Pioneer Family Times 9/27

“Your great

strength is

knowing who

you are.”

– Oscar de la Renta

Greetings Pioneer Students & Families:

It’s Homecoming Week at Pioneer High School, and we are ready to celebrate! This is always a special time of year as our students and staff come together to build school spirit, strengthen relationships, create lasting memories, and celebrate what makes Pioneer such a special place to learn and grow.

Our staff and students will be enjoying a fun-filled Spirit Week, with a different dress up theme each day. We encourage everyone to participate, show your Pioneer pride, and most importantly, have a great time together!

We are also looking forward to an exciting Homecoming Game and Dance. We know these events will be filled with incredible energy, school spirit, and Pioneer pride. After the disturbances from our last two football games, we will also have appropriate security measures in place to help provide a safe and welcoming atmosphere for our students and their guests.

DOORS CLOSE AT 9:30PM FOR THE HOMECOMING DANCE

As always, the well-being of our students remains at the forefront of everything we do. We are committed to creating a school community where every student feels loved, appreciated, safe, respected, and heard. We want our students to enjoy this week, make memories, celebrate with their friends, and know that they belong at Pioneer.

Let’s make this a week filled with school spirit, positive energy, laughter, connection, and PIONEER PRIDE!

It is going to be an amazing week!

Be Bold! Be Brave! Be Extraordinary! Be a Pioneer!

Be Excited,

Your Pioneer Administration Team

(Ms. Claar, Ms. Roberts, Ms. Stevenson, Mr. Wade, and Mr. Smith)

Pioneer congratulates 22 students (44 total in AAPS) who have been named Semi-Finalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. To become a Finalist, the Semi-Finalist and his or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application. They provide information about the academic record of the Semi-Finalist, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors and awards received. A Semi-Finalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

The names of the 2027 Semi-Finalists from Pioneer are: Swarnim Agnihotri, Per Bergman, Elijah Berkley, Kyle Brady, Ryan Buscetta, Madison Buza, Tejas Gupta, Bintou Kaba, Emma Korvun, Suryn Lee, Raymond Li, Ryan Lorenz, Ami Masuda, Caroline McTigue, Shelley Ouyang, Haechan Park, WooJoo Park, John Pottow, Bridget Shaefer, Mikaela Wyche, Jasper York and Xander Zhang

Congratulations to the following members of the Pioneer Choirs who auditioned for and were accepted to the MSVMA Musical Theatre Intensive:

Maya Konars '28 & Nika Lipin '28

The MSVMA Musical Theatre Intensive is a day-long event on October 3 in Redford, bringing together the top 100 musical theatre students from across the state. Students work with faculty from the University of Michigan musical theatre department in a series of workshops, sessions, and solo performances. To be selected, each student submitted a recorded video performance audition, were evaluated by a set of adjudicators, and the top 100 students were selected. Congratulations!

Thanks to Student Council, PTSO, and many staff that assisted with supporting the Senior Class of 2027 Senior Sunrise. It was a beautiful event, and the sun rose just in time for our seniors to take this beautiful picture and get to class on time. It might have been this cohorts best attended 1st hour ever.

Wednesday, 9/30: PAJAMA DAY

• 11th Grade: Digital Readiness Check during the hours listed below in the cafeteria.

• 2nd Hour: A - L

• 3rd Hour: M - Z

• 7:30PM - Fall Orchestra Concert

Friday, 10/2: CLASS COLOR DAY & Homecoming Pep Rally (Pep Rally Schedule)

• 9th: Purple
• 10th: White
• 11th: Gray
• 12th: Black
• Staff: ANYTHING PIONEER

Saturday, 10/3: Homecoming Dance (8pm - 11pm)

• DOORS CLOSE AT 9:30PM FOR THE HOMECOMING DANCE

• 10/6: Coffee w/ the Principals

• 10/7: Student Count Day & Fall Choir Concert

• 10/8: PSAT NMSQT

• 10/9-10/12: No School (Early Fall Break)

