The McNeil 2025 Homecoming Football Game is Friday, September 12

Celebrate Homecoming 2025 with this year's HoCo shirt! This is a PRE-ORDER ONLY. Extra inventory will not be purchased so get yours today. Shirts on sale until Friday, 8/29/25. Shirts will be delivered by Monday, 9/8/25 to wear during Homecoming week and to the game!

Homecoming T-Shirts YOUR Mavs play Westwood on Friday, September 12 at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex in the 2025 Homecoming Football Game. Order your 2025 McNeil Homecoming Shirt online: https://bit.ly/HoCo25Shirts Dark Green Mavericks HoCo 25 Shirt. SoftStyle shirt, classic uni-sex fit, made of 100% preshrunk ringspun cotton.

Important Upcoming Dates

Monday, August 25, 2025 - Enforcement of Student Parking of violations begin; See below for additional information.

Wednesday, August 27 - We are Blood Drive at McNeil High School for Students and Staff. Click HERE for the We are Blood Drive at McNeil Flyer for the first McNeil Blood Drive of the year on Wednesday, August 27.
GO MAVS!

Thursday, August 28 - First Football Game - McNeil v. Weiss at the Pfield, 7PM Kick Off (see below for more information)

Friday, August 29 - MHS HOMEWORK-FREE WEEKEND - Beginning Friday, August 29 through Tuesday, September 2 Labor Day Student & Staff Holiday (Monday)

Monday, September 1 - NO SCHOOL - Student and Staff Holiday (Labor Day)

Tuesday, September 2 - 2025 RRISD COLLEGE FAIR -- Tuesday Sep 2, 2025 6PM - 8PM (info below)

Thursday, September 4 - First Home Football Game of the Season v. Lake Belton at Gupton Stadium; 7PM Kickoff. GO MAVS!

Monday, September 8 - Open House; Begins in the Cafeteria at 6PM, then meet your Maverick's Teachers; ends at 8PM.

Friday, September 12 - HOMECOMING Football Game: McNeil v. Westwood @ Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex; 7PM Kickoff. GO MAVS!

Saturday, September 13 - 2025 Central Texas U.S. Service Academy Forum at Cedar Ridge High School

Wednesday, September 17 - Choir Fall Concert; 7PM at the Raymond E. Hartfield PAC

Wednesday, October 1 - McNeil Theatre Presents: "The Addams Family Musical", 7:00PM at the Raymond E. Hartfield Performing Arts Center, 5800 McNeil Dr, Austin, TX 78729

Wednesday, October 22 - The PSAT for McNeil 10th and 11th graders is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22. Click HERE for more information on the PSAT / NMSQT Exam. Also, see this flyer for an opportunity to to Prepare for the PSAT. More information will be emailed to students and families as we get closer to the PSAT Date.

Community News

2025 RRISD COLLEGE FAIR

Tuesday, Sep 2, 2025, 6PM - 8PM -- Don't miss the upcoming College Fair featuring over 100 colleges, trade schools, and military representatives—all in one place! The 2025 RRISD College Fair is earlier this year to align with the new, earlier opening of FAFSA applications. This is a valuable opportunity for students and families to connect with college representatives and explore postsecondary options. Students should register to get a personal QR code—colleges will scan it at the fair to stay in touch!
Registration Link -https://virtualcollegefairsusa.com/student/signup

The event will be hosted at Round Rock High School (201 Deep Wood Dr, Round Rock, TX 78681)

RRISD VOICE Applications NOW Open

Maverick Students... Are you interested in joining the VOICE to engage with district leaders and advocate for important student issues? Ready to design a project that will be shared at a statewide conference?

Visit the VOICE website to APPLY TODAY or discover more about the program.

roundrockisd.org/o/rrisd/page/voice

Applications are due on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

News from the McNeil Counseling Department:

Did you know… College Representatives visit McNeil Students regularly? Click HERE to see a calendar with the upcoming list of Colleges coming to the McNeil College & Career Center (in Office Suite 6, located in the back of the Cafeteria) from 11AM - 1 PM, on the date(s) listed below. Maverick students and families that have questions about applying to college should check the McNeil Counseling Department webpage: Applying to College & Career Future Goals and contact Mr. Brandon Tate, McNeil High School Lead Counselor, with any additional questions. GO MAVERICKS! Upcoming Recruiters from Colleges and Universities:

Wednesday, August 27 - Texas State University

Wednesday, September 3 - Michigan State University

Wednesday, September 3 - University of Missouri-Columbia

Wednesday, September 10 - Concordia University Texas

Tuesday, September 16 - University of Arkansas

Friday, September 26 - Indiana University-Bloomington

Monday, September 29 - The University of Alabama

Student Parking Permit Information

Student parking permits need to be purchased and displayed in vehicles by Friday, August 22. Enforcement of violations begin August 25, 2025.
Parking Permit Sales occur throughout the school year. There are still Reserved Senior spots available for purchase.
Please fill out the parking permit application linked below and then complete the purchase of your permit. Parking permits can be purchased, if not online, and picked up in Suite 4 (Room B110).

