Pioneer Trail Elementary
September 2019 Parent Newsletter
PRINCIPAL'S NOTE
Dear Pioneer Trail Families,
It is a new year and that means new goals for our students, staff, and school! First, this year we want to have 75% of all of our students scoring Proficient or higher on our iReady Diagnostics for both Reading and Math by the end of the school year. Second, we want to decrease our total discipline referrals to less than 250 across the year. Our third goal is to have our students at school at least 90% of the time.
Here is the bottom line, our job will be much easier if we can count on you to do your part at home. It would be amazing to have 20 minutes each night dedicated to reading with or to your student. Knowing the reality of most families schedules, shoot for doing it 4 out of 7 nights. Make sure your student is at school everyday, on time and for the full day. We understand that illnesses, appointments, and life happens, but make school a priority whenever you have the choice. When kids miss the taught lesson, it is almost impossible to replicate the information in the way it was originally presented. We want to do everything we can to make your student feels safe and cared about at our school. We will work with them to help make them successful to the best of our ability. There are times, due to whatever reason, their behavior and choices get in the way. When a teacher or other adult from the school talks about issues or ask for help, be supportive and consistent with your follow through at home. Help us show the kids that we are all on the same page and that we care about their future!
Please feel free to contact our office or your child's teacher anytime you have questions, concerns or ideas --- together we make this school the best it can be for our kids!
Sincerely,
Scott Salmons
Principal
Meet our School Counselor and Behavior Interventionist
Leigh Anne Long - School Counselor
#PTproud to be Pioneer Trail Elementary's school counselor! I graduated from Lincoln University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education. I went back to Lincoln University in 2010 to study School Counseling and earned my Master of Education in 2012. I love Pioneer Trail and I am enthusiastic about the many new adventures the upcoming year will bring! :)
I truly enjoy working with students and am hopeful that they will think of my school counseling lessons as lessons that will help them be the best they can be today, tomorrow, and beyond.
On a more personal note, I have lived in Jefferson City most of my life and am excited to have a school counseling position in this great community. I am blessed to have wonderful friends and family who are always there for me. I have a Goldendoodle named Leila, she no matter how old still has the energy of a puppy! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, especially with my three nephews and niece! I also enjoy reading, shopping, walking in 5k’s, traveling, biking, and attending MIZZOU football games...GO TIGERS!
I anticipate an exceptional school year full of growth for students and myself. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to give me a call or send an email. I look forward to working with all students to make their school year an amazing one!
Tara Hoelscher - Behavior Interventionist
"Teaching is a true passion of mine -- it is exhausting, thrilling, trying, rewarding, and hilarious all rolled into one."
Teaching Experience: This is my 2nd year at Pioneer Trail and prior to this I taught 6 years at Thomas Jefferson Middle School; 5 of those years teaching special education and 1 year teaching Language Arts. I know my past experiences in both special education and general education have helped me to ALWAYS remember that students all learn in different ways, grow at different paces and have lived a life far different than I. Together, I believe these differences create an environment in which the students and I can both learn from each other.
I earned a Bachelors of Science degree in both Special Education (K-12) and Elementary Education (1-6) at Lincoln University. In 2016, I obtained my Master of Education degree in Secondary Administration from William Woods University.
Teaching Beliefs: With that being said, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to make learning a positive experience for students. Too often, students don’t know how to voice their opinion in appropriate ways which causes 'behavior problems.' I strive to give students the opportunity to talk things out with me so that we can understand other's point of view, learn how our actions may make others interpret things differently than we mean and grow from these moments to continually become a better person. Also, I am excited to work with teachers and help them create positive, lasting relationships with students.
Life Outside of Teaching: I was born and raised in a small, country based community about 20 miles east of Jefferson City. I was brought up doing things such as fishing, hunting, splitting/hauling wood, and appreciating all of the finer things in life. I was taught the values of honesty, hard work and respect from an early age. Hobbies of mine include golfing with my husband Matt, playing with my puppy Stella and cat Zoey, listening to all types of music and going to musical events, trying new local eats, and anything related to summer.
HELLO WEEK! #startswithhello
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO HAVE MY CHILD AT SCHOOL EACH MORNING?
So when is the best time to get your student to school? If they are going to eat breakfast at school, they really need to arrive before 7:30 AM. If they are not eating at school, it would be best if they could at least be in their classrooms by 7:40 AM. Once that 7:45 AM bell rings to officially start our day, we are going strong to get our day going. When students have a chance to get settled and check in with their teacher before then, it just sets the stage for a great day.
Even as adults, a lot of us get flustered when we are running late. It is not different with kids, it just gets their day off to a better start when they have a chance to catch their breath and prepare for the day.
Make it your family goal to be at school on time EVERYDAY....the earlier the better! :)
PIONEER TRAIL ELEMENTARY PTO
UPCOMING OCTOBER EVENTS
- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 - FIFTH GRADE OUTDOOR FIELD TRIP
- MONDAY, OCTOBER 7 - PTO MEETING AT 6:30 PM IN LIBRARY
- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 - SCHOOL PICTURES
- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 - PTO/PIONEER TRAIL SKATE NIGHT AT SK8ZONE 6:00 - 8:00 PM
- TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15 - FIFTH GRADE BASKETBALL PARENT MEETING 6:00 - 6:30 PM
- WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16 - TWO HOUR EARLY DISMISSAL - 12:45 PM - NO BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 - PTO FUNDRAISER PICK-UP INFOR TO COME
- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 - JEFFERSON CITY FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER KICK-OFF
- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 - END OF FIRST QUARTER
- TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29 - SECOND GRADE CONCERT - 6:00 PM
- TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29 - TITLE I FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT - 6:30 - 7:45 PM
- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31 - FALL PARTIES - 1:30 - 2:20 PM
DIFFERENCE MAKERS
Difference Makers are those who go above and beyond to serve our students, staff, and schools. We need your help in identifying those individuals, teams, or groups who have made a difference in our district. Please use the button below to share your Difference Maker's story. We are specifically looking for Difference Makers tied to the JCPS organizational pillars: Learning, Partnerships, and Stewardship.
While we will thank all who are nominated, some will be recognized monthly at the Board of Education meeting.
HELPFUL HINTS FROM THE OFFICE
- To ensure the safety of our students, we will always follow the set routine for your child to go home from Pioneer Trail unless we have a note or phone call from you. Please call no later than 1:45 pm.
- If your child will be absent, please notify the office as soon as possible at 632-3400.
- When dropping your child off in the morning, please remain in your vehicle. If you need to exit your vehicle, please pull into a parking space so that the flow of traffic is not disrupted.
- If you are dropping your child off after 7:45, please walk them inside and sign them in.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP!!