The Mustang Messenger
January 19th, 2024
Greetings Mustang Families!
I hope you are doing well. We have enjoyed the crisp, beautiful, winter weather this week.
Next week, our students will participate in the Great Kindness Challenge. Our Wellness Team has activities planned for students to practice acts of kindness throughout the week. Research shows that being kind to others helps with mental health, stress, and anxiety.
Have a wonderful 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.
Kindness Challenge
PAC Presentation
Thank you to the parents who came the Castaic information night, PAC meeting and parent forum on Suicide Prevention and Stress Management last night. Here is the PAC agenda and the presentation that our counseling and wellness team presented.
Hart District's Black History Month's Art Show - Feb. 13th
From the Heart Newsletter
Please read January's edition of the From the Hart Newsletter.
Congratulation David Myung - All State Band
Congratulations to David Myung on being accepted to this year’s California All State Band. David prepared a rigorous audition and was selected based on an outstanding performance. David will participate in a performance at the California All State Music Education Conference in Sacramento on February 4, 2024. Congratulations David!
Go Mustangs!
Please Drive Safely
Please drive safely when dropping students off and picking students up at Rancho Pico. Remember the following:
- There are three schools on Valencia Blvd. and there are many students walking and crossing the street.
- Remember that we have new, student drivers on the hill.
- Use the outside left turn lane (valet lane) for student drop-off and pick up.
- Pull up as far as you can and have students exit the car as soon as you stop to keep traffic flowing.
- Do not drop-off or pick-up students in the staff parking lot. Only park in the lot if you have school business.
We appreciate your patience and assistance in helping to keep our students safe. We have asked CHP to frequent Valencia Blvd. to help with the double parking.
Beyond The Bell
Most of the Support/Enrichment Classes 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
Save The Date! Rancho Pico Toppers Night - Feb. 7th
On Thursday, January 18, amazing Rancho Pico students participated in the AMC 8. The American Mathematics Competition (level 8) is an opportunity for middle school students to stretch and test their problem-solving skills in the area of Mathematics. Our mathletes completed 25 problems in 40 minutes, and we will eagerly wait for our results against students from all over the country. We are the M in STEM!!!
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 worn for safety purposes and are used for our PBIS Rewards systems. If students cannot 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.