Pioneer Elementary School

Bear Cub Bulletin: April 2024

A Message From Mr. Lang

Dear Pioneer families,

Welcome to the month of April! I hope everyone had a fantastic Spring Break. This break always comes at a perfect time in the school year - allowing us all to gather the energy necessary for the final few months of learning for this academic year. And what an action packed final stretch it will be!

The Science Fair is next Thursday, April 18th. Over 70 students are taking part this year, and the experiments/demonstrations will be on display in the gym from 5:30 - 7:00 in the evening. We hope you can join us to celebrate the efforts of our scientific Bear Cubs! This event is quickly followed by the annual PTA play and the PTA talent show. The end of the year then picks up speed with state testing for students in grades 3-5 and finally June is filled with many culminating events. Buckle up and hold on… it will be a quick flash to the last day of school on June 18th.

Take Care,

Mr. Lang

Cub Counselor Corner

“The only way to have a friend is to be one.”  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

In the month of April we celebrate and talk about friendship.  As with every year, I enjoy seeing the different friendship groups form, often depending on friends of opportunity (they are in the same class), then later friends of choice (i.e. you have something in common with them).  Friendships grow, change and evolve as the year and years progress.  Understanding what makes a good friend is actually one of the most important life skills we learn.  Kids learn these skills in a number of ways - we teach them, we model them or they learn the hard way when they lose friends or in a positive way when they gain friends.

How you can help:

• Provide your student with supervised social opportunities beyond school as you are able, such as play dates, outings to public areas, shopping trips, summer camp groups, volunteering, team sports etc.  -places they can learn to interact with others and also get feedback from you at the same time.
• Be their coach, mentor and listener - stop and talk to them about what they are doing great and what they can do better.  Listen to them as they talk about their struggles or about their best moments.  Many times our disagreements are started by trying to be silly and it all just gets carried away.
• Be their role model - Demonstrate to them what it looks like, sounds like and feels like to be a good friend.
• Keep in mind, they are all learning and mistakes will be made.  We can teach our students the power of grace and forgiveness as they are learning to be in relationships and to simply have fun with friends the right way.
• Remind them that friendships change.  I tell students all the time they can be one of 2 things - a friend or a classmate, but never an enemy.  We don’t have to like everyone - and this does not have to be public knowledge -  but we do need to treat each other with respect.
• Also remind them that people are watching how they treat others and this can also determine if they will want to be that person's friend.  Kind people tend to gain a lot of kind friends.
• Teach your children good listening skills and how to give others your full attention without thinking about the next thing you want to say.
• Guide them in learning to pick up social cues from others - what’s expected behavior in this area. Make it a detective game or what’s the code in this area so we know how to behave and interact with others.

I could go on and on…

Teaching about appropriate friendship skills takes a team effort - if we all work together these sweet kids will be amazing adults and friends.

With kindness,

Mrs. Perry

Kindergarten and New Student Enrollment is Happening Now!

If you have an incoming Kindergartener join us for our Countdown to Kindergarten Event taking place at Capital High School on April 13 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Families will have the opportunity to learn about transitioning to Kindergarten in our district. This event is open to both in district and out of district families. Students entering Kindergarten must be 5 years of age by August 31 to enroll for the 2024-2025 school year.

Enrollment for next year is also open for new students of any grade level living within our school boundaries. The New Student Enrollment page provides helpful information regarding the enrollment process.

If your student has been attending our school as a transfer student this is a great time to renew the transfer request for next year. Information about transfer requests can be found on the  OSD Transfers Webpage. This resource provides information for both renewing a transfer, as well as, requesting a transfer for the first time.

Helpful Tips and News

• Hopefully you had a chance to check out the lost and found while you were at the school attending your student’s conference. If not, please stop by the lost and found the next time you are at the school. Springtime finds the lost and found growing quickly since jackets and sweatshirts are often removed during recess play. Names in clothing are so helpful in getting items returned to kids.
• At the end of the school day, if you are waiting in your vehicle for your student and parked in either the drive up lane or in any of our parking spots, we ask that you turn off your engine. The area around the school is considered a no idle zone.
• Class photo day is coming up soon on April 23. If you would like to order a class photo for your student, keep watch for ordering information to be shared soon.

Upcoming Dates

• April 8 - PTA Apple Tree Play Rehearsal Starts (2:45 - 4:45 PM)
• April 10 - PTA Walk-N-Roll (8:00 AM)
• April 11 - OSD Board Special Recognition Meeting (6:00 PM) & Regular Meeting (6:30 PM)
• April 13 - OSD Countdown to Kindergarten at Capital High (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
• April 17 - PTA Board Meeting (6:00 PM)
• April 18 - PTA Science Fair in the Pioneer Gym (5:30 - 7:00 PM)
• April 19  - PTA Movie Night, “The Lorax” (5:30 PM)
• April 23  - School Picture Day - Class Photos
• April 24  - Spring Music Concert - 2nd & 3rd & Ms. Erbele & Mrs. Cazier Students (9:00 AM)
• April 25  - OSD Board Meeting (6:30 PM)
• April 29  - PTA Online Talent Show - Flipgrid Link Release

Pioneer Bear Cubs - You Belong Here!