The Weekly Wildcat!
January 8, 2021
Hello Wildcat Families!
Important Dates/Information
Monday January 11 - Regular Hybrid A
Tuesday January 12 - Regular Day - Hybrid B
Wednesday January 13 - 9:00 - 10:00 Tutorial
Thursday January 14 - Regular Day - Hybrid A
Friday January 15 - Regular Hybrid B Day
Upcoming:
January 18th - Martin Luther King Day - No School
January 20th - Coffee w/ the Counselor - 9:00a.m.
January 28th - PTO Meeting - 9:00a.m.
COUNSELOR CORNER
COFFEE WITH THE COUNSELORS - PRESENTATION
Happy New Year to all of our Wildcat families!
The counselors are happy to announce the creation of the Wildcat Zen Den on our school website. The Zen Den provides students with a number of wellness and relaxation activities and apps that support positive mental health. Please check out the Zen Den here:
https://sites.google.com/mytusd.org/pioneermiddleschool2020-2021/counseling/relaxation-den
We are also pleased to announce our collaboration with the Orange County Department of Education on substance abuse prevention specifically targeting vaping among teens. Mrs. Miranda is working with a small committee of students to create poster and slogan contests supporting tobacco use prevention education (TUPE). The contest rules will be available in Wednesday’s ASB announcements. The TUPE committee is also hosting a Parent Education Night on January 20th at 6:00 pm. The topic is Teens and Vaping, and the presenter is Janis Price from OCDE. Please put this date on your calendar now; the Zoom link to follow in next Friday’s Weekly Wildcat.
Finally, please remember that TUSD provides free homework and tutoring support for all students. Paper provides homework help in all areas 24/7; students use their mytusd account to access help at Paper: www.paper.co Homework help is also provided by appointment by CSUF School of Education students: https://www.smore.com/app/reporting/out/erfw3?u=https%3A%2F%2Fvirtualteachingcoecsuf.as.me%2Fschedule.php&t=https://virtualteachingcoecsuf.as.me/schedule.php&w=w-9545438493&i=&l=l-7593173788
Pioneer Counselors
Melanie Miranda and Juan Morante
PAL
PAL is hosting a clothing drive for the Salvation Army from January 11th-29th. Drop off new or gently used clothes to the drop off boxes that will be in the office and in front of room 121.
Lexia Resources to share with Families
This year our students are using the power of Lexia to improve their reading skills. Click the link to find out more about Lexia and how you can help your student.
Families: Lexia Intro Parent Newsletter
LEADERSHIP
All orders will be fulfilled and be ready for pick up on Wednesdays after 2:30p.m. If you have made a purchase please pick up your items at the main office.
Click the link for this weeks video announcements.
Do you want the entire school to celebrate your birthday? Here is your chance! You can put your student's birthday on the marquee for $20. All birthday announcements are due the Friday before their birthday. Birthday announcements form can be found on at the Pioneer Spirit store:
YEARBOOK
YEARBOOK IS LOOKING FOR PHOTOS OF WILDCATS!!
WORKING ON SCHOOL PROJECTS AT HOME
We ESPECIALLY want to see you away from your iPad. So, have your parents take photos of you in action as you work on that latest Core map, science diagram, art drawing or anything else cool that you are doing for school 🙂
Please use this link for your submissions...
https://forms.gle/hnWnWsdiVkGce6WT9
We can't wait to see your best shots!!
And don't forget to buy your yearbook at PioneerYearbooks.com
Did you forget to order your son’s or daughter’s school photos this year, or would you like to order more? It’s not too late, this year their photos are available for viewing & ordering online.
Send out photos for the holidays to show your relatives how your child has grown!
Orders received by December 11th will be shipped by December 18th Just follow these simple steps:
1. Go to: www.southcoastphotographic.com
2. Click on K-11 Fall Photos icon
3. On the upper left side of screen click search for photos
4. Type in the student’s school ID number (in some cases it will be permanent ID#)
5. The student’s image will appear click on the image and begin to create an account.
6. Select the package
7. ENJOY!!!!
South Coast Photographic
(714) 630-8584 ext. 103
Choir Videos
Mrs. Kean, our choir teacher, and her husband have created another awesome video featuring holiday songs. Even though our choir can't meet and sing together that hasn't prevented the class from being able to demonstrate their talents. Click the link and enjoy the show.
Jacks Beanstalk Stomp FINAL.mp4
Hybrid Student Reminders
Please remind your students that when leaving school and while walking home, we recommend mask wearing and social distancing.
All Hybrid Students should bring earbuds or headphones to class. This will help to alleviate sound issues between the hybrid students, the distance learning students and the teacher.
Please bring your ipad fully charged each day.
Lunch is FREE for everybody. You do not need your ID card to get a lunch. Lunches and breakfasts passed out at the end of the day are also FREE.
