The Mustang Messenger
March 22nd, 2024
Greetings Mustang Families!
I hope you are doing well and are enjoying this beautiful spring weather.
We have one more week before spring break. Please note the calendar of events below. We hope all of our families are able to join us for Open House on April 18th.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Catherine Nicholas, Ed.D.
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International Day of Happiness
What is the International Day of Happiness?
It’s a day to be happy, of course! Happiness is a fundamental human goal. The United Nations General Assembly recognizes this goal and calls for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples.”
Spring Events
March 26 & 27 - 8th Grade Only
West Ranch High School Registration (8th grade students), MPR
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
March 26 & 27
SCSBOA (So. Calif. School Band & Orch. Assn) Festival @ WRHS
3/26: 12:30-?
3/27: 1:30 - ?
March 28 - 8th Grade Only
WR - 8th grade rally
9:30 am-10:30 a.m. (Walk over around 9:15 a.m.)
April 1-5
Spring Break
CAASPP (State) Testing
April 15- May 14
**Attendance is critical
April 18
Open House
6:25 - 8:00
Please note: 8th graders do not have a promotion ceremony in the Hart District. Students will have a graduation ceremony at the end of the senior year of high school.
Spring Break - April 1-5 No School
Please plan ahead for Spring Break. Students will be off from April 1st - April 5th and school will resume on Monday, April 8th. Please plan vacations around our school schedule.
The last day of school is Thursday, May 30th this year. The last day of school is a 6 period, minimum day. I have attached our district calendar for this year and next year for planning purposes.
Farewell Laura Chetner - Congratulations on your Retirement
Laura Chetner has been Rancho Pico's incredible cafeteria manager for eight year and has made the decision to retire. We will miss Laura and wish her lots of joy in her retirement.
Please join us in congratulating Daniella Escobedo, our new Cafeteria Manager.
CAASPP Testing
CAASPP testing will take place starting April 15th and will go through May 14th. Students will test in the class they learned the material in. For example, students will take their ELA (English Language Arts) test in their English class, their math test in their math class and the 8th CAST test in their 8th grade science class. Research shows this is where we get the best results to show what standards students have mastered.
It is critical for students to be at school, be hydrated, well-rested and eat nutritously balanced meals during this time. Our school makes program decisions based on these scores. The scores are just one or many pieces of data used to determine supports a student may benefit from.
Hart Games
Rancho Pico Living Skills students participated in the Hart Games at Valencia High School on Monday with help and support of their amazing teachers, Mrs. Sirley Hovsepian and Mrs. Jolicoeur, the classroom support staff and our wonderful peer mentors who work with the students.
Band Concert
Thank you Mrs. Stoffel and band for a great concert on Thursday night!
Attention Future Wildcats
Step 1: Take advantage of all our upcoming information sessions!
Counselors will be meeting with students on March 25th and 26th at Rancho Pico to get to know them and welcome them to WR. These meetings are for students only so we can get to know our Future Wildcats!
- Step 2: Take a look at the Future Wildcat Page for answers to all your questions as well as a copy of the video shown at Open House!
- Step 3: Still have Questions? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions guide on the Future Wildcat Website (Right sidebar near the bottom titled “Future Wildcat FAQ).
- Step 4: Fill out the Registration Google Form, with your parent/guardian and select your classes. Your parents will get a copy. Be sure and fill out the right form for your Counselor based on your last name!
Counselors meet with students by last name:
Last Name (A-Da) Ms. Ferry - https://forms.gle/Wt7PGqZngfi2t1dM9
Last Name (Db-Ja) Mrs. Warford - https://forms.gle/QMTLVDbLVZKAqYNm7
Last Name (Jb-Mas) Mrs. Reynoso - https://forms.gle/zS9N4Jty5qFiDBsUA
Last Name (Mat-Sag) Mrs. Woolridge - https://forms.gle/PsoniD66M6juUXYz8
Last Name (Sah-Z) Mr. Gimber - https://forms.gle/rDJUSYP41AEw3phF6
Step 4: Be sure and check out the Future Wildcat Page to learn about all our different programs.
Looking forward to seeing you! Please note, if you have any questions, please direct them to the Rancho Pico Counselor.
Technology Tune Up
TECHNOLOGY TUNE UP!
The donation deadline is approaching for the Rancho Pico Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) annual fundraiser: Technology Tune Up! We are asking parents to please consider donating prizes or cash for the fundraiser drawing by Friday, March 29th.
So far we have received gift cards to IN N OUT and The Cheesecake Factory, a beauty basket with a Sephora gift card, some sports prizes and VIP tickets to the Magic Castle! Our goal is to raise $16,000, which will allow the school to replace the aging projectors and screens in many of the classrooms, some of which are 7-9 years old.
