PIONEER PRESS
Pioneer Elementary School - December 2022
Greetings from Mr. Mac, Principal of Pioneer Elementary
Dear Pioneer Families,
Thank you for recently joining us at Parent/Teacher Conferences in November. If you were unable to attend a conference with your child’s teacher, I encourage you to contact them to see how you can partner together around supporting your child’s education.
Welcome to the month of December! This month is full of fun activities at school and in the community. Teachers are completing report cards, and you will receive a report card for your child (showing their progress during the 1st trimester of the school year).
Although December is a short month, Pioneer Elementary continues to be in full learning mode. Students will participate in DIBELS assessments that provide our staff important reading data which helps us monitor the learning progress of our students. Teachers will also participate in data team meetings and training in order to adjust our instruction in classrooms and small groups to students’ needs. Student attendance during this month is critical! Thank you for making sure your child is at school each day.
I wish you and your family a happy holiday season. I hope you enjoy quality time together over the winter break, and we look forward to seeing your child back at school in January 2023!
Sincerely,
Paul McKenzie - “Mr. Mac”
Principal, Pioneer Elementary
UPCOMING DATES
- Monday, December 12: PLC Late Start - 9:45 a.m. Start Time
- Monday, December 19: PLC Late Start - 9:45 a.m. Start Time
- Wednesday, December 21 to Tuesday, January 3, 2023: No School - Winter Vacation
- Monday, January 9, 2023 PLC Late Start - 9:45 a.m. Start Time
- Monday, January 16: No School - Martin Luther King Holiday
- Monday, January 23: PLC Late Start - 9:45 a.m. Start Time
- Monday, January 30: PLC Late Start - 9:45 a.m. Start Time
INCLEMENT WEATHER AND EMERGENCY
As winter weather approaches, Auburn School District will announce information regarding operation of school during snow/ice/emergency conditions through a variety of tools such as:
· School Messenger
· ASD Website: www.auburn.wednet.edu
· FlashAlert: http://flashalert.net/news.html?id=4203
· ASD Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AuburnSchools
· ASD Twitter page: https://twitter.com/AuburnSD?scrlybrkr=3aaefb93
· Radio and TV stations
Sign-up Today
Make sure your e-mail and telephone number are up-to-date so you do not miss out on inclement weather/emergency notifications or other important school information.
· Sign up for FlashAlert (see link above)
Home Emergency Plan
Each family should have a plan covering what to do when children arrive home early due to an emergency situation. For example:
· What is the best route home if your student cannot be delivered to the normal bus stop?
· Where would they go if you are not at home?
· Who would care for him or her until you arrived?
· Is there someone your student could call to receive help?
* For more information on Inclement Weather and Emergencies, CLICK HERE.
COLD WEATHER AT RECESS
During the winter months we need help from parents to make sure children are dressed warmly for cold temperatures. When students come to school in shorts and t-shirts or thin sweatshirts, it causes them to be uncomfortably cold during recess. Please make sure your child wears warm clothing and a jacket with a hood to school. Unless the weather is too extreme, students will be outside at recess which provides them time to exercise and socialize. Thank you for your help in this matter.
A MESSAGE FROM THE HEALTH ROOM
Besides the snow and ice, this winter season is also bringing us multiple respiratory illnesses. Covid-19, RSV, Influenza, and the cold are the most prominent viruses this cold and wet season. Although some symptoms are unique to each, these four illnesses can share many of the same symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy/runny nose, sinus congestion, headache, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. It is often very difficult to determine which illness you have unless you get a test specific for that virus. The one thing all 4 of these illnesses have in common in every occurrence is that they are all contagious. The best way to prevent the spread of these illnesses is frequent handwashing and to stay home if you are sick. If your child has any of the symptoms above, please keep them home, or consult your school health room for further guidance. Please connect with your primary care provider for more information on these viruses.
Kelly A. Benshoof, MSN, RN
School Nurse
CHANGES IN CONTACT INFORMATION
In order for us to communicate effectively together, we need your current phone number(s), email address and home address. Stop by the office today, or give us a call, if you need to update your contact information. Additionally, if you want to add someone to your emergency contact list who can pick up your child from school, please stop by the office to update your form.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
Visit us at https://www.facebook.com/asdpioneer to follow our school on Facebook! Each week we post our Monday announcements, and also post other important school and district news.