Please adhere to the dress code. Even though we are experiencing very warm temperatures, students are expected to wear appropriate clothing especially with regards to the length of shorts and the wearing of leggings. The dress code can be found in the students binder reminder.
COVID-19 Safety – Fall Recess 2020
We care about our community’s health and safety. We recognize the upcoming holiday brings some uncertainty with the change in California’s Tier Status and the traditional gathering of friends and family. We have gathered a few guidelines that may be useful when planning your holiday activities. Please take a moment to view the video linked below. Be safe and stay healthy. Happy Thanksgiving!
English: https://youtu.be/qprIfc3-PoM
Free Tutoring
Cal State Fullerton - Free Virtual Tutoring for K-12
Cal State Fullerton - Free Virtual Tutoring for K-12 Students
Cal State Fullerton is offering a free Virtual Tutoring program at Cal State Fullerton for students. Please feel free to share this free service to parents, families, and interested others. Tutoring services are for K-12 students in various subjects. Below is a short description for your convenience.
The College of Education at California State University, Fullerton has created a free virtual tutoring program for 1st-12th grade. This tutoring program includes math, science, language arts and social studies. In addition, the program has tutors who can tutor students who are taking high school Spanish or French, and students who are participating in dual immersion programs. Please use this link to sign up for a date, time and subject area: https://virtualteachingcoecsuf.as.me/schedule.php
NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY
Freegal is a free service provided by the City of Orange Public Library. The service allows for the free downloading of music. Students must have an OC public library card which can be obtained at the the link below.
https://catalog.ocpl.org/client/en_US/default/search/registration/$N/TEST/true
An eCard will not only give them access to Freegal, but lots of other great content
as well.
Meet Author Jennifer Holm
Sora Announcement
Just Arrived! NEW for 2020-21!
Tustin Unified is excited to offer students an additional collection of fun and engaging digital books and audiobooks through Sora. What’s great in Sora:
Popular titles, series, authors and genres across all grade levels
Variety of materials including picture books, chapter books, graphic novels and Spanish language items
Full length audiobooks and read-along picture books
Enjoy on all major devices and tablets
Access & Login
Access Sora directly (https://soraapp.com/welcome) or as a link in Clever
Clever is available as an app on all TUSD student devices or through the Student Portal on the district webpage
Login to Sora through Clever.
Use your TUSD Google username (with @mytusd.org) and password.
Look for and select "Tustin Unified School District" as your school or use our setup code: TustinUSD.
Select "Sign in using Tustin Unified School District"
For more details, including help information, visit the TUSD Library Services eBooks & Audiobooks webpage.
Getting Started With Sora - Video
Click on the above link, and scroll down to select and watch a quick video overview of Sora. You'll learn how to navigate, borrow books, and start reading.
AVID
TUSD Virtual School Training
NUTRITION SERVICES
As a reminder to parents, TUSD offers distance learning meals every Wednesday. The District provides 5 breakfast and 5 lunches for each student from 7 to 9 a.m. at the following sites: Columbus Tustin and C.E. Utt middle schools, Sycamore Magnet Academy and Tustin High School. Parents must bring their distance learning meal card or proof their child is enrolled in distance learning. Proof can be a picture of your Aeries portal that shows your child is distance learning (DL). For questions or more information, please contact the TUSD Nutrition Services Department at (714) 730-7301, ext. 396.
CHECK OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE PIONEER PTO
Help Pioneer students soar to new heights -- join the PTO and donate today!
Your voluntary donation, no matter how big or small, will enrich the lives of our students each and every day.
To fund our programs in this ever-changing school year, we are asking for a 100% tax-deductible donation of $90 per student, which is 50% less than the donation we ask for in a traditional school year.
We wish you and your family health, safety, and happiness as we begin this most non-traditional school year together.
Thank you for your support!
Pioneer PTO
WHY JOIN THE PTO?
Even with distance learning set for this fall, your donation is needed now more than ever. In a typical year our budget is $120,000, but we plan for it to be much lower this year. The distance learning model still needs your donations to support its programs. When our students safely return, we anticipate more funding will be needed to bridge the gap. The following are some of the resources and programs that the Pioneer PTO supports:
Academic Subscriptions | Art Department | ASB | AVID | Band & Orchestra | Choir | Spanish/Graphic Design | Fashion Design | Culinary Arts | Math Department | PAL | PE | Robotics/Science Department | STEM | Video Production | Web Coding | Yearbook
Pioneer Middle School PTO - We’ll be your wingman!
Pioneer PTO Co-VPs Membership:
Kristy Enrt (kristy_ernt@kingston.com)
Wynn Ngo (wynn.ngo@gmail.com)
About Us
Email: mvelez@tustin.k12.ca.us
Website: www.tustin.k12.ca.us/pioneer
Location: 2700 Pioneer Road, Tustin, CA, USA
Phone: (714)730-7534