
The River Hawk
Rio Norte News - March 15, 2024
A Note From the Principal
Hello River Hawk Families,
Spirit week was great fun, with high participation school-wide. Congratulations to 7th grade Team Yellowstone, who came from behind and, with a great showing for Spirit Week, earned the Spirit Point win for 3rd Quarter! Also congratulations to Team Kern who won for 8th grade.
We were just informed a couple of days ago about a major project removing trees from both sides of the entirety of Rio Norte Drive (front of school) from Copperhill to where it ends at the park, due to significant irrigation issues. The project will likely affect traffic patterns and the no parking signs along the street WILL be enforced. The project begins this MONDAY and is estimated to last about a month. At the end of the irrigation repairs, new trees will be replanted. Students walking will need to follow adult instructions, be careful, and allow for extra time in case they need to re-route to get to our front entrance. While they plan to pause from 7:45-8:15 a.m. each day and again at dismissal, unforeseen circumstances could prevent that. Please leave earlier than normal to ensure an on-time arrival.
Finally, please share with friends and neighbors that have 6th graders headed our way in fall, that our 6th grade Jamboree, originally scheduled for this week, had to be postponed to and combined with our Open House on Thursday, April 18th. We have asked all elementary schools to send a message out to their 6th grade families, but sometimes word of mouth is better than our inundated email inboxes. 6th grade families will join us from 5-6:15 p.m. and our current families will join us from 5:45-7:30 p.m. More details will come as we get closer to April 18th. Parking will be a major challenge, so we are asking any and all families that can take an enjoyable walk together to our campus, to please do so that evening, leaving parking for our families that are miles away and can't walk.
In this issue learn more about:
- Important Dates
- Hart Games this Monday
- Attendance and 24-25 School Calendar
Repeat of:
- Spirit Week and Spirit Wear Sale
- River Hawk Walk - PE Fundraiser
- Valencia High School's MSA Application for 8th graders DUE THURSDAY!
- Valencia HS Open House Events for INCOMING 9th graders
- 8th Grade Valencia HS Information Dates
- CAASPP Testing Dates
- Hart District Jr ARTrepreneurs Art Exhibit - this week!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Mrs. Bennett
Important Dates
March 18th:
- Hart Games @ Valencia High School Stadium
March 19th:
- Quarter 3 grades post to Infinite Campus after 3 p.m.
March 21st:
- CANCELLED - 6th grade Jamboree moved to Open House on April 18th
March 26/27 & 28/29:
- Healthy Choices Curriculum in Science classes for 7th grade only (part 1)
March 28/29:
- River Hawk Run in PE Classes
April 1st-5th:
- Spring Break
April 8th:
- School Resumes
April 8/9 & 10/11:
- Healthy Choices Curriculum in PE classes for 7th grade only (part 2)
April 18th:
- Open House and 6th Grade Family Night
- 6th grade families 5-6:15 p.m.
- Current Families 5:45-7:30 p.m.
April 18th, 19th, & 22nd:
- CAASPP (state) Testing - please have students present for these important testing days
- Minimum Days to focus on testing only
CLICK HERE for a printable copy of the calendar pictured.
Hart District's Annual Hart Games on Monday
We are wishing all of our incredible special athletes the best of luck for the annual Hart Games this Monday, March 18th at Valencia High School's Stadium. The Opening Ceremonies should begin around 9:30 a.m. and the competition begins at 10 a.m. Be sure to wear sunscreen and send your student with water. To our families with participating athletes, we hope you can be there to share in this incredible experience and cheer our River Hawks on! Go River Hawks!
2024-25 Hart District Calendar: Attendance Matters
The Hart District has the preliminary calendar out for the 2024-25 school year, which shows all holidays and breaks (those won't change). Additionally, it shows the Back to School Night dates for all Junior Highs and High Schools. Check back frequently as this calendar will be continually updated throughout the spring semester as more dates (such as Open House) are added. Click this link for the LIVE 24-25 district calendar or you can go to our website and click on the 24-25 Calendar quick link.
Attendance is so important because California schools are funded through student attendance. As of 1998, school districts no longer receive funding from the State of California for pupils who are absent from school. This includes ALL absences, even those relating to illness, such as medical or doctors’ appointments. That's right an excused absence doesn't make a difference. If the child is not present for at least some part of the day, we do not get the daily allotment for that child. We ask that you use the calendar above to plan appointments and vacations as much as possible around our holidays, pupil free days, and breaks. We understand that some things are out of your control, but anything you can do to minimize absences is appreciated. Of course, if your student is too sick (running a fever, vomiting, etc.) that they are contagious to others, they should remain at home. Studies continue to show a direct correlation between good school attendance and student achievement; we need your help to reinforce the importance of school attendance and to make every effort to send your child to school on a regular basis. We appreciate your support in maximizing our student attendance rate!
Rio Norte Spring Spiritwear Sale
Our annual Spring Sale is on! Everything will be discounted 25% sitewide, including exciting new product lines and designs!
