As announced this summer, Rutherford County Schools has launched two new technology tools that will simplify how parents receive information and how they interact with their teachers and coaches to learn about their student’s academics, school announcements, and extra-curricular activities.
The first one is ParentVue by Synergy, and this will be used to see your student’s academic information, including report cards, daily grades, missing assignments, class schedules, etc. It is similar to Skyward that we used last year, but it is much more mobile and user friendly. The companion is called StudentVue and contain similar information for students.
The second app, and perhaps the most important, is MyRCS. Search for “Rutherford County Schools” in your app store, and download it for free.
The MyRCS app will be used by parents to receive messages and interact with your school, teachers, coaches, or band directors depending on the activities students are involved in. This is the sole communication platform we are using for this type of communication this year. It replaces platforms such as ClassDojo, Remind, Band or any others as parents have asked for a one-stop source for school information.
Once downloaded, you can select which schools your children attend to receive a live feed of news items from those schools. By adjusting your preferences, written messages families receive are translated automatically into your preferred language. You can also interact directly teachers and coaches using a featured called “Rooms,” which is a secure two-way communication tool.
Rooms launches Monday and Parents will receive an email or text message inviting them to join their teacher’s or coach’s Room. If you don’t get the email or text, that’s ok. Beginning Monday evening you can visit the Rooms section of the app, or use the login button on your school’s website.
For your login, all you need to enter is the cell phone number you have on file with your school or your email address. You should then receive an access code, and you will be logged in.
For a quick overview of how the platform works, watch this short video introduction. If you have questions or need assistance, visit our Rooms Resources webpage. Links to download the apps are available here.
Rutherford County Schools is excited to offer these communication tools for parents and students. We want to ensure everyone stays informed about their students and schools. Thanks again for your patience and cooperation as we settle in to a new school year.
🎃 Otterween is Coming! We Need Your Help! 🍬
Our 6th Annual Otterween is just around the corner, and we need your help to make this year's event a spooktacular success!
Join us on Friday, October 30th, from 5:30–7:00 PM for an evening of trick-or-treating as our Plainview families walk through the school collecting lots of sweet treats!
To make sure we have plenty of candy for all our little ghosts, goblins, and otters, we are asking our Plainview families to donate bags of candy.
🍬 Let the COUCH COMPETITION begin! 🍬
We're adding a little friendly competition to the fun! Every bag of candy donated will earn ONE POINT for your student's couch. Will it be Provoca, Sumantra, Lutra, or Aonyx that takes home the bragging rights?
Every donation helps us create a fun and memorable evening for our students and families. Thank you for helping make Otterween one of Plainview's sweetest traditions!
Which couch will come out on top? Let the candy competition begin! 🦦🎃🍭
Our 6th Annual Otterween is just around the corner, and we need your help to make this year's event a spooktacular success!
Join us on Friday, October 30th, from 5:30–7:00 PM for an evening of trick-or-treating as our Plainview families walk through the school collecting lots of sweet treats!
To make sure we have plenty of candy for all our little ghosts, goblins, and otters, we are asking our Plainview families to donate bags of candy.
🍬 Let the COUCH COMPETITION begin! 🍬
We're adding a little friendly competition to the fun! Every bag of candy donated will earn ONE POINT for your student's couch. Will it be Provoca, Sumantra, Lutra, or Aonyx that takes home the bragging rights?
Every donation helps us create a fun and memorable evening for our students and families. Thank you for helping make Otterween one of Plainview's sweetest traditions!
Which couch will come out on top? Let the candy competition begin! 🦦🎃🍭
❤️ It’s More Than a Fundraiser.
For the past six years—since the very first year Plainview opened its doors—we have partnered with Apex Leadership Co. Nashville to host our annual Otter Trotter Fun Run.
And during those six years, we’ve heard a question more than once:
“How much of the money does Apex keep, and how much does the school receive?”
It’s a fair question.
We’ve also been asked, “Why doesn’t Plainview just put on the Fun Run ourselves and keep all of the money?”
The answer is simple:
Because this isn’t just a fundraiser.
Yes, the Otter Trotter raises money for our school. Those funds are incredibly important and allow us to provide opportunities, resources, and experiences for our students.
But our partnership with Apex is also an investment in something much bigger.
It is an investment in our kids.
For two weeks, the Apex team becomes part of the Plainview family.
They go into EVERY classroom, EVERY day.
EVERY student receives a bracelet representing that day’s character lesson.
