A Letter From the Superintendent
Hello Wildcat Family!
It’s that time of the year again! Welcome back to what is going to be a GREAT year at Rains ISD!
The members of the Class of 2023 have definitely weathered their fair share of challenges throughout their high school years. They have overcome many obstacles along the way to this, their final year at Rains High School. I look forward to not only watching them finish out their education at Rains ISD but also watching the class of 2035 begin their educational journey. One of the greatest blessings for educators is watching how students grow throughout the years.
I have been blessed to be able to be a part of watching students grow and excel for 26 years, nine of those with Rains ISD. While the world of education and the world itself has changed over the years, the joy brought by students and their accomplishments has not.
I look forward every year to students and staff arriving back on campuses. Walking through buildings and seeing the growth of everyone is truly inspiring. It takes a village, so thank you in advance for all of your help. You are an essential part of ensuring that our students are in school and ready to go every day.
I am thankful for the parents and guardians who entrust us with their most prized possessions, their children. Working together, side by side, I believe that we can help kids prepare for the journey beyond the walls of Rains ISD.
The past few years have brought many uncertainties and much anxiety to many people. A save, secure learning environment where kids and teachers can grow and be innovative and creative is our goal. We are working on our safety protocols and procedures, so there may be some changes throughout the year as we refine these. There will also be some work done on the grounds to help with security in the district.
We want to be partners with parents, guardians, and community members, so we ask for your help. Please follow us on social media and watch our website for updates. If you are a parent or guardian, keep your contact information in Skyward up to date so you can receive emails from staff, and sign up for the Remind or SportsYou groups linked to RISD for communication from teachers, sponsors, or coaches.
I promise that Rains ISD is working to be better every day for our students, staff, and community. I pray that this year brings much growth and that you are as excited as I am! GO CATS!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Johnson
Superintendent
A Letter From the Elementary Principal
Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians.
Welcome Back to School! We missed you and can't wait to see your smiles and how much you have grown. The teachers and staff have been working to be ready to provide a super safe environment to learn in.
STAY CONNECTED. You need to be as informed as possible about what we are doing and how things are going at school. We are going to use the following media approaches to keep you connected:
- Google Classroom
- Teacher Website
- Campus Website
- Campus Facebook
- Campus Marquee
- Campus Skyward Announcements
- Video releases
Our theme this year is Construction. We are building leaders, readers, and citizens.
Class lists will be posted Friday, August 5th at 3:30 p.m. on our Facebook page and on the
Elementary School front desk.
Meet the Teacher Night will be from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, August 11th. You will visit the
enrollment stations in the gym first and then head to your classroom! WOOT WOOT! We can’t
wait to see you.
The First and Second Day of School is drop off or you can walk your child to class. The third day, Friday, will be our first drop off at the front with no walking in. Please stay in your
vehicle and come through the drop-off line starting Friday, August 19th.
Early Pick Up. With the change in loading pick up and making sure we are being safe,
anyone picking up a student early must do so by 2:00pm.
Lunch. Every Friday you will be able to come in and have lunch with your child during their
normal lunch time, except our very first Friday. We are glad to have parents at the school for
lunches but please do not sign students out after lunch. They still have a full and fun day of
learning.
Bill Morgan, Elementary Principal
A Letter From the Intermediate Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to Rains Intermediate School! We are excited to have all of our kids back in the
building and engaged with our teachers and staff members. The talents of each student
combined with the dedication of our teachers and staff will allow us to R.I.S.E this year and
beyond. We believe that all Rains Intermediate Students Excel in all aspects of their
educational endeavors.
We will continue to work hard to ensure that Rains Intermediate School will be recognized
as a school that sets students and teachers up for success.
To better serve the community and all stakeholders, the following are ways to stay
informed about Rains Intermediate events:
- Campus Facebook Page (Rains.Intermediate.School)
- Campus Website (www.RainsISD.org)
- Rains ISD App
- Remind app (@risparent)
Join us for Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday, August 11th, from 5:30-6:30 pm. Students
can tour the school and meet homeroom teachers. The first day of school is Wednesday,
August 17th, and school hours are 7:45-3:30. Classrooms will open at 7:40 for the first two
days of school, August 17 and 18, so that families can walk their children to classes. We will
host “Family Fridays” for the school year so that all families can join their students for
lunch! The first day to join us for lunch is August 26th. You are more than welcome to drop
off any lunches for your student at the Intermediate office on any other day.
We look forward to seeing you, and we appreciate your support. Go Wildcats!
J.C. Vance, Intermediate Principal
A Letter From the Junior High Principal
Rains JH Wildcat Families,
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! I am excited to welcome our students and staff back to school. I hope each of you has had a restful summer and return to school reinvigorated to learn and grow. We have had a busy summer preparing to welcome back our students. There have been changes on the campus and we can’t wait to see how our students soar at Rains JH this year. In my 23 years of education I have served as a teacher, coach, athletics administrator and school administrator. I know how great schools function and I know that Rains JH will have great success. Our foundation will be built on creating high expectations coupled with a fun learning environment for all of our kids. Our staff, returning and new, are pivotal in the success of our campus. I am very proud of the team we have created and their ability to accomplish great things. I truly believe we have the best group of educators in East Texas. I look forward to meeting you and serving this community for many years to come.
Regards,
John Portwood, Junior High Principal
A Letter From the High School Principal
Greetings Wildcat Families,
We are very excited to officially welcome our students and families to the 2022-2023 school year!
Our shared goal is to PURSUE EXCELLENCE; to maximize every student’s potential by providing educational opportunities that are supportive, engaging, and relevant to our students today and in their future pursuits. Rains High School is a learning community that focuses on increased student achievement by maintaining high expectations, modeling integrity and good citizenship, and promoting lifelong learning in a climate of shared responsibility among school, home and community. Today’s world demands students who think critically. RHS is committed to meeting those demands by growing and supporting a very active and diverse Career and Technology Education program; including: agriculture, business, child development, cosmetology, culinary, digital media, plumbing, EMT, and health science. Phlebotomy will be new this year! We also encourage our students to be creative and expressive by offering many fine arts opportunities; including Art, Band, and Theater. College-bound students have the opportunity to select from a number of advanced, AP, and dual-credit options. We have a very strong support structure in place that is designed to meet our students where they’re at, support them along the way, and help them achieve success! Lastly, RHS students can benefit from involvement in a variety of interest-based clubs, including our newest options Texas Association of Future Educators and e-Sports.
We understand that our students benefit the most from a strong parent, school, and community partnership. Our students, in collaboration with community partners, will continue to be recognized as ‘Wildcats of the Month’ this year. Additionally, we are showcasing our students who have earned industry certifications through our CTE dept. You will see their faces lining our main hall! Parents are critical contributors to academic success. We will be communicating with our parents weekly, and invite you to reach out with any ideas, questions, or concerns you may have - via our school office, phone, or email.
Wherever our students go - they started here! We are committed to ensuring they have the BEST start. We feel blessed to be a part of their journey. It’s going to be a great year!
In Wildcat Pride,
Lindsay Morgan, High School Principal
SAVE THE DATES:
- REGISTRATION: Available now at www.rainsisd.org - Click on Parent Resources
- SCHEDULE PICKUP: August 8th, 9th, & 10th @ RHS (also available on Skyward)
- BACK TO SCHOOL BASH: August 11th - 4:00p-7:00p @ RHS
- If you need help registering, we will be available on-site to assist.
- MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT: August 11th - 6:30p-7:30p @ RHS
- FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: August 17th 7:50a-3:40p