
The Mustang Messenger
March 8th, 2024
Greetings Mustang Families!
I hope you are doing well.
This week we were able to celebrate our amazing social workers Katherin Ibarra and Anna Mathers since March is Social Work month. We are so fortunate to have a wonderful wellness team to work with our students at Rancho Pico.
Our PAC launched their fundraising campaign, "Technology Tune-Up". This year we are focusing on updating classroom technology to ensure classroom have up-to-date equipment that will enable students to learn at high levels..
Have a wonderful weekend.
Catherine Nicholas, Ed.D.
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Spring Forward - Daylight Saving Starts
Rancho Pico Jr. High 2024 California Distinguished School
Technology Tune Up - Requesting Donation Prizes!
The Rancho Pico Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is excited to announce this year's fundraiser - Technology Tune Up!!
The fundraiser begins TODAY and ends April 22nd. Its purpose is to raise money to replace the dated LCD projectors in some of the Rancho Pico Classrooms. Our incredible Rancho Pico Staff needs new projectors, which are used daily in the classrooms to help instruct our students. Some of our LCD projectors are seven to nine years old and need to be replaced. The new projectors can project wider, so we plan to get new, wider screens, too.
The GOAL is to raise $16,000 total! (Every $2,000 raised will allow us to update a classroom with a new project and a new screen.)
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 Friday, March 29th. 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, Michelle, Brianna, and Mandy (PAC Board Team)
Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month
Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history.
Attention Future Wildcat Cheerleaders!
Calling all future cheerleaders!
Become part of a dynamic team where every practice and performance is filled with energy and enthusiasm. Join West Ranch comp cheer and create lasting memories and friendships that will stay with you long after high school. If you want to represent our school with pride and compete for the best, join West Ranch comp cheer!
Tryout meeting: March 14th @6PM in room 304 at West Ranch.
Tryouts: April 15th, 16th, 17th
For more information or questions, please email Coach Jayme: jfechtelkotter@hartdistrict.org
Thank you to our Muslim Community
Parent provided treats and information about Ramadan to our Rancho Pico staff. Thank you for your generosity.
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is considered the holiest month for Muslims worldwide. It is a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community for Muslims. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, refraining from consuming food, and drinking liquids. The fast is broken each evening with a meal called iftar, often beginning with dates and water followed by a larger meal. The pre-dawn meal before the fast begins is called suhoor.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the five basic acts of worship that are considered obligatory for Muslims. The purpose of fasting during Ramadan is to increase self-discipline, self-control, and empathy for those less fortunate, as well as to purify the soul and develop a closer relationship with Allah (God). Additionally, Ramadan is a time for increased prayer, reading of the Quran, and acts of charity.
The end of Ramadan is marked by the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which is a festive occasion that includes communal prayers, feasting, giving of gifts, and acts of charity. Eid al-Fitr is a time of joy and gratitude for Muslims, as it signifies the completion of the month-long fast and the spiritual growth achieved during Ramadan.
This year, it will begin on the evening of March 10th and will conclude on April 9th. The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid, a holiday that will be celebrated on April 10th.
If your student is fasting during Ramadan, please reach out to Rancho Pico's PE teachers or counselor for alternative assignments. We are here to support your students and make sure they are healthy.
Congratulations Honor Band!
These Rancho Pico students, along with Honor Band students from around the district, participated in a beautiful Honor Band Concert at the Hart Theater on Saturday Night.
Emma Hussein
Samantha Thai
Lailah Garnreiter-Nash
Isabel Finn
David Myung
Avaneesh Suryavanshi
Avery Lee
Rachel Sur
Raina Rizwan
Beckett Marburger
Andreas Eitel
Sebastian Burton
Haram Shim
Reha Monnesinghe
Hannah Smith
Wilder Belleville
Solomon Graham
A special shout out to Solomon Graham who won the Nick Rail Junior High Band Award.
We are grateful for our amazing instrumental music program under the direction of Peggi Stoffel. Thank you Mrs. Stoffel for all you do!
West Ranch Open House
This or That Spirt Week Next Week
Rancho Pico PJs and T-Shirts for Sale
CUSTOM PAJAMA PANTS and SPIRIT SHIRT on sale until March 11
Just in time for Pajama Day on March 29, ASB is selling flannel pajama pants with a spirit shirt for $30.00 ($27.00 with an ASB discount).
Get more information here.
Buy online here, or have your student bring cash, a check, or a card to the ASB office.
Sales close on Monday, March 11, at 2:00 PM.
Items will be distributed on March 26-27.
Beyond the Bell Update
Beyond the Bell End Dates
Due 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 datess:
Speech/Debate - April 15th
Science Olympiad - ended February 12th
Robotics - March 27th
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
3rd Quarter Stretch
Third Quarter ends on Friday, March 15th. Please check your students IC grades (or other grade programs) and make sure there are no missing assignments or assessments. Grades should be a reflections of mastery of standards. If your student is struggling, please reach out to your student's teachers or counselor. Rancho Pico has tiered supports in to help students.
Mrs. Spector's SEL Class Presents on Self Esteem
Our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) class did a great job presenting on Self Esteem. They took their interactive presentation to the Wellness Room and presented to Bring Change to Mind.
Food Services
8th Grade Universal Trip
8th Grade Grad Night at Universal Studios is Friday, May 17th, and tickets are selling fast! Tickets are $115 and can be bought using this link or in the ASB & Counseling Office (room 411) during the school day. Get your ticket before we sell out! Look for a ParentSquare message from ASB with more information.
8th Grade Three Strikes
This is just a friendly reminder that the “Loss of Privilege” list will be going into effect as of this 4th quarter. It is based on student behavior in the fourth quarter of this semester. A three-strike program will be implemented to monitor student behavior during the school day, on the way to school, and on the way home from school to determine student eligibility to attend end of the year school events, such as the 8th grade Universal Studios trip. This information has been relayed to all students.
Strikes are received by breaking school rules including, but not limited to:
excessive horseplay
bullying
fighting
drugs/vapes
using racial slurs
defiance/disrespect
other such offenses and repeated school rule violations (i.e. personal device violations, dress code violations, gum chewing, etc.)
If a student receives a strike, parents will be contacted. After three strikes, a student will not be able to participate in 8th grade events or trips and there is no refund for a paid ticket.
Students displaying extremely egregious behaviors, as determined by administration, regardless of previous strike(s) are subject to automatic placement on the Loss of Privilege list and will be excluded from the 8th grade events or trips. Administration reserves the right to make final decisions in regards to any events or trips.
From the Hart Newsletter
Please read our district's From the Hart newsletter, Promoting Inclusivity, Kindness, and Respect
Attention Families of 8th Graders
Here is a timeline of upcoming events for our 8th graders.
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!
March is National Sleep Awareness Month
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
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.