Good Morning River Hawk Families,

This was a very difficult week for many families at our sister school, Valencia High, in our community and many of our own families here at Rio Norte. If you are not aware, a very hurtful post with offensive and racist content spread quickly through social media, affecting many!

On Monday, I will be addressing our student body once again about the expectations I have shared with them all year long: that we are to be kind to one another, that we are to be free of comments and "jokes" that are mean, hurtful, and offensive and that racist and derogatory language has no place on our campus! I share in Dr. Getz's statement that when we say this to our student body we are referring to the expectation that at our schools, "We are a community that values diversity and inclusivity. We are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all our students and staff. We will not tolerate any behavior that goes against these values." On Monday, I will make it very clear to our students that none of us (students and staff) should tolerate the excuses that are often given when racial and offensive comments and jokes are made and I will encourage our students to work on being "better" in our remaining 10 weeks together. To see my address please go to the RioTV Website on Monday that will air during our advisory period and be available all day. Dr. Getz is also correct in that this is a teachable moment and our students are learning, especially about the impact of posting and commenting on social media. Please partner with us in having candid conversations with your student about the real-world and lasting impact and consequences their words and actions can have. Work with us to help our student community understand the importance of being kind, inclusive and honorable toward one another. It truly DOES take a village to raise a child and we are all in this together for the betterment of our community!

In this issue learn more about:

• Sign-up to help our PTSA and our PE Department for the River Hawk Walk Fundraiser
• Castaic Boys Soccer Camp
• the SCV Job Fair
• the 6th grade Jamboree
• Repeat of: LCAP Input our parents can provide and COC Spring Institute Information

Enjoy your weekend!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Bennett

Shonna August, 8th grade Assistant Principal

Thomas Flores, 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

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.