
The Mustang Messenger
April 26th, 2024
Greetings Mustang Families!
Dear Rancho Pico Families,
With a heart full of gratitude and mixed emotions, I share the news of my retirement at the end of this school year. After 34 incredible years serving as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal within the Hart district, the time has come for me to enter a new chapter in my life journey.
Reflecting on my time here at Rancho Pico, I am overwhelmed with fond memories and a deep sense of pride for all that we have achieved together. Working alongside such dedicated educators, supportive staff members, and most importantly, extraordinary students and families like yours, has been an honor and a privilege.
Throughout my tenure, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable growth and potential within every student who has walked through our doors. From minor victories to grand achievements, witnessing our school community's passion for learning has been a joy.
While saying goodbye is never easy, I take comfort in knowing that Rancho Pico will continue to thrive under the guidance of our dedicated faculty and staff. Our families' commitment to excellence and unwavering support ensure that our school's legacy will endure for generations.
I sincerely thank the students, families, and colleagues who have made this journey so incredibly rewarding. You have touched my life in ways that words cannot express, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to serve as your principal.
With warmest regards and deepest gratitude,
Catherine Nicholas
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Passover begins at sundown Monday, April 22 and ends at sundown on Tuesday, April 30, in 2024,
Earth Day
Earth Day was Monday, April 22nd. Earth Day can be celebrated any day. Here are some ways to celebrate Earth Day:
How to celebrate Earth Day 2024
- Clean up your neighborhood.
- Go meatless for the day.
- Unplug your devices for the day.
- Plant a tree in your backyard.
- Donate to environmental causes.
- Make an Earth Day resolution.
- Join The Great Global Cleanup.
- Participate in The Global Earth Challenge.
April 21-27 in National Library Week
April 21-27, is National Library Week. Please join me in thanking our amazing teacher/librarian Mrs. Erin McCleary and our library tech Mrs. Tracey Pedroza for making the Rancho Pico library a welcoming place for students to read, study, research, play strategic games, do crafts, complete puzzles, and much more. We appreciate you!
4th Quarter Progress Report
Friday, April 26th, is the half way mark for Quarter 4. Progress report grades will be posted on Monday, April 29th.
Please check progress reports and check grades for missing assessments and assignments. Grades are meant to reflect a student's mastery of the content standards - what students know and what skills they are able to perform.
If your student is struggling in a class, please contact their teacher or counselor.
It's Time! Donation Window Now Open - Check Out the Incredible Technology Tune Up Prizes You Can Win!
Dear Mustang Parents,
Thank you so much to those who have donated towards the Technology Tune Up fundraiser! As of today, we have raised a total of $700.00 towards our goal of $16,000. The final day to make a donation is May 3rd.
We are excited about the opportunity to reach the $16,000 goal, but we still need your help! If you haven’t already, please donate now by using this Technology Tune Up Link. When you donate via PayPal, please add your name and your student's name in the notes section. (If you prefer not to use PayPal, please feel free to stop by the school office to drop off your cash or check donations.)
All Rancho Pico families (one student per household) will automatically receive one entry and a chance to win one of the following prizes!
A very BIG and special THANK YOU to all the parents that donated prizes for this fundraiser. 20 Chances to Win!! AMAZING!!
- 3 Dreamworks Artbooks - Value $850
- 8 Limited Edition Board Games - Value $800
- Nintendo Switch - Value $399
- MB2 Gift Card: Party Time! - Value $200
- 2 Cruise Castaic Paddle Board Rentals - Value $150
- Magic Castle Brunch 2 Tickets - Value $120
- 2 Power Training Soccer Skills Sessions - Value $120
- Dine Out at The Junction Restaurant - Value $100
- Dine Out at Gyromania - Value $100
- Shopping Spree at Tilly's - Value $100
- Dine Out at Cheesecake Factory - Value $100
- Shopping Spree at Dick's Sporting Goods - Value $100
- Shopping Spree at Sephora - Value $100
- Fun Times at Color Me Mine - Value $100
- Dine Out at Patron's Restaurant - Value $100
- Shopping Spree on Amazon - $100
- Bath Goodie Basket - Value $100
- In N Out Burger Gift Cards - Value $80
- Chick Fil A Baskets with Gift Cards - Value $60
- 10 Math Tutoring Sessions - Value PRICELESS
***You can earn additional entries by donating more. The more you donate, the more entries you will receive. Each family is only eligible to win one prize.
