May4,
2004
(from Trailblazer
Gazette Volume 1, Issue 9)
WASL
Snapshots
Fourth and fifth graders should be commended for their efforts during the recent
WASL assessment. As I’ve been visiting classes and working with small groups
who are taking the test, I’ve witnessed dedication and commitment toward
trying their best and making this a positive experience. Special thanks also
to the teachers for their work in preparing the students for success and giving
them the confidence they need to feel successful.
Video
Game Violence Information
Recently, we had two representatives from the Snohomish
County Children’s
Commission come to a PTSA presentation to discuss violence in video games. All
in attendance were shocked at the level of violence that is contained in various
video games; many students have access to these games despite the rating system
in place. If you’d like more information about ways to recognize this and
protect your children, please go to www.mavia.org in order to learn more.
Thank
you for your support
We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your
support in passing the levy for our schools. We had so
much support from staff, students, and parents
in getting out information. We really appreciate all your efforts.
Karl
Olson 
April
14, 2004
(from Trailblazer Gazette
Volume 1, Issue 8)
Thank
You Volunteers
As we get close to Volunteer Appreciation Week, I want to offer
a special thanks for all the talents you share with our students.
I am constantly at awe when I look at the variety of services
you offer our students on a daily basis. We are all truly benefiting
from your help!
McTeachers
Night a Huge Success
I wanted to thank the staff and families who made the
McTeachers Night a huge success. We were able to raise
over $750.00 for
our school. Also, I want to thank the Smokey Point McDonalds
for sponsoring us for this. It was a fun atmosphere and a
great event.
Here
Comes WASL
During the next month, fourth graders will be taking
the WASL in reading, math, and writing. Fifth graders
will also
be taking
part this year in the pilot of the WASL science assessment.
Our
Action Teams Have Been Busy
Our school is fortunate to have teams of staff members
developing assessments, presenting instructional practices,
and setting
a course for our school as we work to have students meet
standard. As a whole, our staff is dedicated to providing
a quality education
for the students at Pioneer Elementary, and we look forward
to sharing the evidence of this in the future.
Karl
Olson
March
3, 2004
(from Trailblazer
Gazette Volume 1, Issue 7)
Assessment
of Student Learning
We continually assess students throughout the year in order to determine what
academic needs they have. The next three months will be a busy time as teachers,
students, and families prepare for district and state assessments. This will
help us know what the students have learned as well as providing data that will
be used to set future learning goals for our school. This month, we’ve
provided some test-preparation hints that will help your child find success on
these assessments.
Join
us for McTeacher’s Night at McDonalds on March 18th
On March 18th, from 5:00-8:00, come to the Smokey Point
McDonalds and visit a large number of our staff who will
be working there that night. 20% of the funds
taken during that evening will be put toward our school. We look forward to
seeing you there!
All
School Picture
On February 13th, all the students at Pioneer Elementary
were on the playground for an all school picture! We
will be posting a picture in the office for people
to view. If you’d like to purchase one, they are $10.00 and can be purchased
in the office.
Karl
Olson
February
4, 2004
(from Trailblazer Gazette Volume
1, Issue 6)
Here
Come the New Kindergartners!
From March 29th-April 2nd, families will be able to enroll kindergarten students
for the 2004-2005 school year. Our office will be open for early kindergarten
registration from 8:00-4:00 so that people can pick up paperwork and learn about
our school. Please come to our school office to get a registration packet. If
you or someone you know has an upcoming kindergarten student, please pass the
word. We look forward to meeting our new students.
Forward
With Technology
In February, the PTSA cookie dough fundraiser will take
place and will allow us to raise funds for technology
purchases. At Pioneer, we have a technology
committee hard at work developing a plan for how to best implement technology
with our students. We look forward to watching this plan take off and appreciate
your support.
Great
Learning Taking Place
Each day, I visit classes and see dedicated teachers,
para-educators, and volunteers working with our students.
Whether it is a research project, story
reading,
or writing skills, they are all involved in the process of learning. It
is exciting
to see the great progress students are making here at school.
Karl
Olson
January 7,
2004
(from Trailblazer Gazette
Volume 1, Issue 5)
Happy
New Year and Goals
Welcome to 2004! This is an excellent time to work with students on goal setting
and preparing for the next part of the school year. Whether reviewing the report
card or discussing areas for goal setting, students can keep track of their progress
and make this a great year. Otherwise, we look forward to welcoming your children
back as we start a new year!
Board
Games Needed and Carpet Squares
Our rainy day recess options are expanding all the
time, so we’re always
in need of items to make this a positive experience for our students. If you
have any board games for students to play or carpet squares for students to sit
on, we’d appreciate your donation. These can be brought to the main office.
Also, for the lunch recesses, we’ll be offering a movie on stage and
reading in the library. Back in December, we opened up the library everyday,
raining
or not, so that students can read and take Accelerated Reader quizzes. The
numbers have been growing quickly, including one day, which close to 40 students
came
in to read!
What
a Wonderful Caroling Event
The Pioneer Community spirit is alive and well. Back
on December 9th, we had our first PTSA caroling event
in the neighborhood, featuring Santa on
the fire
truck and our school choir. Close to 200 family members came for this event,
and the weather was perfect.
Karl
Olson
December
4,
2003
(from Trailblazer Gazette
Volume 1, Issue 4)
Thank
You PTSA
A special thank you to all the members of PTSA, parents, staff, and
students, for their help with fundraising and for what this has provided
for our school. From library books, classroom supplies and equipment,
audio/visual equipment, and so much more, we are extremely fortunate
to have such a supportive group of people.