EVERY student is taught that they already have what it takes to be a superhero—not because they can run the fastest, raise the most money, make the best grades, or be the loudest leader, but because of the character they show and the choices they make.
And the lessons don’t end when the Apex team leaves the classroom.
They play soccer with our kids at recess.
They push them on the swings.
They sit beside them at lunch.
They cheer for them in the hallways.
They learn their names.
They encourage them.
And at the end of the day, they stand outside and wave goodbye.
They show up for our kids.
And maybe the most important part?
They keep showing up.
When the Fun Run is over and the fundraising campaign has ended, the relationship doesn't disappear.
Our Apex friends come back for Otterween and pass out candy to our students. They return during Teacher Appreciation Week and provide a meal for our staff.
And sometimes, they come back even after life has taken them somewhere else.
Meet JumpShot Justice. ❤️
JumpShot was part of our Apex team during Plainview’s very first Otter Trotter six years ago. He returned year after year, building relationships with our students along the way.
This year was different. JumpShot has gotten married, started a family of his own, and now works with Apex in Chattanooga. Being part of our Fun Run team this year simply wasn't possible.
But yesterday, he made a special trip back to Plainview.
And our kids remembered him.
More importantly, he remembered them.
One of those students was Marlee Rigsby.
The pictures accompanying this post capture their reunion. The video captures Marlee’s reaction when she realized JumpShot had come back to see them.
There were tears.
His and hers.
And in that moment, you could see exactly why Apex has never been just a fundraiser for Plainview.
Marlee’s mom, Mrs. Rigsby, put into words what relationships like this can mean in the life of a child:
“There is something incredibly powerful about having someone believe in you before you fully know how to believe in yourself. For elementary students, those relationships can shape far more than a school year. They can shape how a child sees themselves.
Our students need adults who will show up, listen, encourage, guide, and pour into them. They need people who remind them that they are capable when they struggle, that they are valued when they feel overlooked, and that they are worth the time and investment.
Years from now, they may not remember every lesson we taught, but they will remember how we made them feel. They will remember who saw something in them, who called out the good, and who helped them recognize their own potential. Sometimes the greatest gift we give a child is a voice of encouragement that eventually becomes their own.
You did that for my girl...and she will never forget it.”
Neither will we.
So, yes, Apex is our fundraising partner.
But when we consider the value of this partnership, we don't measure it only in dollars raised.
We measure it in character lessons taught.
In bracelets proudly worn.
In soccer games at recess.
In lunches shared.
In high-fives in the hallway.
In kids who discover that someone believes in them.
And sometimes, we measure it in the tears of a child who sees someone walk through the doors of her elementary school years later and realizes:
He came back.
He remembered me.
I mattered.
That is why the Otter Trotter is more than a fundraiser.
It is about relationships.
It is about character.
It is about belonging.
It is about investing in children.
At Plainview, our mission is “We Educate All.”
And educating a child has always meant so much more than teaching reading and math.
This is part of educating all, too. ❤️
For the past six years—since the very first year Plainview opened its doors—we have partnered with Apex Leadership Co. Nashville to host our annual Otter Trotter Fun Run.
And during those six years, we’ve heard a question more than once:
“How much of the money does Apex keep, and how much does the school receive?”
It’s a fair question.
We’ve also been asked, “Why doesn’t Plainview just put on the Fun Run ourselves and keep all of the money?”
The answer is simple:
Because this isn’t just a fundraiser.
Yes, the Otter Trotter raises money for our school. Those funds are incredibly important and allow us to provide opportunities, resources, and experiences for our students.
But our partnership with Apex is also an investment in something much bigger.
It is an investment in our kids.
For two weeks, the Apex team becomes part of the Plainview family.
They go into EVERY classroom, EVERY day.
EVERY student receives a bracelet representing that day’s character lesson.
EVERY student is taught that they already have what it takes to be a superhero—not because they can run the fastest, raise the most money, make the best grades, or be the loudest leader, but because of the character they show and the choices they make.
And the lessons don’t end when the Apex team leaves the classroom.
They play soccer with our kids at recess.
They push them on the swings.
They sit beside them at lunch.
They cheer for them in the hallways.
They learn their names.
They encourage them.
And at the end of the day, they stand outside and wave goodbye.
They show up for our kids.
And maybe the most important part?
They keep showing up.
When the Fun Run is over and the fundraising campaign has ended, the relationship doesn't disappear.
