A Note From the Principal
Good Morning River Hawk Families,
Thank you for continuing to support our direct donation fundraiser. We just have one week left and are a little more than half way there, with $34,658 raised toward our $60,000 goal! We still have several hundred students that haven't sent any emails or texts. We would really appreciate your support this weekend in sending out some requests to see if any of your supporters will help us. See the fundraiser section below for the directions on creating an account. As an incentive we will do another MB2 Gift Card giveaway on Monday for the top students who send out the most new emails/texts this weekend.
Last week was such a busy week I wanted to take the opportunity to share some photos from our fundraiser assembly and the River Hawk "Ca-Caw" walls our ASB created for our 7th and 8th graders for Back to School Night. Every student's name was on a River Hawk cut-out on that wall! We love and thank our ASB for making it so festive.
Finally, be sure to read about our lockdown drill and make-up and re-take photos down below as both events happen this Tuesday. May you all find a way to stay cool this weekend!
In this issue learn more about:
- Valencia High School Medical Science Academy (MSA) Jump Program application - 8th graders only
- Make-up Pictures this Tuesday
- Educational Lockdown DRILL is this Tuesday
- Club Day this Tuesday
- Fun Burger PTSA Fundraiser this week - 3 nights!
Repeated in this issue:
- Fund it Forward Update - Last Week to Donate!
- PTSA Reflections Contest
- Library News - Checking Books Out On-line
- Pongo and Mr. Eric K-9 On-Campus
- Back to School Merchandise Sale - ENDS on Tuesday!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bennett
Important Dates
Now through Sept. 13th:
- Fund It Forward Fundraiser
September 10th:
- Educational Lockdown DRILL
- Club Day - Lunch in the Quad
- Make-up Picture Day
- Back to School Rio Merchandise Sale - ENDS
September 10th-12th
- PTSA Fun Burger Restaurant Night - 35% back!
September 13th:
- End of Quarter 1 (Q1) Progress Reporting period
- these grades show progress and do not go on the transcript
- Fund It Forward Fundraiser Ends
September 17th:
- Progress Report Grades post to Infinite Campus (IC) after 3 p.m.
September 30th & October 1st:
- PTSA Reflections Submissions are Due
CLICK HERE for a printable copy of the calendar pictured. Please use this calendar for our holidays, minimum days, and Early Release Schedule to plan as many appointments and trips during non-instructional times.
Attention 8th Graders - Valencia High School's JUMP Program and Application
Calling all 8th graders interested in Valencia's Medical Science Academy (MSA). Click on the PDF below (same as the image) to get further information about the application process and a clickable link for the application. If interested, you are encouraged to attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 17th at 6 p.m. in the Valencia High School Library. For more information, see the MSA WEBSITE.
Please note: STUDENTS must apply using their hartdistrict email account. If the form tells you to sign-in, check that you're in your hartdistrict account. Applications are due Sunday September 22nd - absolutely no exceptions so plan to apply early!
Make-up Picture Day Tuesday
If you ordered pictures at Summer Check-in or on-line, picture packets arrived and were distributed on Thursday and Friday through advisory teachers. Make-up pictures, for all students who have not taken a picture, are this Tuesday, September 10th. If you receive your picture packet and need a re-take of the photos, your student MUST bring the picture packet back on Tuesday, September 10th to have their picture re-taken.
Want to see your student's picture and order on-line? Visit O'Connor Photography's website by clicking here. The on-line code is your student's school ID number. Students who need to correct and order, please call O'Connor photography as soon as possible at 661-257-3838. If possible, please have your receipt when calling.
This Tuesday during advisory, we will have our first lockdown drill. This is an educational scripted drill. Students watch a video where Mrs. Bennett and our School Resource Officer (SRO), Deputy Hellewell, will educate students about our safety protocols and the importance of these drills. The video will periodically pause for teachers to have short scripted conversations. For safety purposes, this video will NOT be on RioTV. We will NEVER do a random lockdown drill. All drills will be announced in the newsletter before they happen and parents will receive email reminders the day before and the morning of. In light of the tragedy in Georgia this past week, should you have any concerns, please reach out to your child's counselor as soon as possibly Monday morning. Our hearts are with all those impacted.
Join us this week for the Rio Norte PTSA Restaurant Fundraiser at Fun Burger. They are generously allowing Rio Norte three dates on September 10th, 11th, and 12th! Enjoy delicious food while supporting our school. 35% of ALL purchases will be donated back to Rio Norte PTSA. Don’t miss out on this tasty way to give back! For phone orders just mention this flyer for Rio Norte. We appreciate your support!
This is the final week of our direct donation fundraiser and we need you and your supporters to help us reach our $60,000 goal! Our families and supporters are amazing and we are a little more than half way there. Please remember that no amount is too small, because every dollar helps! Your student can access their account at: http://pledgestar.com/rio to see updates. If you still need to create an account, here is the email with the directions. Sometimes we are surprised about the people willing to donate even a little bit, so if you haven't had your student create an account yet, please help us get there by sending some emails or texts this weekend.
Thank you to all the River Hawk families and supporters that have already helped us!
Reflections Contest by PTSA
The National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education, and the Reflections program is a key part of this mission. Each year, over 300,000 students from Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art based on a student-created theme. This year’s theme, Accepting Imperfection, encourages students to explore their thoughts, feelings, and ideas through various art forms.
For over 50 years, the Reflections program has helped students develop artistic literacy, build confidence, and discover a love for learning that supports their success in school and life.
Students can submit original works in any of the following categories:
Arts Categories
Film Production
Music Composition
Visual Arts
Dance Choreography
Literature
Photography
Submission Details:
Submission Dates: September 30th or October 1st
Time: 7:30 AM
Location: Front Gate at Rio Norte Junior High
Make sure your student fills out this form to participate in the Reflections program.
Please email rionorteptsa@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Library - How to Check Out Books On-Line
When students visit the RN Library Catalog link below, students should sign-in using their hartdistrict student Google account. They can then find a book (or books) and place them on hold using the HOLD button next to the title.
- RN Library Catalog: bit.ly/DestinyRN
Once books are placed on hold, they can stop by the library and we will pull the title aside for them.
Holds are good for ONE WEEK, then we release the book back on the shelf if it is not picked up by the student.
- Below is a short video walkthrough.
Pongo and Mr. Eric Our K-9 Unit On-Campus
Meet Pongo and his handler, Mr. Eric, who will randomly visit campuses in the Hart District every day. Pongo is not a drug dog. He is trained to detect firearms and gunpowder to help ensure our safety on-campus. When here, they will monitor student arrival at the front or back gate, check PE lockers, and check the general campus and perimeter. This is a proactive layer of safety to deter individuals from bringing firearms or explosives onto campuses and help everyone feel more secure. Pongo and Mr. Eric will visit us throughout the entire school year. Students cannot pet Pongo when he's working, but at brunch, Mr. Eric allows them to approach and ask to pet Pongo if they'd like. Students can be assured that while Pongo is serious when he's working, he's gentle and friendly.
RIO NORTE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Shonna August, 8th grade Assistant Principal
Thomas Flores, 7th grade Assistant Principal
ATTENDANCE Needs: Email RNattendance@hartdistrict.org
Email: bjbennett@hartdistrict.org
Website: https://www.rionortejuniorhigh.org/
Location: 28771 Rio Norte Dr, Valencia, CA, USA
Phone: 661-295-3700