The Mustang Messenger
January 26th, 2024
Greetings Mustang Families!
I hope you are doing well. Students participated in Kindness Challenge activities this week on campus. Our Beyond the Bell Opportunities and Supports have also started back up. If your student needs extra help with their academics or is looking for a way to connect to school, please have them touch base with their counselor. Rancho Pico has many opportunities for all students to feel connected and supported.
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.
Winter Mornings at Rancho Pico
Kindness Challenge
This week is Kindness Challenge Week and we want to spread kindness on our campus in every way possible. On Monday, Mrs. Spectors SEL class thanked all of the teachers the amazing work they and gave them all a cookie.
DEY Kindness Wheel
Students spun the kindness wheel at lunch on Wednesday and were given a treat once they performed the act of kindness!
Congratulations to our Honor Band Students
Congratulations to the following students for being selected to participate in the 2024 Hart District Honor Band. And congratulations and huge thanks to our amazing Band Director Peggi Stoffel for working with our students.
Emma Hussein
Samantha Thai
Lailah Garnreiter-Nash
Isabel Finn
David Myung
Avaneesh Suryavanshi
Avery Lee
Rachel Sur
Raina Rizwan
Beckett Marburger
Andreas Eitel
Sebastian Burton
Haram Shim
Reha Monnesinghe
Hannah Smith
Wilder Belleville
Solomon Graham
Robotics Opportunity for 7th Graders
Attention 7th Graders!
We are looking for 7th-grade students who are interested in being a part of the Rancho Pico Robotics Team next year.
Join us for the Robotics Team Introduction on Wednesday, January 31st, from 3 pm to 4 pm!
This is the perfect opportunity for all aspiring engineers and tech enthusiasts in the 7th grade to discover what the Robotics Team is all about. Whether you're a programming prodigy, a mechanical maestro, or just curious about the world of robotics, we welcome you to come and explore.
What: Robotics Team Introduction
When: Wednesday, January 31st
Time: 3 pm to 4 pm
Where: The Library
Every Day Counts!
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
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.
Beyond The Bell
Smores In Science!
Save The Date! Rancho Pico Toppers Night - Feb. 7th
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.
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.