Pioneer Press

Dear Pioneer Families,

As we move into mid-October, two important events highlight what makes Pioneer such a strong and connected community—our upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences and our annual PTA Fundraiser. Both provide opportunities to engage with your child’s learning and support the programs that make Pioneer such a special place for students.

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Parent-Teacher Conferences

Conferences are an important opportunity to partner with your child’s teachers and discuss their progress so far this year.

Please take a moment to review the schedule below:

• Monday, October 20 – Teacher preparation (11:40–3:10 PM)

• Tuesday & Wednesday, October 21–22 – Scheduled Conferences (12:10–3:10 PM) for students with academic or behavior concerns, or any grade of C– or below. Teachers may also schedule meetings at parent request.

• Thursday, October 23 – Arena-Style Conferences in the gym from 12:45–3:00 PM and 4:00–7:00 PM. Parents/guardians are welcome to meet with teachers on a first-come, first-served basis—no appointment needed.

• Friday, October 24 – Early release; teachers dismissed with students at 11:40 AM.

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Tip: Please log in to Skyward before conferences to review your child’s current grades and progress. Coming prepared with questions or topics for discussion helps ensure your time is productive and focused.

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💙 Silver Sabotage Extended!

Good news, Pioneers — Silver Sabotage has been extended through October 24!

We’re already halfway to our $12,000 goal, but we need your help to finish strong. Every dollar supports student activities like 8th Grade Promotion, Field Day, and 6th Grade Camp.

💻 Donate now: https://www.givebacks.com/causes/pioneermspta/campaigns/2025silversabotage

Let’s do this, Pioneers! 💪 #SilverSabotage #PioneerPride

With appreciation,

JoAnne Fernandes
Principal

A Strong Start in the Learning Lab: Students Shine in Persuasive Writing and Language Skills

The Learning Lab classrooms have been buzzing with energy and focus as students have jumped into a new school year with great enthusiasm. The hard work and dedication of our students are on full display, showcasing the commitment to growing as readers, writers, and thinkers.

The Power of Persuasion

One of the most notable achievements this year has been our deep dive into persuasive writing. Students have embraced the challenge and are working hard to learn the structure and sequence of persuasive writing. The persuasive writing focus has not only strengthened their writing skills but has also equipped them with crucial critical thinking abilities that will serve them well in all areas of life.

A Foundation for Literacy: Word Study, Grammar, and Comprehension

While persuasive writing has been a highlight, our students have also been strengthening the foundational building blocks of literacy.

• Word Study: Through engaging word study activities, students have been dissecting the components of words to improve their spelling, vocabulary, and reading fluency. They are learning to recognize patterns and build connections between related words, which empowers them to tackle more complex texts with confidence.

• Grammar: Our focus on grammar has helped students understand the mechanics of language. They are learning how to construct sentences correctly, use punctuation effectively, and apply grammatical rules to make their writing clearer and more sophisticated. This attention to detail has resulted in cleaner, more professional-looking written work.

• Comprehension: A significant amount of time has been dedicated to strengthening reading comprehension. Students are practicing a variety of strategies to make sense of what they read, from identifying the main idea to making inferences. This skill is vital for success across all subjects and will allow them to engage more deeply with information as they progress through school.

It's been a truly impressive start to the school year, and we look forward to all the amazing things our Learning Lab students will accomplish next!

📸 Class Act Portraits will be back to do student picture retakes on October 21st.

Date & Time: Tuesday, October 21st | 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Location: Auxiliary Gym

• Students who need picture retakes should attend during this time.

• Students who haven’t received their Student ID can request a replacement on October 21st.

This event coincides with National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month where students around the world work to prevent bullying by uniting people through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

Students are encouraged to wear orange to represent how we come together.

To bring awareness, every student and staff member at Pioneer will make paper hands in 1st period on Monday, October 20th during 1st Period. The hands will be collected during 6th period and used to create one giant hand symbolizing our Unity and support of each other.

🎓 Attention 8th Grade Pioneer Families! 🎓

Don’t forget to purchase your Baby Ad for the yearbook!

Baby Ads are a special way for parents, guardians, and loved ones to celebrate their graduating eighth graders with a baby photo and a heartfelt message.

📸 Cost: $12 (paid directly to Mrs. Ruby)

📧 Submit:

• A digital baby photo to Dr. Pilon at mpilon@steilacoom.k12.wa.us

• A short message to be printed next to the photo

• Be sure to include your student’s first and last name when submitting

Celebrate your student’s journey and create a lasting memory in this year’s Pioneer Yearbook!

🎃 Fall Social – Happy Fall Y’all!

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 30, 2025 | 2:45 – 4:30 PM
Location: Pioneer Middle School

Tickets:

• Students must have a signed permission slip to purchase a ticket.

• See Mrs. Ruby in the Attendance Office to buy your ticket.

• Deadline: Lunchtime, October 29, 2025

• Cost: $5 with ASB card | $7 without ASB card

Transportation:

• Students must arrange transportation home in advance.

• An activity bus will be available with limited routes; travel may take longer.

• All students not riding the bus or walking must be picked up by 4:30 PM.

