Stories for Pioneer
Laura Bang-Knudsen appointed principal of Pioneer Middle School
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Steilacoom Historical School District #1 announces the appointment of Laura Bang-Knudsen to the principal’s position at Pioneer Middle School in DuPont. Ms. Bang-Knudsen comes to the district having worked most recently and simultaneously as a professional consultant for The College Board (the corporation that oversees SAT testing and Advanced Placement coursework), a consultant with Pearson Education (an educational measurement, software, and publishing company), and the Deputy Director for America’s Foundation for Chess (a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping young people with an introduction to critical thinking skills through learning the game of chess).
An ‘historic’ artifact nears completion
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A group of 45 Pioneer Middle School students have created a piece of history. The students in grades 6-8 in the school’s Learning Lab have spent the past two school years adding colorful pieces of fabric to a quilt/wall hanging that features the Old Pioneer School and the New Pioneer School. Begun as a project in Linda Petersen’s class, students have added pieces–ranging from details such as the ferry boat to the smartboard to the fabric collage/puzzle. Mrs. Petersen plans to take the quilt home this summer to finish the fine needlework and then return it next year to be permanently displayed in the building.
A dedication on the reverse side of the fabric masterpiece reads:
“Created by the students in Mrs. petersen’s Learning Lab. This quilt represents the history and heritage of Pioneer Middle School. We dedicate this to the entire Pioneer Community, staff, students and families–past, present and future.”
The quilt is the newest addition to the growing collection of school quilts that includes Cherrydale’s “Mrs Orr’s Pear Tree quilt, to Saltar’s Point’s Sesquicentennial quilt depicting Steilacoom homes and famous folks.
Pioneer ‘Reporters’ Visit the Orr Home
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Nine Pioneer Middle School “reporters” went looking for news on June 1. They found plenty of interesting information in Steilacoom. The student journalists, members of the student newspaper, “The Hook,” toured the Nathaniel Orr property in Steilacoom where they interviewed Museum Docents about the site, and learned about the town’s role in local history.
Wagon Shop guru Buzz Brake explained about the shop and its antique woodworking tools, Judy Hopkins escorted students through the 1857 home of pioneers Nathaniel and Emma Orr, while Nancy Covert shared highlights of the SHMA museum’s exhibit, “Steilacoom Firsts.” News about the students’ findings is scheduled to be on-line shortly, according to teacher Kristina Sullivan.
Visit the school’s newspaper at http://super6.us/ and open the link to “The Hook”. The museum on Rainier St. is open from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Kids can cook: SP kids demonstrate their culinary prowess
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An enthusiastic audience of parents, siblings and friends enjoyed the menu offerings during the Inaugural “Kids Can Cook” event, held May 10 at Pioneer Middle School’s Auditorium. The event featured ten Saltar’s Point Elementary School 4th & 5th graders in the Sodexo-sponsored “Kids Can Cook” competition featuring healthy after school snacks.
Top voted snacks included Madison Lewis’ “healthiest snack” Erupting Lava Apple with the eruption caused by peanut butter mixed with trail mix!; Joseph Daniel’s “kid friendly preparation” of “Cocoa-nut” Bananas; Jessica Jones’ “fun foods” featuring a Sailboat Snack; David Ling’s “best plate presentation” of Bunny Spread Wraps; and Jiemyjoyce Reduque’s “judges’ award” for her Chicken Salad Wraps.
Pioneer’s Lech tapped for NAEOP president
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Kathy Lech, office manager at Pioneer Middle School, will be installed as President of the National Association of Educational Office Professionals on July 9, 2010 in Kansas City, MO. Kathy has worked for the Steilacoom School District since 1982, except for a two-year period when she moved with her family to eastern Washington. While there she worked for the North Franklin School District for one year and then, after moving back to this area, worked for the Association of Washington School Principals.
Spring Event at Bair Bistro
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Forty-three members and guests of the Steilacoom Chamber of Commerce enjoyed a “Spring Evening at The Bair” on Thursday, April 22. Representing the Port of Tacoma, Connie Bacon was the featured guest speaker during the dinner. She stated that the Port is currently conducting a “nationwide search for a new CEO who is trustworthy, who will tell us the right story in business for the Port of Tacoma, who understands strategic thinking, and is a go-getter.” According to Bacon, the Port of Tacoma is “beginning to see a tiny rise in activity, but anticipates steady growth over the next five years.” She added that the Port has spent $170M to clean-up Puget Sound and Commencement Bay. There are ongoing negotiations with the Puyallup Tribe about possibly operating a terminal, as well. Bus tours of the Port of Tacoma are available to the public and scheduled every couple of months.
