Pioneer Family Communication
December 10, 2023. - December 17, 2023
GREAT DAY TO BE A PIONEER!
Be Extraordinary!
From the Pioneer Leadership Team
Pioneer Caregivers,
What a great week to be a Pioneer! We have lots of great news to share and we are so grateful for all of our Pioneer support. Please review all the new material in our newsletter below! We are so proud of our Pioneer Pioneers!
Be Extraordinary!
Desmond, Eve, Jodi, Kevin & Dan
Pioneer Bands are fundraising!!
If you have ever been to a Pioneer Band concert, you know how amazing they are! This program provides students with unique performance and community building opportunities. The program relies upon donations to offer both robust programming and scholarship support to our students and families. Please consider a gift to the Pioneer Band Association to ensure these experiences continue. To donate, you can click here or text AAPBand to 53-555. Thank you for your support!
Let the Pioneer 2025 Action Team do your gift wrapping!
As you prepare for the holiday season, please consider using Pioneer 2025 Action Team students to wrap your holiday gifts!
This year, the Action Team will host a gift-wrapping fundraiser to help them reach their fundraising goal for senior prom. Please see the flyer for important details!
Gift Wrapping Dates: December 12, December 14, December 19 and December 21 are all gift wrapping drop off dates between 10a-2p in C229 (class office).
We are also looking for donations of gift wrapping paper and supplies! If you are interested in donating, please see the link below. If you are interested in volunteering, please let Mrs. Willis know your availability.
Pioneer 2025 Class Action Team Hot Chocolate and Gift Wrapping Donation Form
All-State Selections Announced and Accepted!!!
Congratulations to the following members of the Pioneer Bands for being selected as members, or receiving Honorable Mention to the 2024 MSBOA All State Ensembles!!!
All-State Band:
Ian Chung - Flute
Joshua Cotts - Baritone Saxophone
Cyrus Hansen - Euphonium
Nathaniel Hong - Clarinet
Kabir Jha - Tuba
Suryn Lee - Bass Clarinet
Dorothy Li - Flute
Theo Park - Trumpet
Ella Vogel - Euphonium
Michael Wu - Flute
All-State Orchestra:
Jayent Bala - French Horn
Micah Jacobson - Trombone
Clara Paulson - French Horn
Allison Yadmark - Clarinet
All-State Jazz Band:
Elvin Sahijdak - Tenor Saxophone
Yuanxu Wang - Trombone
Honorable Mention:
Valentina Carcassi - Trombone
Evyatar Eliav - Tenor Saxophone
Jack Hollingsworth - Tenor Saxophone
Lily Rydell - Flute
Jay Sarkar - Bass Clarinet
Nolan Shee - Contra Bass Clarinet
Malia Weber - Flute
Alan Zhou - Alto Saxophone
On Saturday, December 2, 10 members of the Pioneer Choirs participated in MSVMA Region C High School Honors Choir, where they sang with 125 of the top high school singers from SE Michigan! Additionally, all 10 auditioned for and advanced to MSVMA State Honors Choir in January! Congratulations to:
Jaden Burman '25, Tenor 1
Chase Crownover '25, Tenor 2
Lily Drummond '26, Alto 2
Janice Kang '25, Soprano 1
Ainsley Maddock '25, Alto 2
Emmanuel Morgan '25, Tenor 2
Sola Peters '26, Alto 1
Abigail Rohrer '26, Alto 1
Mareya Thomas '25, Soprano 1
Lily Wright '25, Soprano 2
On Thursday, December 7, the Pioneer High School Choirs welcomed composer Stacey V. Gibbs to the classroom. The A Cappella Choir is studying Mr. Gibbs' arrangement of the African American spiritual, Hush! Mr. Gibbs worked with the choir, shared insights into his arrangement, and spoke about the history of African American spirituals. The choir will be performing Hush! under his direction on Sunday, December 10, in a joint concert with the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings in Detroit. Mr. Gibbs is an internationally-renowned composer and one of the leading arrangers of African American spirituals of this generation.
WISD’s Mental Health Parent Education Webinar Series
continues next Tuesday, December 12, from 7:00-8:00 pm. We’re excited to welcome an amazing panel of experts from our community to discuss how to identify and assist youth in a mental health crisis. Hopefully, we never have to use this information, but recent data tells us otherwise. Joining us Tuesday are:
- Victor Hong, MD – Medical Director, University of Michigan Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES)
- Melisa Tasker – Program Administrator, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health Crisis Services
- Alison Paine – Facilitator, Support Group for Parents of Children with Suicidal Thoughts & Behaviors, NAMIWC
Attached is a flyer with more information. Please share this widely with parents and caregivers. A version of the flyer to share on social media can be found here.
By the way, we’ve recorded our two previous webinars, “Supporting Students’ Mental Health” and “Teen Dating Violence: Important Information for Parents to Know” and they can be found online here (under Parents/Guardians).
Thank you in advance for your assistance in spreading the word about this opportunity for parents (and school staff if you’d like to join us!)
GAP FAIR hosted by HURON HIGH
USA GAP YEAR FAIRS HOSTED BY
HURON HIGH SCHOOL, ANN ARBOR
Monday, January 29, 2024
6:00-8:30 PM
Why take a gap year? The best way to learn about gap year options and connect with gap year program providers is to connect face-to-face at a USA Gap Year Fair virtual or in-person event. With more and more students choosing to take gap time this year, there is a growing need for students, parents, and educational professionals to become aware of the advantages of taking “time out” from traditional education and “time on” for experiential learning.
