![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/periodictable.b25e5692.jpg)
The Mustang Messenger
May 17th, 2024
Greetings Mustang Families!
I hope you are doing well. Thank you to the parents who donated food and water for our track meet. It was an excellent event for our community.
We are not simply counting the days until school is out, we are actively 'making the days count.' As the quarter draws to a close, it is crucial for our students to finish strong. I encourage you to have your children check their grades and ensure all assessments and assignments are complete. This will ensure that their grades truly reflect their personal growth and development.
Have a great weekend,
Catherine Nicholas
Translating our newsletter
If you would like to read our newsletter in a different language, you may translate it to your home language:
Step 1 - Click on the Translate button
This button can be found at the top of the emailed newsletter.
Step 2 - Access the Translation and ADA bar
On the right side of the newsletter, you'll see the ADA and Translation features. To translate your newsletter, click on the Translate button and choose your desired language.
From the Smithsonian Institution:
In the month of May we take time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) have played in our shared history. Explore Smithsonian events happening online and in-person and find resources, podcasts, and collection items to learn more about AANHPI contributions.
All Textbooks Are Due Next Week - Please get them ready to turn in!
Memorial Day is a national holiday established to honor those who have died in American wars. It was originally called Decoration Day. It originated during the American Civil War when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those killed in battle. There will be no school on May 27th in honor of Memorial Day.
Thursday, May 30th, is the last day of the 2023-2024 school year. It will be a 6-period, minimum day. Students will be released from school at 12:10pm. Here is the last day of school schedule:
1st Period – 8:45-9:12 a.m.
2nd Period – 9:17-9:44 a.m.
3rd Period – 9:49-10:16 a.m.
Brunch – 10:16-10:34
4th Period – 10:39-11:06 a.m.
5th Period – 11:11-11:38 a.m.
6th Period – 11:43 a.m. -12:10 p.m.
SEL Class Visits Oak Hills
Mrs. Spector's SEL class visited Oak Hills Elementary School and read stories they had written and illustrated with a social/emotional theme to the TK and K/1 classes.
Music to our Ears
Our choir, orchestra, and band students performed fantastic concerts on Wednesday and Thursday nights. The orchestra and choir performed together in the MPR on Wednesday, and the band held an outdoor concert in the quad under the stars. Thank you to our amazing musicians and directors Peggi Stoffel and Molly Peters.
1st Annual Theater Show Case
Our Theater Club held its first annual theater showcase. Thank you, Jarod Sparlding and our talented students, for creating a great show filled with creative monologues and beautiful songs!
CJSF
CJSF is an Honor Society that recognizes students for their academic achievement and service to the community. Current 7th graders who may be interested in joining next Fall can begin working on their volunteer hours now. Students can use code 5qs2gtl to join the Google Classroom, where I will post upcoming community service opportunities and other announcements. Community Service Logs can be printed from Google Classroom or picked up in Room 206. Questions should be directed to Ms. Wright.
May - Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to ending the stigma,
extending support and cultivating empathy and understanding.
Remember Be Seen in Green Wednesdays this month for Mental Health Awareness.
Join us and make a green bracelet on Mondays during Lunch.
Remember Mustangs you are not alone! We are here for you
On Wednesday in May, we wear GREEN!
Spring Events
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.
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.
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.