Dear Pioneer Families,

November is a month of gratitude at Pioneer, and I’m thankful for this community: our students, our staff, and all of you.

I’ll be out on medical leave for the first few weeks of November and plan to be back the week of November 23. Our staff are ready, and school will run as usual while I’m away. If you need anything, please reach out to Alisa Rau (rau@pioneerschool.us) or Mrs. Michael (michael@pioneerschool.us). I’m looking forward to being back in time for Stone Soup and Thanksgiving with our Panthers.

Reading together at home makes a real difference for kids. When you read with your child, they pick up new words, learn to follow a story, and start to see reading as something they enjoy and not just something they do at school. It doesn’t have to be a big production. Fifteen or twenty minutes a day is plenty. Read a bedtime story, have your child read the cereal box or a recipe to you, or take turns reading pages. For our older kids, ask what they’re reading and let them see you with a book, too. Let’s make this a month of reading together at home, Panthers.

Our monthly Board meeting is Monday, November 9. Families are always welcome.

Students in grades 3 through 8 will take their fall MAST tests. A good night’s sleep, a good breakfast, and getting to school on time all help.

This month’s theme is Tracks, Signs and Stories. Students will look for the clues animals leave behind and figure out the stories the land can tell us. Please send your child dressed for the weather.

Our kindergarten and first graders are heading to the Alberta Bair Theater to see The Three Little Pigs.

This is the last week to send in coins for Flakesgiving. Every coin helps put a Thanksgiving meal on the table for a family in need right here in Billings. Thank you to everyone who has given so generously!

Trimester 1 wraps up on November 19, and report cards will go home that day.

There’s no school for students on November 20 while teachers meet with families. To schedule your conference, please contact Mrs. Michael at michael@pioneerschool.us. 

This is one of our favorite traditions. Students read Stone Soup and make soup to share with families. Come join us as we celebrate our Pioneer community.

There’s no school Wednesday through Friday. Enjoy the time with your families!

Wishing you all a happy and restful Thanksgiving, Panthers.

Warmly,

 Melissa Schnitzmeier

 Principal/Superintendent, Pioneer School District #41

The time has come to begin to schedule Parent-Teacher Conferences for Friday, November 20th, 2026. Please call the school to schedule your time slot with the office. Appointments are made on a first-come, first-serve basis so if you need a specific time slot, we encourage you to reach out as soon as possible. If we do not hear from you, we will assume that any time that day will work for you, and your conference will be scheduled for you with a notice of your time being sent home as a reminder.

** Mrs. Hample will not be available on November 20th, please contact her through ParentSquare or email (hample@pioneerschool.us) to set a time with her prior to November 16th or after December 3rd.

 

Conferences will be held beginning at 7:45 a.m. and run until 3:00 p.m.  Each conference will be no longer than 15 minutes in length. If you feel you need more time, please schedule a meeting with your student's teacher for another day/time. 

No conferences will be scheduled from 12:00 - 1:00 pm. 

 

Please call by Wednesday, November 11th to schedule your time slot. 

If you cannot meet in-person on November 20th, please call and make arrangements for a different date and time to meet with your child's teacher. 

**Mrs. Burns will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis to visit with you if you have concerns about your child’s progress in Special Education or Library.  Please limit your time to 10 – 15 minutes.

**Mrs. Schnitzmeier will be available from 7:45 – 3:00 if you wish to visit with her.  She will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis.  Please limit your time to 10 – 15 minutes.

  Thank you!           

  Mrs. Michael

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