
The River Hawk
Rio Norte News - March 1, 2024
A Note From the Principal
Hello River Hawk Families,
Congratulations to 8th grader, Paloma Arciniegas, who won the Hart District Spelling Bee! It was fierce competition with many rounds of some extremely difficult words. She now moves on to compete in the L.A. County Regional Bee in March against schools across Southern California. We are wishing Paloma continued success!
Our team spirit competition is thriving with Cimarron and Kern neck and neck for 8th grade and Tambo and Yellowstone neck and neck for 7th grade. Team Cimarron added to their points this week by bringing in 99 pairs of shoes for ASB's recent shoe drive. Thank you to ALL who donated!
We hope you'll join us this week for our PTSA Association Zoom meeting. I will be joined by Dr. Getz, Principal of Valencia HS, to discuss some 8th grade transitional information to high school. We also will hold elections for our PTSA Executive Board for the 2024-25 school year. See details below.
We received outstanding news Thursday afternoon that Rio Norte is one of 293 middle and high schools in the state that are being honored as California Distinguished Schools for 2024! Congratulations to all of our staff, students, and the families who support all of us! Schools were selected by the CDE (California Dept. of Education) based on our 2023 Dashboard Data (state test scores, attendance, suspension rate) and the school climate survey given to students in May of each year. Here is the NEWS RELEASE from yesterday. Thank you to all of our staff who work so hard each day to help increase student success and thank you to our families for instilling the importance of good education in your home! We love our River Hawk community. ❤️
In this issue learn more about:
- Important Dates
- PTSA General Association Meeting - Dr. Getz & Elections for 24-25 PTSA Board
- Norte News our Journalism Class, shares new stories
- From the Hart Newsletter
- Valencia High School's MSA (Medical Science Academy) Application for 8th graders
Repeat of:
- CAASPP Testing Dates
- LCAP Link
- Save the date Chipotle Restaurant Fundraiser
- 8th Grade Valencia HS Information Dates
- Hart District Jr ARTrepreneurs Art Exhibit
- Attendance - too sick for school?
Have a wonderful weekend,
Mrs. Bennett
Important Dates
March 2nd:
- Hart District Honor Band Concert, 6:30 p.m., Hart High Auditorium
March 7th:
- PTSA General Association Meeting, 5 p.m. via Zoom
March 13th:
- PTSA Chipotle Fundraiser Night
- Valencia High School Parent Information Night for 8th grade families
March 15th:
- End of Quarter 3
April 1st-5th:
- Spring Break
April 8th:
- School Resumes
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.
PTSA General Association and Elections for 24-25 PTSA Executive Board
Join us by Zoom this Thursday, March 7th! Mrs. Bennett will once again be at our meeting discussing upcoming CAASPP (state) Testing in April and Dr. Getz, Principal of Valencia HS, will also join her to discuss 8th Grade Transition to High School.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://hartdistrict-org.zoom.us/j/82923964317?pwd=VFpob3cyVDJuVGFZK3lPeVc3VlVWQT09
Meeting ID: 829 2396 4317
Passcode: 948120
Our Nominations for PTSA Executive Board for 2024-25:
President - Rachel Villanueva
Secretary - Jenn Linsangan
Treasurer - Heather Gee
Membership - Nicole Owens
Ways and Means - Amy Brannon
Auditor - Oana Cioaca Taylor
Historian - Meagan Derderian
Thursday, Mar 7, 2024, 05:00 PM
on Zoom
Norte News Releases New Stories
Our Journalism Class puts out an on-line publication called Norte News and recently updated articles at the end of February. This is a student run journalism class under the advisement of one of our English teachers, Mrs. Kapp. Students generate ideas and after approval research and/or interview students and staff for their articles. Norte News can be found on our website under the News Tab. Be sure to check back frequently to see the great work our River Hawks are doing!
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.
The application window is open now through March 21st. Apply by clicking here for application admission and instructions. STUDENTS must be in their hartdistrict Google account to complete the application form.
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!
LCAP Input
The William S. Hart union High School District is seeking parent input for our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). Please see the google form link below to share your thoughts. For prior plans, including the current 2023-24 year, you can visit the district website, HERE.
SAVE THE DATE - March 13th at Chipotle Rio PTSA Fundraiser!
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 13th - 8th Grade Parent Meeting for incoming freshmen at VHS Theater at 6 p.m. Counselors will present and have a Q&A. You can anticipate approximately 45 minutes for this session.
- 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 - sports and clubs are present in the VHS Quad prior to the start of the evening (6 p.m.).
- At the conclusion of Open House, VHS will send a communication to 8th grade families about the course request process and deadlines. The Google Form Course Request link will be in this communication.
- 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.).
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.