The Mustang Messenger

I hope you are doing well. It is hard to believe that third quarter is over and we have only one more quarter left in the school year.

PAC just launched their "Bucks for Books and Band" fundraiser to help raise money for our library and music program. Last year, PAC raised money that was put towards updating the technology in our MPR and those updates began this week. We look forward to having state-of-art equipment to use. We appreciate the incredible continous support from our generous families.

Have a great weekend,

Catherine Nicholas, Ed.D.

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The Rancho Pico Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is excited to announce this year's fundraiser - Bucks for Books and Band!!

The fundraiser begins TODAY and ends April 20th. The purpose of this fundraiser is to raise money for The Rancho Pico Library and Band. Our library is in need of new collections of books, subscriptions, book processing materials and book repair materials, as well as arts and crafts, games and activities, lounge chairs, comfortable seating, and library decor. Our band is in need of several new instruments and equipment.

The goal is to raise $15,000 Total - $10,000 for the library and $5,000 for the band. (Due to Proposition 28 passing, the arts including band, will receive funds via the state to make up the remaining funds.)

The fundraiser will include a drawing with prizes that every student will have a chance to win! We are asking our parents to please consider donating prizes for the drawing. Examples include gift cards, tickets to events/concerts, vacation home getaways, dinner for two or the whole family, a bicycle, an Xbox or Playstation, anything that you think will help us generate excitement and make the fundraising more fun and engaging.

If you would like to donate a prize or for more details, please contact PAC via our gmail (ranchopicopac@gmail.com) or Mandy O'Connor (aoconnor1021@gmail.com).

Please submit your prize(s) by March 31st. Ready...Set....Go!!

Thank you in advance for all of your support. We have such a generous school community and we are honored to partner with you in raising these funds!!

Tina, Amy, Ryan, Sandra, and Mandy (PAC Board Team)

Spring Break is from Monday, April 3rd through Friday, April 7th. Please note, students DO NOT have Friday, March 31st off from school.

Our Jazz band did an awesome job last night at the Jazz Band Showcast Concert held in West Ranch's theater. It is great to hear the progression of the music programs from junior high to high school.

The Orchestra Showcase Concert is Tuesday, March 21st at 7:00 and Band Showcase is Friday, March 24th at 7:00 in the West Ranch Theater if you are interested in attending.

Thank you Mrs. Stoffel for all you do to lead our incredible instrumental music program!

This is the last day to buy tickets to the Universal Studios Grad Night Bash! If you’ve already purchased your ticket (*phew*), make sure you complete the permission slip and turn it in to Mrs. King in the ASB/Counseling office. If you have NOT purchased your ticket yet, here is the link. Don’t miss this unforgettable night!

Grades will be posted on Infinite Campus (IC) on Monday. Please check your student's final, 3rd quarter quades. If your student is struggling, please reach out to our counseling office. We want to help and put supports in place!

Student wellness is the recognition by schools, districts, and
educational professionals that there are many factors that impact a
student’s academic attainment. It is an approach that focuses on
supporting the whole child. The dimensions of wellness include:
Emotional, Personal, Intellectual, Physical, Environmental,
Occupational, and Social factors.

Emotional Wellness

Emotional Wellness is a person's ability to cope effectively with life
and create satisfying relationships. When a student is Emotionally
Well they have a positive attitude, high self esteem, a strong sense
of self, and the ability to recognize and share a wide range of
feelings to others in a constructive way.

Why Emotional Wellness Matters:

When a person is emotionally well they exhibit:
A positive attitude and optimistic outlook toward life
High self-esteem and self-respect
A balance between emotional states
Ability to recognize and cope with normal life changes
Ability to participate in positive inter-personal relationships

7th and 8th Grade families come early at 5:30!

Enjoy special performances by Choir, Band, and Orchestra from 5:30 to 6:30 PM!

Enjoy Chick-Fil-A dinner while you listen! You must order Chick-Fil-A ahead of time!

(Buy Open House Chick-Fil-A dinner here!)

https://rpjhstore.myschoolcentral.com/asbworks/(S(sq0ei5upuax3iy2b4qltkt2k))/apps/webstore/pages/Product.aspx?org=9047&pid=35458

You must order dinner by April 13! (hard deadline) There will be no extra dinner sales the night of Open House!

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Dinner in Quad (Chick-Fil-A Must Pre Order!)

5:30 - 6:25 PM Performing Arts Showcase (Outside Stage)

6:25 PM Principal’s Welcome (Outside Stage)

6:30 - 8:00 PM (Classroom Visitations 7th and 8th)

There will also be a craft fair held in the library!

COVID Update:

LACDPH has provided an update on COVID protocols.

Please click here to view the latest isolation guidelines for positive cases.

Please click here to view close contact guidelines.

We know Valencia Blvd. is a very busy street during morning drop offs and after school pick ups. Please partner with us to keep our community and children safe by being vigilant and safe drivers. Please also remind your student(s) to be vigilant and careful when walking up or down the hill, to or from school.

