
The Mustang Messenger
April 19th, 2024
Greetings Mustang Families!
It was great to see so many future and current Mustang families at our 6th Grade Family Night and Rancho Pico Open House.
Thank you to the generous parents who donated prizes to our Technology Tune-Up fundraiser that PAC is doing. We are looking forward to updating the technology in some of our classrooms with funds generated.
We just completed our first week of CAASPP testing in English Language Arts. I can't stress enough the importance of attendance during this time. It is also important that students are punctual. Please keep appointments outside of school hours if at all possible and guide students to healthy eating and bedtimes. It is best for students to avoid excessive screen time and stress during the school year, but it is especially important during testing.
Have a great weekend,
Catherine Nicholas, Ed.D.
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Congratulations to our Rancho Pico Mustang Basketball Teams, who competed in the district-wide tournament this past weekend. The boys and girls played hard and had grit ALL DAY! The boys' team won their first three games and reached the championship finals.
A special shout-out to our coach, DeeDee Dunlap, and her husband, Jeff, for coaching our players.
If you have these students, please join us in congratulating them:
Ian Barton Jacob Chua CJ Estrada Adrian Equihua Alec Gevorgyan Tyler Jackson Ryan Kim Andrew Kneider Munkh-Od Purevtseren (Matthew) Andrian Rivera Michael Sadaqatamal Sutton Riley-Smythe CJ Rodriquez Brandon Duran Ava Alunni Madison Brown Kara Carnes Rachelle Clark Arianna Corona Loreal Hoang Hailey Hornberger Katrina Jang Emma Kassabian Angela Khela Chloe Langenwalter Alayna Moore Hadassah Okewoye Hailey Taylor Najee Berry Valeria Mata
It's Time! Donation Window Now Open - Check Out the Incredible Technology Tune Up Prizes You Can Win!
Dear Mustang Parents,
The Rancho Pico Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is excited to begin this year's fundraiser - Technology Tune Up!!
The fundraiser begins TODAY and ends Friday, May 3rd. The purpose of this fundraiser is to raise money to upgrade the dated technology in some of the classrooms. Some of the LCD projectors that our amazing Rancho Pico staff use daily in the classrooms are seven to nine years old and need to be replaced.
You can donate right 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.)
The goal is to raise $16,000!! 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
The final day to make a donation will be Friday, May 3rd. Prizes will be announced at a future date to allow us time to process all the 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)
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.
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!
Congratulations Yearbook
Rancho Pico's yearbook has been inducted into the Walsworth Gallery of Excellence for the second year in a row! This prestigious recognition is awarded to the most outstanding yearbooks that showcase quality, creative themes, extensive coverage, innovative design, exceptional photography, and engaging content. It is important to note that very few of the books Walsworth Yearbooks services are given this honor.
Honoring our Classified Staff Members
The following Rancho Pico classified staff members will be honored for their loyalty to the Hart District this afternoon at the Classified Recognition:
Josh Lopez, Plant Manager - 20 years
Marisa Caldwell, Instructional Assistant (LS)- 5 years
Mervatte Gunther, Instructional Assistant (AHF) - 5 years
Reva Muthiah, Registrar - 5 years
Nikole Fuentes - 10 years
Some of you may recognize Barbara Roberts, a former Rancho Pico campus supervisor, also honored for 10 years in the Hart district.
Congratulations! We appreciate your dedication to Rancho Pico.
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.
D.A.S.H. Points - Relaxation Room
For 100 PBIS points you can rent out the Relaxation Room for you and your friends during lunch, just like a student did this week. Each student gets a goodie bag, cookies, music requests, and engage in numerous activities. These students made bracelets, played uno, and sang along to their favorite songs.
PONGO
Pongo visits Rancho Pico and other district schools and helps keep our schools safe. Thank you Pongo!
Attention all Mathematicians
Spring Math Meet
The AOC Math and Physics Club is hosting a competition for all interested Hart District students called the Spring Math Meet!
The registration for the 2024 Spring Math Meet is now open! It will occur on Saturday, April 20th, at the COC University Center (Room 251) from 9 AM to 1 PM. There will be over $250 in prizes given out, and lunch/snacks will be provided!
The competition is open to all students in grades 7-12. There is a high school division and a middle school division, along with some optional rounds, like a team-based Physics Round and an Integration Bee!
For more information (and registration), please visit the following link:
Specialty Electives
Attention all 7th graders - if you are interested in applying for a specialty elective as an 8th grader, application and deadlines can be found on our website on the specialty elective hub.
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.