Bobcat BYTE

Dear Parents,

The Legislative Budget Board (LBB), a permanent joint committee of the Texas Legislature that develops recommendations for legislative appropriations for all agencies of state government, is conducting a management and performance review of the Rio Hondo Independent School District.

The primary goal of this survey effort is to improve the quality of education by helping the district better manage its resources. The three main objectives of this review are to (1) identify opportunities to save money or increase revenue, (2) develop strategies to streamline and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations, and (3) highlight exemplary programs that other Texas school districts could replicate.

Please complete the entire survey before exiting. The survey will not allow you to return to your specific response once you have exited. Your responses are anonymous. There are no right or wrong answers. Just select the answer that best describes your response to the survey question.

We are asking that all parents complete the survey no later than Friday, September 11, 2026.

If you have any questions, please email the survey administrator, jessica.pena@lbb.texas.gov, or call 512-463-1200.

Please find the survey link below:

Parents: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RioHondo2026_ParentSurvey

Appreciatively,

Mr. Joel W. Alaffa, M.Ed.

Principal

Rio Hondo High School

22547 State Highway 345

Phone: (956) 748-1200

The Rio Hondo Bobcats are back in action this Friday as they hit the road to take on the Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets!

📅 Friday, September 11, 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM
📍 Benny Layton S.R. Memorial Stadium — Edcouch-Elsa High School

Come out, wear your black and gold, bring the energy, and support our Bobcats under the Friday night lights!

LET’S GO BOBCATS! 🖤💛🏈

#RioHondoBobcats #BobcatNation #GameDay #FridayNightLights #BobcatPride #RHHS #RioHondoHighSchool

Our first Lunch Buddies experience was a wonderful success! This program provided our Life Skills students with an opportunity to connect with their peers, build friendships, and practice important social and communication skills in a welcoming and supportive environment.

A special thank you to Ms. C. Flores for presenting this opportunity and helping make the program possible. Throughout the lunch, students enjoyed meeting new people, sharing conversations, playing games like UNO, laughing together, and learning more about one another.

While these moments may seem simple, they are meaningful opportunities for students to practice communication, social interaction, sharing personal space, and developing genuine connections with their peers. It was especially encouraging to see our general education students engage so naturally and positively with our Life Skills students.

The Lunch Buddies Program has the potential to benefit everyone involved by promoting friendship, compassion, patience, inclusion, and understanding. It is a reminder that differences should never be viewed as limitations, but rather as opportunities to learn from and support one another.

We are proud to continue creating opportunities where every student feels included, valued, and connected within our school community. Our students are already looking forward to their next Lunch Buddies visit!

CATS: Committed • Aspiring • Transformative • Successful
Bobcats Better Together!

Our freshmen are off to a great start in their ELA classrooms! Students are getting “hooked” on using Thinking Maps to organize their ideas, make connections, and strengthen their writing. Through collaboration, discussion, and purposeful planning, our freshmen are developing the skills and confidence needed to become stronger readers, writers, and thinkers.

The encouragement doesn’t stop in the classroom. Our senior Bobcats also took time to create motivational cards for our freshmen, sharing positive messages and words of support as they begin their high school journey. It was a meaningful example of students supporting students and demonstrating what Bobcat pride is all about.

From freshmen building their academic foundation to seniors helping welcome and inspire the next generation, we are proud to see our Bobcats learning, leading, and growing together! 🖤💛🐾

Our seniors are already preparing for life after high school by taking advantage of the support available through our College Advising Center. Students are working with our college advisors to complete college applications, explore postsecondary opportunities, and apply for scholarships that can help make their future goals a reality.

From researching colleges and programs to completing applications and finding financial aid opportunities, our seniors are putting in the work now to prepare for what comes next. The College Advising Center continues to be an important resource, providing students with guidance, encouragement, and one-on-one support throughout the college application process.

We are proud to see our seniors taking initiative, asking questions, and making plans for their futures. Every application submitted and every scholarship opportunity explored is another step toward graduation and the exciting opportunities ahead.

Class of 2027, your future starts now! Stop by the College Advising Center, stay on top of your deadlines, and take advantage of every opportunity available to you.

CATS: Committed • Aspiring • Transformative • Successful
Bobcats Building Their Future!