Panther News

We are excited to share updates to our attendance policy for this school year. Each month, families will receive an email reminder to check their child’s attendance records in PowerSchool. This will allow you to view your child’s attendance percentage and see how they are doing.

Attendance is now reviewed in tiers:

• Tier 1: Above 90% attendance
• Tier 2: Between 81%–90% attendance
• Tier 3: Below 81% attendance

Families may receive a letter in the mail if a student is considered at risk due to attendance concerns. Please know that our team always takes into account the reasons for absences. To help us keep accurate records:

• If your child is absent due to illness, please call the school.
• If your child visits the doctor, please provide a doctor’s note.
• If your family is planning a vacation, please let us know in advance.
• If your child is gone due to a funeral or other family emergency, please let us know.

Our goal is the same as yours—we want students at school as much as possible. The more days they are here, the more opportunities they have to learn, grow, and succeed. Thank you for your partnership in supporting strong attendance!

Mr. Narum

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I would like to take this opportunity to provide an overview of our Tier 1 system of positive reinforcement. Tier 1 represents the universal supports and strategies available to all students, designed to promote and recognize positive behavior consistently throughout our school community. Our aim is to cultivate a positive and respectful school culture by acknowledging and reinforcing desired behaviors both in the classroom and throughout the campus.

Red Paws

Each month, based on school-wide data, Pioneer designates a specific Red Paw focus. Faculty and staff award Red Paws to students who demonstrate the targeted behavior aligned with that month’s focus. Examples of Red Paw focuses include:

• I can show respect in the classroom by using kind words and actions
• I can be safe on the playground by keeping my hands and feet to self
• I can be responsible by following adult directions the first time

White Paws

White Paws are awarded for the demonstration of positive behaviors across various school settings. Students track their White Paws on a 10-frame chart, and upon completion, may redeem them for rewards from the Panther Den or other incentives determined at the teacher’s discretion. Examples of behaviors that merit White Paws include:

• Assisting peers
• Active listening
• Showing integrity
• Showing kindness
• Using appropriate manners

We value your partnership in reinforcing these positive behaviors at home. Together, we can foster a respectful, responsible, and safe learning environment for all students.

Thank you

AVID Tip of the Month:

Did you know all students at Pioneer use a planner to chart their day at school? Planners help students to organize their day, homework, and events that are coming up in their lives.

Take a moment each day or each week to sit down with your student and chat about what they have been learning, using their planner. It is also fun to add in events going on outside of school or just a quick note wishing your student a great day!

Future Education Tuesdays

Each first Tuesday of the month will be our Future Education Tuesday. Your child should wear a Pioneer, Middle, High School or College shirt to promote their future education. This month’s Future Education Tuesday will be on October 7th.

College of the Month

Each month we will be featuring a North Dakota college, and sharing some facts about that college. Our college for October is North Dakota State University. If you have a connection to this college, chat with your student about it!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Wangler (Site Coordinator).

Kindergarten - Sarah L., Rowan B.

1st Grade - Weston T., Murphy K.

2nd Grade - Eli M., Kezley M.

3rd Grade -Winter M., Matthew L.

4th Grade - Laila C., Scarlett M.

5th Grade - Brooklyn P., Brady P.

Here is your friendly yearly reminders:

Doors do not open for your child to enter the school before 7:15 am, as there is no staff available. Please stay with your child in the morning until you are sure they can enter the building and staff is available.

If your child has to be buzzed into the office in the morning when you drop them off, you will need to come in and sign them in. This helps us keep track of attendance on our side as to why they are late.

If your student is sick or going to be gone, you need to call/email the office to let the secretaries know why. This helps us put in the correct attendance codes. Please get Doctor notes for any appointments and turn them into the office as we can mark those appointments as medical. Medical doesn't count against your child's attendance.

(Phone # for office 323-4220, email: pioneer_secretary@bismarckschools.org)

If you are wanting to get a message to your child at the end of day please call prior to 1:30pm as it is very busy at the end of day and we can't guarantee message will get to your student if call after that time.

When picking students up for appointments, they will not be dismissed from class until you have signed them out for the day. We will not be calling them out early per Mr. Narum.

When you are bringing Birthday treats for your child class they will stay in the office until the teacher is ready for the celebration for the class. That way it is not a distraction for all learners. All Birthday treats need to be store bought as that is the district requirement.

Please watch video attached if you haven't already. The P.O.P.S program will start the first part of November and continue to the end of April. Please print (Click link)and get back your background check if you are interested before January. If you don't have a printer and need a background check please stop by the office or let the office know, we can send one home with your child. Once your background check has been completed you will receive an email to email given on background check to sign up for a day.

Please take time to fill out the free and reduce lunch application. You will need to have all of your Student's ID # and last years family income. Then please follow the link below and register in Linq if you have not previously done so.

October 7th - Picture Retake day

October 8-10th - 2nd grade SAW Field trip (Safety Around Water)

October 9th - PTO meeting 6:00pm - Mrs. Morrell office

October 13th and 14th - Fall Parent Teacher Conferences

October 16th and 17th - Admin. Convention Days, No School

October 31 - Staff Development Day, No School

November 11th - Veterans Day, No School

November 27th and 28 - Thanksgiving Break, No School

Next PTO meeting October 9th, 6pm.

Future meetings on 2nd Thursday of each month at 6pm.

Please check out the school apparel website to order a Pioneer shirt. https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/ND/Bismarck/Pioneer+Elementary+School

Please sign up to bring an item to help with the meals PTO supplies during Parent/Teacher Conferences week for Teachers. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0949A8AF2EA1F8C43-58764217-2025. We appreciate any and all donations.

We are selling butterbraids this year.

-Start of fundraiser is October 22.

-Ending Nov 5th.

-Orders must be turned in by Nov 7th.

-delivery Dec 2nd to the school

Individual incentive from butterbraid company

sell 30 pastries get $15 check

sell 50 pastries get $30 check

Sell 100 pastries get $75 check

Sell 150 pastries get $100 check

Class that sells the most will get a pizza party!

Ms. Beth: Library is the most loved subject in our house. She does an amazing job helping my girls find books they would be interested in and goes above and beyond. She is very special!

Thank you both for all you do for our student's!!

Clothing for Outdoor Recesses

Just a reminder as the weather is changing that students should come to school dressed appropriately to be outside during the weather expected that day. BPS Elementary Schools have jointly developed a guideline which states that outdoor recess will not normally occur when the wind chill drops below -10 degrees Fahrenheit (based on the National Weather Service website).

Feels like Temperature = What the students must wear:

Lower than 40 F = Coats, hat, gloves, long pants

40 F to 49 F = Long sleeves or coats, long pants

50 F or higher = Short sleeves, long sleeves

Please help your child dress for the changing weather so we can all stay warm on those chilly days.