Art ala Carte on the menu at Pioneer
Posted by | CommentsMark your calendars for Pioneer PTA’s 2010 Food Festival. “Art A La Carte” is scheduled for 2- 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 24. Come out to sample food and beverages from some of the best restaurants in our area, including Farrelli’s, McNamara’s, Panera Bread, Jake’s Bar and Bistro, and Costco. Festivalgoers also will have an opportunity to view and purchase art from the Pioneer Art Department, and examine the wares of local vendors at the bazaar. Other featured activities include a silent auction, as well as performances from dancers with the local YMCAs and a variety of school organizations. The Food Festival is the PTA’s only fundraiser for the year. Proceeds will be used for projects and programs benefiting Pioneer Middle School students. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a bazaar vendor, or performing at the festival, please e-mail pioneerfoodfest2010@yahoo.com.
Pioneer ‘Easter Bunnies’
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Pioneer Middle School's "Easter bunnies" who will be hopping along the bunny trail on Saturday at Cherrydale Primary School. The kids are members of the school's Builders Club and are volunteering at the annual event. Photo by Nancy Covert.
Steilacoom’s sixth graders prepare for camp
Posted by | CommentsMemories of camping are always a highlight of the promotion ceremony held each June at Pioneer Middle School. Remember those crazy outfits you wore? For many decades (it’s a 50-year tradition) incoming 6th graders have eagerly anticipated the annual early June trip to a weeklong camp. That tradition continues for the newest class of 6th graders-with a few changes to the tradition.
“There are a few changes to this year’s camp program,” explained Cathy Stewart, a member of Pioneer’s Sixth Grade Team. “And we’re confident it will be just as great a time as other Camps.”
Students will attend Camp Colman between April 19-21 or 21-23. The camp will be held at on the Key Peninsula, near Case Inlet. Camp duration and location were revised for a number of reasons, including the increased numbers (240) of 6th graders. This year 120 students will attend the first session, along with teachers from the school’s first floor sixth grade wing. The remaining 120 students, along with second-floor 6th grade wing teachers will attend the second session.
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Nixon, Hansen honored by Lakewood Rotary
Posted by | CommentsJulie Nixon and Debra Hansen were recognized recently as the Clover Park and Steilacoom School Districts’ Teacher of the Month by the Rotary Club of Lakewood. The presentation was made by Tony Robinson during a regular Friday noon meeting at Tacoma Country & Golf Club.
Julie Nixon
Ms Nixon is a sixth grade language arts teacher at the Steilacoom District’s Pioneer Middle School. She’s been in the district for the last five years, according to her nominator, Paula Gayson, assistant school principal. According to Ms Gayson, Nixon “is a dedicated educator who excels at engaging students in the learning process. She makes learning come alive in her classroom.” In addition to her classroom endeavors, Nixon is also the “go to” person in the building for technology, using it in her classroom and also working with other teachers.
Debra Hansen
At Clover Park’s Lake Louise Elementary, Hansen currently is serving as library. She’s been with the district for 22 years teaching at Dower Elementary before moving to Lake Louise. Until becoming school librarian she taught 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders. School Principal Patty Mitchell described Hansen as a “can do” person. “She sees needs and gets things done,” Mitchell said in her nominating letter.
Lakewood Rotary Club, a 125-member community service organization, has been serving Lakewood and the area for more than 50 years. Greg Horn is currently president of the group. The Rotary Club recognizes a teacher and a student from each of the school districts monthly during the school year.
Pioneer Middle School set to promote pioneer class
Posted by | CommentsPioneer Middle School at DuPont is set to promote its first class of graduates from the new school, it seemed appropriate to collect memories from previous classes about their big day.
Between 1898 and the late 60s, hundreds of area students departed Steilacoom Grade School (the school’s original name) for Stadium, Lincoln, Lakes and Clover Park high schools.
Imagine the mixed feelings: surprise, disappointment, and what else to walk into a ceremony and discover your best friend/sister classmate wearing, not only the same style dress, but also the same color!
That’s what Margaret Humm Wilkinson recalls from her 1954 promotion. She and friend, Sandy Stucker, both unknowingly purchased the same style/color (yellow) dress from People’s Store on South Tacoma Way!
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Pioneer Middle School promotes its first 8th grade class
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Slightly more than 10 months ago–on Aug. 28, to be exact–Pioneer Middle School at DuPont, WA opened its door for the 2008-09 school year.
Among the students who flocked to the new facility last fall were more than 200 8th graders.
On June 11 those students, members of the school’s first “graduation” class, filed into the school’s gymnasium as the Class of 2009, the first group of 8th graders to be promoted to Steilacoom High School from the new building.
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