Reach For the Trees - October 16 and 17th, 2025
Our school's largest fundraising event is back and we're going "Back to Our Roots"
A quick welcome.
Greetings Pioneer Families,
For more than a decade, Pioneer Springs Community School has been at the heart of so many children’s educational journeys. Whether your family joined us when the school first opened in 2012 or became part of our community along the way, you’ve shared in the growth of a truly special place. For my family, I know firsthand the importance of this community and what it means to belong to the Pioneer family.
Our journey began when my oldest child was struggling in a traditional public school setting. He needed something more nurturing—something that embraced his individuality. We were fortunate to find Pioneer Springs, and he became a member of the school’s very first graduating class in 8th grade. The transformation was remarkable. At a time in life when young people often face uncertainty, he found acceptance, confidence, and a true sense of self. As a parent of three students, I quickly came to love the values and charm of this beautiful school. So much so, that I left the corporate world to join PSCS as a teacher and help support the growth of all students. Now in my sixth year here, I can say with confidence that every Mudpuppy and Hellbender has become like an extension of my own family.
Growth, of course, comes with challenges. Each year brings new opportunities and new hurdles, from declining state and federal funding to the demands of a growing campus and community. But through it all, the spirit of our Salamander community remains constant—passion for exploration, love of nature, excitement for learning, and respect for individuality. That spirit makes our school a beacon of light for all who walk its wooded halls and clay-filled paths.
That is why, in 2025, we are going “Back to Our Roots”—reconnecting with what makes Pioneer Springs unique and strengthening the sense of community that sets us apart. On October 16th and 17th, our largest school event returns: Reach for the Trees. This year’s celebration will be bigger and better than ever, and I could not be more excited—as both a parent and an educator—to help bring it to life.
Our goal is to raise $70,000 (approximately $150 per student). It’s an ambitious goal, and it will require commitment not only from our families and their friends but also from our staff and faculty. We promise to be excellent stewards of every dollar raised, ensuring that your contributions directly support the resources our students need to thrive.
This year’s annual giving campaign will focus on our school’s continued growth and our longstanding goal of expanding opportunities in nature, education, and athletics. Transparency is at the heart of this effort—it’s one of the reasons organizations like Great Schools have chosen to invest in us.
Our mission statement is a long one, but my favorite part captures the heart of who we are: “to keep the desire to learn burning bright in every student.” That phrase guides me every day, and I am honored to help carry that torch as we enter this new chapter of growth for our scholars.
With tremendous gratitude and a lifelong commitment to your families and ours,
Nick Kaylor
Advancement Director, HS Teacher, and Parent of Past & Future PSCS Graduates
For more than a decade, Pioneer Springs Community School has been at the heart of so many children’s educational journeys. Whether your family joined us when the school first opened in 2012 or became part of our community along the way, you’ve shared in the growth of a truly special place. For my family, I know firsthand the importance of this community and what it means to belong to the Pioneer family.
Our journey began when my oldest child was struggling in a traditional public school setting. He needed something more nurturing—something that embraced his individuality. We were fortunate to find Pioneer Springs, and he became a member of the school’s very first graduating class in 8th grade. The transformation was remarkable. At a time in life when young people often face uncertainty, he found acceptance, confidence, and a true sense of self. As a parent of three students, I quickly came to love the values and charm of this beautiful school. So much so, that I left the corporate world to join PSCS as a teacher and help support the growth of all students. Now in my sixth year here, I can say with confidence that every Mudpuppy and Hellbender has become like an extension of my own family.
Growth, of course, comes with challenges. Each year brings new opportunities and new hurdles, from declining state and federal funding to the demands of a growing campus and community. But through it all, the spirit of our Salamander community remains constant—passion for exploration, love of nature, excitement for learning, and respect for individuality. That spirit makes our school a beacon of light for all who walk its wooded halls and clay-filled paths.
That is why, in 2025, we are going “Back to Our Roots”—reconnecting with what makes Pioneer Springs unique and strengthening the sense of community that sets us apart. On October 16th and 17th, our largest school event returns: Reach for the Trees. This year’s celebration will be bigger and better than ever, and I could not be more excited—as both a parent and an educator—to help bring it to life.
Our goal is to raise $70,000 (approximately $150 per student). It’s an ambitious goal, and it will require commitment not only from our families and their friends but also from our staff and faculty. We promise to be excellent stewards of every dollar raised, ensuring that your contributions directly support the resources our students need to thrive.
This year’s annual giving campaign will focus on our school’s continued growth and our longstanding goal of expanding opportunities in nature, education, and athletics. Transparency is at the heart of this effort—it’s one of the reasons organizations like Great Schools have chosen to invest in us.
Our mission statement is a long one, but my favorite part captures the heart of who we are: “to keep the desire to learn burning bright in every student.” That phrase guides me every day, and I am honored to help carry that torch as we enter this new chapter of growth for our scholars.
With tremendous gratitude and a lifelong commitment to your families and ours,
Nick Kaylor
Advancement Director, HS Teacher, and Parent of Past & Future PSCS Graduates
So, what is Reach For the Trees?
WHAT: Thursday, October 16 (K-8) and Friday, October 17 (HS): see schedule sheet included in the packet for your exact time. We will have a DJ spinning music for all ages, food trucks, a flash sale merchandise table, the OneBlood donation truck, and more. ALL family members (grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, guardians, even friends) are invited to attend and cheer on our students as they participate in a fun run.
Why is Reach For the Trees important?
WHY: As a growing charter school, especially in this current time, fundraising is an absolute necessity. We only hold campus-wide events a few times each year which makes it crucial to have the support of our entire community. The money we raise covers the operations of our school and expansion of new and exciting programs. Each individual student has a fundraising goal of $150 and each class has a $3,300 goal. Each class will choose how it would like to celebrate when it reaches its accomplishment. When we make our goal of $70,000 for this event, students will receive a campus-wide celebration (details coming at a later date). We are a 501(c)3 non-profit school, and donations are tax deductible. Many companies offer a matching program so be sure to check with your employer.
Where do we make donations for the event?
WHERE: Donations can be made here on this page. Click the button above or the link here. Donations can also be made in cash or check made out to Pioneer Springs Community School. All donations need to be logged on the donation tracker that went out in your student's packet. Filling in those trackers will help us keep track of how close we are to our $70,000 goal. If donations are received in cash or check, please send those donations in to your student's teacher .
Who is allowed to attend the event?
WHO: The whole family! We want grandma and grandpa. We want mom and dad. Siblings, guardians, aunts and uncles. Reach For the Trees is a school-community event designed to bring us all closer while also raising funds for the advancement of our educational program. We want you there! Please refer to the packets for information on where the viewing areas are located.
How can we accomplish our goals?
HOW: We are asking students to request donations from friends, family, and neighbors in the weeks leading up to the run. Get creative! Post to social media. Walk the block. Whatever you can do to help your student will go a long way. All money must be collected and turned in Tuesday, October 14th – two days before the event. This will allow us to tally donations and announce totals at the event. Our intention is to support each child’s effort.
When is my child running?
WHEN: Check out the schedules below to see when your students are running.
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More questions?
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to Nick Kaylor at [email protected].
