We made it through a week of unprecedented heat! The students did a good job staying in the shade, finding relief in the MPR, library, and wellness center. It was also great to see so many parents willing to come out in the heat to attend our Back to School Night.

Have a great, long weekend!

Stay cool and safe,

Catherine Nicholas, Ed.D.

Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. There will be no school on Monday, September 5th in recognition of Labor day.

O'Connor Photography will be back on campus on Friday, September 16th from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. in the MPR to take photos of the students who were unable to get their photo at Summer Check In or started after the beginning of the school year. These photos will also be used for the yearbook and photo packages may still be purchased by parents.
https://home.oconnorphotography.net/online-ordering

Student planners are funded by ASB and are a helpful tool for students to help with organization. Every student was issued a planner at Summer Check-in or at the beginning of school. Please continue to check your students' grades and ask to see their planners if they are struggling with keeping up with their school work.

Every Tuesday is Early Release Tuesday (dismissal is 1:55pm) for teachers to meet for Professional Development, Collaboration and Department Meetings.

Last week we hosted an Enrichment Fair where students got information about our after school opportunities on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:00-4:00. Classes will start on Tuesday, September 7th.

Spaces are limited due to class size and available seats.

PLEASE NOTE: Journalism was changed from Wednesdays to Thursdays

Our Wellness Coordinator, Ana Mathers, and School Wellness Liaison, Susan Lundin, put together activities and education for the week of September 4th - 10h for Suicide Prevention Week.

September is Attendence Awareness Month. Students who attend school regularly are able to learn more, have fewer discipline problems, develop better study habits and often are more successful than students who do not. Students who are sick, need to stay home. Students who are out on quarantine, due to COVID, can access their education through Short Term Independent Study. Please call our attendance office at extension 1103 if your student is sick and needs to miss school.

Rancho Pico has three filtered hydration stations, two that are chilled, around campus. Please encourage students to bring refillable water bottles to school to help them stay hydrated.

As we are experiencing an uptick in covid cases at Rancho Pico, please implement safety practices as much as you can. If your student is feeling sick, the student should stay home and notify the attendance office. If you receive a close contact letter, please read through it carefully and follow the instructions there. Per the DPH, all close contacts are required to mask for 10 days from exposure.

Self-care is the practice of looking after yourself.

It’s a series of daily activities and attitudes we hold; reducing stress, in order to not only maintain good health and well being, but to thrive.

This could be, for example, making sure you eat something before rushing into another meeting, or taking ten minutes to stretch your legs outside in the sunshine.

Practicing self-care helps maintain a healthy work-life balance, keeps your stress levels under control, and wards against conditions like burnout, anxiety and depression.

Enjoy the infographic below and remember to take care of yourself :-)

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.

We have partnered with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2022 season to help us raise funds, earn unique experiences, and enjoy Dodger Baseball. Share the link with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and anyone else that comes to mind in your personal or professional network and you could win a prize! Make sure that you fill in your "Student’s Name" at checkout to help them earn individual prizes (or staff member's name). For each ticket that is purchased through this special page, a portion of the ticket proceeds will go back to our school supporting essential programs.

To purchase tickets: https://offer.fevo.com/rancho-pico-junior-high-dodgers-fundraiser--fe68801?fevoUri=rancho-pico-junior-high-dodgers-fundraiser--fe68801%2F

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, national origin, immigration status, ancestry, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or sexual orientation at any District site and/or activity.