Our Apex friends come back for Otterween and pass out candy to our students. They return during Teacher Appreciation Week and provide a meal for our staff.
And sometimes, they come back even after life has taken them somewhere else.
Meet JumpShot Justice. ❤️
JumpShot was part of our Apex team during Plainview’s very first Otter Trotter six years ago. He returned year after year, building relationships with our students along the way.
This year was different. JumpShot has gotten married, started a family of his own, and now works with Apex in Chattanooga. Being part of our Fun Run team this year simply wasn't possible.
But yesterday, he made a special trip back to Plainview.
And our kids remembered him.
More importantly, he remembered them.
One of those students was Marlee Rigsby.
The pictures accompanying this post capture their reunion. The video captures Marlee’s reaction when she realized JumpShot had come back to see them.
There were tears.
His and hers.
And in that moment, you could see exactly why Apex has never been just a fundraiser for Plainview.
Marlee’s mom, Mrs. Rigsby, put into words what relationships like this can mean in the life of a child:
“There is something incredibly powerful about having someone believe in you before you fully know how to believe in yourself. For elementary students, those relationships can shape far more than a school year. They can shape how a child sees themselves.
Our students need adults who will show up, listen, encourage, guide, and pour into them. They need people who remind them that they are capable when they struggle, that they are valued when they feel overlooked, and that they are worth the time and investment.
Years from now, they may not remember every lesson we taught, but they will remember how we made them feel. They will remember who saw something in them, who called out the good, and who helped them recognize their own potential. Sometimes the greatest gift we give a child is a voice of encouragement that eventually becomes their own.
You did that for my girl...and she will never forget it.”
Neither will we.
So, yes, Apex is our fundraising partner.
But when we consider the value of this partnership, we don't measure it only in dollars raised.
We measure it in character lessons taught.
In bracelets proudly worn.
In soccer games at recess.
In lunches shared.
In high-fives in the hallway.
In kids who discover that someone believes in them.
And sometimes, we measure it in the tears of a child who sees someone walk through the doors of her elementary school years later and realizes:
He came back.
He remembered me.
I mattered.
That is why the Otter Trotter is more than a fundraiser.
It is about relationships.
It is about character.
It is about belonging.
It is about investing in children.
At Plainview, our mission is “We Educate All.”
And educating a child has always meant so much more than teaching reading and math.
This is part of educating all, too. ❤️
Congratulations to Mrs. Bolden, our Rising Star Teacher. She was nominated for her incredible vision and follow-through. She sees every student, recognizes their unique strengths and needs, and works intentionally to help each child grow. We are so proud to celebrate the positive impact she makes every day!
Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Zierman is a calm, consistent, and caring teacher who creates a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. We are so grateful for the love, dedication, and commitment she pours into her students each day. She truly makes a difference!
Greeting Plainview Families,
Rutherford County Schools has adopted the Raptor Safe mobile app as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety and streamlining visitor management in our schools. This app builds on our existing visitor procedures, offering a more convenient and secure check-in process for everyone.
What is the Raptor Safe App?
The Raptor Safe app offers a convenient and secure way for visitors to manage and verify their identity before arriving at a school. With the Raptor Passport feature, visitors can pre-verify their identity, allowing for a seamless sign-in process when they arrive on campus.
How Does It Work?
When visiting a school, visitors can use their secure QR code generated by the app to expedite the check-in process. QR codes automatically regenerate every 5 minutes to ensure security and prevent misuse.
Getting Started
The Raptor Safe app is available to all visitors across the district. To download the app, please visit https://raptortech.com/raptorsafe-app/.
For information on how to register yourself in Raptor, please see the video at the link: Create Raptor Safe Passport on Vimeo
Thank you for helping us keep our schools safe. Have a great day!
Rutherford County Schools has adopted the Raptor Safe mobile app as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety and streamlining visitor management in our schools. This app builds on our existing visitor procedures, offering a more convenient and secure check-in process for everyone.
What is the Raptor Safe App?
The Raptor Safe app offers a convenient and secure way for visitors to manage and verify their identity before arriving at a school. With the Raptor Passport feature, visitors can pre-verify their identity, allowing for a seamless sign-in process when they arrive on campus.
How Does It Work?
When visiting a school, visitors can use their secure QR code generated by the app to expedite the check-in process. QR codes automatically regenerate every 5 minutes to ensure security and prevent misuse.
Getting Started
The Raptor Safe app is available to all visitors across the district. To download the app, please visit https://raptortech.com/raptorsafe-app/.
