Treviño focuses on student opportunities

Raul Trevino

By ARABELLA SERRATA
Special to the NEWS

RIO HONDO, TX—The local public school district has released the latest episode of its online show, Super Talk. In it, Rio Hondo High School P-Tech junior Alexia Rodriguez spoke with RHISD Superintendent Raul J. Treviño about various matters concerning the district.

Rodriguez immediately jumped into the questions, asking Treviño why early registration was necessary to students and their parents. Treviño stated that early registration is essential because the district makes many decisions based on the number of registrations. “We plan based on those [registration] numbers… depending on the number of students we have, that’s how many teachers we employ,” said Treviño.

Rodriguez then asked how Rio Hondo ISD [RHISD] is helping its students graduate with an associate’s degree. Treviño explained that the district’s P-TECH program and partnership with Texas Southmost College are what enable the students to earn a two-year degree. According to the district’s P-TECH website, the program offers a “no-cost, two-year post-secondary degree in a STEM field” and allows students to gain workplace experience through internships and on-site visits.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure our students are successful after high school, that they get into colleges of their choice, get to live their dreams, and being a part of P-TECH and getting their associate’s degree is a big part of that,” said Treviño.

Following up on the previous question, Rodriguez asked Treviño what career opportunities RHISD helps students explore. Health care, welding, veterinary science, law enforcement, and culinary arts were a few that Treviño highlighted. He also mentioned that the certifications offered at the school help make this possible. They allow students to go “straight into the workforce,” according to Treviño.

Rodriguez asked Treviño what he was proud of within the district. Treviño stated that the use of resources was something he greatly appreciated. He noted the district’s donation of a schoolhouse to the City of Rio Hondo, which will be made into a new City Hall and museum. He explained that this action not only alleviates the district from upkeeping the building but is also being used for the public good while maintaining good relations with the city. Treviño also highlighted the old football field in front of an elementary school in the district that was not in use, which was sold in order to provide funds for a roofing project at an elementary campus. Treviño also mentioned the district’s use of grants, which allowed them to get new buses for the district.

“We continue to look at what our resources are and to provide the best education and experience of coming to school for our students, we possibly can,” said Treviño.

Rodriguez also questioned Treviño about the recent changes made in the district’s athletic department. Treviño revealed that Rio Hondo High School recently received a brand-new weight room through a generous individual. Treviño mentioned that the renovations reworked the room “from the floor, all the way to the ceiling.” The equipment and materials from the high school weight room were passed down to the Rio Hondo Middle School, which did not have a weight room prior. The high school weight room is set to be finished in three to four weeks, according to Treviño.

“It takes a whole community to come together and provide a high-quality education for our students, and that’s something we are doing very well in Rio Hondo. We’re growing, providing more programs, finding better facilities, we’re using our resources in a great way, and we encourage all of our parents to come out and register their kids as early as possible,” said Treviño.