Welcome back, Pioneer families!

The first weeks of school are all about settling in, and our teachers are hard at work establishing the routines that make the rest of the year run smoothly.

We believe in taking the time up front to frontload expectations, model procedures, and practice them together - so that by October, our classrooms feel like a second home.

You can help at home by keeping bedtimes and morning routines consistent; predictability at home makes for confident, ready-to-learn kids at school.

Now in its fifth year, our outdoor learning program continues to be one of the things that makes Pioneer special. Each grade heads outside for weekly, grade-specific lessons, and our older students continue their GATE outdoor curriculum.

Learning doesn't only happen at a desk - some of our best thinking happens with fresh air, room to move, and the Montana landscape as the classroom.

Our first Dover Days field day of the year is set for Thursday, September 10, at John H. Dover Memorial Park. These monthly all-school days out are a highlight for students and staff alike, and we're grateful to our partners at the Yellowstone River Parks Association for making them possible. Watch for details from your child's teacher about what to send along.

Our fall benchmark assessments are in progress. These early checkpoints give teachers a clear picture of where each student is starting the year so we can target instruction and support right from the beginning.

Results aren't about grades - they're a snapshot that helps us group students thoughtfully and plan our WIN intervention time, which begins mid-September.

If you have questions about your child's results, your child's teacher is always happy to talk them through with you.

As a reminder, we're on our Monday–Thursday four-day week. Please double-check that your enrollment and pickup/drop-off forms are complete, and reach out to the office if you have any questions. My hope is that this year gets off to a strong, steady start for every one of our students.

Here's to a great year,

Melissa Schnitzmeier

Principal/Superintendent

Pioneer School

Read all about it!

Read all about it!

Read all about it!

Read all about it!

Read all about it!

Welcome back, students and families! I am so excited to see everyone back in school and ready for another wonderful year in our library!

The library is a place where you can explore new worlds, discover new interests, learn something new, and find books you love. Whether you enjoy funny stories, mysteries, animals, science, fantasy, or adventures, there is a book waiting for you!

What’s Happening in the Library?

Students will have opportunities to visit the library, choose books, and take them home to enjoy.

We will learn how to find books, use library resources, care for books, and become responsible library users.

Not sure what to read? Ask me! I would love to help you find a book that matches your interests and reading level.

Throughout the year, we will have fun reading activities, challenges, and celebrations.

Remember to:

Try to make reading part of your daily routine. Read for 10–20 minutes each day—at home, at school, before bedtime, or anywhere you can enjoy a good book!

Thank you for supporting your child’s love of reading. Reading together, visiting the library, talking about books, and letting children choose books they enjoy can make a big difference!

“Every book is a new adventure!”

Let’s make this a fantastic year of reading!

Welcome back, Panther families! The PTA is thrilled to kick off another school year, and we can't wait to partner with all of you to make it a great one. Whether you've been part of our crew for years or you're brand new to Pioneer, there's a place for you here — and plenty of ways to get involved.

This year we're looking to fill two officer positions, and we'd love to have you step up and help lead. No experience necessary — just a willingness to pitch in for our kids. And we're always looking for more members! You can join the PTA for just $6. The more hands and voices we have, the more we can do for our students and staff.

PTA meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month — following Board Meeting Monday — at 5:30 pm on Zoom. Meeting from home makes it easy to join, so grab a cup of coffee and log on. We'd love to see you there.

Twice a month, our students get a warm, home-cooked hot lunch — and we have one very special person to thank for it. Ms. Jennifer Waldo, our volunteer hot lunch cook, gives her time and talent to make sure our kids are well fed and happy. Jennifer, thank you! Your generosity doesn't go unnoticed, and our whole school community is grateful for you.

Every Thursday, we serve up pizza for just $1.00 a slice. It's a fun, easy treat the kids look forward to all week — send your student with a dollar (or a few!) and let them enjoy.

This fall, the PTA will begin our fundraising season, and we want you to know exactly where those dollars go. Every bit we raise goes right back to our students and staff. Funds help us:

When you support the PTA, you're investing directly in your child's classroom and our whole school community. We'll share details soon on how you can pitch in — and we hope you'll jump in with us.

Here's to a fantastic year, Panthers!

With gratitude,

The Panther PTA🐾