Pioneer Press
Donations Needed for the Health Room
The Health Room is in need of gently used or new clothing. We especially need girls' leggings (sizes 6-8), boys' sweatpants (sizes 6-10), and new underwear for boys and girls. We appreciate your help!
Vision & Hearing Screening
Vision and hearing screening through the Lions' Club will take place on Dec. 2. We are looking for volunteers to help from 12:00 - 2:45 PM. If you are interested, please sign up with the Julies in the Pioneer office.
Winter Concerts
Mark your calendars for Pioneer's winter concerts! Grades 4-5 will perform on Monday, Dec. 16 at 1:45 PM. This concert will feature band, orchestra, and choir. Grades K-3 will perform on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 1:45 PM.
Canned Food Drive
It's time for Pioneer's annual Canned Food Drive, in partnership with Olympia High School. Please send in non-perishable food items to help out our community! We will be collecting from Nov. 25 - Dec. 13.
Spare Sets of Clothing
During these cold, rainy months the Health Room has many visits from students who have gotten muddy and wet during recess. Unfortunately we do not have enough spare clothing for every student who wants to change their clothes. Please consider keeping a spare set of clothing in your student's backpack in case a change is needed.
What's Happening in Music Class
This month, the music classroom has been full of singing, as students have been working on learning the songs that they helped choose for their winter concerts! We've been applying state music standards as students helped select the music they enjoyed the most for what they wanted to perform, and then as we've been rehearsing that music in class, evaluating what the styles and rhythms are, and refining the musical elements so that some of the music can have added instruments! This last week we focused on musicianship and style, and we've been working on choreography and thinking about how to add meaning and connect our experiences to the music as well.
(2nd-5th Grades) Additionally, we have some wonderful news! Our school was approved for a grant for ukuleles, and with the PTO's help to store them, we have been able to purchase a classroom set! So this January you will start hearing about students in second through fifth grade beginning to use these instruments and how we can use them to discover a little bit about American music traditions as well as making music ourselves, singing and playing!
Counselor's Update
Our Pioneer students are continuing to work on listening skills, empathy and emotional recognition through the Second Steps programs as well as the Zones of Regulation. Thanksgiving and the holiday season brings us the perfect time to really work on these skills as well as talking about gratitude and how we can help each other the best. Please talk with your students about their emotions, incorporate these discussions as you read with them (what is the character feeling and why etc.), watch shows with them or problem solve with them. Find ways for your family to help out at home as well as within the community. Kids as young as preschool can do chores to help their home function and give them a sense of responsibility.
Our Kind Cubs group is also looking for ways to help out. I am reaching out to the Thurston County Food Bank and to other community based organizations to see if there are ways our students can make a difference. We have created some Kind artwork and will be making a "Be the 'I' in KIND" poster for display to help share kindness here in our school community.
Starting in December and January, students will begin talking about how to handle yellow and red zone feelings - simple coping strategies such as positive self-talk, deep mindful breathing and talking with a trusted friend or adult. Thanks for letting me be a part of building a kind Pioneer community!
Lisa Perry
Calendar of Events
Nov 27-29 Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
Dec 2 Vision & Hearing Screening
Dec 11 Walk N Roll
Dec 12 Passport Check Day
Dec 16 Winter Concert, Grades 4-5 (2:00 PM)
Dec 17 Winter Concert, Grades K-3 (2:15 PM)
Dec 23 - Jan 3 Winter Break