Pathfinder Weekly Compass

Hello Pirate Families!

It feels great to be back! We’re settling into the rhythms of a new school year, and each day things are getting a little smoother. Our sixth graders are figuring out the lunch line and how to make purchases, we’re seeing more and more students getting where they need to be on time, and everyone is starting to find their routine.

Next week on Wednesday is Picture Day (more info below) and Thursday is the Back-to-School Bash from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (see below for more info). There is no school on Friday September 4 or Monday September 7.

When dropping your student off in the morning, please keep in mind that our building opens at 7:15 a.m. We were a little more flexible with this during the first week, but beginning next week, the doors will remain locked until 7:15 since we do not have staff available to supervise students before then. Thank you for helping us make sure students are arriving when we’re able to safely welcome them into the building.

There’s been a lot to learn and figure out this first week, but it has been so good to have our students back in the building. It's been lovely seeing you all at drop-off and pick-up, too. We’re off to a great start!

Tami

• Saturday, August 29: Robotics Parent Meeting @Pathfinder 9:00 a.m. Use Board of Education entrance
• Wednesday, September 2: Picture Day
• Thursday, September 3: Pathfinder Back-to-School Bash 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, September 3: Pathfinder Parent Connect 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, September 4: No school
• Monday, September 7: No school

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Open House! It was great to see so many families in the building, and we had a lot of fun watching parents make their way through their student’s schedule. Most of you even made it to class on time! We hope the evening gave you a better feel for your student’s day and a chance to connect with our staff.

We welcomed 17 new students to Pathfinder, including 10 in seventh and eighth grade. Ms. Parker will form a small group for new students to get to know each other in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on your inbox for details.

Our Back-to-School Bash is Thursday, September 3 from 3:00–4:30 p.m. This is a student-only event and a chance for kids to hang out, reconnect with friends, and have some fun after school.

The event itself is free, but there will be concessions and a few optional activities available for purchase. If your student would like to buy anything, please make sure they bring a few dollars with them that day. We are not able to deliver money to students during the school day.

We still need volunteers for our Back-to-School Bash, so please fill out this form if you can help, even for part of the time.

• Students may enter the building beginning at 7:15 a.m.
• Breakfast is free for all students and will be served in the cafeteria from 7:15 a.m. - 7:35 a.m.
• Use Main Office entrance (awning) at the front of the building for student drop-off.
• Buses will use entrance at rear of building.
• Students should not be dropped off OR picked up at the rear of the building.

Drop-Off:

Students may be dropped off beginning at 7:15 a.m.

• Green Arrows: Enter campus from McGregor Road and follow the traffic pattern through the parking lot. Cars will line up along the west side of the building before continuing to the drop-off area.
• Orange Stars: Students may be dropped off ONLY on the north side of the building at the main entrance, between the orange cones.
• Please pull forward as far as possible before stopping. That's why you're hearing me holler to pull all the way up the cones. We need as many cars in front of the building dropping off at a time so we can make this a quick process.
• Students should exit from the right/passenger side of the vehicle directly onto the sidewalk.
• Red X’s: Please do NOT drop students off on the west, south, or east sides of the building.

Pick-Up:

• All students will exit through the main/front doors. Students may not exit through the west, south, or east doors for pick-up.
• Orange Stars: Students will wait along the sidewalk near the main entrance.
• Green Arrows: Vehicles should enter from McGregor Road and line up west of the main entrance. Please do not enter from M-36, as traffic cannot back up onto the roadway.
• As the line moves, pull forward as far as possible. Your student should walk to your vehicle rather than having you stop where they are standing.
• Students should enter from the right/passenger side of the vehicle. Once your student is safely inside, please slowly continue through the traffic pattern.

• Backpacks remain in lockers during the school day.
• Personal devices should be turned off and stored in lockers.
• Smart watches are not to be used as communication devices or for music/games.
• Students should bring their school ID every day once they are distributed (after picture day).
• Toys and costumes are not allowed in school.
• Energy drinks are not permitted at school. Only water is allowed in class.
• Please label water bottles, lunchboxes, and other personal belongings.

