The Mustang Messenger
January 12th, 2024
Greetings Mustang Families!
Happy New Year! I hope your family had a wonderful winter break. I am looking forward to great Spring Semester at Rancho Pico.
It was great to see students excited to be back at school reconnecting with their friends, and sharing stories about what they did during winter break.
Monday is a holiday in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday.
Have a wonderful, three day weekend.
Catherine Nicholas, Ed.D.
Translating our newsletter
If you would like to read our newsletter in a different language, you may translate it to your home language:
Step 1 - Click on the Translate button
This button can be found at the top of the emailed newsletter.
Step 2 - Access the Translation and ADA bar
On the right side of the newsletter, you'll see the ADA and Translation features. To translate your newsletter, click on the Translate button and choose your desired language.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Day of Service
Martin Luther King Holiday
Each year on the third Monday of January we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day and reflect on the work that still needs to be done for racial equality. This year MLK Day is Monday, January 15th. Many make the holiday more than just a day off and take time to reflect and make it a day of service to others.
MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans, and our students, to volunteer to improve their communities. During the last quarter-century, the MLK Day of Service has grown, and its impact increased as more Americans embraced the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role in improving communities.
Hart District's Black History Month's Art Show - Feb. 13th
From the Heart - Climate and Culture Newsletter
Please read our district's Jan. Climate and Climate Newsletter
Welcome Deputy Hook
Deputy Hook has been a deputy sheriff for 4 1/2 years. After graduating from the academy, she was assigned to the North County Correctional Facility, where she worked as a custody deputy for five months. She then transferred to the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, where she worked as a patrol deputy for four years. In November 2023 she transferred to the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station to be closer to home and to serve her hometown. She is assigned as the new school resource deputy for Rancho Pico Junior High and West Ranch High School. Her goal is to be approachable and available for both students and faculty, and she is excited to work with everyone!
Thank you PAC and Rancho Pico Music!
Our staff was treated to delicious breakfast hosted by our generous PAC while our amazing orchestra student played during our teacher work day December 15th.
Beyond The Bell
Most of the Support and Enrichment will resume the week of January 22nd
Most of the Rancho Pico after school intervention/support classes and enrichment opportunities will resume the week of January 22nd.
Target Tutoring will start January 17th
Hoofbeats will start January 18th
Castaic Information Night and PAC Meeting
There will be a meeting held at 6:00pm on Thursday, Jan. 18th about Castaic High School. Come hear from principal Vince Ferry about the amazing opportunities Castaic has to offer.
Following the Castaic High School presentation, we will hold our quarterly PAC meeting and parent forum. Please join our wellness expert discuss this import topic: Adolescent Stress Management and Suicide Prevention Awareness.
Save The Date! Rancho Pico Toppers Night - Feb. 7th
PBIS Volunteers Needed and Appreciated
Hello Rancho Pico Families,
PBIS rewards are continuing in 2024! We need parent volunteers to pack up PBIS rewards that the students have been earning. Volunteer days for January and February have been added to the Sign Up Genius page.
If interested, please click the link below to sign up.
Also, if you'd like to donate any chips (Takis are a big hit....) please feel free to bring them to June in the main office any time.
Thank you,
The Rancho Pico PAC
Attention 7th Grade Parents - Healthy Choices Parent Meetings on Feb. 8th
Every year in the spring, our 7th-grade students are presented with the state-mandated Healthy Choices, Relationships, and Lifestyles curriculum in their science and physical education classes. This is an opportunity for parents to see what will be taught and how it will be presented.
The District Junior High Principals will host the information meetings on Thursday, February 8th, at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm. Spanish translation will be available.
Link to attend the 11:00 a.m. or 7 p.m. Meeting:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://hartdistrict-org.zoom.us/j/88666792787?pwd=UjFydW90dEZlc3YvMndYK1l0TUpBQT09
Meeting ID: 886 6679 2787
Passcode: 780849
As a parent, you can opt your child out of the presentations; however, we strongly encourage you to attend the parent information meeting before making that decision. Opt-out forms will be available on our district website after the parent meeting on February 8th.
Below is the link to the document that contains all of the videos that are used in the Health Choices curriculum
Video Clips for Healthy Choices Curriculum
The teachers and District staff that designed this curriculum were sensitive to the age of our students, given the subject matter. Ultimately, this curriculum opens the door for conversation between you and your child, allowing you to guide them based on your family choices and beliefs.
I look forward to seeing you on February 8th at one of the informational meetings. Enjoy the rest of your evening.
Sincerely,
Catherine Nicholas, Ed.D.
CJSF
CJSF is an Honor Society that recognizes students for their academic achievement and service to the community. Spring 2024 membership is now open to both 7th and 8th graders.
In order to qualify for membership, students must meet minimum grade requirements based on Q1/Q2 report cards and complete 10 hours community service. The application deadline is Thursday, February 22 and no late applications can be accepted.
Members will be recognized in a ceremony to take place in March (invitations will be given to students when they are accepted for membership).
For more detailed information/instructions, please click here to view/print the application packet.
Student IDs Required
All students are required to wear Rancho Pico student IDs. IDs are wore for safety purposes and are used for our PBIS Rewards systems. If students can not locate their issued ID cards, they need to purchase a replacement ID in our ASB office for $5.00.
PBIS Relaunch
Students were reminded this week of Rancho Pico's behavior expectations on RPTV. Mustangs "D.A.S.H."
Food Services Newsletter
Please read the newsletter from Food Services with the January menus and other information.
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.
Attendance Matters
Rancho Pico wants EVERY STUDENT PRESENT EVERY DAY.
Schools receive funding based on ADA, average daily attendance. It is the one thing we can control to increase our school funding. Rancho Pico's goal is to increase our ADA by 2%, from 96% to 98%.
It is very important that students attend school every day unless they are contagious and too ill to come to school.
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
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.