Pioneer 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!
Read More→

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.
Read More→

The Suburban Times continues its support of future journalists by publishing four of articles from the soon-to-be-published issue of the Hook, the Pioneer Middle School’s newspaper.

By Josh Biddinger and Thomas Pearson

Snowshoeing in straw in May? This was just one of the things sixth graders got to enjoy while at the Outdoor Expo. While there, sixth graders learned many things. For example, students had a chance to learn how to spin cast, fly fish, gun safety, archery, and archery. They had a chance to visit booths from various organizations. The field trip lasted all day and the weather was perfect. Some of the biggest hits were archery, air soft shooting, rock climbing, and the turkey rings. The sixth graders had to fill out a worksheet in which they identified 16 different places and something they learned from each one. It was a fun and educational field trip.

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

Read More→

The Suburban Times continues its support of future journalists by publishing four of articles from the soon-to-be-published issue of the Hook, the Pioneer Middle School’s newspaper.

By Marq Buastita and Jorginho Souza

The History Fair is a project for 8th graders so that students can demonstrate historical knowledge of people, events and places in the United States from 1620 to 1900. This year the first annual history fair took place from 4:30-7:00 pm on May 15th throughout Pioneer Middle School. The History Fair participants developed life skills in research writing, data analysis and performance.

In preparation for this event students asked historical questions about a particular person, place or event and located sources to create an exhibit, plan a performance or give a speech that revealed what they learned.

“It’s a lot like Night of the Notables and Night of the Museum but at an 8th grade level,” said Mr. Beaulieu, 8th grade social studies teacher and organizer of the History Fair. He, along with Ms. Daniels, 8th grade social studies teacher, were responsible for the event. “It’s more than a project, it’s an experience, Mr. Beaulieu added. This project was a great success and all of the 8th grade students should be congratulated for their efforts. Just think what next year’s eighth graders will do.

The Suburban Times continues its support of future journalists by publishing four of articles from the soon-to-be-published issue of the Hook, the Pioneer Middle School’s newspaper.

by The Hook staff

This years outdoor education week for sixth graders has a new twist: International students from Pierce College are earning credit by attending camp and teaching classes. The program was coordinated by the efforts of Pioneer’s Ms. Kristina Sullivan, 6th grade teacher, Ms. Mary Meulblok, Manager of International Student Services at Pierce College, and Dr. Mary Russell, Anthropology professor.

The international students jumped at the chance to become a part of an American camp experience and college credit at the same time. There are nine students participating in this independent study course, two from Uganda, one from Moldova, three from South Korea and three from Japan. They all happen to be women. By co-leading classes at camp about their culture as well as keeping a journal of their experiences and participating in a culminating panel presentation these students earn two credits in Cross-Cultural studies.
Read More→