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This Week at West Ranch, February 2nd through February 6th
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Principal’s Message: February 1, 2026
Good afternoon Wildcats,
I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! This week we will have an important safety drill on Tuesday, February 5th. Please see below for more information.
This week we will also celebrate National School Counseling Week. National School Counseling Week 2026, “School Counselors Amplify Student Success” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 2–6, 2026, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
As part of its celebration for National School Counseling Week, West Ranch will be encouraging students and parents to send thank you notes to our counseling team. We will also be accepting any gift cards that families may want to donate in appreciation of our counselors. Thank you cards can be dropped off this week at the front gate from 8am-3pm or emails can be sent to our team members listed below.
Sincerely,
Robert Fisher
Principal, West Ranch High School
West Ranch Counseling Team
Mrs. Christina Otazo (Counseling Secretary)
Josh Grattan, Wellness Coordinator/School Social Worker
Bree Miller, ERICS, DIS School Based Therapist
Gisela Esquivel, ERICS, DIS, School Based Counseling
Drew Holland, School Based Associate Therapist
Stephanie Anderson, School Based Associate Therapist
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February 2nd through February 6th
ODD/EVEN Schedule |
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| Day |
Date |
ODD/EVEN |
| Monday |
2/2 |
ODD |
| Tuesday |
2/3 |
EVEN |
| Wednesday |
2/4 |
LSW ODD |
| Thursday |
2/5 |
EVEN |
| Friday |
2/6 |
ODD |
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| Around The Campus/School News |
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Safety Drill planned for 2/5
On Tuesday, February 5th, we will conduct a lockdown drill at an unannounced time so students can prepare should the worst-case scenario ever happen. Students should try to go about their normal daily routine. When the lockdown announcement begins, students should get to the nearest classroom to shelter in place. Students should not hide in a location that cannot be locked. We will be on a regular schedule for the day.
Understandably, we may find the conversation uncomfortable while discussing the drill in classrooms, but we hope students will find it reassuring to know that our school is thinking about how best to deal with this situation.
Making sure we practice how to respond and instruct students can help prevent and reduce the loss of life. No single response fits all active threat situations; however, making sure students and staff know their options for how to respond decisively will save valuable time.
Based on guidance from Law Enforcement Agencies, there are three basic options if faced with a violent event: Run, Hide, or Fight. Please have discussions at home prior to the drill to properly prepare.
Counselors will begin Fall 2026 Registration
The West Ranch Counselors will be visiting English classrooms throughout February and March to meet with each one of the Wildcats. They will start in the classroom with presentations about graduation requirements, college admissions requirements and use of the academic planner and other tools within CaliforniaColleges.edu Counselors will then meet with students individually to review the student's post high school goals, check progress towards graduation and make any recommendations for summer school. Prior to meeting with each student the counselor will send the students an email that includes a link to a video explaining graduation requirements, A-G Requirements, how to read a transcript, and select classes. Students will be given an academic planner worksheet upon completion of their individual meeting.
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11th Grade Meetings will begin on Feb. 2-Feb. 10 (emails will be sent to students on Jan. 27th)
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10th Grade Meetings will begin on Feb. 12-Feb 23 (emails will be sent to students on Feb. 2rd)
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9th Grade Meetings will begin on Feb. 26-March 5 (emails will be sent to students on Feb 17th).
We ask that the students review the email and select classes prior to our meeting. This is a great opportunity for us to get to know the students better and for the students to develop their advocacy skills. We encourage families to review the emails, video and google forms together! Parents will receive a copy of the google form upon submission. The google form is just the start, the counselor will help guide and make class recommendations during the meeting as well.
If the student is absent on the day of the scheduled visit, they will need to see their counselor to set up a makeup date.
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Spring AP Exam Registration
If you have AP Government, AP Econ, and/or AP Physics C: E&M on your current schedule, you are eligible to register and pay for your AP Exam from 2/2 to 2/27. Exams are $110 each. Register online through the Total Registration website. https://user.totalregistration.net/AP/53864
College Transcripts are Due February 6th
All student who have taken classes at a community college need to requests official transcripts and get them to the West Ranch Registrar before February 6th. Feel free to reach out to Tina Masters at [email protected] with any questions.
Allergy Safety Reminder: Parents, please remind your students to check the labels on all cafeteria food, especially for potential nut allergens. We want everyone to have a safe and happy brunch/lunch! While the school works hard to provide safe options, ingredients in pre-packaged snacks or sides can sometimes change.
A quick "check before you bite" is the best way to ensure everything stays nut-free and worry-free!
Free Self Defense Workshop
In recognition of February’s Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, the Wellness Center and Z-Club are hosting a free self-defense workshop on Friday, February 6. See attached for more information.
The workshop will take place during lunch in the small gym. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up HERE.
Partnering for Student Success: New Attendance Notifications
When students are present for school, they are opportunity ready - ready to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Missing even a few days here and there adds up quickly. To keep you better informed about your student’s attendance, you may receive automated updates via email (from [email protected]) or text messages similar to the example below:
Hart District Notice: An attendance message has been posted to your parent dashboard. Use this direct link [parent portal] to view the message.
Thank you for your continued support in helping your student stay on track and present for every learning opportunity.
Credit/No Credit and Drop Fail notification
We would like to inform and remind all students and parents of two important deadlines that approaching.
1. The Credit/No Credit option means that you take a class but do not earn any credits towards graduation. There is a very specific criteria that must be met in order to qualify for this opportunity, it is as follows:
*Students must be in 11th or 12th grade.
*Students must be on track for graduation.
*The class being taken for Credit/No Credit cannot be a class that is required for graduation or college admission.
*One course only per semester may be taken for Credit/No Credit.
*Request Form cannot be completed retroactively.
*Form must be completed by the 20th school day of the semester.
*Form needs to be completed each semester, it does not apply to the entire year.
Please be aware that taking a no credit class does not contribute to the required 230 credits needed for graduation.
The application for Credit/No Credit can be provided by the student's Counselor and turned in within the first 20 days of the semester or February 9, 2025.
2. Drop/Fail is if a student drops a class after the first 20 days of the semester (Feb. 9th) then the student will receive an F on their transcript. Students are encouraged to do their best in all classes that are on their schedule. |
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| Upcoming Activities & Athletic Events |
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Monday 2/2
Boys Basketball at Sylmar (Frosh 4pm, JV 5:30pm, Varsity 7pm)
Tuesday 2/3
No events scheduled
Wednesday 2/4
LATE START WEDNESDAY: Gates open at 8:45am, Period 1 starts at 9:30am
Girls Soccer at Hart (JV 3:15pm, Varsity 5pm)
Boys Soccer vs. Hart (Frosh 3:15pm, Varsity 5pm, JV 6:30pm) SENIOR NIGHT
Basketball vs. Hart (Boys JV 3:30pm, Girls Varsity 5pm, Boys Varsity 6:30pm) SENIOR NIGHT-Admission fees apply
Basketball at Hart (Girls JV 3:30pm, Boys Frosh 5pm)
Thursday 2/5
No events scheduled
Friday 2/6
No events scheduled
| Academic Support & Tutoring Information |
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Tutoring is also available through the following resources:
- Brainfuse Online Tutoring: Get free on-demand help from a live, online tutor, available daily, 1pm-10pm. Tutors cover Math, Science, reading/writing, Social studies, test prep (PSAT/SAT, ACT, AP and standardized), and more!
- The Stevenson Ranch Library has many different services and support available to our students. Feel free to visit there website for more information.
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