$0 = 1 entry
$25 = 3 entries
$50 = 10 entries
$100 = 25 entries
$200 = 60 entries
Thank you in advance for your support and helping us raise funds for Technology Tune Up!
Our Rancho Pico Community is absolutely awesome!!
Mandy, Tina, Amy, Michelle, and Brianna (PAC Board)
1000 D.A.S.H. Points Relaxation Room
Another student rented out the Relaxation Room for 100 PBIS points this week. This group enjoyed games, treats, and music.
23 more school days left. If you would like to rent out the relaxation room for you and your friends, please see Mrs. Mathers
Congratulations State Science Fair Winner!
Congratulations to Evan Friedman who placed third in the Junior Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics division at the California Science and Engineering Fair!
April is Stress Awareness Month
April is Stress Awareness Month, it is recognized to bring attention to the negative impact of stress. Managing stress is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Knowing how to manage stress can improve mental and physical well-being as well as minimize exacerbation of health-related issues.
May - Mental Health Awareness Month
Last Chance to Buy a Yearbook!
Hello RP families!
This is your last chance to purchase this year's yearbook! Preorder sales end May 1st. Order on the school Web Store or in the ASB Office; $60 with an ASB card/ $65 without.
Limited Books will be available for purchase on the last week of school on a first-come, first-serve basis (while supplies last).
Attention 7th Graders interested in CPR
Attention 7th graders! Early College for Junior High students is coming to Rancho Pico in the fall!! College of the Canyons will be teaching a "Pediatric, CPR, First Aid and AED" course. The class will be after school on early release Tuesdays for 6 weeks from 2 pm - 3:15 pm. There will be two sections of the class, beginning in September. If you are interested you must attend a MANDATORY meeting during advisory on Friday May 3rd in the MPR. The course and how to sign up will be discussed in more detail. We look forward to seeing you!
Lost and Found
Do you recognize any of these items? Please have your student retrive their items before May 1st when the items will be donated.
Spring Events
CAASPP (State) Testing
April 15- May 14
**Attendance is critical
ASB Dance - April 26th
Progress Report - April 26th
District Track Meet - May 9th
Orchestra Spring Concert - May 14th
Band Spring Concert - May 16th
Universal Studios 8th Grade Trip - May 17th
Super Jazz Festival at WRHS - May 18th
Textbook Returns - May 20th -24th
8th Grade Awards Ceremony - May 23rd
8th graders receiving an award will be invited
Please note: 8th graders do not have a promotion ceremony in the Hart District. Students will have a graduation ceremony at the end of the senior year of high school.
Chicago the Musical at West Ranch
Hello Ranch Pico!
Chicago is currently in rehearsals on track for a May 2nd Opening!
West Ranch Theatre presents Chicago (Teen Edition). Kander & Ebb's legendary and award-winning musical about fame, fortune and acquittal. Set in roaring twenties Chicago, chorine Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap... until he finds out he's been duped. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another, Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the "American Dream": fame, fortune, and acquittal.
Chicago Teen Edition Runs May 2-4 at 7PM with a Saturday matinee at 2PM in the West Ranch High School Theater
Tickets on sale at https://our.show/chicagowrt24 or at the door day of show.
Tickets range between $12-$17. Additional discount available with ASB card.
Food Services
April Menus and Newsletter
CAASPP Testing
CAASPP testing has started! It started April 15th and will go through May 14th. Students will test in the class in which they learned the material. For example, students will take their ELA (English Language Arts) test in their English class, their math test in their math class and the 8th grade CAST test in their 8th grade science class. Research shows this is where we get the best results to show what standards students have mastered.
It is critical for students to be at school, be hydrated, well-rested, and eat nutritously balanced meals during this time. Our school makes program decisions based on these scores. The scores are just one or many pieces of data used to determine supports a student may benefit from.
Beyond the Bell Update
Beyond the Bell End Dates
Due to competitions being over, CAASPP, and AP testing at the High School level, some of the Beyond the Bell programs have ended, others will end after spring break. Some will go until the end of the school year. Please see the list for end dates:
Theatre - May 15th
Code - tbd
Art - May 22nd
Hoofbeats/Journalist - April 25th
Tutoring:
Math Target Tutors - May 22nd
Monday/Spector - May 20th
Thursday/Smith - May 23rd
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
Show Your Spirit on Fridays and Wear Rancho Pico or Team Gear
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.