
The River Hawk
Rio Norte News - August 25, 2023
A Note From the Principal
Good Morning River Hawk Families,
Our first dance of the year was a GREAT success! Every student I was able to speak to toward the end of the evening seemed to have a fantastic time. We appreciate everyone's patience with pick-up and we especially appreciate that ALL students were picked up in a timely fashion. Thank you parents! We also want to give a HUGE shout-out to all our parent volunteer chaperones, as well as those that donated drinks and snacks! I wanted to share that I am grateful our River Hawks followed the rules and started asking various adults if they could use their phone to take pictures with their friends. Recognizing the memories photographs capture, we did allow that reminding them to be sure they had permission before taking photographs. Thank you River Hawks for following the new rules and asking an adult!
Monday kicks off our major school-wide fundraiser for the year. The money we bring in is absolutely critical to funding transportation costs for field trips, supporting team events and activities, and funds all ASB activities and events for the costs beyond the ticket price. These funds also support teams and teachers in providing special activities our general funds can't cover that are specifically for our students such as assemblies, speakers, student clubs, intramurals, student recognition events and so much more! Please be sure to read the paperwork your student brings home Monday night after the assembly and help them to get their Golden Ticket - your support is instrumental!
8th grade parents with students in Math 8 - due to increasing enrollment in 8th grade, our Math 8 classes are either at capacity or almost completely full. As educators, we know that lower class sizes for math are a benefit to students because it gives a teacher time to provide more support when classes aren't so full. Our elective numbers are lower in number, so we will be collapsing an elective class to open one more section of Math 8. While it's never easy to change schedules, at this point we all are in agreement that this must be done. Math 8 students are all testing on either Tuesday or Wednesday. Students will stay with their current math teacher for the test and on Thursday morning, new schedules will be given to the students we need to move. Counselors will work as a team next week to find students with the least disruption to their schedule (looking first at swapping two classes, as opposed to someone having their entire schedule re-arranged). They will also work to ensure that students' teams do NOT change. We apologize in advance for the inconvenience that some students may feel, but we appreciate your support in knowing that we would not make this type of change if it weren't necessary.
Finally, a reminder that this Thursday, August 31st is Back to School Night. It is also a minimum day with school dismissing at 12:05 p.m. The opening program will begin at 6:15 p.m. on the outdoor stage and parents should be in their first class by 6:30 p.m.! Don't forget to stop by the library for the Book Fair from 6-8:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you all Thursday night!
In this issue learn more about:
- Important Dates
- City Bus Stop Closures Monday and Tuesday
- Back to School Night Program
- Teen Mental Health Toolkit for Parents from LA County Public Health
- Repeat of: Rio Robotics Club - 25 Score Cards, PTSA News, SCV Community Health Fair, SAFETY Reminder, Importance of Attendance, Parent Square, Care Text, City Bus information, and Rio Merchandise Back to School Sale
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bennett
Important Dates
Now through Sept 7th:
- Back to School Rio Merchandise Sale (see flyer at the bottom of the newsletter)
Now through Sept. 1st:
- Book Fair Continues - in the library
August 28th:
- School Fundraiser Assembly
August 31st:
- Back to School Night
September 1st:
- Club Rush Day at Lunch in the quad
September 4th:
- Labor Day Holiday - No School
- PTSA General Association Meeting 5-6 p.m. via Zoom - link to come later
September 8th:
- End of Quarter 1 Progress Reporting Period
September 12th:
- Make-up photos and picture package re-takes
CLICK HERE for a printable copy of the calendar pictured.
City Bus Stop Closures 8/28 & 8/29
Information from the city:
City Transit has posted their bus stop closures via a "Rider Alert." This includes suggested alternative stops. Due to the extent of the closures, students may need to walk far to the next stop. This is the link to the City Transit's Rider Alert.
Back to School Night
Again - you do not need to print this if your child remembers to give it to you on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon.
Help Rio Robotics!
Our Rio Robotics club is up and running but needs your help! Please consider purchasing a 25 Score Card as the money raised from the sales of these cards will help support our Rio Robotics Club in their second competition season. You can go to this link or bring $20 for one card or $30 for two cards, at the ASB window. Don't need the card, but want to give a direct donation? Go to our Rio Webstore. Your support is appreciated!
Interested in joining? Rio Robotics meets after school from 2:45-4 p.m. Mon., Tue., Thur., and some Fridays. Contact Mr. St Peter at jstpeter@hartdistrict.org for any questions!
PTSA News & Reflections is coming...
PTSA's annual Reflections Competition is coming:
Unleash Hope through Art with PTA Reflections!
Calling all young artists and creators, it's time to paint a canvas of hope! The PTA Reflections program is back, and this year's theme is "I Am Hopeful Because..." Let your imagination soar and share your inspiring vision through visual arts, literature, music, dance, film, and photography.
- Express your optimism and creativity as you contribute to a brighter world. Stay tuned for submission details and deadlines – we're excited to witness the power of your hopeful hearts. Submission and completed entry form are due October 9th.
- For more information, please visit: REFLECTIONS!
Please click this link to our PTSA Facebook page for updated information throughout the year. Not a Facebook User? We now have Instagram! Follow us @rionorteptsa.
Questions? Please email: rionorteptsa@gmail.com
Community Health Fair
Please note, Ms. McDaniel's email address is always at the bottom of every newsletter by the Rio Norte information.
Parent Square
Care Text
NOTE: Life-threatening and critically urgent issues should immediately be directed to the office during business hours or the appropriate agencies after hours, as texts and emails might not be seen until the next business day.
RIO NORTE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Thomas Flores, 8th grade Assistant Principal
Shonna August, 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 / Declaración de no discriminación
The William S. Hart Union High School District prohibits discrimination, intimidation, harassment (including sexual harassment), or bullying based on a person’s 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 association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For questions or complaints, contact Equity Compliance Officer and Section 504 Coordinator Erum Velek, and Title II / Title IX Coordinator, Mark Crawford. Both can be reached at the William S. Hart Union High School District, 21380 Centre Pointe Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, (661) 259-0033, or by email: UCP@hartdistrict.org.
El Distrito de Escuelas Secundarias William S. Hart Union prohíbe la discriminación, la intimidación, acoso (incluido el acoso sexual) o intimidación basada en la realidad o percepción de una persona raza, color, etnia, origen nacional, estado migratorio, ascendencia, religión, edad, estado civil, embarazo, estado parental, discapacidad física o mental, condición médica, estado militar o veterano, afiliación política, sexo, género, identidad de género, expresión de género, información genética, orientación sexual, o asociación con una persona o un grupo con uno o más de estos características percibidas. Para preguntas o quejas, comuníquese con el Oficial de Cumplimiento de Equidad y el coordinador de la Sección 504, Erum Velek, y el coordinador del Título II / Título IX, Mark Crawford. Ambos pueden ser contactado en William S. Hart Union High School District, 21380 Centre Pointe Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, (661) 259-0033,
o por correo electrónico: UCP@hartdistrict.org.