Pioneer Press
October 30, 2026
Principal Fernandes Announces: Weekly Department Highlights
MATH DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Math 6:
6th graders have finished chapter 1 and took the final assessment. Now, they will begin their work with fractions and decimals. The essential questions we will be looking to answer are: What does it mean to multiply fractions? How can you divide by a fraction? How can you model division by a mixed number? How can you add and subtract decimals? How can you multiply decimals? How can you use base ten blocks to model decimal division?
Here are some ways to practice these skills at home?
Baking and cooking: Have your child adjust a recipe to make half or double the amount.
Complete this fraction challenge with dice: Roll two dice to create a fraction, then roll two more to create a second fraction. Multiply or divide the fractions. Students earn a point for a correct answer and an extra point for simplifying it.
PreAlgebra:
In Pre-Algebra, students are concluding their unit on operations with rational numbers. Students mastered the skills of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing positive and negative numbers, including fractions and decimals. We are emphasizing showing work, checking answers, and understanding why certain rules work rather than simply memorizing procedures. We will continue practicing operations with rational numbers and applying these skills to problems that require multiple steps. You can help your student at home by practicing with everyday examples, such as calculating the change in temperature or determining how much money remains after a purchase.
Math 7:
In Math 7 we are working on rational numbers. We have defined what a rational number is and are now working on ordering rational numbers using a variety of strategies, including converting to decimals and placing them on a number line. To practice ordering, we played a war card game where 2 players place down a card from a deck, whoever has the larger rational number wins both cards! This has real world applications in cooking, finance, weather, geography and much more! Any scenario in the world where you might need to compare two or more rational numbers uses the skills we are building. This is going to lead us into how we can add and subtract rational numbers, which is an important skill for any student going into 8th grade and beyond.
Algebra I:
In Algebra, students are working through a unit on graphing linear equations. Students have practiced graphing lines using a table of values and finding slope from a graph, two points, and a table. We are emphasizing multiple strategies for solving problems so students can recognize which information is available and determine the best way to find the slope. Learning to interpret slope helps students connect graphs and equations to real-world situations and make sense of relationships between quantities. We will continue building our graphing skills by connecting slope to the equation of a line. Students will work toward writing linear equations and using those equations to graph lines and understand how a line's equation relates to its graph.
How can you help your child apply these concepts to real-world situations? Look for examples of rates of change in everyday life, such as miles traveled per hour, dollars earned per hour, or the cost of items at a store.
Please remember that you can support students' learning by encouraging them to watch and take notes or review videos posted in Google Classroom.
Math 8: In Math 8 we are solving equations with variables on both sides. Students have used algebra to move variables to one side of an equation while moving the constants to the other side of the equations. We are currently working on what it means for an equation to have no solutions and infinite solutions. We have used visuals to emphasis the steps and justify the why for everything we are doing. Upcoming we will be moving into writing and graphing linear equations! Parents can help support by checking in with students and making sure that they are not falling behind on content or assignments!
Geometry: Geometry is learning about logical reasoning: conditional statements, truth tables, inductive and deductive reasoning and proofs. They played jeopardy quiz reviews and enjoyed friendly competition. Additionally, they learn through stories that use real world application of proofs. Proofs is the main topic for this chapter that will be addressed in all future chapters. One way to support your child’s learning is to watch the proof videos posted in Google Classroom.
Students in Mrs. Herig's class playing absolute value war.
Picture Re-takes are ready for viewing!
Click below to view your student’s picture gallery:
Online Code: Your Child’s Student ID #
If the button doesn't work, copy this address into your browser:
https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001444521
Photos from the First Picture Day and Make-Up Picture Day (if your student participated) are both included in the gallery.
Order Soon — FREE SHIPPING to School ends November 6, 2026
Questions: info@classactportraits.com or (253) 569-1627
Enjoy Your Pictures & Smile On!
From the Health Room
🩺 From the Health Room: When Should My Student Stay Home?
We love seeing our Pirates at school every day! But when students are sick, staying home to rest helps them feel better and keeps others healthy, too.
