I hope you had a great "Fall Break." It was a busy week at Rancho Pico. With first quarter coming to end next week, students were reminded of the importance of getting to school and class on time and respecting our campus (including our bathrooms) by keeping our campus clean. It is our goal to have a campus culture where students feel safe, welcome, and included. We also continue to encourage them to say something if they see or hear something concerning.

Have a great weekend,

Catherine Nicholas, Ed.D.

It's going to be an incredible school year! We are honored to be members of the Rancho Pico PAC Board. We are here to serve as "Key Communicators & Ambassadors" to the students, staff, and parents -- the Rancho Pico Community as a whole. We promote and support the students, staff, and any Rancho Pico PAC activities. We serve as an advisory group to the Principal and give financial support to Rancho Pico for any educational needs, improvements, and/or school priorities.

We Celebrate the Success of Our Students and Staff: On-Campus Events!

• Gratitude Month - November

• Holiday Cheer - December

• Valentine'sTreats - February

• School Recognitions/Awards - Throughout the Year

• CAASPP - April/May

• Track Meet - May

• Staff Appreciation Week - May

• End of Year Fun - May

Ways to Give - There are two ways to give to the Rancho Pico PAC:

1. By volunteering your time at the on-campus PAC events OR
2. Donating funds for these on-campus activities and any educational needs, improvements, and/or priorities the Rancho Pico Community is in need of during the 2023-2024 school year.

***Please note all funds donated to the Rancho Pico PAC go directly to the Rancho Pico Community. Every dollar is appreciated!

(PLEASE ADD THE DONATE BUTTON - that links to the PAC donation page.)

We hope to see you at the next Rancho Pico PAC Meeting on 10/18/23 at 6:00 PM via ZOOM. Our presentation will highlight: Students, Social Media & the World Wide Web. You won't want to miss this meeting and presentation! (More information about PAC is available on our website.)

With sincere gratitude,

The Rancho Pico PAC Board

Raising young adolescents with access to the internet and social media is challenging. We strongly encourage you to attend the PAC meeting about social media and internet safety. I have attached the Surgeon General's report on Youth Mental Health and Social Media Advisory. It includes some good tips for parents and students.

The district sent out information about the transportation disruption that will affect our students who rely on city bus transportation. The bus drivers of MV Transportation, the contracted bus operator for Santa Clarita Transit, have authorized a strike (starting as early as October 2) due to a labor contract dispute between the bus driver union and MV Transportation.

Families of students who ride buses are encouraged to find other ways to get to school. The Rancho Pico routes are scheduled to run with alternative company buses. Please read below for more information.

Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.

Rancho Pico Advanced Band students played side by side with West Ranch students to cheer on a victorious West Ranch Varsity Football Team. Rancho Pico students learned West Ranch music and got to play pep tunes in the stands. It was a great way for Rancho Pico band students to get a taste of high school band. We are so lucky to have such a positive relationship with West Ranch High School to help our students feel comfortable making the transition to high school. Go Wildcats... and Mustangs too!

Richard Gonzalez was recognized at the Hart District's board meeting on Wednesday night along with all of the other Hart District's Classified of the Year recipients. Richard's family was there to join in on his celebration. Congratulation Richards on your well-deserved recognition!

Halloween is approaching. Here are our school guidelines for costumes:

This year we will celebrate Halloween by allowing students to dress up for the holiday on October 31. We still need to find that important balance between having fun and maintaining a focus on learning for the day. We are excited to celebrate in this way and appreciate your partnership in making it a positive experience for all. Below are our guidelines to support you and your family in making costume choices with your child for the school day.

1. Please leave costume accessories at home (i.e. swords, wands, light sabers, etc.).

2. Costumes should not demean or make fun of any individual, group, or culture. Please be sensitive to our beautiful diversity here at RP.

3. Please, no inflatable costumes that would not allow your student to sit comfortably at their desk and participate in learning activities.

4. For their safety, students may not wear a mask that covers their faces in its entirety.

5. Please save costumes that promote violence and excessive blood and gore for after school.

6. Halloween shirts, necklaces, socks, headbands, etc. are great alternatives.

7. Character costumes should be G-rated.

School administration will make final determinations on the appropriateness of costumes as needed.

Does your student need extra help with academics? We have advanced math students from West Ranch who come over on Wednesdays and offer free math tutoring from 3:00 to 4:00 in Mrs. McHorney's room, 604. Students from any math level are welcome to come and get support!

We also have tutoring for all subjects, available on Mondays in room 605 in Mrs. Spector's room and Thursdays in room 207 in Mr. Smith's room.

Attention all 8th grade parents- the SCVBG (Santa Clarita Valley Business Group) is holding their Speech Competition at Rancho Pico this year. Please encourage your students to write a speech with the potential to represent Rancho Pico at the final competition.

Students need to sign up to participate with Mrs. Goldberg in room 205 or Mrs. Calvo in the office by October 23rd. Round one, in which we will choose the speakers who will move on to the formal event on November 9th, will take place after school at 4:00pm on October 30th.

Please see the attached flyer with the speech prompt: What character trait do you possess that can also be associated with every successful business? Explain and support your answer.

Rancho Pico offers Speech and Debate Beyond the Bell Opportunity in room 205 on Mondays from 3:00 to 4:00 where West Ranch students support Rancho Pico students interested in improving their speech and debate skills. It is a great place to come to get help for the speech competition.

Rancho Pico will hold a speech competition in October. The Rancho Pico winners will attend the district competition in November. Students interested in competing can get more information from Mrs. Goldberg in room 205 or from their 8th grade English teacher.

Rancho Pico students are opportunity Ready!

Students are encouraged to wear a college shirt or a shirt that represents a future career goal on Thursdays. It is great to see all of the college and industry shirts out on campus.

Fridays are Spirit Days and students are encouraged to wear Rancho Pico Spirit wear.

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.