
The Mustang Messenger
April 12th, 2024
Greetings Mustang Families!
I hope everyone had a fantastic Spring Break and everyone came back rested for a busy and strong ending to the fourth quarter.
Next week we start our CAASPP testing. Attendance is critical during this time. Please keep appointments outside of school hours if at all possible and guide students to healthy eating and bedtimes. It is best for students to avoid excessive screen time and stress during this time as well.
Have a wonderful break,
Catherine Nicholas, Ed.D.
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Congratulation to the District Teacher of the Year - Nicole Jolicoeur
William S. Hart Union High School District
NICOLE JOLICOEUR SELECTED AS 2024/25 HART DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR
SANTA CLARITA, Calif – The William S. Hart Union High School District is proud to announce that Nicole Jolicoeur, Rancho Pico Junior High School Special Education Teacher, has been selected as the 2024/25 Hart District Teacher of the Year.
This prestigious award recognizes outstanding educators who have made a significant impact on the lives of their students and the community.
Ms. Jolicoeur is a compassionate, professional, and effective educator. She is skilled and gifted in the way she is able to reach all of the students in her Living Skills program, according to Principal Dr. Catherine Nicholas. She meets each of her students where they are and appropriately challenges them to meet their goals. Additionally, Nicole creates an inclusive environment on campus by having general education students work as peer mentors in her Living Skills classroom as an elective. Ms. Jolicoeur has inspired many students to pursue future careers working with students who have special needs.
“All of the candidates for District Teacher of the Year are deserving of special recognition - but Ms. Nicole Jolicoeur truly shines. Already a standout PE teacher, Nicole chose a new path, dedicating herself to our special education students with the most complex needs,” said Superintendent Mike Kuhlman. “Witnessing the genuine care and love she pours into her classroom is truly awe-inspiring. Her students, and our entire district, are incredibly fortunate to have Ms. Jolicoeur – a most deserving Hart District Teacher of the Year!
Ms. Jolicoeur will be honored at the Annual Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year Awards banquet in the fall and will represent the district at the county-level Teacher of the Year competition. The district extends its sincerest congratulations to Ms. Jolicoeur on this well-deserved recognition.
Good luck to our Basketball Players
Good luck Rancho Pico Mustangs at the district-wide Basketball Tournament this Saturday, April 13th in Newhall (Placerita, Hart High, and The Boys and Girls Club). Come out and cheer on our boys and girls team!
Enjoying Art and Culinary
April is Stress Awareness Month
April is Stress Awareness Month, it is recognized to bring attention to the negative impact of stress. Managing stress is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Knowing how to manage stress can improve mental and physical well-being as well as minimize exacerbation of health-related issues.
Spring Events
District Basketball Tournament
April 13
CAASPP (State) Testing
April 15- May 14
**Attendance is critical
April 18
Open House
6:25 - 8:00
ASB Dance - April 26
Progress Report - April 26
Please note: 8th graders do not have a promotion ceremony in the Hart District. Students will have a graduation ceremony at the end of the senior year of high school.
Solar Eclipse
Students and staff enjoyed viewing the solar eclipes at brunch on Monday.
Open House on April 18th from 6:25 - 8:00
Rancho Pico Open House
Thursday, April 18th, Welcome at 6:25 p.m.
Rancho Pico’s Open House is on Thursday, April 18th from 6:25 - 8:00 p.m.
Our welcome for currrent families is in the Quad at 6:25 p.m. followed by visits to classrooms. In addition, there will be food trucks (Fuego Me Up and Kona Ice), animals from the Straightening Reins program, Spirit Wear sales, student Science Fair exhibits in the Library, the Wellness Center and more.
We are so excited to welcome our families to our six-time California Distinguished and Gold Ribbon School. Teachers are very excited to meet the parents of our students and show you their classrooms. We hope all of our families with their students can join us!!
Additional parking will be available at West Ranch.
Attention all Mathematicians
Spring Math Meet
The AOC Math and Physics Club is hosting a competition for all interested Hart District students called the Spring Math Meet!
The registration for the 2024 Spring Math Meet is now open! It will occur on Saturday, April 20th, at the COC University Center (Room 251) from 9 AM to 1 PM. There will be over $250 in prizes given out, and lunch/snacks will be provided!
The competition is open to all students in grades 7-12. There is a high school division and a middle school division, along with some optional rounds, like a team-based Physics Round and an Integration Bee!
For more information (and registration), please visit the following link:
COC Star Party
Specialty Electives
Attention all 7th graders - if you are interested in applying for a specialty elective as an 8th grader, application and deadlines can be found on our website on the specialty elective hub.
Chicago the Musical at West Ranch
Hello Ranch Pico!
Chicago is currently in rehearsals on track for a May 2nd Opening!
West Ranch Theatre presents Chicago (Teen Edition). Kander & Ebb's legendary and award-winning musical about fame, fortune and acquittal. Set in roaring twenties Chicago, chorine Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap... until he finds out he's been duped. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another, Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the "American Dream": fame, fortune, and acquittal.
Chicago Teen Edition Runs May 2-4 at 7PM with a Saturday matinee at 2PM in the West Ranch High School Theater
Tickets on sale at https://our.show/chicagowrt24 or at the door day of show.
Tickets range between $12-$17. Additional discount available with ASB card.
Food Services
April Menus and Newsletter
CAASPP Testing
CAASPP testing will take place starting April 15th and will go through May 14th. Students will test in the class in which they learned the material. For example, students will take their ELA (English Language Arts) test in their English class, their math test in their math class and the 8th grade CAST test in their 8th grade science class. Research shows this is where we get the best results to show what standards students have mastered.
It is critical for students to be at school, be hydrated, well-rested, and eat nutritously balanced meals during this time. Our school makes program decisions based on these scores. The scores are just one or many pieces of data used to determine supports a student may benefit from.
Beyond the Bell Update
Beyond the Bell End Dates
Due to competitions being over, CAASPP, and AP testing at the High School level, some of the Beyond the Bell programs have ended, others will end after spring break. Some will go until the end of the school year. Please see the list for end dates:
Speech/Debate - April 15th
Theatre - May 15th
Code - tbd
Art - May 22nd
Hoofbeats/Journalist - April 25th
Tutoring:
Math Target Tutors - May 22nd
Monday/Spector - May 20th
Thursday/Smith - May 23rd
Yearbook Sales
There is still time to buy a Yearbook!
Don't miss out on the opportunity to purchase your yearbook at the current price! After March 29th, the price will go up.
- Standard price: $60
- Discounted price with ASB card: $55
You can place your order conveniently online or visit the ASB office. Act now to secure your yearbook at the best price!
Rancho Pico parents do a great job with excusing students when they are absent from school. Thank you for that! 95% of our school's absences are excused.
Even excused absences count towards absenteeism and are not included in our ADA (our funding source). A student has to be in school to be counted presented.
If you know ahead of time that your student will be missing school for an extended time, please contact your student's counselor to see if your student qualifies for independent study.
Please be mindful of our district calendar and upcoming breaks while planning vacations and appointment.
If your student is absent, please remember to contact rpattendance@hartdistrict.org
Show Your Spirit on Fridays and Wear Rancho Pico or Team Gear
Think Ahead THURSDAY
Every THURSDAY is Think Ahead Thursday. Students and staff are encouraged to wear college gear or shirts that represent something for their future aspiration.
William S. Hart UHSD Non-Discrimination Policy
William S. Hart UHSD Non-Discrimination Policy
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.