🏠 Please keep your student home if they have:
A fever
Vomiting or diarrhea
Symptoms that make it hard to get through the school day
✅ When Can My Student Come Back?
Students should be fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine and feel well enough to eat, drink, and take part in their regular school activities.
🤧 What About a Runny Nose or Cough?
A little runny nose, mild cough, or slight sore throat doesn't always mean your student needs to stay home. If they feel well enough to learn and participate, they can usually come to school.
Thank you for helping us keep our Pirates healthy and ready to learn!
November Lunch Menu
Attendance & Tardy Reminders
Attendance Reminders – Every Minute Counts!
Classes begin promptly at 8:10 AM! Students arriving at 8:10 AM or later must check in at the attendance kiosk to receive a pass before heading to class.
Reporting Absences & Tardies:
Please remember that both absences and tardies must be excused by a parent or guardian. Families can report attendance using one of the following methods:
📞 Call the Main Office: 253-583-7200 and select the attendance option. If no one answers, please leave a voicemail. Messages are checked frequently, so there is no need to call multiple times.
📧 Email: pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us
💬 ParentSquare: Send a message directly to the Pioneer Office.
🚫 Please do not email individual staff members regarding attendance. All attendance information should be sent directly to the Pioneer Office to ensure it is received and recorded promptly and accurately.
Thank you for helping us keep attendance records accurate and our students ready to learn!
Gobble Gobble Gotta Order Your Yearbook
School Sports
Season 1 Sports Banquets:
Let's celebrate our Pirate athletes and their hard work this season!
⚾ Boys Baseball Banquet:
Date: Tuesday, November 3
Time: 3:30–5:00 PM
Location: Pioneer Cafeteria
🥎 Girls Fastpitch Banquet:
Date: Wednesday, November 4
Time: 4:00–7:30 PM
Location: Pioneer Cafeteria
Season 2 Sports Registration Is NOW OPEN!
Don't wait—register your athlete TODAY! Season 2 is right around the corner, and students must be fully registered and have a valid sports physical on file BEFORE they can participate in tryouts!
Sports Offered:
🏀 Girls Basketball
🤼 Co-Ed Wrestling
📅 Tryout Dates: November 9–13
⏰ Tryout Times: 2:45–4:45 PM
🚨 IMPORTANT – Complete Registration BEFORE Tryouts!
Register your student through FinalForms as soon as possible.
A valid sports physical MUST be on file before your student can participate.
Athletes are expected to attend all scheduled tryout days.
👉 REGISTER YOUR ATHLETE NOW – CLICK HERE!
Don't let incomplete registration or a missing sports physical keep your student on the sidelines! Take care of these requirements now so your athlete is ready for tryouts!
Questions? Contact the Pioneer Main Office at pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.
Let's finish Season 1 strong and get ready for an exciting Season 2! Go Pirates! 🏴☠️
School Clubs
Below is a list of the clubs currently available at Pioneer MS
- Builders' Club — Mrs. Marrero | Room A103
- Game/Video Game Club — Ms. Khalsa | Room A109
- Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) — Ms. Manley | Room A115
- Junior Student to Student (JS2S) — Dr. Pilon | Room C101
- Pokémon GO! Club — Mrs. Elshire | Room E129/Commons
- Homework Club — Mrs. Fernandes | Library
- Christian Faith Club (CFC) — Mrs. Vaccaro | Room B103
📅 When: Every Thursday
⏰ Time: 2:45–3:45 PM
🚌 Transportation
Transportation home is available following clubs; however, routes are limited in DuPont and Steilacoom. Families should review the 4:00 PM ASA bus routes in advance to ensure that your student knows how to get home from the available ASA route.
Coming Up!
November 3rd - Boys Baseball Banquet - Cafeteria
November 4th - Girls Fastpitch Banquet - Cafeteria
November 6th - Veterans Breakfast & Salute for Service Assembly
November 2nd - November 20th - ASB Lead School Wide Food Drive
November 13th - 7th Grade Hearing & Vision Screening - Library
November 25th - Half day - 11:40 am release time for students and teachers
November 26th & November 27th - Thanksgiving Break