Graduation Day in the Oldest District in the County

DuPont-Northwest Landing: Thursday, June 11 is another milestone in the history of the oldest school district in Pierce County. That date marks both the first and the 154th promotion ceremonies for Pioneer Middle School.

At 7 p.m. that evening 220-8th Graders from the middle school’s Class of 2009 will become the first ones from the new school to be promoted to Steilacoom High School. The ceremony will take place in the new school’s gymnasium. The school is located on Bob’s Hollow Road in DuPont/Northwest Landing, just off Center Drive.

Dr. Art Himmler, the district’s fifth superintendent, and superintendent of SHSD #1 for the past 15 years, will be among the speakers at the evening’s milestone ceremony. Dr. Himmler leaves the district in July to become superintendent of Omak School District.

Steilacoom Historical School District No. 1 was founded in 1854. An early Steilacoom School 8th grade promotion photo (ca. 1898) may be viewed on Pioneer Middle School, historic photos link at the district’s website at www.steilacoom.k12.wa.us.

The former Pioneer Middle School (named Steilacoom Grade School at that time) opened in 1891. The second school, a brick building built in 1915, served the district for 93 years.

Note: some highlights from that “first” year in the new building include a visit from a pair of international astronauts who were in Seattle this past September for a convention at the Museum of Flight, publication of the 2nd volume of the 6th grade newspaper “The Hook”, taking part in the time-honored 6th grade camp that was held the first week of June, and hosting the 2009 Intermountain League Choral Festival. Throughout the year classes hosted variations on traditional school events such as History Night, replacing the Culture Fair.

School administrators are Principal Ms. Kristi Webster, and Assistant Principal Ms. Paula Gayson.

For more information contact Pioneer Middle School at 583-7200.