Week of Dec. 9

The De Zavala Diamonds hosted their Winter Showcase Family Night on Thursday, December 12. Families gathered to hear the student choir take the stage, filling the room with festive songs that captured the spirit of the season. The showcase also featured the De Zavala Diamonds, who dazzled with their precision in critical writing skills and creativity in their displayed classroom work! Thank you to the DZ staff for making it an evening to remember for all who attended.

The vibrant sounds of three San Marcos CISD mariachi ensembles warmed the heart and stirred the souls of the audience on Tuesday, December 10. Each passionate performance blended lively rhythms with timeless melodies. Their trumpets, violins, and guitars filled the Performing Arts Center with warmth, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Mexico through each spirited note. Congratulations to the students and their directors!

San Marcos CISD Families,

The Board of Trustees will vote on the 2025-2026 Academic Calendar at the Regular Scheduled Board Meeting on Monday, December 16. The draft being presented on Monday evening will mirror a more traditional calendar SMCISD has been adopting for the past several academic calendar years. A copy of the draft can be found below by clicking the button.

The 4-day school week will continue to be researched and reviewed for future academic years to ensure the model created for SMCISD is fully developed. We thank the SMCISD Community for the overwhelming feedback we have received throughout this process.

The San Marcos HS Choir program took 10 singers to Johnson HS in San Antonio to participate in the third round of the TMEA All-State process. These students were chosen as one of the top 10 singers in our region and last week they competed for the top 5 chairs to move on to the final round of auditions. SMCISD is incredibly proud of our nine singers (and one alternate) that made it this far. We are excited to announce that three of our singers are moving on to the final audition round in January.

Please congratulate:

Junior, Thomas De La Cruz Tenor 1 FIRST CHAIR

Senior, Lukas Bauerkemper Baritone SECOND CHAIR

Senior, David Rodriguez Tenor 1 FIFTH CHAIR

Furthermore, we'd like to recognize our three students chosen as alternates:

Senior, Mateo Garza Tenor 2 SECOND ALTERNATE

Senior, Molly Sivilay Soprano 1 FIRST ALTERNATE

Junior, Brynn Gardner Soprano 2 SECOND ALTERNATE

San Marcos CISD elementary students were treated to a lively and engaging performance of The Tortoise vs. The Hare, a classic tale brought to life on stage presented by the SMHS Theatre Department. The play, filled with humor and vibrant characters, captivated young audiences as they watched the slow and steady tortoise outsmart the boastful hare in a race that teaches the importance of perseverance, patience, and humility. With colorful costumes and plenty of laughs, the performance not only entertained but also imparted a valuable life lesson that the students will remember for years to come. Great job to our Rattler thespians and technical team members for making this production fabulous!

Kristen Currie, a familiar face of morning news spent some time presenting to the Bowie Champions on Tuesday, December 10. The presentation took students on a journey through the science of weather. Currie explained the processes behind everything from thunderstorms to tornadoes, leaving students in awe of the forces shaping our planet. From learning how weather forecasts are made to exploring extreme phenomena, the session sparked curiosity and showed just how exciting a career in meteorology can be. The students left with a new appreciation for the science behind the weather and a few fun facts and safety measures to share with friends and family! Thank you to Kristie Currie for your expertise and fun in forecasting up some future career paths our Rattlers can consider!

San Marcos High School celebrated the season with their annual Winter Show on Tuesday, December 10. Performances unfolded as a mesmerizing celebration of movement, set against a backdrop of twinkling lights and frosty elegance. Dancers twirled and leapt with precision, their costumes sparkling like snowflakes, while the music—ranging from serene orchestral pieces to upbeat holiday classics—filled the air with energy. Way to go ladies and gentleman!

The San Marcos Lady Rattler Basketball team opened up district play with a (61-52) victory over the Cougars of Canyon High School on Friday night inside the Snake Pit. The Lady Rattlers will host Buda Johnson on Tuesday, December 17 with a tip-off scheduled for 7PM.

Mrs. Wolter's Aquatic Science students dove into hands-on learning with a shark dissection lab this week! From examining anatomy to understanding marine biology, these future scientists are getting up close and personal with the wonders of the ocean.

We are thrilled to announce an incredible opportunity for your student to earn two years of college credits while still in high school through the Early College High School (ECHS) program at San Marcos High School (SMHS)! By joining the ECHS program, your child can earn 50+ college credits — the equivalent of two full years — at absolutely no cost to you or your family. This unique program allows your student to be a Texas State Bobcat and a San Marcos Rattler simultaneously, as we are excited to be partnering with Texas State University.

Students in the ECHS program will be fully supported by a dedicated team at San Marcos High School, ensuring they succeed every step of the way. Ready to help your child start their college journey early? The application is open now and closes on January 10, 2025. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! Apply today by clicking the button below!

The Rattlers continued their non-district schedule playing host to Austin Bowie and Del Valle this week. Coach Dan Miller and his team will open up district play on December 17 on the road against Buda Johnson. Tip-off is set for 7PM.

For three consecutive years, a private donor has gifted every student at Mendez Elementary a book of their choice for the holiday season! We are thankful for the help in encouraging a love for literacy and fostering curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking!

Santa and Mrs. Claus made a magical visit to Hernandez Elementary, spreading holiday cheer and surprising the Heroes with the perfect gift—stuffed animals thanks to a generous donation from Pet Smart! The jolly duo brightened the day as they handed out cuddly companions to each student, filling the air with laughter and joy. It was a heartwarming moment that reminded everyone of the spirit of giving and the magic of the season. Big shoutout to Mrs. Haas' parents for spending volunteering their time to visit with our Heroes!

Thank you to San Marcos Chrysler Dodge Ram for generously donating ukulele's to Rodriguez Elementary! This has opened up a world of musical possibilities for students, offering them the opportunity to explore rhythm, melody, and creativity in a fun and accessible way. Learning the ukulele, with its small size and relatively simple chords, is an excellent introduction to music for young learners. As students strum and sing together, they not only gain a sense of accomplishment but also learn the value of persistence and practice. The ukulele’s bright, cheerful sound brings joy to the classroom, and this donation promises to inspire a lifelong love of music in the students who pick up the instrument!