Rayburn Family Newsletter - August 22, 2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the volleyball locker-decorating event. It was a great way to kick off the season! Football season is right around the corner, with games now scheduled on Saturday's. Please check the SportsYou app regularly for updates on game times and locations.

Next week, we will begin MAP testing; Math on Tuesday, August 26th, and Reading on Wednesday, September 3rd. Please ensure students arrive on time, ready to give their best effort.

Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you for supporting our Rayburn community!

On Tuesday August 26th, all students on campus will be taking the MAP Math Assessment. The following week, on Wednesday September 3rd, students will take the MAP Reading Assessment. Both of these tests provide teachers important information around what students need to learn so they can continue to grow. 
Students will complete testing by 11:35 on both days. When possible, please refrain from picking students up before testing has been completed on those days. 

Big news! Our librarian, Mrs. Rodriguez, has been selected as a 2025–2026 Literacy Fellow with The Leaders Readers Network! This year, she’ll be working alongside passionate educators to expand book access for all kids, lead service projects, and inspire a lifelong love of reading.
To kick off the school year, students in Ms. O’Connell’s 2nd and 7th period classes received a special book giveaway featuring Otto: A Palindrama by Jon Agee. Students not only learned what a palindrome is, but also enjoyed the fun of discovering them in this clever story. Each student received their very own copy to take home, helping build their personal libraries and strengthening their love of reading!

This week my 6th grade GT and advisory worked on teambuilding by putting together a 100 piece puzzle. For their closing, they had to explain what makes a good teammate, why we need people with different strengths on a team, and what they would do if two people didn't agree within their group. They did a great job! 

Every single day your child is in school is an opportunity for growth, learning, and connection. When children are present, they:

Stay on track academically: Missing even a few days can mean falling behind on new concepts, making it harder to catch up. Regular attendance helps build a strong foundation for success in every subject.

Build strong routines: Consistent attendance helps children develop good habits, like punctuality and responsibility, which are crucial for their future.

Strengthen social-emotional skills: School is a place where friendships blossom and social skills are honed. Being present allows children to fully participate in group activities, collaborate with peers, and feel a sense of belonging.

We know that sometimes absences happen, and we appreciate your support in helping us keep our records accurate. When your child returns to school after an absence, please send a note with them explaining the reason. This note is a simple but important step in making sure their attendance is properly documented. Thank you for your partnership!

Welcome back! We are excited to start our Family Engagement sessions for parents, caregivers, and community members! Mark your calendars as September has some great offerings. Our first session is our Principal's Coffee Chat on Sept. 4th at 9:30 am. We hope you will join us as we get to know Mr. Masters our Principal and learn all about Rayburn! Translation devices will be available for those who prefer Spanish. We are excited to see you! 
¡Bienvenido! Unase con nosotros para un cafecito con el director, Sr. Masters. Tendremos dispositivos de traducción para personas que prefieren español. ¡Esperamos verlos!
Questions/Preguntas: Mrs. Diaz, Family Liaison 397-3123 martha.diaz@nisd.net

Our NISD annual Family Engagement Conference is coming up so register today! When you do register, please choose Rayburn as your campus. Join us on Sept. 26th for a day of learning and amazing presenters. Lunch is included and childcare is available.
Click on the QR code on the flyer or the link below. If you need help, please contact
Mrs. Diaz, Family Liaison 210-397-3123 martha.diaz@nisd.net