Pioneer Middle School Leadership

A Message from Principal Fernandes

Pioneer Pirates: Belong. Believe. Become.

Dear Pioneer Families,

We are excited to welcome students and families back for another great year at Pioneer Middle School! As we begin the 2026–27 school year, students are reconnecting with friends, settling into routines, and preparing for a year of learning and growth.

This year, we are grounding our work in a simple message that reflects what we want for every Pioneer student:

Belong. Believe. Become.

Belong — Every student is known, connected, and part of our community.
Believe — We hold high expectations for students, build their confidence, and believe in their ability to succeed.
Become — Middle school is a time of tremendous growth as students become increasingly capable, responsible, and thoughtful young people.

Two of our continuing schoolwide priorities—civil discourse and our “off and away all day” learning environment—directly support this commitment.

BELONG: Building Connection Through “Off and Away All Day”

For the fifth consecutive year, Pioneer Middle School will continue our successful cell phone and smartwatch expectations. Student devices must remain off and put away in backpacks or lockers from 8:03 a.m. until 2:40 p.m.

While this expectation certainly helps reduce classroom distractions, its purpose goes beyond academics. When students are not focused on their phones, they are more available to the people and experiences around them. They talk with one another, participate in class, build relationships, and engage more fully in our school community.

That is an important part of Belong.

This year, our local efforts are also being reflected at the state level. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has identified a statewide “Away for the Day” policy as a legislative priority, with the goal of establishing bell-to-bell restrictions on student cell phones and smartwatches in K–12 public schools. Pioneer has been ahead of this movement, and our experience reinforces our belief that reducing access to personal devices during the school day creates more space for learning, relationships, and connection.

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

Consequences for not following the policy:

• First Infraction — Device held in the main office until the end of the day.
• Second Infraction — Parent/guardian must pick up the device.
• Repeated Infractions — Additional consequences and a conference with administration and parents.

BELIEVE: Civil Discourse and the Power of Respectful Conversation

We will also continue our schoolwide focus on civil discourse this year.

To Believe in our students means believing they are capable of listening, thinking critically, expressing their ideas, and treating others with dignity—even when they disagree.

In a world where differing opinions are often amplified through social media and online platforms, these skills are increasingly important. At Pioneer, civil discourse means learning how to discuss ideas thoughtfully, disagree respectfully, remain curious about other perspectives, and seek understanding.

In our classrooms, this looks like:

• Listening to Understand — Students genuinely listen to and consider another person's perspective before responding.
• Respecting Differences — Students understand that disagreement is natural, but respect is always expected.
• Seeking Common Ground — Students practice identifying shared values and areas of agreement, even when perspectives differ.
• Having the Courage to Participate — Students learn that their ideas and voices matter while also making space for the voices of others.

Teachers will incorporate these practices into classroom discussions, collaborative activities, and advisory lessons throughout the year. Families can support this work by encouraging respectful conversations at home and modeling curiosity when encountering different viewpoints.

BECOME: Growing Into Capable, Thoughtful Young People

Ultimately, both of these priorities are about Become.

Middle school is an important transition between childhood and adolescence. Our students are learning not only academic content, but also how to manage increasing independence, navigate relationships, communicate effectively, make responsible choices, and contribute to a community.

Putting a phone away when it is time to learn, listening when someone else is speaking, disagreeing without being disrespectful, taking responsibility for a mistake, and considering how our choices affect others may seem like small things. Together, however, they are part of becoming the kind of young person who is prepared for high school and beyond.

Looking Ahead

Our goal is to create a Pioneer community where students are known, connected, respected, challenged, and growing.

We want our Pirates to Belong to something larger than themselves.
We want them to Believe in themselves and in what they are capable of accomplishing.
And we want to help them Become capable, thoughtful, responsible young people.

Thank you for partnering with us in this work. We are excited about the year ahead and grateful to have your family as part of the Pioneer community.

Belong. Believe. Become.

Sincerely,
JoAnne Fernandes, Principal
Pioneer Middle School