USA Gap Year Fairs is an annual circuit of 30-40 events that bring together reputable gap year organizations, interested students and parents, educational professionals, and gap year experts. For the past 16 years, the circuit has crossed North America each winter and expanded to offer virtual events the last several years. As the premiere event series of its kind, the fairs have provided students with broad exposure to gap year programs that encourage active learning through travel, cultural immersion, service, work experience, and mentorship. Opportunities for face-to-face conversations with gap year program providers, trip leaders, advisors, and alumni offer attendees a personal and individualized experience. Each event begins with a presentation by gap year advisors and alumni. These gap year experts provide attendees with a rich overview of the gap year option, share relevant data, highlight authentic student experiences, and offer tips and resources to help guide families through gap year research.
To register for the FREE USA Gap Year Fair: https://www.gooverseas.com/gap-year/usa-fairs/schedule
For more information on USA Gap Year Fairs, visit www.USAGapYearFairs.org or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ojnh_0MnrQZZEGpaSvJT4vnJGXdXf2OU/view
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT - LAST REQUEST :)
Pioneer(Ann Arbor) High School has been an accredited High School since 1904. We need our caregivers support in taking the following survey. Our goal is for 1000 caregivers to take the following survey. The results of the survey will help us always improve. We need your support in taking the survey. Please click the link below.
https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/238511/10339
SURVEY STUDY
Our African American students have an opportunity to complete a study that seeks to gain their perspective on their racial identity, academic self-concept, and the school racial climate. Lindsay Poole, a doctoral student in Michigan State University's School of Psychology doctoral program, under the supervision of Dr. John S. Carlson and MSU IRB #00008836 have been collaborating with several schools in the states of Michigan and Texas. The survey is very minimally time-evasive, and everything can be completed electronically. They are hoping to recruit at least 40-45 students who meet criteria from Pioneer before Winter Break! Please review this flyer for more information.
BEST OF FLOW!
As you may have heard, our team is currently competing against three other Ann Arbor High School hockey teams in the “Best of Flow” Competition. Our team has nominated players with the “best flow” to represent us in the competition. The team that raises the most will be given hoodies at the upcoming Jileks Best in Flow Tournament and will present a check to the Miles Jeffrey Roberts Foundation founders, Kristen and Jeff Roberts. Visit the voting page, to help our team win the competition. Every dollar donated is a vote for our team and all proceeds go directly to the Miles Jeffrey Roberts Foundation, a 501C3 Charitable Organization serving Washtenaw County youth athletes. As a team, we need your support. To learn more about the Miles Jeffrey Roberts Foundation, visit their MJR Foundation website and keep up with all competition updates on Instagram or Facebook. Please feel free to share the voting link with your family and friends to help support our team. Let the flow begin! Thanks for all of your support!
Pioneer Trading Post Apparel
- Are you interested in purchasing some new Pioneer apparel? The Pioneer Trading Post now has black quarter zips, purple and gray embroidered hoodies, and purple full zips. CLICK HERE to complete the order form new merchandise as well as some existing merchandise.
PTSO HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEAR SALE
Online Holiday Pioneer PTSO Spirit Wear Sale
Great Holiday Gift Ideas to cheer on Pioneer! See attached online store for your spirit wear purchases which will also support the Pioneer PTSO. You can ship directly to your home or you can pick up at the school drop offs on Tuesday, December 19 and Thursday, December 21 from 7:30-8:15AM or the pick up Friday, December 22 from 2:30-3:10PM. Store closes on December 4.
CLICK IMAGE OR HERE TO VIEW SALE!
LATE AP TEST ORDERING - NOW OPEN!! IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO ORDER. AN AP TEST!
AP UPDATES - PIONEER!!
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:
1. Complete late-fee payment in MyPaymentsPlus and
2. 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 or Dr. Daniel Hyliard - hyliardd@aaps.k12.mi.us
Email for Absences: pioattendance@aaps.k12.mi.us
We are seeing a rise of students arriving at the school under the weather. We encourage students and staff that are under the weather to stay home for the day. Coming to school and spreading germs causes the cycle of more staff and students to catch illnesses. It is best for everyone. Many assignments can be captured in Schoology. Students can easily communicate with teachers about work assigned and/or missed via email (Staff Directory) and within Schoology.
Attendance email: pioattendance@aaps.k12.mi.us
Attendance Policy: The procedure for excusing student's absences requires that parents/guardians must notify the Attendance Office by email within 48 hours of the day that the student is absent.
Please do not call the attendance line until further notice. We are planning to hire someone to cover that position; it is currently not filled. The position of Book Depository/Attendance Office Professional will be posted soon and we would love for someone connected to the Pioneer community to serve in that capacity.
Regular Schedule - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
CLUB Day - Wednesday
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
CARE CLOSET - C311
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS NEEDED IN AAPS
Substitute Teachers Needed: As we are headed into the Winter season, which also may be known as cold/flu/COVID season, the Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) is looking for substitute teachers and paraeducators to support our classrooms. If you are a passionate person who enjoys connection with students EduStaff is looking for you. Substitute positions are necessary and meaningful work that enriches the lives of students in our community. If you, your family or friends are interested in making an impact, we encourage you to support the AAPS team as a substitute teacher or paraeducator. Start your application at https://www.edustaff.org/
Pioneer Administration Team Assignments
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
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
PIONEER COUNSELING LINK
The Writing Center at Pioneer High School wants to help! We are open daily during both lunches and 4th Hour in room C216. We offer online writing assistance through our website and hold fun writing competitions throughout the year. We want to help with brainstorming, revising, editing, polishing, and really any part of your writing assignment! Come see us!
SCHOOL STARTS at 8AM - Doors Open at 7:35AM
1. CLOCKTOWER - this location backs up so please plan accordingly
2. FLAGPOLE ENTRANCE - near student parking lot
Please do not drop off students in the 7th Street Bus Loop