Panther PAWPrints Newsletter
May 2020
Campus News
Letter From the Principal
Dear Panther Families,
There has been a multitude of conflicting information in the media regarding states beginning to return to normal, and we want to provide you with clarity as to what that would look like for schools. Today, the Governor moved us into Phase I of reopening Montana. Schools, however, are in Phase II of these guidelines; meaning that the earliest students would be able to return to campus would be Friday, May 8th.
After reviewing all relevant information from the Center for Disease Control, in addition to the information obtained from the Yellowstone County Health Department, we have determined there is no safe scenario for welcoming students back to campus this spring. Therefore, it is with great regret that I inform you that the Pioneer Elementary School campus will remain closed to students for the remainder of the 2019-2020 year. We will finish this grading period by utilizing the same distance learning plan implemented since the middle of March. This also means that all school related activities and events on campus remain canceled through the end of July.
This decision is not made easily, as there is no one that would like to see our students back on campus more than our staff. However, opening campus for only ten (10) days seems like an unnecessary risk considering many of our students and staff have compromised immune systems, or live in homes with compromised family members. The safety of our students and staff is our number one priority. In this current situation, where there seems to be no “clear” right answer, we have deemed it necessary to err on the side of caution in order to keep our students, their families, and our staff safe.
Additional learning packet pickup/drop-off dates are:
5/8/2020 - 9AM-11AM
5/21/2020 - 12:00 PM-2:00PM - Learning packets and devices may be dropped off/returned at this time. If you cannot make this time frame, please contact the school office to set up an appointment to drop items off.
Our campus will remain closed, but the learning and growth will continue. Please continue to communicate with your students’ teachers regularly. All academic work will wrap up on the morning of Thursday, May 21st, and after all learning materials are turned back in. Staff will make the determination on grades received and placement for next year. Report cards will be issued as planned and be mailed to the address we have on file in the school’s office.
As we begin to focus on our 2020-2021 school year and what that will look like, we are preparing for a wide spectrum of possibilities depending on where we’re at with progress on a vaccine, and what the COVID-19 numbers look like within our state. We are navigating several different scenarios and will continue to keep you all updated as we move forward.
We love you, we miss you, stay safe.
Sincerely,
Melissa Schnitzmeier
Principal/Superintendent, Pioneer Elementary
Phone: (406) 373-5357
SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE OPENING
Pioneer School is in need of a new member to be appointed to the Pioneer School Board.
This is a 1 year term.
You must reside and be registered to vote in Pioneer School District.
Please submit your letter of interest to Marilyn Michael, Pioneer School Board Clerk.
This can be emailed to michael@pioneerschool.us
If you have any questions about this position, please call the office at 373-5357
Pioneer School's Virtual Learning Hub
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK 5/4/2020-5/8/2020
Monday - Kick off the week by dressing as your favorite faculty/staff member. Take a pic and post on the school Facebook page, Remind, or Google Classroom!
Tuesday - Teacher Appreciation Day! Draw a picture, write a note, create a poem, send a video, or message for your teachers! A drop off box will be in the front of the school if you want to leave it in an envelope with your teacher's name on it OR send it electronically!
Wednesday - National School Nurse Day! Everyone wear BLUE! Post a picture on Google Classroom or social media to show appreciation for our school nurses!
Thursday - Thankful Thursday! Send your teacher a Thank You, and tell them what you miss most about school.
Friday - Selfie with the SUB! Your moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and uncles have been doing a great job being your substitute teacher! Take a selfie with the SUB and post it to Google Classroom or social media!
Kindergarten Roundup
Panther PTA News
New Officers
Meal Options During School Closure
Pioneer PTA is excited to announce that they have partnered with Sarah at Project Lunch to offer free lunches to our Panther students in need. For every 2 lunches purchased, Sarah will donate 1 herself to our community.
We are dedicated to our Panther families and will do whatever it takes to get through these tough times. If you’re in need of free lunches for your children, navigate to her website to place your order: www.projectlunch.biz
If your child is in need of a free lunch, contact sarah@projectlunch.biz. When you email her please let her know that you are with Pioneer School, so we can be sure that our students' needs are being met. Meals will be delivered by Sarah and her team.
If you are interested in making a donation as well, visit Projectlunch.biz for more information.