Attached is the permission

Veterans Day Assembly

Date: Monday, November 10, 2025
Location: Pioneer Middle School

Pioneer will host a Veterans Assembly to honor those who have served our country.

Veterans are invited to join us for light breakfast refreshments from 7:40–8:05 a.m. in the commons conference room followed by our assembly beginning at 8:15 a.m.

We warmly welcome all veterans to attend.

Would you like to honor a veteran at our assembly?

Leadership is collecting photo submissions of veterans in our community to feature during the event. Please submit your photo using the https://forms.gle/KMQQCDADjqvqVZTT8 (One photo entry per veteran, please.)

📅 Photo submissions are due by Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Conference Week Sports Schedule:

Fastpitch - No Games or Practice

Baseball - Practice on Monday & Tuesday Team lunch 11:45-12:20, practice 12:30-2:30

Season 2 Sports (Girls Basketball, Boys Soccer & Co-Ed Wrestling)

Registration:

Starts October 20th - November 12th

Tryouts November 12th - 14th

Link to Register https://steilacoomhist-wa.finalforms.com/

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A Message from boys' Soccer Head Coach:

Hello parents and students,

Boys soccer season at Pioneer is coming up soon! I’m Jesse McLane, head coach, with assistant coaches Josh Biddinger (our new JV coach) and Armand Ruffin, who many of you already know.

We’ll have two teams this year — Varsity and JV. Because roster spots are limited, this is a cut sport. If your student is interested, registration is open now! Please register and come to tryouts.

Tryouts: November 12–14
Teams posted: November 17
Time: 3:00–4:30 p.m. (Coaches on the field until 5:00)

It’ll likely be cold and rainy, so dress warm and come prepared.

What to bring:

• Shinguards (required, but do not have to be expensive)

• Cleats (optional, but recommended — firm ground type)

• Water

• A garbage bag to keep gear dry

• A positive attitude and strong work ethic

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Feel free to reach out with any questions. Can’t wait to see everyone on the filed!

🎉 Join a Club at Pioneer!

Below is a brief description of the clubs offered at Pioneer — there’s something for everyone! Get involved, meet new friends, and have fun while exploring your interests.

👉 Join us for the fun!

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Christian Faith Club:

The Christian Faith Club is a student-led group that meets after school for students who wish to gather, pray together, and share about their Christian faith. While Mrs. Vaccaro serves as the adult supervisor, the club is entirely student-drive - providing a safe and welcoming space for students to connect, encourage one another, and explore their beliefs in fellowship.

Mrs. Vaccaro will host the club in room B103 on Tuesdays from 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm

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Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Club:

The GSA is a student-led club where students can come together to build community, share time with peers, and explore topics related to the LGBTQ+ community. Discussions and activities are student-driven, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who wish to attend. Mrs. Percefull serves as the adult supervisor, ensuring a safe and supportive space while students lead the conversation.

Mrs. Percefull will host the club in room A101 on Tuesdays from 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm

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Game Club:

Hey Pirates!

Do you like games?

Board games, card games, or role-playing games?

The Game Club plays them all! Drop by!

Mr. Milton will host the club in room A202 on Thursday from 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm

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Builder's Club:

The Builder's Club is a student-led community service group where students work together on projects that help the school and local community. The club focuses on leadership, teamwork and making a positive difference through volunteering and service activities. Mrs. Holyfield serves as the club's advisor.

Mrs. Holyfield will host the club in the Cafeteria on Thursday from 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm

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Pokémon Go! Club:

The Pokémon Go! Club is an interactive club where students explore nearby parks to catch Pokémon and have fun together. Members need to a signed permission slip (available on ParentSquare) and a smartphone with Pokémon Go! application installed and updated. Students should come prepared for the weather and follow all school and community rules.

Mrs. Elshire will host the club in room E129 on Thursday from 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm

October 20th - 24th - Fall Conferences - 11:40 am release for students

October 21st - Picture Retakes - 8:30 am - 11:30 am in auxiliary gym

October 29th - ACE Day - 1:40 pm release time

October 30th - Fall Social - Permission Slip required

November 5th - ACE Day - 1:40 pm release time

November 10th - Veterans Day Assembly - Pioneer Gym

November 11th - Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL

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

Class 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.

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Transportation Changes:

If you need to update your student’s transportation plans, please do so by the times listed below:

✅ Option 1: Call the office no later than 1:00 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) or by 12:00 p.m. on ACE days (Wednesdays).

✅ Option 2: Email pioneermsoffice@steilacoom.k12.wa.us by 1:00 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) or by 12:00 p.m. on ACE days (Wednesdays) to request changes.

This includes requests for bus passes.

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📌 Office Hours & Student Access

Open to the Public: 7:40 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Morning:

• Office opens at 7:40 a.m.

• Students should NOT be dropped off before 7:40 a.m.

• Exceptions: Chamber Choir, Jazz Band, and ASB participants

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Afternoon:

• Office closes at 3:30 p.m.

• Students may not stay in the building after 3:30 p.m.

• Exceptions: Students involved in sports or clubs

Thank you for helping us keep students safe and supervised!