The Mustang Messenger

I hope you are doing well. We have enjoyed the crisp, beautiful, winter weather this week.

Next week our students will participate in the Great Kindness Challenge. Our ASB and Wellness Team have activities planned throughout the week for students to practice acts of kindness. Research shows that being kind to others helps with mental health, stress, and anxiety.

Have a great weekend,

Catherine Nicholas, Ed.D.

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.

Rancho Pico after school intervention/tutoring classes and enrichment opportunities will resume the week of January 23rd.

Monday 1/23 - Great Kindness Challenge checklist. A table will be set up outside the counselor office with help from the club, where students can pick up a card with kindness acts to complete all week. Return card by Friday for a treat.

Tuesday 1/24 - Kindness bookmarks (art) - sign-up only

Wednesday 1/25 - Kindness puzzles - sign up only

Thursday 1/26 - Kindness rocks - sign up only

Friday 1/27 - Game day (no dogs scheduled) - With help from Club, a treat for completing tasks on the checklist. Below is the checklist that will be handed out to students.

Transitions from a break to school can sometimes be hard for our youth. Some behaviors are normal and some need more attention. Below are some signs of stress and anxiety and tips to support your youth. Feel free to reach out to the Wellness Team if your student needs support.

The California Department of Education has released the CAASPP scores for 2022 on the Dashboard. Here is snapshot of Rancho Pico's data. Please click on the button to take a closer look. You can access your student's scores on Infinite Campus by going to More and then Assessments.

CJSF is an Honor Society based on academic achievement and community service. Spring membership is open to both 7th and 8th graders. Applications will be available February 1, but students can check if they qualify and start working on community service hours now. Please join the Google Classroom using code 5qs2gtl for details.

The Rancho Pico Library hosted a Painting with Yarn event on Friday. Students were able to showcase their creative side with their works of yarn.

Please remind your student that if they SEE SOMETHING or hear of someone behaving in an unsafe manner, or making unsafe decisions, they should SAY SOMETHING to a reliable adult! Remember that mantra, "SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!" You can also remind your student they can make anonymous reports using the RP CARE LINE!

Safety Practice!

This school year we have practiced lock down, fire evacuation, and earthquake drills. We will have more practice throughout the year. We will continue to notify you before drills take place. Safety practice can sometimes trigger feelings of anxiety in students and adults. Please remember that we have counselors available to talk with your student if you sense they need support. Contact your child’s counselor if you would like for us to check on your student. Thank you for your support as we maintain a safe and caring atmosphere at Rancho Pico.

There will be a PAC meeting held in our library at 6:00pm on Thursday, Jan. 26th that will take place before the parent forum.

Every THURSDAY is Think Ahead Thursday. Students and staff are encouraged to wear college gear or a shirt or sweatshirt that represents a future aspiration. We will be asking for all students and staff who wear Think Ahead Thursday shirts to join us on the stage at brunch on Thursday for a photo for next week's newsletter!

On Thursday, January 19, fifty-one amazing Rancho Pico students, and one student from La Mesa, participated in the AMC 8. The American Mathematics Competition (level 8) is an opportunity for middle school students to stretch and test their problem-solving skills in the area of Mathematics. Our mathletes completed 25 problems in 40 minutes, and we will eagerly wait for our results against students from all over the country. We are the M in STEM!!!

The City Transit offers a tripper bus route to Rancho Pico Jr. High.

Rancho Pico Night at the LA Kings! (graphic attached)

Saturday, March 18th

Tickets start at $47

Buy tickets here to sit in the RPJH section

Please remember to schedule vacations around our district calendar.

Absences can not be avoided when students are sick and must stay home. When a student is healthy, school attendance is important to academic and social/emotional success.

If your student is absent, please remember to contact Mrs. Boxall in our attendance office at X1103.

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, 504 complaints, Title II, and/or Title IX should be directed to Mark Crawford, Director of Human Resources, 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.