Rainier gears up for school year

Teachers and staff across the Rainier School District reported back to work this week, gearing up for the return of students on Monday, Aug. 25. The 2025-26 school year promises to bring both fresh opportunities and new experiences, with the district launching its first ever four-day school week.

While most students will begin classes on Aug. 25, families of preschool and kindergarten students should note that a staggered start schedule is in place. Specific information about start dates and times can be found through contacting Hudson Park Elementary or by visiting our webpage.

The shift to a four-day school week marks a significant change for Rainier schools. The four-day structure is also expected to benefit families and students, providing more flexibility for appointments, jobs, etc. without academic disruption. This flexibility should help improve student attendance. The district anticipates stronger attendance, more consistent classroom learning, and fewer conflicts with athletics and extracurricular schedules. District leaders say the adjustment will open doors to improved professional development opportunities for staff and help with teacher retention, recruitment, and overall job satisfaction. Additionally, the condensed week allows educators to explore different learning opportunities and activities to engage students in new ways.

Over the summer, the district facilities staff has worked hard to make sure the facilities are prepared for the year. Several people have commented that the campus looks the best it has in quite some time. Fresh paint has been applied across multiple buildings, and a new mural now decorates the school courtyard, bringing color and energy to a central gathering place. The memorial garden has been carefully cleaned with a new ticket booth at the stadium. Storm drains have been vacuumed and a large number of other items have been tended to as well. We would like to acknowledge the contributions of our student crews in all that was accomplished. Thanks to generous donations from John Marth, Lemmon's Trucking, Swanson Bark, and Pacific Fibre, the district spread new bark dust across the grounds, giving outdoor spaces a fresh, well-kept appearance. A special thanks goes out to Charles Weaver, Laura Weaver, Sidney Goodrich, Becca Putnam, and Josh Thomas, who helped spruce up Hudson Park Elementary's grounds this weekend. These improvements reflect the community's ongoing commitment to supporting local schools.

With students returning, the district's athletics and activities programs are also set to launch their fall seasons. The first volleyball match will take place on Thursday, Aug. 28 at Clatskanie, and football will be participating in a jamboree on Friday, Aug. 29, at Clatskanie. Boys soccer will hold its home opener on Wednesday, Sept. 3, and girls soccer will kick off their season on Thursday, Aug. 28 with a jamboree at The Dalles. Cross Country's first meet is Saturday, Sept. 6 at Knappa. Full schedules can be found at osaa.org.

As the district prepares to welcome students back to classrooms, the excitement is evident among staff and community members alike. Between the new four-day school schedule, facility updates, and a packed slate of activities, the 2025-26 school year is set to begin with momentum and pride. Go Columbians!