For information on how to register yourself in Raptor, please see the video at the link: Create Raptor Safe Passport on Vimeo
Thank you for helping us keep our schools safe. Have a great day!
We are excited to announce that our Otter Cafe will be opening next week (Sept. 15th - 17th) for parent lunches. Lunches will be by RESERVATION only. Due to space, we are limited to 5 people per grade level. Schedule permitting, our Otter Cafe will be open each week for parent lunches. The lunch days/times are as follows:
TUESDAYS: Kindergarten (10:10 am - 10:55 am) & 2nd Grade (11:45 am - 12:35 pm)
WEDNESDAYS: 3rd Grade (10:20 am - 11:10 am) & 5th Grade (10:50 am - 11:35 am)
THURSDAYS: 1st Grade (10:35 am - 11:25 am) & 4th Grade (11:20 am - 12:10 pm)
Voluntary Pre-K will not have reservations available at this time.
A link to reserve your spot will be posted in your students Room on the Rutherford County Schools app. Reservations are limited to custodial parents and/or people on your approved emergency pick-up list. To have anyone additional come, please reach out to our office at 615-904-6790.
When you come, we ask that you bring your photo ID, keys and phone but leave everything else in the car as you will be going through our weapons detection system. No photo ID = no entrance into the school. Outside food is allowed, but only for you and your student, not other students in their class.
We are very excited to welcome you back to Plainview this year! Please check your student's ROOM tomorrow, 9/9, for a link to RSVP. If you don't get a spot this week, try again next week. Our space is very limited.
TUESDAYS: Kindergarten (10:10 am - 10:55 am) & 2nd Grade (11:45 am - 12:35 pm)
WEDNESDAYS: 3rd Grade (10:20 am - 11:10 am) & 5th Grade (10:50 am - 11:35 am)
THURSDAYS: 1st Grade (10:35 am - 11:25 am) & 4th Grade (11:20 am - 12:10 pm)
Voluntary Pre-K will not have reservations available at this time.
A link to reserve your spot will be posted in your students Room on the Rutherford County Schools app. Reservations are limited to custodial parents and/or people on your approved emergency pick-up list. To have anyone additional come, please reach out to our office at 615-904-6790.
When you come, we ask that you bring your photo ID, keys and phone but leave everything else in the car as you will be going through our weapons detection system. No photo ID = no entrance into the school. Outside food is allowed, but only for you and your student, not other students in their class.
We are very excited to welcome you back to Plainview this year! Please check your student's ROOM tomorrow, 9/9, for a link to RSVP. If you don't get a spot this week, try again next week. Our space is very limited.
IT’S TIME!
Enrollment and registration for the 2026–2027 school year are now underway!
Returning RCS families will receive an email today or tomorrow, July 22–23, with instructions for completing registration and verifying their student’s information. Emails are being sent gradually due to the large number of families, so please allow the entire day today and tomorrow before reporting that you have not received yours. Returning students must wait for this email before beginning registration.
New RCS families may begin enrolling now at www.rcschools.net/enroll.
Once you receive your registration email, the PES office is happy to help! Call us at 615-904-6790
Enrollment and registration for the 2026–2027 school year are now underway!
Returning RCS families will receive an email today or tomorrow, July 22–23, with instructions for completing registration and verifying their student’s information. Emails are being sent gradually due to the large number of families, so please allow the entire day today and tomorrow before reporting that you have not received yours. Returning students must wait for this email before beginning registration.
New RCS families may begin enrolling now at www.rcschools.net/enroll.
Once you receive your registration email, the PES office is happy to help! Call us at 615-904-6790
Rutherford County School is committed the well-being of our students and their families. The list of organizations and services below is provided for informational purpose and may offer support to students and families in need.
https://rucoschools.my.canva.site/rcs-community-resources
https://rucoschools.my.canva.site/rcs-community-resources
With gratitude and admiration, RCS honors our newest retirees. With nearly 730 years of combined service to Rutherford County Schools, they will be missed.
Thank you for your service to our community!
See more photos: https://www.rcschools.net/apps/news/article/2177060?categoryId=6409
Our Teachers of the Year represent the best of education. With 582 years of service to Rutherford County Schools (and even more in education), their commitment to student success and love of learning truly set the standard for excellence. Thank you for inspiring greatness in our students and making a difference every single day.
Full photo gallery here: https://www.rcschools.net/apps/news/article/2177060?categoryId=6409