• 10/13: Parent/Teacher Conferences 4-7pm

• 10/20: All Hollows Band Concert

• 11/3: No School for Students & Staff (Election Day)

• 11/4: School Pictures (Make Up) & Curriculum Design District PL

• 11/10: Coffee w/ the Principals

• 11/12-11/15: PTG Presents: Hadestown

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:

Pioneer Athletics Events

Pioneer Athletics Page

Follow Pioneer Athletics on X @AAPioneerSports

We need a few volunteers for set up and Dance snack donations. If you are volunteering for set up or clean up, you will need an AAPS background check (if you have already done one this year for Pioneer, you are all set. Any other school, you'll need to do again).

Drop off donations labeled "Homecoming" at the Pioneer main office (clocktower entrance) from Wednesday, September 3oth at 9am to Friday, Oct 2nd at 2pm. Note, snacks of similar type listed are welcome (please no nuts), and snacks may come in similar quantities depending on shopping venue. If you are volunteering for set up on October 3rd, please meet at the gym (flagpole entrance) at 12:45pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Sarah Moore (moores@aaps.k12.mi.us) or Jill Schloff (jillschloff@gmail.com).

To the Parents/Guardians of Pioneer High School Students,

As part of our continuing efforts to support student well-being, Pioneer High School will administer a brief, universal screening of social, emotional & behavioral well-being to all students. Below, you will find more information about the screener, including how the information will be used. Please take a moment to review this information. If you do not want your student to participate, you may use the link provided to opt out.

Sincerely,

Desmond Smith

Principal, Pioneer High School

Ann Arbor Public Schools

STUDENT WELL-BEING SCREENER DISCLOSURE

Pioneer staff care deeply about our students and want to make sure they have the support they need to be successful in school. As part of this effort, Pioneer High School will administer a brief self-report screener to all students. Students will answer questions about their social, emotional, and behavioral experiences at school.

We will use the mySAEBRS (Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener), a research-validated screening measure. Information from the screener helps us better understand the needs of our student population and identify students who may benefit from additional support. The information can also help us plan supports at the school, classroom, and individual levels.

The screener will be administered at Pioneer High School on October 27, 2026, and again on a date to be determined in the spring.

A member of the Pioneer screening team may follow up with a student if their responses indicate that additional support may be helpful. A student's screening results do not mean that a student has a mental health or behavioral disorder, and the screener is not used to diagnose a mental health condition.

If you would like additional information about the screener or the student supports available at Pioneer High School, please contact Dr. Emily Sportsman, School Psychologist, at sportsman@aaps.k12.mi.us, or your student's school counselor.

CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT

Results of this screener will only be reviewed by district mental health professionals and shared with appropriate staff and/or parents on a need to know basis. The screener is not being used to provide a diagnosis or to treat any mental health conditions, but rather as a guide to determine the current behavioral well-being of our student population.

OPT OUT

If you have no objection to the screener, no further action is necessary, and your student will participate.

If you would prefer that your student NOT participate in this screening during this school year, please complete this form by Friday, 10/23/26. If you have multiple students at Pioneer, please complete the survey for each student.

Consent for Opt Out

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.

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.

Join Student Council and help make Pioneer a better place for everyone! Share your ideas, plan school events, build leadership skills, and make your voice heard. Get involved, meet new people, and help create an unforgettable school year. Join here by September 30th: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaZLxou0pB10k51BxPMlxgYxVk7qe68aKuHTEqGOqV-Oz-eA/viewform

Please take a moment to complete the form and return it to your student’s school. The Education Benefits Form collects information needed to ensure the school receives state and federal funding for education programs. Without this information, our school could lose important funding for education programs that our students need. These supplemental grants and programs have the potential to offer supports and services for our students including, but not limited to:

· Instructional staff (ex. Reading Interventionists, Math Tutors, Academic & Behavior Aids)

· Teaching supplies and materials

· Counselors and Social Workers

· School Nurses

· Professional Learning for staff

· Parent and Community engagement supplies and activities

· Technology

Why is the school requesting financial information?

