Pioneer Family Communication
February 20, 2024 - February 25, 2024
From the Pioneer Leadership Team
Greetings Pioneer Families,
We are excited to welcome everyone back to school on Wednesday, 2/21. Hopefully, everyone was able to have time to relax and get refreshed as we are beginning to embark on a stretch of assessments, school events, and many culminating activities to end the school year. We are deep in the midst of Semester 2, and we hope that everyone is taking this semester seriously, especially our seniors. If you have concerns or questions about your grades or your child’s grades, please look at Schoology and PowerSchool, but it is always easy to email their teachers and they can give you an accurate account of grades, behavior, and levels of understanding. Thank you for partnering with us as we do everything we can to cultivate our leaders of tomorrow.
Be Extraordinary,
Alberta, Dan, Eve, Jodi, Kevin, and Desmond
24/25 Course Selection Meetings
The counselors will host course selection meetings to explain the process and introduce department chairs who will highlight courses within their respective departments. These meetings will be with each of the rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade classes on the days we return to school. We will run the new Alternate Schedule on Wednesday, 2/21 for the current 9th and 11th grade meetings, similar to the one we ran this past Wednesday for the Xello EDP surveys. For the meeting there will be two 2nd periods:
2nd A: All 9th grade students should immediately report to the auditorium after the 1st period. When the meeting ends, please report directly to the 2nd period class for the 2nd B period.
2nd B: All 11th grade students please report to the 2nd hour class at 8:57. At 9:47, all 11th grade classes please report to the auditorium for their class meeting. All 9th grade students should be in their 2nd hour class.
All current 10th grade students will have these meetings with counselors in their US History classes on Thursday, 2/22 and/or Friday, 2/23.
During the two 2nd period classes, all current 10th and 12th grade students will participate in either Muti-Tiered Systems of Support with their instructor or work through a low level, non-intrusive Social-Emotional Learning activity with their class.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a framework that helps educators provide academic and behavioral strategies for students with various needs. MTSS grew out of the integration of two other intervention-based frameworks: Response to Intervention (RtI) and PBIS.
UPCOMING DATES
- PIONEER ATHLETICS SCHEDULE 2/19-2/25
Thursday, 2/22: Orchestra Night at Hill Auditorium on - 7pm
Tuesday, 2/27: No School - Election Day
Thursday, 3/7: Spring Parent Teacher Conferences (Details to come)
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black History Month Info - Excerpt From Dr. Roberta Heyward: February is a time to acknowledge African Americans' many achievements and contributions throughout our history. Specifically, this month is an opportunity to learn, reflect, share stories, and foster a deeper understanding of the impact African Americans have had on our country and our world. For more resources on Black History Month, click here.
COUNSELING TIDBITS
All students should occasionally peruse the Pioneer Counseling website for valuable information. There is information for every grade level. Please CLICK HERE to gain some guidance from the counseling staff. There are also scholarships and financial aid information available for seniors.
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO WHEN THEY HAVE CONCERNS?
Concerns about a discipline or academic problem and its resolution should first be expressed or questioned at the point where the problem occurred. A discipline or academic problem involving a student in a particular class should be brought to the attention of the teacher of that class. If this step does not bring satisfaction, consult the student's counselor, advisor, or principal.
PIONEER LEARNING/TUTORING CENTER (FREE AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING!!)
The Learning Center is a safe space to complete work and get help if needed. They meet in the Cafeteria Mon-Fri During 7th Hour from 3pm-4pm. We have Tutors (Teacher and NHS members) available everyday. Go to pihi.info on IG for updates and changes.
