026-2027 Open House!

• Thursday, August 20, 7:00-8:00 PM - Open House (for all grade levels)

• 6:00-7:00 PM - Incoming 6th grade students are invited to come an hour earlier to an orientation, called BEAR Day

• Wednesday, August 26 - first day of school for 6th grade

• Thursday, August 27 - first day of school for 7th & 8th grade (all students attend)

The office will reopen on August 12. Stop by to make payments for ASB, planners and PE uniforms. School supply lists are linked here 6th grade, 7th grade & 8th grade.

Pioneer’s attendance rates continue to need improvement. We hope that students, with the support of their families, will strive to be at school every day. In order to plan ahead for appointments, trips, etc. please reference the 2026-2027 Student Calendar. Please note something new for next year–We will have 4 early release Wednesdays throughout the school year.

Have a wonderful summer!

Jacqueline Estephan
Principal

6th Grade Math is Cool got 3rd Place at State in Moses Lake

Team;

Jameson Lawless

Sonja Behrens

Colt Hernandez

Ethan Blakney

Colt Hernandez - 2nd Place

Sonja Behrens - 4th Place

Ethan Blakney. 7th Place

🎒 Welcome to Our Newest Bears!

Incoming 6th Graders Welcome to the Pioneer family! We are so excited to have you join us.

• Parents: If you have any questions or concerns as your student transitions to middle school, please feel free to email or call us.

• We look forward to seeing you in the fall!

🌟 Way to Go, 7th Grade!

Rising 8th Graders You did it! You rocked this school year and achieved so many accomplishments.

• We are incredibly proud of your hard work.

• Have a great summer—we can’t wait to see you back as the leaders of the school next year!

🎓 Farewell to Our 8th Graders

Class of 2030 (Heading to High School) It has been a true joy working with you over the last three years at Pioneer.

• Keep in Touch: We love hearing from our alumni, so please don't be strangers!

• The Future: We are so excited to see what you accomplish in high school and beyond.

• We will miss you! Have a wonderful, well-deserved summer.

Ms. Kelli Ottley, 6th-grade counselor. I also work with 7th-grade students with the last names (A-J) ottley.k@wenatcheeschools.org

Mrs. Karissa Harle, 8th-grade counselor. I also work with 7th-grade students with last names (K-Z)harle.karissa@wenatcheeschools.org

This coming school year Pioneer School is offering an opportunity to learn how to navigate the school tools in order to help your student be more successful while starting middle school. In order to help you access your student grades, please let us know that you are interested in the class. We will have a day class and an evening class.

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we would like to provide a few important reminders:

The Washington State Department of Health mandates the Tdap vaccination for all students age 11 or older prior to the start of their 7th-grade school year. Please provide proof of this immunization or an exemption form to the school office. Students without proof of vaccination or a completed exemption form will not be permitted to attend the first day of school.

If your student requires any medication during school , please note the following:

• A healthcare provider must complete the necessary Medication Authorization Form.

• You can download this form from our website or pick it up at the school office.

• Completed forms and medications can be dropped off at the school office at the start of the school year.

Students intending to participate in school sports next year are required to have a valid sports physical on file. We are partnering with Columbia Valley Community Health (CVCH) to host a school-based health clinic on August 13, 2026 between 9:00 AM and 2:40 PM at Pioneer Middle School. Please contact our coordinator at (509) 881-7147 to get your student scheduled.

Thanks,

Katy Boreson, MSN, RN

School Nurse

Pioneer Middle School

Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center

WestSide High School

Email: boreson.katy@wenatcheeschools.org

Tele: 509.670.7807

She/Her/Ella

Please visit Mrs. Mahaney's website https://sites.google.com/wenatcheeschools.org/pioneermusicmahaney/home

to view a list of items that need to be purchased before September. Students are responsible for purchasing their own books and instrument supplies, and should rent an instrument. School-loan instruments are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are available for families with financial need. There is no cost to borrow a school-loaned instrument, but students must still purchase their own reeds, strings, and books/binders.

2026- 2027 School Year Sports Registration Opens in August!

To Register for Sports click the link below:

Final Forms

*Remember that when registering your student for sports, you can add all the sports your child is

anticipating to participate throughout the year. Students are allowed one sport per season.

Returning Athletes and Parents: FinalForms saves data from season-to-season and year to-year!

Please carefully review your information, update if necessary, and sign all forms.

Grade Checks:

Important: Changes to Athletic Eligibility Grade Checks

We are updating our grade check process to ensure consistency across all middle schools and to align with the high school system.

What does this change mean?

Two times a season, Ms. Harle will identify all athletes currently failing a class (earning an F).

• If your student is failing a class, they will get a slip from the office to pick up a Grade Check form.

  • The Grade Check form is now kept in the office.

  • The student only needs the form signed by the specific teacher(s) whose class they are failing.

• Eligibility Rule: To participate in sports, your student must have a D grade or better in all classes.