- Sale runs through March 26th
- 25% off all merchandise + 5% with code LUCKY5
- Free shipping on orders over $60
- $5 shipping on orders under $60
- No code is needed!
Choose from hundreds of designs and garments that are delivered to your home in days! You'll save 25% off the entire site! New product lines include Nike and Adidas! SHOP HERE
Additionally, see the image below for a $10 voucher, good for all students, faculty and staff! Valid once per household. To redeem, enter the code: BONUS10-SVM at checkout.
Annual River Hawk Run
Our PE department just sent information home this week with all PE students about their River Hawk Walk fundraiser. The funds raised give our PE department the ability to purchase necessary equipment to run a fantastic program. The yearly wear and tear requires much to be replaced each summer. Our families' donations have been critical in helping us ensure our students have a high quality PE program. We greatly appreciate your support! The River Hawk Walk will take place in PE classes on March 28th and 29th and is sure to be a fun day! A pdf copy of the picture is below it.
DUE THURSDAY - Valencia HS MSA Application Time - for 8th Graders
Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a doctor, nurse, paramedic, physical therapist, therapist, technician, or something else in the medical field? Then check out Valencia's Medical Science Academy.
Valencia's MSA, the district's only academy, is actively looking for current 8th-grade students to join MSA as freshmen next year. We are looking for students interested in challenging themselves through coursework and hands-on skills with athletes and some incredible equipment -- an Anatomage table, ambulance simulator, and a high-fidelity simulation mannequin. We have two pathways for our junior and senior years: Sports Medicine or Emergency Medicine. The pathway teachers work with some of the Science, English, social studies, and math teachers for cross-curricular learning and projects. MSA students have opportunities to compete against others across the region, state, and even internationally. We encourage all students to apply.
Applications due this THURSDAY, March 21st: Apply by clicking here for application admission and instructions. STUDENTS must be in their hartdistrict Google account to complete the application form.
8th Graders - Important Dates for Valencia High School
Almost all Rio Norte Students automatically roll into Valencia High School. *Note exceptions at the bottom of this page.
Valencia High School Counselors, with the assistance of our counseling team, will be sharing important information with our students. Please see these important dates:
- March 18th - By this date, all Rio students attending VHS will be added to the VHS Counseling '28 Google classroom (some students might see they are added 3/14 or 3/15).
- March 18th or 19th - our Rio Counselors will present in 8th grade English classes about the HS course request/registration process.
- March 19th - 8th graders and their families are welcomed to VHS's Open House
Valencia's Open House is on March 19th from 6-7:30 pm.
Agenda:
6:00 PM - 6:40 PM - Welcome in the Gym
Choir Song
Presentation of Colors and Pledge of Allegiance
Choir - Star Spangled Banner
Welcome - Dr Getz
Drumline
Color Guard
Cheer performance
Dance
6:40 PM - 7:30 PM - Gym Activities (w/ music)
Clubs
Athletics
MSA
ASB Office and Snack Shack
6:40PM - 7:30 PM - Classroom Visitation
Visitation is not designated for specific periods like at Back to School Night.
- March 20th thru April 7th - Rio 8th graders can submit their Google Course Request form (must be completed by 4/7/24).
- April 8th or 9th - Each 8th grade student headed to VHS in fall will have a 1 on 1 meeting with their VHS counselor to review course request selections and make adjustments as needed.
*Please note that only a few exceptions apply to the automatic rollover - Castaic Residents and a small group of students per their IEP placement. If you are uncertain if your student falls into these categories, please reach out to Mrs. Ferry at gferry@hartdistrict.org or your student's case manager (Spec. Ed.).
CAASPP (State) Testing Dates in April
Our CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) testing dates have been set on our calendar all year for April 18th, 19th, & 22nd. We have made these minimum days this year in hopes that the rest will help re-focus students for the following day's testing, instead of continuing to have classes on days they test. We also intentionally structured the testing days around a weekend to break up the impact of testing fatigue before the final day on Monday, April 22nd. We are asking all of our Rio families to partner with us in doing everything you can to ensure your student is at school during these important dates. Please avoid pulling your student from school for appointments or travel wherever possible. We know the minimum days can be tempting for travel, but students perform best when testing on the set testing dates, in the original setting. Additionally, schools are now penalized if students do not complete state testing, which impacts our data and scores. We are a community that values education and we want our scores to continue to show the importance our parents and staff place on education! We appreciate your help!
THIS WEEK - Student Artrepreneurs Exhibition
In a new piloted enrichment opportunity at a few district schools, Hart District Students will have the opportunity to showcase their art in a business format. Through Heroes of Color and our Department of Social Work and Wellness, "Jr. Artrepreneurs" alows students to sell their artwork and take customized orders for their creations. The exhibits will take place on March 18th and 20th at The Centre (address on pictured flyer and PDF below).
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, l 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.