
The River Hawk
Rio Norte News - March 8, 2024
A Note From the Principal
Hello River Hawk Families,
I had the wonderful privilege of attending the Hart District Honor Band Concert where 5 of our incredible River Hawks, led by Band Director Jeff Gilbert, were selected as outstanding junior high musicians and invited to perform in this special event! It was truly a magical evening and they made us and their families proud! Congratulations to: Taylor Chang and David Lytle on Flute, Eugene Cheung on Clarinet, Logan King on Trumpet and Aiden Triunfante on Percussion!
Quarter 3 will come to a close this Friday, March 15th. Be sure your student knows and is meeting deadlines for each of their teachers if there is outstanding work that can still be completed.
Finally, we hope you can support PTSA's Chipotle fundraiser on Wednesday. For those 8th grade families attending the VHS Info. Night at Valencia, consider dropping by after the meeting or ordering on the app for convenient scheduled pick-up (flyer with coupon code below). Valencia had to change the meeting time to 5 p.m. An email/parent square message was sent out this past Wednesday evening noting that change.
In this issue learn more about:
- Important Dates
- Spirit Week and Spirit Wear Sale
- River Hawk Walk - PE Fundraiser
- Chipotle Fundraiser this Tuesday!
- Valencia HS Open House Events for INCOMING 9th graders
- Food Services March Newsletter
Repeat of:
- CAASPP Testing Dates
- From the Hart Newsletter
- Valencia High School's MSA (Medical Science Academy) Application for 8th graders
- 8th Grade Valencia HS Information Dates
- Hart District Jr ARTrepreneurs Art Exhibit
Have a wonderful weekend,
Mrs. Bennett
Important Dates
March 13th:
- PTSA Chipotle Fundraiser Night
- Valencia High School Parent Information Night for 8th grade families
March 15th:
- End of Quarter 3
March 19th:
- Quarter 3 grades post to Infinite Campus after 3 p.m.
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
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.
Spirit Week
March 11th - 15th is Spirit Week at Rio Norte. As we get ready to end quarter, which 7th and 8th grade team will prevail? Students have the opportunity to earn points for their team by participating in the following activities each day:
Monday - wear neon
Tuesday- jersey day
Wednesday - wear your lucky charm…. If you have a lucky necklace, shirt, bracelet, etc
Thursday- crazy sock day
Friday- wear green
Cimarron and Kern are still neck and neck for 8th grade and Tyger made a big push last week so all three 7th grade teams are in it right now! Encourage your River Hawk to participate in Spirit Week!
*You can follow ASB on Instagram at rioasb for further info. and future events!
Rio Norte Spring Spiritwear Sale
Our annual Spring Sale starts this Tuesday, March 12th! Everything will be discounted 25% sitewide! It's a great fundraising opportunity and there will be exciting new product lines and designs!
- Sale Dates: March 12th - 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.
This Tuesday March 13th - Chipotle Rio PTSA Fundraiser!
Valencia High School Open House Activities for 8th Grade Families
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.
Food Service Newsletter and Menus
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!
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.
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 5 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.