Board
Games Needed
With the winter weather approaching, we tend to have more recesses
indoors. One of our goals is to provide activities for the students
so they have an enjoyable and structured time. If you happen
to have any board games or other indoor type activities that
are in good
condition, we’d love to use these. Donations may be brought
to the school office. Your donation would be appreciated.
Here
Come More Library Books!
We want to offer special thanks to all who took part in the
Scholastic Book Fair, both in terms of volunteering time and
purchasing
books. Some of the proceeds are going toward buying more books
for our library.
Along with this, Pioneer PTSA received a $1000.00 grant from
the Pumpkins for Literacy Foundation to purchase library books.
This
money will help to provide more variety for our students to
read from. Karl
Olson
November
5, 2003
(from Trailblazer
Gazette Volume 1, Issue 3)
Conferences
A special thank you to all who came to the fall goal-setting conferences
and to the teachers for their efforts in preparing for each conference.
This was truly a time to collaborate and discuss strategies to
help each child succeed and grow throughout the year.
Thank You Veterans and Veterans’ Day
Assembly
All of us at Pioneer Elementary want to offer words of appreciation
and admiration to those currently or formerly serving our country
in the armed forces. We’ll have an assembly to recognize the
veterans on November 10th. More information will be shared about
this later in the newsletter.
Harvest Night Was a Special Event
On October 24th, we had our first Harvest Night, where students
and parents got to carve pumpkins and participate in a variety
of events.
We want to offer sincere appreciation for the efforts of the committee
that put this together. This was truly an enjoyable and fun-packed
evening!
Karl
Olson
October
1,
2003
(from
Trailblazer
Gazette
Volume
1,
Issue
2)
Open
House
I
was
delighted
to
see
such
a wonderful
turn
out
for
the
barbecue
and
open
house!
This
was
a great
kick-off
event
for
the
year.
I want
to
give
a big
thank
you
to
the
PTSA
and
Pioneer
staff
for
making
this
event
a huge
success!
Summer
Scholars
On
September
26th,
students
who
completed
their
Summer
Scholar
Packets
had
the
opportunity
to
take
part
in
some
games
outside
and
get
a
treat
from
the
school.
Many
thanks
to
the
parents
and
students
who
worked
on
these
throughout
the
summer
in
order
to
help
students
continue
to
grow
as
learners.
Fundraiser
News
Our
first
fundraiser
was
a
huge
success!!!
We
raised
$
8410.00
total,
of
which
we
get
40%,
to
help
support
our
ASB
fund
so
we
can
purchase
playground
equipment
and
supply
field
trip
scholarships
for
students.
Also,
congratulations
to
Ms.
Turk’s
and Mrs.
Delaney’s
classes
for
being
the
top
primary
and
intermediate
sellers.
Each
class
will
receive
a
pizza
party
for
their
efforts.
Thank
you
so
much
for
your
support.
Karl
Olson
September
2, 2003
(from
Trailblazer
Gazette
Volume
1, Issue
1)
We’re
off to
another terrific
year, and
I want
to
personally
welcome
each of you.
The
entire
staff at
Pioneer
Elementary
has been
working
hard over
the
past few
weeks to
prepare
for the students.
We are
truly
dedicated
to providing
a positive
and caring
learning
environment
so that
all students
can be
successful
learners.
Our
hope is
that you
find this
newsletter
a beneficial
link between
your home
and school.
You’ll
find a variety
of information,
including
calendars,
PTSA highlights,
homework
tips, and
school safety
plans. In
the future,
you’ll
find some
classroom
news also.
Feel free
to let us
know about
other types
of information
you’d
like to see
so we are
able to provide
you with
the best
possible
newsletter.
As
many of
you know,
we have a
new start
time of 9:10
and a new
ending time
of 3:40. Students
will be able
to arrive
at 8:55 to
get ready
for the school
day. This
year, I would
really like
everyone
to make it
a goal to
be on time
everyday.
I recognize
that there
are situations
that require
students
to be late.
Let’s
work together
to help your
student come
to school
on time so
they can
take advantage
of positive
learning.
We invite
you to
volunteer,
take part
in our
many school
events,
and work
alongside
us to create
an outstanding
school.
My door is
open,
so please
stop by!
We all
need to work
together
in this
journey of
educating
our children.
Karl
Olson
July
16,
2003 (Introduction
Letter)
Dear
Pioneer Elementary Community Members, I
wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself, Karl Olson,
as I will be serving as principal of Pioneer. Previously,
I was the assistant principal
at Presidents Elementary and taught at the elementary level for the seven
years before that. As I take this new step in my career, I look
forward to working
with each of you as we create a positive learning environment at Pioneer
Elementary.
First,
I’d
like
to share
a bit
about
myself.
My wife,
Michelle
and I
live
in an
old house
we bought
three
years
ago.
We seem
addicted
to the
older
style
homes and all the
joys,
and headaches,
which
go with
them.
We have
an energetic
and young golden
retriever
and two
cats
lounging
around
the house.
Otherwise,
I enjoy any activity
having
to do
with
the water,
including
fly fishing
and boating.
One
of my
goals
is to
create
a learning
environment
where
all members
of the
community
are able
to foster
the growth
of our
students.
Through
the web
site,
newsletters,
and other
communication,
we’ll be sharing a number
of opportunities for all to be involved in. In fact, our first event
will be on Tuesday, September
2 at 6:00 as we gather for the Pioneer Elementary Open House, share
adventures from the summer, and take the opportunity to visit the classrooms
to get acquainted
with next year’s
teachers. I look
forward to seeing
you there!
Enjoy the remaining summer months, as you spend time with family and
friends. I look forward to working alongside the students, parents,
staff, and community
members as we enter a new school year.
Looking
forward to a great year, Karl
Olson
Principal
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