

The River Hawk
Rio Norte News - February 2, 2024
A Note From the Principal
Hello River Hawk Families,
Thank you to the parents who came out for our PTSA General Association meeting this past Thursday evening. As promised, 7th grade families will see information and the Zoom link below for this Thursday's Healthy Choices parent Zoom meeting. Likewise, our 8th grade families will see important information about matriculation to Valencia High School this fall, below that.
Parents please take a moment this weekend to remind your students to be vigilant with their safety walking/riding to and from school. Students need to be careful crossing streets and driveways, but also let cars in and out, as appropriate. They should be mindful of using crosswalks and not darting between parked cars or in the middle of streets where vehicles aren't expecting them. For our students who ride bikes/scooters/skateboards, wearing the appropriate helmet, for their own protection, is mandatory. Finally, be aware of suspicious persons in and around businesses near the school and get help if needed from business employees, asking them to call the sheriff department, if necessary. We want all of our students to be respectful riders and pedestrians while also being safe each and every day!
In this issue learn more about:
- Important Dates
- Healthy Choices Zoom Meeting Link this Thursday - 7th Grade Parents only
- 8th Grade Valencia HS Information Dates
- From the Hart Newsletter
- Foodservice Newsletter and Menus
Repeat of:
- Valentine Grams on-sale now
- PTSA The Stand Restaurant Night fundraiser - this Wednesday!
- Castaic High School Parent meeting - this Wednesday!
- 8th grade Universal Studios Trip
- Hart Games - Donations and Sponsors Needed
- Attendance - too sick for school?
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bennett
Important Dates
February 7th:
- PTSA Restaurant Fundraiser at The Stand 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- Castaic High School 8th grade parent/student informational meeting in our MPR at 6 p.m.
February 8th:
- 7th Grade Parent Zoom Meetings for Healthy Choices Curriculum, 11 a.m. or 7 p.m.
February 9th:
- End of Q3 Progress Reporting Period
February 13th:
- Vision & Hearing Screening for 8th graders (students should bring glasses if they wear them)
- Q3 Progress Report Grades post to IC after 3 p.m.
February 15th:
- Medieval Times Excursion for 7th grade students who already signed up (deadline has already passed)
February 16th to February 19th:
- No School for President's weekend
CLICK HERE for a printable copy of the calendar pictured.
7th Grade Parents Zoom Meeting THIS Thursday for Healthy Choices Curriculum
This Thursday, February 8th, the Hart District Junior High Principals will host optional Healthy Choices Curriculum Zoom Meetings at 11 a.m. or 7 p.m. These meetings run approximately 1 hour and allow parents an opportunity to see and hear about the curriculum designed by Hart District teachers for Hart District students to meet mandated state requirements.
Link to attend the 11:00 a.m. or 7 p.m. Meeting:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://hartdistrict-org.zoom.us/j/88666792787?pwd=UjFydW90dEZlc3YvMndYK1l0TUpBQT09
Meeting ID: 886 6679 2787
Passcode: 780849
For more information, see our website under the "Parents" tab and click on Healthy Choices or click HERE.
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 12th - 8th Grade Parent Meeting for incoming freshmen at VHS Theater (time TBD).
- 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.
- 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.).
Valentine Grams On Sale Now!
Starting Monday, ASB will be selling Valentine Grams on the outdoor stage during lunch. Grams are $2 each (cash, in-person only) and will be sold until February 8th. Students will receive the Grams on Valentine's Day at the end of their first block.
The Stand Restaurant Fundraiser
Join us at The Stand for lunch or dinner while raising money for our school! The Stand will give us 20% on all orders showing the flyer above or using the code RIONORTE in the app or online for the "Coupon Code." Orders from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. receive credit with the flyer or coupon code.
Wednesday, Feb 7, 2024, 11:00 AM
24201 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Castaic High School 8th Grade Parent/Student Informational Meeting
Is your 8th grade student interested in attending Castaic High School? Join the Castaic Principal, Mr. Ferry, and his staff on February 7th in our Rio Norte MPR at 6 p.m. He will discuss the programs his campus offers including their iCAN Academy partnership program with College of the Canyons (COC).
8th Grade End of the Year Event - Save the Date
The 8th Grade end of the year Universal Studios trip will take place on THURSDAY, May 16th, so save the date! Permission slips were given to all 8th grade students in their advisory classes this past week. Please be sure to read (both sides) very carefully for all details on the trip. Students must be at school the day of the trip to attend and parents must note this is non-refundable due to Universal's refund policy. Once funds are turned over to them, we are unable to get funds back to families, even for illness. Permission slips are due back no later than Thursday, February 29th. This is an OPTIONAL after school event to celebrate our 8th graders' accomplishments. Any family needing assistance should talk to your student's counselor.
12th Annual Hart Games in Need of Donations and Sponsors
Our beloved All-District Special Education Track and Field Meet finally returned last year and our students LOVED being a part of this! This year on March 18th, the 12th Annual games will allow our students to compete again! The organizers are in need of business sponsors and/or donations to support this amazing event! If you or any community business you know of can help, please email Patti Miller at pmiller@hartdistrict.org
See the PDF donation request letter below for further information.
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.