Remember, every student has a chance to win!
Please bring donations to June Shin in the front office, or email the PAC at ranchopicoPAC@gmail.com
Thank you for your support. We have such a generous school community and with your help we will make this important event a huge success.
The Rancho Pico PAC Team
Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month
Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history.
Beyond the Bell Update
Beyond the Bell End Dates
Due to competitions being over, CAASPP, and AP testing at the High School level, some of the Beyond the Bell programs have ended, others will end after spring break. Some will go until the end of the school year. Please see the list for end datess:
Speech/Debate - April 15th
Science Olympiad - ended February 12th
Robotics - March 27th
Theatre - May 15th
Code - tbd
Art - May 22nd
Hoofbeats/Journalist - April 25th
Tutoring:
Math Target Tutors - May 22nd
Monday/Spector - May 20th
Thursday/Smith - May 23rd
Food Services
8th Grade Universal Trip
8th Grade Grad Night at Universal Studios is Friday, May 17th, and tickets are selling fast! Tickets are $115 and can be bought using this link or in the ASB & Counseling Office (room 411) during the school day. Get your ticket before we sell out! Look for a ParentSquare message from ASB with more information.
8th Grade Three Strikes
This is just a friendly reminder that the “Loss of Privilege” list will be going into effect as of this 4th quarter. It is based on student behavior in the fourth quarter of this semester. A three-strike program will be implemented to monitor student behavior during the school day, on the way to school, and on the way home from school to determine student eligibility to attend end of the year school events, such as the 8th grade Universal Studios trip. This information has been relayed to all students.
Strikes are received by breaking school rules including, but not limited to:
excessive horseplay
bullying
fighting
drugs/vapes
using racial slurs
defiance/disrespect
other such offenses and repeated school rule violations (i.e. personal device violations, dress code violations, gum chewing, etc.)
If a student receives a strike, parents will be contacted. After three strikes, a student will not be able to participate in 8th grade events or trips and there is no refund for a paid ticket.
Students displaying extremely egregious behaviors, as determined by administration, regardless of previous strike(s) are subject to automatic placement on the Loss of Privilege list and will be excluded from the 8th grade events or trips. Administration reserves the right to make final decisions in regards to any events or trips.
Yearbook Sales
There is still time to buy a Yearbook!
Don't miss out on the opportunity to purchase your yearbook at the current price! After March 29th, the price will go up.
- Standard price: $60
- Discounted price with ASB card: $55
You can place your order conveniently online or visit the ASB office. Act now to secure your yearbook at the best price!
Rancho Pico parents do a great job with excusing students when they are absent from school. Thank you for that! 95% of our school's absences are excused.
Even excused absences count towards absenteeism and are not included in our ADA (our funding source). A student has to be in school to be counted presented.
If you know ahead of time that your student will be missing school for an extended time, please contact your student's counselor to see if your student qualifies for independent study.
Please be mindful of our district calendar and upcoming breaks while planning vacations and appointment.
If your student is absent, please remember to contact rpattendance@hartdistrict.org
Think Ahead THURSDAY
Every THURSDAY is Think Ahead Thursday. Students and staff are encouraged to wear college gear or shirts that represent something for their future aspiration.
William S. Hart UHSD Non-Discrimination Policy
William S. Hart UHSD Non-Discrimination Policy
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, Title II, and/or Title IX should be directed to Mark Crawford, Director of Human Resources. Complaints regarding 504 plans should be directed to Erum Velek, Director of Student Services and Equity. Both can be reached at the 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 de Escuelas Secundarias William S. Hart Union prohíbe la discriminación ilegal y/o el acoso de cualquier estudiante, empleado o solicitante de empleo basado en raza actual o percibido, el color, el origen étnico, el origen nacional, el estado migratorio, la ascendencia, la religión, la 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 leyes estatales y federales. Leyes de no discriminación, respectivamente, en cualquier sitio y/o actividad del Distrito. El Distrito de Escuelas Secundarias William S. Hart Union también proporciona igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y otros grupos juveniles designados. Todas las consultas sobre discriminación, derechos civiles, Título II y/o Título IX deben dirigirse a Mark Crawford, Director de Recursos Humanos. Las quejas relacionadas con los planes 504 deben dirigirse a Erum Velek, Director de Equidad y Servicios Estudiantiles. Se puede comunicar con ambos en William S. Hart Union High School District, 21380 Center Pointe Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, o por teléfono (661) 259-0033, o por correo electrónico: UCP@hartdistrict.org.