What’s Next?
To continue providing the best bilingual learning
opportunities for students, Pioneer staff is
committed to:
Increase Student-Driven Learning
Opportunities
Refine its Mission + Vision
The success Pioneer has had with PLT has
inspired educators to consider how
student-driven and project-based learning
opportunities can be woven into a greater portion
of the school day — perhaps even become the
basis for the full day. Because students get to
choose what to focus on during PLT, engagement
is significant, says Crossen. Creating a “maker
space” — a dedicated room filled with various
supplies so students can build, design, play, and
experiment during PLT — is on Crossen’s
brainstorm list. Although ideas like this one are
still evolving, the entire Pioneer community has
seen the enormous boost in engagement when
learners get to make choices and have a real voice
in their learning experiences.
An ongoing review of Pioneer’s mission and
vision is critical to student success. “If we really
look at our beliefs, mission, and vision, and
ensure all of our instructional focus and new
pieces fit together, then we can hold each other
accountable and improve consistency,”
Nelson-Steinhoff says.
Expand 320-Plus Enrichments
For now, transportation schedules and lack of
funding have limited 320-Plus enrichments to an
optional program for students who can arrange
alternative transportation. The team has looked
into purchasing an additional bus for the school
or expanding the length of the day further. Team
members hope to find a realistic option over the
next few years so all students may access
high-quality extracurricular enrichments on a
daily basis.
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Students show off their school pride
by dressing up for Mustache Day
during Spirit Week.
Pioneer’s Garden to Table project was a
success, thanks to the Growe Foundation.
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