Additional information is included in the links below.

25-26 McNeil HS Parking Permit Application Form

Parent / Student Driver Informational Letter

Student Parking Map

* ALL Students MUST purchase a Parking Permit before they can park on McNeil Campus.

* ONLY SENIORS are allowed to leave campus during the school day and only at their assigned lunch time.

* Parking permits are $25.00 for the entire year, payable in exact change cash, by check, or the eStore after the form is completed.

* Senior ONLY Reserved Parking for Project Graduation is sold separately at an additional cost of $100 payable to the McNeil PTSA. These permits are limited to the first 200 students with a complete and valid application.

* ALL Students must have a valid Driver's License at the time of purchase to receive their parking permit. A Learner's License will not be accepted.

* ALL Students must be listed as a driver or additional driver on the car insurance and it must have a valid date.

Traffic at McNeil High School

The MOST important thing we do at McNeil High School is ensure our students are safe. This includes before and after school, during student arrival and dismissal. So, how do we ensure 2,800 people are safe as they ALL try to leave the same place at the exact same time? It takes YOUR HELP!

If you have not done so already, please view this screencastify video for updated "Traffic and Parking Instructions" or this Google Presentation. Watching and following the directions in this video will ensure our students are safe and will also save you time.

NOTE: DO NOT PARK at the YMCA before or after school! As we communicated last week via text and email, McNeil High School Administration was advised the YMCA is hiring off-duty police officers to manage their parking lot situation and is also contracting with a tow truck company to begin removing vehicles that do not belong to YMCA members or visitors during the 2025-2026 school year.

PLEASE DO NOT park or drive through the YMCA parking lot during school drop-off or pick-up hours
The YMCA will begin towing non-member vehicles from their lot.

Maverick Nurses’ Message

Maverick Parents and Guardians, Please be on the lookout for an email from Round Rock ISD concerning parent permission for healthcare services. McNeil Nurses will not be able to assess, screen, or treat any student who do not have this form filled out. This is in response to the passage of Texas Senate Bill 12 (linked here for your convenience).

Please note: the form will need to be filled out on a computer. The form does not work on a phone.

McNeil Fine Arts Spotlight

The McNeil High School Chamber Singers have been selected to perform at the 2026 Southwest American Choral Directors Association (SWACDA) Regional Convention in March.

The ensemble was one of 45 chosen out of hundreds of choirs across Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The invitation is the result of a multi-year audition process, requiring choirs to submit recordings from the previous three years.

The SWACDA convention, held every two years, is considered one of the most prestigious gatherings of choral programs in the region. Choirs invited to perform are recognized for excellence in musicianship, artistry, and growth.

“This is an incredible honor for our students and our program,” said Wendi Burwinkel, director of the Chamber Singers. “We are so proud of this program’s growth and hard work.”

The team will work with Dr. Julie Yu from Oklahoma City University as a demonstration choir for the selected undergraduate conducting students. (as featured on https://www.roundrockisd.org/article/2365250)

Maverick Sports Center

This week in Maverick Sports: 8/24 - 8/30

Tennis: Tuesday, August 26 Varsity Tennis @ Weiss HS Friday, August 29 Varsity Tennis vs Cedar Park @ McNeil

Water Polo: Tuesday, August 26 vs Hays HS at 4:30 RRISD Aquatic Center (2801 Gattis School Rd) Friday, August 29, Water Polo @ Midway HS Greater Waco YMCA (6800 Harvey Dr, Waco, TX 76710)

Volleyball: Tuesday, August 26 vs. Vandegrift at McNeil. Flex: 5:30pm, JV: 5:30pm, Freshman: 6:30pm, Varsity: 6:30pm. Volleyball August 28 – 30, 2025 Varsity @ Smithson Valley Tournament

Cross Country: Friday, August 29 at the Pro Fit Invitational. James Wilson Park (1909 Curtis B Elliot Dr, Temple, TX 76501)

Football: Wednesday, August 27, v. Weiss Freshman Blue - 5:00 PM @ Weiss
JV - 6:00 PM @ Maverick Stadium
Freshman Green - 6:30 PM @ Weiss; Thursday, August 28, Varsity, 7PM at The Pfield (1440 W Pecan St, Pflugerville, TX 78660).

Varsity Volleyball Team Photo, Fall 2025

Maverick Volleyball WINS First District Game of the Season

ALL 4 of YOUR Maverick Volleyball Teams' WON their First Home Volleyball Game of the Season v. Manor last Tuesday in STRAIGHT SETS!

Click HERE to see the final point of YOUR VARSITY Mavericks WIN over Manor.

WAY TO GO MAVS!

Cross Country

YOUR Varsity Boys Team placed 4th as a team out of 24 schools. Maverick, Noah Menchaca was a medalist finishing 12th!