For effective communication with your teen, get your teen to talk by asking questions. More information can be found in this article: https://thinkkindness.org/all-things-kindness/different-ways-to-ask-your-kids-how-was-your-day/

1. What is something you did today that you’d love to do every day?
2. What do you know today that you didn’t know yesterday?
3. Tell me something that made you laugh.
4. Did anything make you feel frustrated?
5. What was the best thing that happened?
6. Did you find out anything interesting?
7. What made you smile today?
8. What was the most creative thing you did?
9. Did everyone have someone to play with?
10. What was your least favorite part of the day?
11. Did you do something kind for someone?
12. Did someone do something kind for you?
13. Did anything make you feel worried?
14. What was the hardest part of your day?
15. Teach me something you learned.
16. Who did you play with?
17. What made your teacher smile?
18. Did anything make your teacher frown?
19. Did you learn any new words?
20. What made you feel happy?
21. Did anything make you feel sad?
22. What made you feel proud?
23. Did anyone do anything silly?
24. Did you hug anyone?
25. What did you find challenging?
26. Was anyone away?
27. What are you reading?
28. Did you see anyone feeling sad?
29. Did you help someone?
30. How would you rate your day from 1 to 10?
31. Did you feel scared or nervous at all?
32. Who did you have lunch with?
33. What is your favorite lunchtime activity?
34. What is your favorite word right now?
35. What made you feel grateful?

In response to requests from parents and students to offer more vegetarian options, our food services now offers a salad bar and it's been a big hit! Please remind your students that it is considered a side and that they can also get a main course.

The West Ranch Counselors are looking forward to meeting you! Please read the entire email to make sure that you are ready for your meeting with the WR Counselor.

Step 1: Take advantage of all our upcoming information sessions!

• Curious about AP classes? AP teachers will be at RP on March 20th at lunch to answer questions.

• West Ranch Counselors will be at Rancho Pico visiting classes to answer questions and talk about our awesome programs on March 22st and 23rd!

• Attend the Incoming 9th grade orientation on March 23rd at 6pm . Visit our College and Career Center where an informational video will guide and Welcome you to WRHS! Afterwards walk around the West Ranch Open House and meet our amazing teachers, administrators and coaches!
  

• Counselors will be meeting with students on March 27th and 28th at Rancho Pico to get to know them and welcome them to WR. These meetings are for students only so we can get to know our Future Wildcats!

Step 2: Take a look at the Future Wildcat Page for answers to all your questions as well as a copy of the video shown at Open House!

Step 3: Still have Questions? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions guide on the Future Wildcat Website (Right sidebar near the bottom titled “Future Wildcat FAQ 2023).

Step 4: Fill out the Registration Google Form, with your parent/guardian and select your classes. Your parents will get a copy. Be sure and fill out the right form for your Counselor based on your last name!

Counselors meet with students by last name:

Last Name (A-Dom) Ms. Ferry - https://forms.gle/FRHqdTEyythezmpJ9

Last Name (Don-Jon) Mrs. Warford - https://forms.gle/YDuFKDNNpdNiV2TM9

Last Name (Hi-Mei) Mrs. Reynoso - https://forms.gle/EyAUnBdKxMvbFxPg6

Last Name (Mej-Sam) Mrs. Woolridge - https://forms.gle/wBwG5VmmzHzJmGzKA

Last Name (San-Z) Mr. Gimber - https://forms.gle/XK2LCjqBP1pDDNY76

Step 4: Be sure and check out the Future Wildcat Page to learn about all our different programs.

Looking forward to seeing you! Please note, if you have any questions, please direct them to the Rancho Pico Counselor.

We are so thankful and grateful to our incredible parents who continue to support Rancho Pico. We have volunteers who work in our student store, parents who purchase prizes for the Student Store, parents who donated pies for Pi Day in math, presented to our staff and so much. Whenever we ask for any support, our parents are there. Please know it is noticed and appreciated!

Every Thursday is Think Ahead Thursday and students and staff are encouraged to wear shirts and sweatshirt depicting colleges and future aspirations.

Mrs. Jolicoeur's students did chromotography this week to create a beautiful walking rainbow!

This quarter, we prepared our students to write an argumentative essay for the Q3 District Performance Task. For the first time in many years, both 7th and 8th grade students were given the same prompt and sources because we realized that this was a better way to compare growth between grade levels. Students had 165 minutes to read the sources, annotate, outline and type their essays. It was a cold prompt, and students had no extra time to revise and edit. English teachers met on Monday and Tuesday of this week to score the essays. Scoring involved a norming session in which we separately scored a high, medium and low essay and then had a discussion about the rubric and the scoring. We agreed on must haves and what would be allowed. Each day ended with reflective discussions about what the strengths and weaknesses were and what our next steps would be in addressing areas of need. Overall we were pleased with the scores and so proud of the work our students are doing.

Castaic Boys Soccer will be hosting a Spring Break Soccer Camp from 4/5 - 4/7 from 3pm-6pm daily.

7th and 8th graders can train with Castaic Soccer staff and players Wednesday - Friday.

The cost is $35 if participants register by 3/25 and $40 if registered after 3/25.

Cost incluses a T-Shirt.

Rancho Pico Night at the LA Kings!

Saturday, March 18th

Tickets start at $47

Buy tickets here to sit in the RPJH section

8th GRADERS' GRAD NIGHT at UNIVERSAL STUDIOS - Friday, May 19

Students have brought home an information sheet and permission slip.

Please read both carefully and return the completed permission slip to the ASB Office, where payment can be made, or pay online at the ASB Web Store.

Full payment and permission slips are due Friday, March 17.

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 .