Math Mon-Fri: Mr. Majoros, Mrs. Torrey
Spanish/ Math Mon-Fri: Mrs. Potozack
Science Mon: Mrs. Workman
ELL/ELA Mon-Fri: Ms. Deacon, Ms. Macko, Mr. Packard
PE/Health Mon-Fri: Mr. Dresch
For questions about The Learning Center contact Mr. Dresch: dreschd@aaps.k12.mi.us
SUMMER EBT BENEFIT
This upcoming summer, eligible families will be able to receive money for select food items through the new Summer EBT program. To receive the Summer EBT benefit, every family must have an approved student eligibility benefit (free or reduced) through their school. Many families have already done this, but this is one last request for families who have not yet filled out an EBT or EBF application form. Turning in the application form to your school or online will ensure those who qualify will receive summer benefits.
Please CLICK HERE for more information.
PIONEER PTSO GROCERY PROGRAM
Benefiting the Senior Bon Voyage Graduation Party
For over 20 years, the Pioneer PTSO has sponsored a graduation party for our seniors—a safe, alcohol and drug-free supervised celebration. To ensure that this party is available every year, we need many volunteers from all grades to provide some of their time and/or financial support.
The Grocery Program is a substantial funding source for the Bon Voyage Party, and it raises money without any additional cost to you! Participating stores donate a percentage of the sales from Pioneer families to the PTSO. This can bring thousands of dollars to Pioneer–just from shopping!
You may already shop at these stores and carry their rewards cards. Here is how your shopping can benefit Pioneer:
Grocery Program Options:
Arbor Farms Market. Just mention Pioneer when checking out and 3% of your purchase will be donated to the school.
Busch’s Cash for Education Program. Create a MyWay account at www.buschs.com and click on the “Cash for Education” button in the drop down menu under your name. Select “Pioneer PTSO” as the rewards recipient. Use your MyWay key tag or phone number at checkout. Paying with cash, debit, or check earns 5% towards school, credit card payments earns 3%. You need to re-enroll every year
- Register your Kroger Plus Card at the service desk or at www.krogercommunityrewards.com. Organization name: Pioneer High School PTSO, ID# 82622. You also need to re-enroll every year. Cards are available at each store’s service desk and signing up is easy & quick!
LATE AP TEST ORDERING - NOW OPEN!! IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO ORDER AN AP TEST!
Hello again AAPS 9-12 grade students and families,
If you are interested in taking an AP Exam but missed our regular payment and registration deadline, don’t worry! 9-12 grade AAPS students can still order an AP exam for May of 2024 with these two steps:
Complete late-fee payment in MyPaymentsPlus and
Complete the registration request form linked HERE to have your test indicator changed to “Yes”.
(Payment must be completed before test indicators will be updated)
Late-fee registration ends 3/8/24. No additional AP exams may be requested after 3/8/24.
More information about 2023-24 AP testing payment and registration can be found HERE.
Questions? Contact an AP Coordinator - Mr. Cory McElmeel - mcelmeel@aaps.k12.mi.us
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Ann Arbor Community Resources
If you've ever wondered where you can send a parent or student to get help, you're not alone.
AAPS has several tools to help you guide families to resources (food, basic needs, emergency services) in their time of need.
Where to find help:
- Accessing community resources in 3 easy steps (video)
- Where to find help: Community resources overview for staff
- AAPS Community Resources Webpage, a2schools.org/communityresources
AAPS Family Technology Assistance - Students & Families - Technology Virtual Help Desk
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Call: 734-997-1222
Open a ticket: family_techsupport@aaps.k12.mi.us
Schedule an In-Person Appointment: call the Student & Family Help Desk
RAHS @ PIONEER
RAHS at Pioneer is a mental health site that is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm year-round which sees students in-person and virtually.
Pioneer Administration Team Assignments
Building Principal - Mr. Desmond Smith
Athletics - Ms. Eve Claar
9th Grade Dean - Ms. Jodi Bullinger
10th Grade Last Name A-L - Dr. Daniel Hyliard
10th Grade Last Name M-Z - Mr. Kevin Hudson
11th Grade - Mr. Kevin Hudson
12th Grade - Dr. Daniel Hyliard
Administrative Support - Ms. Alberta Britton