Pioneer Middle School Leadership

A Message from Principal Fernandes

Dear Pioneer Families,

We are off to a strong start this school year! Our students are settling into routines, reconnecting with friends, and engaging in new learning opportunities. I’d like to take a moment to highlight two important areas of focus for us this year: civil discourse and our cell phone expectations.

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Schoolwide Focus: Civil Discourse

This year, we are intentionally teaching and practicing the skills of civil discourse. These skills help students learn how to discuss ideas, disagree respectfully, and seek common understanding. They are essential for success both inside and outside of school.

In the classroom, this looks like:

• Listening to Understand – Students pause to truly hear what others are saying before responding.

• Respecting Differences – Disagreement is expected, but courtesy and respect are non-negotiable.

• Seeking Common Ground – Students learn to identify shared values and areas of agreement, even when perspectives differ.

Teachers will weave these practices into discussions, group projects, and advisory activities. You can support this at home by encouraging your child to explain their ideas clearly, listen without interrupting, and ask thoughtful questions when they hear a different point of view.

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Continuing Commitment: Off and Away All Day

We continue to enforce our no cell phone/smartwatch policy: devices must remain off and put away in backpacks or lockers from 8:03 a.m. until 2:40 p.m.

If a student needs to contact home, they should come to the main office and use the office phone.

Consequences for not following the policy:

1. First Infraction – Device held in the main office until the end of the day.

2. Second Infraction – Parent/guardian must pick up the device.

3. Repeated Infractions – Additional consequences and a conference with administration and parents.

We’ve already noticed a positive impact from this policy—students are engaging more with peers, focusing better in class, and spending less time distracted by screens.

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Looking Ahead

Over the coming months, we’ll continue to focus on building a strong school culture where students feel connected, respected, and challenged. You’ll see updates in each newsletter about how civil discourse is showing up in classrooms and how our “off and away all day” policy is supporting student learning.

Thank you for your continued partnership in making Pioneer Middle School a place where students grow into thoughtful, respectful, and engaged learners.

Sincerely,
JoAnne Fernandes, Principal
Pioneer Middle School