How to Get Cleared to Play:

To regain eligibility, your student must:

1. Bring their failing grade up to a D or higher by completing missing work.

2. Get the teacher to sign the Grade Check form, confirming the D grade or better.

3. Turn the signed form in to Ms. Harle (or the designated staff member) for final clearance.

4. If your student is failing any classes, you will be notified through Final Forms from Ms. Harle. She will update the status as it changes.

The Power of Reading
Nurturing a Love for Reading: The Power of Summer Reading
As summer approaches, parents are presented with a golden
opportunity to instill a love for reading in their children. Engaging
in summer reading not only helps bridge the educational gap but also
unlocks a world of imagination and intellectual growth. Let's
explorewhy summer reading is essential and discover some strategies to make
it a memorable experience for your child.

Preventing the "Summer Slide"
Studies have shown that children who don't read over the summer can experience a significant
learning loss, commonly known as the "summer slide." By encouraging your child to read during the
summer months, you can prevent this slide and ensure they maintain their reading skills,
vocabulary, and comprehension abilities. Summer reading provides a valuable opportunity to bridge
the gap between academic years, enabling your child to start the new school year with confidence.
Imagination

Unleashed Summer reading fuels the imagination and transports children to magical worlds and faraway
places. Through books, children encounter new characters, embark on thrilling adventures, and explore
diverse cultures and perspectives. This imaginative escape not only fosters creativity but also
enhances empathy and understanding. By providing a variety of books that cater to your child's
interests, you open up a gateway to new horizons and ignite a lifelong passion for reading.

Family Bonding and Lifelong Memories Engaging in summer reading as a family creates lasting memories and strengthens the parent-child
bond. Set aside dedicated reading time and make it a shared experience by reading aloud,
discussing storylines, or even organizing a mini book club. Encourage your child to share their favorite parts
of the book or ask open-ended questions to spark meaningful conversations. Such interactions
foster a love for reading and reinforce the notion that reading is enjoyable, not just an academic obligation.

Summer reading is an invaluable investment in your child's education and personal development.
By preventing the summer slide, stimulating imagination, and nurturing family bonds, you set the stage
for a lifelong love affair with books. So, this summer, let's embark on exciting literary adventures
and create cherished memories together!

Free subscriptions. Grab a friend and go to the library for a bunch of fun activities all throughout June, July and August or checkout their library of things; pick up free passes to Ohme Gardens and other experiences.

Mrs. Lancaster and Mrs. Spencer
Librarians
Mrs. Lancaster
Librarian

6th Grade: Alize Alfaro, Manuel Arroyo, Ivan Cervantes, Kaeleb Gloyn, Joshua Gomez, Zaaron Kristensen, Angel Mancilla Luna, Lisette Parra, Kaden Stewart, Colter Wallace, George Walls, Mireya Vega Zarate

7th Grade: Azura Beard, Raelynn Farmbrook, Saxton Hoffman, Abigail Lagunas, Tania Lopez Galvan, Gia Martinez, Sofia Martinez Gutierrez, Emma Medina, Kyson Nice, Delilah Rayno, Kendra Sanchez Perez, Aurora Schweigert, Makenna Setzer, Jasmine Southfield, Landon Stewart, Grayson Tooley, Luis Torres Garcia, Jared Tovar Maxinez

8th Grade: Kasandra Camarillo Aviles, Levi Dearie, Karina Delgado Espana, Luis Garcia Mendoza, Amy Garibay Hurtado, Adrian Gonzalez Iniguez, Jedediah Green, Felix Gutierrez, Eamonn McGreevy, Jacob Morales Elias, Maribel Mota Flores, Salvador Reyes Jaimes, Zayden Rios Morelos, Gabriel Sandoval Espinoza, Drake Smith, Olivia Smith Canales, Regina Solis, Kellyn Vander Kooy, Gunner Winter

6th Grade: Noah Andrade, Ethan Blakney, Juan Flores, Mia Hernandez Lazaro, Mauricio Mora Galarza, Lillian Morrow, Amora Rocha Fox, Elenny Sanchez, Jacoby Schoengarth, Aleah Solorio, Anthony Terry, George Walls

7th Grade: Angel Adame Ibarra, Jaylene Arevalo, Zoey Avey, Coraline Beckmann, Jakobi Carveth, Victor Cortez, Skyla Garibay, Rey Leon Perez, Zoey Lioliadis, Nayely Pacheco, Brooks Palmer, Aydan Paslay, Nevaeh Rios, Isaac Rose, Kenny Ruiz Vaquin, Charleigh Tollefsrud

8th Grade: Kyler Belton, Yulissa Castillo Gonzalez, Bryan Garcia Hurtado, Jakob Gloyn, Angel Montes Serrano, Isaac Rayno, Sean Smack, Bently Stubblefield, Bailey Thune, Elsie Varga, Carson Walker