The Education Benefits Form determines eligibility of a student or household. The total count of eligible students is used to determine the funding amounts that will be made available to a school. The more forms returned the better.

What do I need to do?

Please complete the attached form and return it to your child’s school. Families only need to fill on ONE form, listing all their children.

What else might my student or household be eligible for?

Based on the information you provide on your Education Benefits Form, your child may qualify for other programs such as:

· Pay to play or Pay to Participate

· Programs that provide food support

· Programs that provide field trip support

· Programs that provide school supplies or assist with school fees

· Programs that provide holiday support

· Potential household support for cable and internet

If you have any questions, please contact bollingere@aaps.k12.mi.us at 734-994-2265.

Are you interested in continuing or starting a club this school year?

Please complete the form below by Friday, 10/2.

This program is aimed at building participants’ confidence in the college application process as well as their understanding of educational and career opportunities in STEM.

Student: 9-12 grade

Date: October 3 (registration through September 28)

Time: 10 am to 2 pm, lunch will be served

Location: University of Michigan, Chemistry Bldg. 903 N University

Dear AAPS Students and Families,

The Ann Arbor Public Schools is pleased to offer 29 different Advanced Placement (AP) Exams this spring. All students in grades 9–12 are eligible to register. If your student is not interested in taking an AP Exam this year, no action is needed and you may disregard this message.

2027 AP Exam Registration

Registration for May 2027 AP Exams is open September 1 through October 30, 2026. If your student plans to take an AP Exam, please review the registration information and complete all required steps by the October 30 deadline.

AAPS AP Testing Information

The AP Testing webpage includes information about:

• Registration procedures

• Exam fees and payment

• Registration deadlines

• Exam dates and times

• Self-study and online course registration

• Reduced-price exams

• Testing procedures and supports

AP Exam Location

All AP exams administered by AAPS will take place on the official College Board exam date at:

Eastern Michigan University – Student Center
900 Oakwood St.
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

AAPS does not provide transportation to the AP exam site. Families are responsible for arranging transportation.

Do I Need to Take an AP Exam?

Taking an AP exam is not required. However, most students enrolled in AP courses choose to take the exam at the end of their course of study. Students who are self-studying or taking an AP course through A2 Virtual+ may also register to take an AP exam. Reduced-price exams are available for eligible students. AP exams provide students with the opportunity to earn scores that may qualify for college credit or advanced placement, depending on the policies of the receiving college or university.

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.

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.

Parent Teacher Conferences will be on Tuesday October 13th from 4pm-7pm. To help us prepare, families who would like translation support during parent teacher conferences should fill out this Google form by Thursday October 8th. 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

In This Update:

• Free resources for diapers and clothing for families
• Free resources for academic support
• A Mental Health workshop for parents, a career development event for HS students and more!

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

The doors to Pioneer will be open at 7:20am. Please plan to drop your student off by 7:45 so they can find their way to class on time. It can easily take a student up to 10 minutes to get from the student parking lot to their first class. FREE Breakfast is served at 7:40 in the cafeteria. Doors to the school are secured at 8:00 and all students entering after that time must sign in at the welcome desk.

Every student must sign in after 8:00 at the welcome desk no matter what.

DROP OFF LOCATIONS:

• CLOCKTOWER (Stadium Dr.): This is a single lane drop off location and backs up quickly after 7:40 so please plan accordingly:

• For the safety of our students, please use the Zipper Merge method when you arrive to the first cone and use patience. This will require you to quickly drop off, then keep going. If you want more time to connect with your child or for them to retrieve their items out of the backseat or trunk, please pull up to the area beyond the cones, pull over, and pause there. The Clocktower drop off location does not get busy until after 7:45. If you arrive between 7:20-7:45 the coast is clear. The flag pole entrance is also a great place for dropping off students. Please plan your commute accordingly. Doors officially open to the building at 7:20am.

