Pioneer Press

Caring for Our Students’ Mental Health: Awareness and Support

At Pioneer Middle School, the safety and well-being of our students is always our highest priority. As part of that commitment, we want to take a moment to acknowledge an important and sometimes difficult topic: self-harm and suicide awareness.

Middle school can be an emotionally intense time. Adolescents are navigating rapid physical, social, and emotional changes, and some students may struggle more than others to manage stress, anxiety, or feelings of isolation. While conversations about self-harm and suicide can feel uncomfortable, open, age-appropriate dialogue and strong adult support are key protective factors for young people.

We want families to know that:

• Talking openly with children about emotions and mental health does not increase risk—research shows it can reduce stigma and help students seek help sooner.

• Warning signs may include changes in mood or behavior, withdrawal from friends, loss of interest in activities, changes in sleep or appetite, or expressions of hopelessness. These signs don’t always mean a student is in crisis, but they are signals that a caring conversation is needed.

• Students at Pioneer are encouraged to talk with trusted adults—at home and at school—when they are feeling overwhelmed or concerned about themselves or a friend.

At school, we take all concerns seriously. Our counselors, administrators, and support staff work closely with families when a student needs additional support, and we follow clear protocols to ensure student safety and care. We also continue to teach students skills around emotional regulation, help-seeking, and peer support through our advisory lessons and daily interactions.

If you ever have concerns about your child or another student, please reach out to us. If you believe a child may be in immediate danger, seek urgent help.

Helpful resources for families:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 (24/7 support)

• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741

• For immediate emergencies, call 911

• Additional resources on the SHSD website found HERE

Thank you for being our partners in caring for the whole child. By staying informed, connected, and compassionate, we strengthen the safety net around every student at Pioneer.

JoAnne Fernandes
Principal, Pioneer Middle School

What’s Happening in the English Learning Lab?

Students in the English Resource class have just wrapped up an engaging unit on the novel Holes by Louis Sachar. Throughout the reading, students explored the story’s unique structure, memorable characters, and important themes such as friendship, perseverance, and the impact of choices.

As we read the novel, students worked on building comprehension skills through guided discussions, vocabulary activities, and short written responses. They practiced identifying key events, making predictions, and connecting the story to real-life situations. The class also spent time analyzing how the past and present storylines connect, helping students strengthen their understanding of sequencing and cause-and-effect relationships.

What's Happening in the Math Learning Lab

Our students have been demonstrating incredible focus and perseverance in the Math Learning Lab as they tackle their IXL summative assessments. This platform allows our young mathematicians to showcase their mastery of specific standards while receiving immediate feedback to refine their skills in real-time. By engaging with these rigorous challenges, students are not only proving what they know but are also building the "math stamina" necessary for long-term academic success. We are immensely proud of the growth and grit they have displayed throughout this evaluation period!

Semester 1 ends on Friday, January 23. At the start of Semester 2, students’ updated schedules will be available in Skyward Student Access.

Semester 2 begins on Monday, January 26. Please note that printed schedules will not be distributed; students should access their schedules electronically through Skyward.

Semester 1 Report Cards:

Semester 1 report cards will be posted in Skyward Family Access for families to view. Report cards will not be printed or mailed home.

If you need a printed copy of your student’s report card, please email Mrs. Dueñas at pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us. When making your request, include your student’s full name, grade level, and date of birth.

Dance Permission Form Required
All students planning to attend the dance must have a completed permission form on file. Please use the link below to access the ParentSquare post with the electronic permission form:
https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/70115352

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, tardies or other time-sensitive issues. If the staff member is out, your message may go unseen.

If you need to make a change to your student’s after-school transportation, please contact the main office by 1:45 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and by 12:45 p.m. on ACE days (Wednesdays).

You can reach us:

• Phone: 253-583-7205

• Email: pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us

These deadlines ensure we have enough time to communicate the change to your student before dismissal.

Please note:

• Transportation changes requested by parents/guardians after the deadline cannot be guaranteed to reach your student before the end of the school day.

• Bus passes will NOT be issued to students at the end of the day.

• 🚫 Do not email staff directly regarding attendance, tardies or other time-sensitive issues. If the staff member is out, your message may go unseen.

See our school club schedule below:

Tuesdays

• Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) – Room A101 with Mrs. Percefull

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

Thursdays

• Pokémon Go! Club – Room E129 with Mrs. Elshire

• Game Club – Room A202 with Mr. Milton

• Builder's Club - Cafeteria with Mrs. Holyfield

Transportation:

After-school activity buses are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays for students attending school clubs. Click here for route information.

Season 3 (Winter II) Sports Registration

Girls Soccer

Boys Basketball

Registration Dates:
January 19 - February 2
Register Here

Sports Physical REQUIRED to Participate Blanks Sports Physical Form

Tryout Schedule:
February 2 - 6 (Monday - Friday)
2:45 PM - 4:45 PM
Be sure to bring your A-game!

PARENT Interest Meetings:

Boys Basketball: Wednesday, 1/28, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Library

Girls Soccer: Monday, 2/2, 4:50 PM (Right after Day 1 of Tryouts) | Meet on the Track

January 28th - ACE Day - 1:40 pm student release time

February 2nd - February 6th - Counselor Appreciation Week

February 4th - ACE Day - 1:40 pm student release time

February 10th - NAEP Testing for 8th grade students

February 13th - NO SCHOOL

February 16th - President's Day - NO SCHOOL

February 18th - ACE Day - 1:40 pm student release time

February 25th - ACE Day - 1:40 pm student release time

See our website for more information: https://pio.steilacoom.k12.wa.us/