The River Hawk
Rio Norte News - February 24, 2023
A Note From the Principal
Good Morning River Hawk Families,
I hope this finds you all warm and cozy this morning. While I'm not sure our kiddos will get to see snow locally this weekend, our mountains are definitely going to be filled with it!
I want to start by sharing my CONGRATULATIONS to our Science Olympiad Team who placed 4th this past weekend and is heading to STATE! See more information below.
We are in the early stages of exploring a Personal Device Policy that would require phones and other electronic devices to be powered down and in student backpacks during the school day beginning this Fall of 2023. This is due to increasing concerns over inappropriate phone usage on-campus, social media incidents of bullying and harassment, and further data showing that the excessive amount of time teens are spending on their phones is effecting teenage brain development. This does not mean a student can't have a phone on them to use before or after school to contact a parent. We are looking at adopting similar policies already in place at Rancho Pico and La Mesa Junior High. In an emergency (e.g. fire, earthquake, or other major events) teachers would instruct students to take out their phones and reach out to parents when and as appropriate, but otherwise phones would be turned off and in their backpack during the school day. At our PTSA General Association meeting this coming Thursday, March 2nd at 8:45 a.m. in the MPR, I will share information with parents and we will look at the policies in place at our two local schools. The intent is not to disrupt parent to student communication and both sites have indicated that parents and students are always able to get critical information needed to one another in an appropriate manner that doesn't violate their policies. Both schools have also shared that the connections students are making with one another as they interact at brunch and lunch in-person and without devices has improved student relationships, decreased social media and phone related incidents/harassment, and increased academic integrity. A survey will go out to 7th grade parents by the end of April. Please join us on Thursday for this information. Elections for next year's PTSA officers will be held at the meeting, too.
In this issue learn more about:
- State testing dates
- The Rio Spring Fling
- Our Science Olympiad Team
- Repeat of: Project Linus Make a Blanket Day (service hours available) & the SCV Teacher Recruitment Flyer
Stay warm, dry, and safe this weekend!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bennett
Important Dates
March 2nd:
- PTSA General Association Meeting - MPR @ 8:45 a.m. elections will be held
March 10th:
- DEADLINE for 8th Grade Universal Permission Slip, 3 p.m.
- Spring Fling Dance, 3-5 p.m.
March 15th:
- PTSA Panera Restaurant Night, 4-8 p.m.
March 23rd:
- 6th grade Jamboree for incoming 7th graders (Fall 2023)
CAASPP (State) Testing Dates are set!
Our CAASPP testing dates at Rio Norte are set for April 24th - May 5th, 2023. We are asking all of our families to partner with us in doing everything you can to ensure your student is at school during these important dates. Testing will take place in History and English classes the first week and in Science and Math classes the second week. Please note these dates and avoid pulling your student from school for appointments or travel wherever possible. We appreciate your help!
Spring Fling
Rio's Science Olympiad Team moves on to STATE!
Team One earned 7 Medals
⁃ 1 | 6th place medal
⁃ 3 | 4th place medals
⁃ 1 | 2nd place medal
⁃ 2 | 1st place medals
Team Two earned 12 Medals
⁃ 2 | 6th place medals
⁃ 3 | 5th place medals
⁃ 2 | 4th place medals
⁃ 4 | 3rd place medals
⁃ 1 | 2nd place medal
⁃ 1 | 1st place medal
We are beyond proud of ALL of our Science Olympiad competitors (pictured below)! Thank you for your dedication and time to Science!
Project Linus - Make a Blanket Day
Project Linus would love to have you join them for Make-A-Blanket Day on Saturday, March 4 from 10 am to 4 pm at the COC East Gym! Project Linus is a chapter of a non-profit organization that specializes in making and delivering handmade blankets all across the valley to provide love, security, and comfort to children who are seriously ill and traumatized. They provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals, students, and groups in our local communities, for the benefit of children. Service Hours can be signed off on.
The event this year is on March 4th at College of the Canyon’s East Gym at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. There will be food trucks at the event if you would like to purchase food!
Saturday, Mar 4, 2023, 10:00 AM
College of the Canyons, Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA, USA
RIO NORTE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Shonna August, 8th grade Assistant Principal
Thomas Flores, 7th grade Assistant Principal
ATTENDANCE Needs: Email lmcdaniel@hartdistrict.org
Email: bjbennett@hartdistrict.org
Website: https://www.rionortejuniorhigh.org/
Location: 28771 Rio Norte Dr, Valencia, CA, USA
Phone: 661-295-3700
Nondiscrimination Statement
The William S. Hart Union High School District prohibits unlawful discrimination against and/or harassment of any student, employee or job applicant on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, ancestry, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, political affiliation, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by state and federal nondiscrimination laws respectively at any District site and/or activity. The William S. Hart Union High School District also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. All inquiries regarding discrimination, civil rights, 504 complaints, Title II, and/or Title IX should be directed to Mark Crawford, Director of Human Resources, William S. Hart Union High School District, 21380 Centre Pointe Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, or by phone (661) 259-0033, or by email: UCP@hartdistrict.org.
El Distrito Escolar William S. Hart Union High prohíbe la discriminación ilegal y/o el acoso de cualquier estudiante, empleado o solicitante de empleo sobre las bases de la raza real o percibida, color, etnia, origen nacional, estado migratorio, ascendencia, religión, edad, estado civil, embarazo, estado parental, discapacidad física o mental, condición médica, estado militar o de veterano, afiliación política, sexo, género, identidad de género, expresión de género, información genética, orientación sexual, o cualquier otra base prohibida por las leyes estatales y federales de no discriminación, respectivamente, en cualquier sitio y/o actividad del Distrito. El Distrito Escolar William S. Hart Union High también proporciona igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y otros grupos juveniles designados. Todas las preguntas relacionadas con la discriminación, los derechos civiles, las quejas 504, el Título II y/o el Título IX deben dirigirse a Mark Crawford, Director de Recursos Humanos, William S. Hart Union High School District, 21380 Centre Pointe Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, o por teléfono (661) 259-0033, o por correo electrónico: UCP@hartdistrict.org.