• FLAGPOLE ENTRANCE (Main St.): Best location to drop off on side of building near student lot

• BUS LOOP (7th Street): Please do not drop off students on 7th Street or in the Bus Loop. It poses a safety risk. This entrance is dedicated to walkers, cyclists, and bus riders.

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

Senior Family College Application Information Night

Capsule Night: Tues. Sept. 15th @ 5 PM in Schreiber Auditorium

The PHS Counseling Department which will cover important information about the college application process at Pioneer High School.

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.

Closed Campus Notice:

During school hours, students are not allowed to leave the building or campus without explicit permission. Students may not access their vehicles during the school day without prior approval from an administrator. Unauthorized departures from the building will result in disciplinary action, and repeated violations may lead to the loss of parking privileges at Pioneer High School. Exceptions to this policy include students participating in homebuilding programs, those enrolled in dual enrollment courses, and those in cosmetology programs.

Food Delivery During the School Day:

Food delivery services are prohibited by Pioneer High School. This is to better ensure the security of the school as well as to minimize disruptions to the school day. Students are NOT allowed to leave the building for any reason without permission from a parent/caretaker. Students found leaving school will be sent back to class and disciplined appropriately.

Vehicles on Campus:
Vehicles parked on school property are under the jurisdiction of the school. The school reserves the right to search any vehicle, if reasonable suspicion exists to do so. Students have full responsibility for the security of their vehicles and will make certain they are locked and that keys are not given to others. Students will be held responsible for any prohibited objects or substances, such as alcohol, drugs, and weapons, that are found in their cars and will be subject to disciplinary action. Searches of vehicles, as well as general searches of school property, may be conducted at any time if there is reasonable suspicion to do so, with or without the presence of the student. If the vehicle subject to search is locked, the student shall be asked to unlock the vehicle. If the student refuses, we will contact the student’s parent(s). If parent(s) also refuse to permit the vehicle to be searched, we may contact local law enforcement officials and turn the matter over to them.

Electronic Devices Policy:

All Pioneer students will have a district provided MacBook. Students will be required to use and bring their fully charged district MacBook to school and class daily. The district has also developed and adopted a policy for personal electronic devices and it will be shared in the near future.

Ann Arbor Community Resources

If you've ever wondered where you can send a parent or student to get help, you're not alone.

AAPS has several tools to help you guide families to resources (food, basic needs, emergency services) in their time of need.

Where to find help:

• Accessing community resources in 3 easy steps (video)
• Where to find help: Community resources overview for staff
• AAPS Community Resources Webpage, a2schools.org/communityresources

AAPS Family Technology Assistance - Students & Families - Technology Virtual Help Desk

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Call: 734-997-1222

Open a ticket: family_techsupport@aaps.k12.mi.us

Schedule an In-Person Appointment: call the Student & Family Help Desk

RAHS @ PIONEER

RAHS at Pioneer is a mental health site that is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm year-round which sees students in-person and virtually.

Pioneer Main Office: Naidy Cioletti - 734-994-2120

Attendance Office: Marnetta Patty

Call the Class Office or Main Office for early dismissals

9th & 11th Grades:734-994-2120

10th & 12th Grades:734-994-2120

Main Office: 734-994-2120

Records Office Site: Brenda Martinez -734-994-2120

Counseling Office: Monifa Henry 734-994-2120

Building Administration:

Eve Claar: Athletics Director/Assistant Principal

Maureen Murrett (Office Professional): 734-994-2120

Athletics Website

Keith Wade: Dean of All Students

Stephanie Roberts: Class Principal - Grades (9th & 11th)

Banu Bostanci(Office Professional) 734-994-2120

Tracey Stevenson: Class Principal - Grades (10th & 12th)

Claudia Barillas (Office Professional) 734-994-2120

Tracy Bond (Office Professional): 734-994-2120