It’s the First Day of School – How does this work?

Schedules: The RRISD Home Access Center (HAC) site is scheduled to open Monday, 8/12/24, by 5 p.m., for high schoolers to be able to view their class schedule from there. If you have questions or would like to learn more about HAC, please see the HAC website. You will go straight to your 1st period class the first day of school. Go to all classes listed on your schedule, even if you feel there may be a mistake. If you have an issue with your schedule, email your counselor to arrange changes if possible. If there is a class period missing on your schedule, so you do not have a class to go to, please go to your Counselor's office at the time scheduled for that period that is missing to get it taken care of. *Upper classman: If you do not have a 1^st period class, come to school by 2nd period, or if you are on campus, go to the Cafeteria during 1st period. For everyone, There will be lots of staff members available to help students find their way…if a student has an issue, just look for a staff member and they will be happy to help.

What is the schedule of classes every day?

Click here to view the daily bell schedule for the 2024-25 school year.

What does my student need the first day?

There are no school supply lists…your teachers will let you know what you need for each class over the first few days of school. For the first day, bring your CHARGED RRISD Chromebook, a backpack, as well as a something to write with and a binder or notebook of some kind to store any paperwork or information you are given. 

My student has a Doctor appointment…what do I do?

Attendance processes are still the same. When the student arrives to school first thing in the morning, they will come to the attendance desk at the front of the school to bring their parent note, and receive a pass to leave class at the time specified in the parent note (If your student is a driver, please note that on their excuse letter). The pass the student receives will allow them to leave class at the designated time and come to the front office to meet their guardian who will physically sign them out. Alternatively, a guardian or approved authorized picked up person can enter the main entrance and request for their student to be brought down to the front of the building while they wait, and be signed out to leave the campus. When the students returns to campus, please submit doctor note or other approved absence excuse to the Attendance Office so the class absence(s) can be marked excused.

Student Absences – How do I report absences?

You do not need to call the attendance office. If a student is absent, please send an electronic note (email), to the MHS attendance specialist, Ms. Thompson.  Or upon students returning to campus, you may have the student bring a note the next day and turn that into the Attendance Office. *It is very important to report absences to the attendance office in a timely fashion - you have only 5 days to report absences for them to be excused.* Absence notes cannot be accepted weeks/months after the absence occurs.

My student’s schedule is messed up…what happens now?

Students will need to contact their counselor through their student google account if a mistake was made on their schedule (e.g., you were placed in Spanish II, and you should be in Spanish I). The current Counselor alphabet breakdown, listing, and contact info can be viewed on the Counselors' website. Please note the alphabetical changes to counselors for the 24-25 school year.

Be aware that there are very few scenarios where schedule changes are allowed as staffing is filled based on student choices. Allowable reason for changes that must be requested within the first 10 days of school are:

1. The student is a senior not scheduled in a course needed for graduation.
2. The student has already earned credit for a course in which he/she is currently scheduled.
3. The student does not have the prerequisite(s) for a class listed on his/her schedule.
4. The student has previously failed a course with the same teacher.
5. The student has been dismissed from a program where approval must be granted for placement.
6. The student does not have a full schedule.
7. A data entry error (no lunch, class listed twice, free period, etc.) has occurred.
8. The student needs intervention/remedial coursework for STAAR EOC graduation requirements.

Student schedules will not be changed to select a different teacher or lunch periods or to drop a previously selected elective. When a student enrolls in a course (such as a correspondence course) completed outside of the school day, the student must provide documentation of completion of the course not later than the first day of the semester in order to be eligible for a schedule adjustment.

Flex Time – I keep hearing about this, what is it?

Flex Time is a 30 minute period carved out of every school day for students to have study hall, tutorials, enrichment, or whatever the student needs to work on. Flex Time is 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. each day. This is a GREAT way to use the time to get a jump on homework, projects or just reach out for extra help. Students have the choice of staying in their Flex Home Base (your home base changes daily), or they can alternatively sign up to go to any class available through the Flex Time Portal. After the first few weeks of school, Fridays are Club Days during Flex Time. It’s also a great idea to schedule doctor appointments around the Flex Time to minimize classes being missed. It can seem confusing or overwhelming, but students will get trained on the system and get used to it very quickly.

Tutorials

If the Flex Times for a specific class that’s needed are full, or the student needs something extra, there are also before and after school Tutorials available. Check with the teacher as well as the online tutorial schedule.

What is A/B Day and Double Blocked Classes?

Students do attend every class in their schedule every day. A Days cover Periods 1 – 4, and B Days cover Period 5 – 8. The A/B Day Calendar for 2024-2025 is listed here. Double Blocked classes are classes that are attended on both A & B days. Not to worry, this is another thing that students will become familiar with *very* quickly.

What are the office hours?

Office hours at McNeil are 8:25am – 4:30pm.

Student Drop Off/Pick up – Where is it and how long does it take?

School starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 4:20 p.m. For 24-25 school year, student drop off will be done at the back parking lot. Student pick up will be done at the back parking lot as well as the Performing Arts Center parking lot. Click here for a detailed video showing all pick up and drop off processes. The time is takes is subject to traffic…it can be either a brief process or VERY long, so put your patient pants on and be friendly in the parking lot. :D

How early can I drop my student off?

Unless there are pre-arranged appointments with staff members, students can enter the building starting at 8:25 a.m.

My student has an athletic class – What do they wear? Where do they turn in physicals?

Each sport handles practice uniforms differently…and they will let you know in the first few days of practice. There are several forms and physical forms that need to be completed and/or uploaded online as well through Rank One. Please visit the RRISD RankOne website and either log in or create a new account through RRISD.

What if my student forgets something at home and needs it at school?

If you have an urgent item to drop off, label the item with your student’s name, grade, and ID#. Bring the item to the reception office, and the receptionist will let you know the next step. Items will not be delivered to students, but they can come to the reception area to collect their items.

How can a parent get a message to their student at school?

Student cell phone/text usage is sporadic during the day, depending on their classes. If you are not able to get in touch with students through cell phones and have an *urgent* message, call the main school line: 512-464-6300.

Is there a dress code in High School?

Dress code details can be found within the RRISD Student Handbook document. The dress and grooming standards section begins on page 67.

Can students bring cell phones?

Cell phones can be used before school and after school. During class time, smart phones can be utilized as a technology device for instructional purposes, at the teacher’s discretion.

When is lunch, and how much is it?

Lunches start at 11:05 am and run until 1:08 pm. There are three lunches A, B, and C. Costs can vary based on what the student buys. Base lunches and A La Carte items are available for purchase. Your 2nd period teacher will let you know which lunch you have so you know when to go. School lunches are paid for through the barcode on the student's ID and crediting money to that account can be made online through My School Bucks, or by access the My School Bucks account through the RRISD App. Payments can also be made with cash or check on campus.

Can students go off campus for lunch?

No, only seniors are allowed off campus for lunch.

What if my student loses their ID card?

Students can purchase a new ID card for $5.00. Please go to the Library for assistance.

How do students know which bus to ride?

The quickest way to find your bus route is to go to the Transportation page of RRISD. The buses to return home will load up by the cafeteria.