Recently, we posted a video called “Auburn Has a Snow Day” and you can find that video on our Facebook page. You can also view it by clicking here.
MEET OUR NEW ASB OFFICERS!
PRESIDENT - Cyara "CJ" Mediana
VICE PRESIDENT - Jordan Reyes
SECRETARY - Maria Jasmin Amaya Sanchez
TREASURER - Justin Sandel
LOOKING FOR FUN ACTIVITES IN DECEMBER AND/OR DURING WINTER BREAK?
- Seattle Center Winterfest: Many events are free and have a suggested donation. Runs through December 31. (https://www.seattlecenter.com//events/featured-events/winterfest)
- Renton’s Holiday Lights: Over 200,000 lights. Event is free. Runs through January 1, 2023. (https://www.parentmap.com/calendar/34328)
- Zoolights in Tacoma: Walk through the display of over 700,000 LED magical lights and a safe, classic holiday tradition. Prices are $12 and $16. Runs from November 25, 2022 until January 2, 2023. (https://tickets.pdza.org/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=PDZA1&c=zl1)
- Fantasy Lights: Take a two-mile drive through the largest holiday display in the Northwest, featuring nearly 300 elaborate displays and thousands of sparkling lights. Located at Spanaway Park, the event runs from November 25, 2022 until January 1, 2023. Cost is $15 and $20 per vehicle. (https://www.piercecountywa.gov/1253/Fantasy-Lights)
- Pacific Northwest Holiday Light Displays: Click on the map image here to find Holiday light displays near you - everything from both walk and drive through and also animated to music. Some are free and some charge a fee. (https://www.pacificnwchristmaslights.com)
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL INFORMATION
Parking is reserved for ECEAP, Kindergarten, ECE, TK Office Visitors and Pioneer Staff only. Parents of 1st-5th grade students must drive through the vehicle loop. Please see picture below.
The parking lot opens at 8:25 am for all grades. However, ECEAP may arrive at 8:15 since their program begins before TK-5th grade.
Please do not arrive early, as this results in traffic congestion. Students are not to be dropped off until 8:30, as that is when staff are on duty to supervise them.
Dismissal Times by Grade Level: We ask parents to arrive at the time of their oldest student. (Arriving at the correct time prevents traffic jams and keeps everyone safe.)
2:50 ECEAP families may drive into north parking lot and park in their section
3:05 TK and Kindergarten families may arrive (pick up in front of school)
3:07 1st grade
3:09 2nd grade
3:11 3rd grade
3:13 ECE (pick up in front of school)
3:13 4th grade
3:15 5th grade
Can I park on M STREET SE or K STREET SE?
No. The City of Auburn has designated these areas as no parking zones.
Parking in these areas could result in a traffic accident and/or a traffic ticket from the City of Auburn.
Why do I have to turn right out of the north parking lot?
Turning right helps our traffic flow. It also reduces the likelihood of an accident between cars turning left out of the parking lot and cars turning into the parking lot.
Thank you for turning right only!
How can we help the neighbors?
Use the north parking lot system if you are driving your child to and from school.
Please do not park in the neighborhoods, do not park in or block driveways, and do not drop off your child on M Street SE or K Street SE.
Can I park in the emergency lane in the north parking lot?
No. This is a designated area for emergency vehicle access.
We appreciate your support in helping to keep our students safe by following the parking lot procedure. THANK YOU!
MISSION STATEMENT
At Pioneer we dedicate ourselves to students and their families, to inspire and empower children to achieve their greatest academic and social potential.
CONTACT US
- Principal: Paul McKenzie “Mr. Mac” pmckenzie@auburn.wednet.edu
- Assistant Principal: Rachel Collins rcollins@auburn.wednet.edu
- Office Manager: Patty Ankerfelt pankerfelt@auburn.wednet.edu
- Office Assistant: Karin Ode kode@auburn.wednet.edu
- Office Assistant: DesMarie Wilson dwilson@auburn.wednet.edu
Email: pmckenzie@auburn.wednet.edu
Website: www.auburn.wednet.edu/pioneer
Location: 2301 M St SE, Auburn, WA 98002, USA
Phone: 253-931-4986
Facebook: facebook.com/asdpioneer