Picture Day is Wednesday, September 2.

You can order pictures online here:
https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001414585

Students will also bring home a paper order form.

Picture Make-Up Day: Thursday, October 8

We know we can fill a third bus to Washington, D.C. We just need a few more students to join the waitlist before we can open it up. If your student is interested in going, please add them to the waitlist now. Joining the waitlist will open the third bus and allow us to offer additional scholarship funds for families who need support.

Families who would like to be considered for scholarship assistance should email theinonen@pinckneypirates.org by Friday, September 25 with a brief description of their financial need. Once we know how much scholarship funding is available, we will follow up with families who have reached out.

The State of Michigan requires all incoming seventh-grade students to be up to date on required vaccinations or have an immunization exemption (waiver) on file with the Livingston County Health Department before attending school.

Please check with your student’s healthcare provider to make sure they will meet these requirements by the first day of school. If vaccinations are needed, schedule appointments as soon as possible. Vaccinations can be obtained from your health care provider, the Livingston County Health Department, various health care clinics, and pharmacies.

Families choosing an immunization exemption (waiver) may complete the waiver process online through the Livingston County Health Department using this link.

Please do not send immunization records to the school unless we contact you. Most vaccination and waiver information can be verified through the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR). Families whose records cannot be confirmed through MCIR will be contacted individually.

Pathfinder is looking for Special Education Aides to join our team. The most important qualification? You have to love working with kids. We’re looking for caring, dependable people who want to support students and be part of a great school community.

Interested or know someone who might be a great fit? Please share! Here's a link to apply: https://pinckneypirates.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5862269

Forensic Science needs your empty shoe boxes! If back-to-school shopping has left you with a few extras, we’d be happy to take any clean shoe boxes off your hands. You can drop them off in the Main Office.

As we prepare for the new school year, creating a safe and supportive environment for our students remains one of our top priorities. Lunch is an important part of the middle school day. It gives students a chance to take a break, connect with friends, and practice navigating a less structured setting with increasing independence. To help us make lunchtime a positive experience for everyone, we are looking for caring, dependable adults to serve as volunteer lunchtime supervisors who understand how to keep students safe while still giving them the space to build independence. If you or someone you know enjoys working with middle school students and would like to be a positive presence during the school day, we would love to hear from you.

Please reach out directly to Shawn Kelley or Tami Heinonen via email to learn more about the schedule, background check information, and responsibilities.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep Pathfinder safe and vibrant!

7th & 8th grade Football

• HOME Tuesday, September 15, 2026

• AWAY Tuesday, September 22,2026

• AWAY Tuesday, September 29, 2026

We’re excited to offer Robotics Club to all Pathfinder students in grades 6–8! Meetings will be held Saturdays from 9:00–10:30 a.m. beginning September 12.

There is a parent meeting on Saturday August 29 at 9:00 a.m. in the Pathfinder Cafeteria.

This year, the club will participate in the FIRST Tech Challenge, with a local competition planned for November. Students can take part in everything from building and programming the robot to brainstorming, design, AI, team branding, and presentation.

The competition team is limited to 15 students ages 12–18, but the club is open to all Pathfinder students. A parent meeting will be held in late August or early September.

Please use this link to sign up. More information, including competition details, will be emailed to interested families.

Please contact Anna Chaudry, sponsor of the Pathfinder Robotics Club, with questions.

Our student handbook is a helpful resource for families and includes information about attendance, academics, student behavior, school policies, technology, transportation, athletics, and more. Please take some time to review it with your student so everyone starts the year with a clear understanding of our expectations and procedures.

• Monday–Thursday: 7:40 a.m.–2:44 p.m.
• Friday: 7:40 a.m.–1:25 p.m.
• Half day: 7:40 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
• Drop off for students: 7:15 a.m.

Tami Heinonen, Principal

Shawn Kelley, Dean of Students

Madalyn Parker, Student & Family Specialist

Attendance

Main Office: 810-225-5200

Attendance: 810-225-5210

Pathfinder School

2100 E. M-36

Pinckney, MI 48169