Welcome to the New School Year!

Welcome, Panthers! This page is a one-stop resource to help our families prepare for the new school year and stay informed throughout the year. We're glad you're here!

WAYS TO BE PREPARED:

Review "Planning for Each School Day" detailed below to prepare your student for the items that they will need each school day.
Review the Parent/Student Handbook to familiarize yourself with all of our school policies and procedures. This document is available through the Panther Portal Resource Board.
Order lunch online. You can find more detailed information in Panther Portal.
Sign up for general aftercare (available each school day until 5:30 p.m.) or one of our many after school clubs and programs.
Learn more about our after-school athletics programs available for students in grades 4-8.
View or download our 2026-27 school year calendar.
Review the daily arrival and dismissal instructions detailed below.
Look at our Back to School Checklist page to ensure you have everything you need before school starts.

Medical Requirements

Immunizations

Rawson Saunders is required to follow all federal and state immunization mandates.

If your child is due for an immunization, or if additional vaccines have been administered since last year, we must have an updated record on file by the first day of classes - August 12, 2026.

*All students in grades 7-8 must have proof of the meningococcal vaccination (MCV4).*

Exemption forms are good for two years after the date of notarization and must be submitted by the first day of school.

Texas law requires that all students in 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades have vision, hearing, and acanthosis nigricans screenings. In addition, scoliosis screenings are required for girls ages 10 and 12, and boys ages 13 or 14. Your child’s pediatrician may complete screenings OR your student can be screened at Rawson Saunders in October 2026, but please note: fees apply.

Sports Physicals

Allergy, Asthma, Seizure Plans

If your student has a severe allergy for which an EpiPen has been prescribed, an Anaphylaxis Action Plan must be completed by a healthcare provider and submitted to the school. Similarly, an Asthma Action Plan or a Seizure Disorder Action Plan is required if a student has a current diagnosis that would require medical treatment during the school day. You can use these forms or ones submitted by your doctor.

Prescription Medications

Policies & Procedures

Planning for Each School Day

Arrival / Dismissal

The school day starts promptly at 7:55 a.m. with drop-off beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Dismissal times are staggered by grade level:

Grades 1-2: 2:45-2:55 p.m.
Grade 3: 3:00-3:10 p.m.
Grades 4-5: 3:15-3:25 p.m.
Grades 6-8: 3:30-3:40 p.m.

All students must be picked up no later than fifteen minutes after their dismissal time ends. After the 15-minute grace period, students are sent to aftercare and parents will be billed.

Traffic Flow / Parking Lot

TRAFFIC FLOW MAP for vehicles at the Exposition Blvd. campus.

When approaching the Exposition Blvd., campus, vehicles should enter from Exposition Blvd., not from McCullough Street. Stay to the right of the entrance-way and pull up to the front of Beverly Hall. Exit onto McCullough Street.

School parking lots are no cell phone zones. Please drive slowly at all times and watch for pedestrians. Pedestrians should use the crosswalk to access campus.

Attendance

Parent / Student Handbook

Technology Requirements

iPads are purchased, configured and issued to students by Rawson Saunders and are expected to last many years. Should a need for a replacement or repair occur, please contact our IT Support Specialist, Skyler Williams.

All students should come to school each day with headphones that are compatible with their devices.

Please review our Technology Requirements document available in the Panther Parent Resource Board.

After School Programs

General Aftercare

After School Programs

Sports Teams

FAQs

School Supplies

Lunch

Each school day, students should either bring a lunch or have pre-ordered a school lunch from Barnison. If you anticipate ordering a school lunch for your child, you will need to create a lunch account.
Please visit the Parent Portal Resource Board and click on the lunch icon for instructions on how to create a school lunch account through Barnison.
There are no microwaves or refrigerators available on campus for students.
No lunch deliveries from home or from outside vendors are allowed.
To ensure all students' safety, no sharing of food is allowed.

School Contacts

Attendance - Alicia Wilson
attendance@rawsonsaunders.org

Head of School
Laura Steinbach, M.S.Ed.

Director of Dyslexia Services
Jamie Nettles, M.Ed., CALT, QI

Assistant Head of Lower School
Chelsa Capers, M.Ed.

Assistant Head of Middle School
Nick Rodriguez, M.Ed.

Dean of Students
Billy Austin

School Nurse
Michelle Donald, M.S.N, RN

Academic Support Coordinator
Kristin Ayat

Business Officer
Bea Swasey, MBA

IT/Database Manager, Registrar
Lisa Williams

IT Support
Skyler Williams

Communications & Marketing Coordinator
Abby Wilson

For any questions not addressed above, please visit the Resource Board on the Panther Portal, or to speak with someone directly, call 512-476-8382.

Staying Informed

Panther Portal

Weekly Newsletter

Text Alerts Opt-in Required

School Calendar

Social Media

Grade-Level GroupChats

Getting Involved

Parent Association

Every parent is automatically a member of the Rawson Saunders Parent Association. PA meetings are held several times a year.

From Lunch Duty volunteer opportunities to Book Fair, there are plenty of ways parents can be involved! Sign up here!

Find out more about our PA on our website and stay tuned for exciting parent opportunities for the upcoming school year!

Annual Fund

The Rawson Saunders Annual Fund Campaign is held each year to provide critical support to our school, allowing us to improve the Rawson Saunders experience by enhancing classrooms, upgrading technology, supporting special programs, fortifying security, and creating meaningful professional development opportunities for our faculty and staff.

Click here to learn more.

Annual Gala Event

Our Rawson Saunders Gala is an annual event that gathers together parents, community members, and friends for an entertaining evening to celebrate accomplishments and support our students!

The Gala provides community members the opportunity to support Rawson Saunders through sponsorships, exciting live and silent auctions, and paddles-up donations.

The Rawson Saunders Gala depends on the volunteerism, donations, and support of our families and community. Email us at development@rawsonsaunders.org to find out how you can get involved or click here to learn more.

September

October

Summer Reading List