Rattler Recap – January 20

We are closely monitoring the weather and will continue to share updates as needed. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please be sure to follow @SanMarcosCISD on all official social media platforms and check your emails. All official announcements and updates will be communicated through those channels. Thank you for staying informed and safe. An update will be provided to the district early Sunday evening.

Due to inclement weather, only the Varsity Boys Soccer team will play Friday, January 23 at Toyota Rattler Stadium at 5:00 PM. Little Rattler Night is still on -- FREE admission and halftime fun for kids 5th grade and younger.

We wanted to provide an important update regarding the Elementary UIL Academics Meet. Due to anticipated weather conditions, the decision has been made to postpone the Elementary UIL Meet to January 31 at Miller Middle School, 8AM-1PM.

Royal Tea's first show at 1:30 PM will proceed as planned. The 5:30 PM show has been canceled due to anticipated weather in the evening.

If you have already purchased tickets to the 5:30 show, they have been transferred to the 1:30 show. If you are unable to attend, you will be issued a refund. Event details and ticket link can be found by clicking here.

SMHS Orchestra UIL Solo and Ensemble will take place Saturday as scheduled at Churchill HS in San Antonio.

Due to possible inclement weather, all church services on SMCISD campuses scheduled for Sunday, January 25, are canceled. This helps ensure the safety of SMCISD employees by eliminating the need to open facilities.

Join us in congratulating Bonham Kindergarten on being named a finalist for the H.E.B. Excellence in Education Award for Early Childhood Centers. This recognition highlights their outstanding commitment to early learning, student success, and creating a nurturing environment where young learners thrive. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor and the dedication that makes Bonham Kindergarten a model for excellence in early childhood education. A special thank you to Bonham Principal Dr. Eulogia Martinez, Assistant Principal Jennifer Davis, as well as the teachers and all supporting staff for the work they do each and every day to instill strong educational fundamentals in our students.

On Saturday, January 10, 2026, students across Texas participated in the final round of the rigorous nine-month TMEA All-State audition process for band and choir. We are proud to announce that senior Thomas De La Cruz has been selected for the Texas All-State Tenor-Bass Choir—an extraordinary honor that recognizes the highest level of musical excellence in the state.

Thomas’s selection reflects his exceptional talent, dedication, and work ethic. He remains in the top 10% of his class while balancing an impressive list of leadership roles and academic achievements. Thomas serves as Student Council President, Choir President, and Vice President of the National Honor Society. He is a member of All-Varsity Choir, Varsity Theatre, the Superintendent Student Advisory Council, and RYLA, and is enrolled in Dual Credit courses through the Early College High School (ECHS) program.

Beyond his accomplishments, Thomas is known for his leadership and commitment to service. He plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where he hopes to pursue a career as a Child Clinical Psychologist.

When asked what advice he would give his younger self, Thomas shared, “It’s okay to make mistakes. I personally thought mistakes were a bad thing, but you need them to learn and grow. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self that it’s okay to make mistakes.”

We are incredibly proud of Thomas and all the hard work that led to this achievement. Way to Rattler Up!

At the January Regular Board Meeting, the SMCISD Board of Trustees honored SMHS senior, Rice Tipps! Rice has been selected as a QuestBridge Scholar and has officially matched with Caltech on a full four-year scholarship!

QuestBridge is one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in the United States, connecting the nation’s top students with world-class universities. Matching with Caltech, one of the most selective and renowned institutions in science and engineering, is a monumental achievement.

Please join us in congratulating Rice on this incredible milestone!

January is School Board Recognition Month. Special thanks to our Board of Trustees for all they do to support Rattler students and staff!

Front Row (left to right): Jessica Cain, Vice President; Anne Halsey, Board President; Sandra Sepulveda Lopez, Secretary

Back Row (left to right): Miguel Arredondo; Clementine Cantu; Margie T. Villalpando; John McGlothlin

Parents are invited to attend an information session to learn more about the SMCISD Dual Language Immersion Program. We will be accepting applications for PK, K and 1st Grades for the 2026-2027 school year. Information sessions will be held virtually over consecutive Fridays, beginning January 16, 2026. All sessions will begin promptly at 4 p.m. and should last no longer than 40 minutes. We will have breakout sessions to present in both English and Spanish. Click the banner below to access the Zoom link.

Friday, January 23 @ 4PM
Friday, January 30 @ 4PM
Friday, February 6 @ 4PM
Friday, February 13 @ 4PM

Nothing says Happy Valentine’s Day like giving your cardiovascular system some love! Raise your heart rate at the 2nd Annual Runnin’ Rattler 5K Fundraiser on Saturday, February 14 at 8:00 AM. Race will take place at Five Mile Dam Park (4440 S Old Stage Coach Rd.). This fundraiser directly supports SMCISD Track & Cross Country programs, so every step truly makes a difference.

We’ll have something for everyone, including:

• A Kids’ 1K
• Dog-walker division
• Stroller-friendly division

Our goal is 200 participants, and we’d love for you to be one of them! See you on race day!

This past weekend, SMHS Cheer competed at the UIL Spirit State Championships, where the team made school history by finishing 38th in the state for 6A Division II Fight Song out of 71 teams.

This achievement reflects months of hard work, perseverance, and commitment from our student-athletes. Their growth, discipline, and pride truly represent the values of San Marcos High School.

Class of ’26, we’re excited to feature you each week on our social media accounts as we count down to May 22—Graduation Day! Please complete this form, using your student Google email account. Be sure all photos are school-appropriate. Make everyday count!