YOUR Varsity Girls Team placed 9th as a team with Maverick Justine Peterson WINNING 3rd OVERALL!

YOUR JV Girls placed 12th and YOUR JV Boys placed 8th. WAY TO GO MAVS!

Click here for more on YOUR Maverick Cross Country Teams on Instagram!

Justine Peterson and Noah Menchaca, Cross Country Medalists!

Maverick Athletic celebrations will be added weekly!

First Maverick Football Game of the Season

YOUR McNeil Varsity Football Team will take on Weiss at The Pfield on Thursday, 8/28/25. Kick Off is at 7PM. (The Pfield is located at 1440 W Pecan St, Pflugerville, TX 78660). Click HERE for a Visitors' Parking Map.

ONLINE TICKETING ONLY - NO CASH ACCEPTED: https://pfisd.hometownticketing.com/embed/event/922 (PfISD says tickets will be on sale starting Monday at 8AM.) Important info from PfISD about the game:

Spectators are not permitted to cross to the home side during halftime unless they have proper credentials.
The Pfield is a clear bag facility and have metal detectors at the entrance. Please encourage your fans to arrive early to avoid any delays.
Parents will be expected to leave immediately and will not be given access to the players, performers, and coaches inside the stadium.
Parents and fans will not be allowed to come on to the field.

Lend a helping arm, WE ARE BLOOD Banner.

FIRST Blood Drive of the Year...

McNeil We Are Blood Drive Flyer, 8-27-2025

Click HERE for the We are Blood Drive at McNeil Flyer for the first McNeil Blood Drive of the year on Wednesday, August 27. Students and Staff may schedule their appointment at weareblood.org/donor with group code: A249

GO MAVS!

McNeil Women's Lacrosse Information

ALL Lady Mavericks are interested in playing Lacrosse are invited to attend the informational meeting of the RRISD Combined Lacrosse Team at Westwood High School.

GO MAVS!

Notable Documents & Links

RRISD 2025-2026 Calendar

2025-2026 McNeil A/B Day Calendar

2025-2026 McNeil High School Bell Schedule

McNeil High School website

MHS HOMEWORK-FREE WEEKEND Dates

Parking and Traffic Flow Presentation

RRISD 2025 - 2026 Student Handbook

McNeil HS Assessment and Grading Policy (Updated for SY 2025-2026)

RRISD 2026-2027 Calendar (NEXT YEAR)

2025 - 2026 Maverick Fine Arts and Sport Schedules

Here are links to YOUR Maverick Sports Teams’ Game schedules and Fine Arts Schedules.

2025 Maverick Football Schedule

2025 McNeil Volleyball Schedule

Fall 2025 Varsity and JV Tennis Schedule

2025 Cross Country Schedule

2025 McNeil Water Polo Schedule

Schedules will be added as they are made available by the Directors and Coaches.

Homecoming Mums and Garters - Majestics Fundraiser

Need help preparing your MUM… Read below for YOUR Annual McNeil Majestics Mum Fundraiser

YOUR McNeil Homecoming Football Game is Friday, Sep 12, 2025!

Need help preparing your MUM… Click HERE for more information and read below for YOUR Annual McNeil Majestics Mum fundraiser

Did you know… Chrysanthemums, or “MUMS” are a Texas tradition given to your Homecoming date, friends, or even yourself!

Celebrate and wear your mum to class, for the Pep Rally, and during the Homecoming Football Game on Friday, Sep 12, 2025!

The Majestics Dance Team is taking orders Aug 1 - Sep 3, 2025. Order yours today and choose from: Mum Kits, Mini/Spirit Ready-Made Mums for pre-order, Variety of ribbons in MHS school colors, garlands, and trinkets to add for a truly personalized mum.

Maverick Mums are ready-made mums and will be sold at the Open House, limited in quantities and sizes. To PICK UP a kit or some exclusive McNeil ribbons, go to...

McNeil Cafeteria on Thursdays and Fridays, Aug 21 - 22, Aug 28 - 29, Sep 4 - 5

(Majestics Representatives will be on the stage during Lunch time.)

Open House, Sep 8th, 6:00 PM (Majestics Booth)

There are limited quantities. Arrive early before we are sold out!

To order a kit AND mum supplies (trinkets, exclusive MHS ribbons, or garlands), ORDER through the website and pick up...Thursday and Friday, Aug 28 - 29 and/or Sep 4 - 5.

Order by Wednesday, 11:59 PM each week to guarantee pick up on Thursday or Friday of the same week. NOTE: There are limited quantities. Place your order early before kits and mum supplies are sold out!

And THANK YOU MAVFamily FOR SUPPORTING YOUR MAJESTICS FOR THE 2025 - 26 SCHOOL YEAR!

McNeil HS PTSA

Click HERE for important information from YOUR MAVulous McNeil @McNeilHSPTSA. To join the McNeil PTSA visit JoinPTA.org. Additionally you can visit www.mcneilptsa.com to buy McNeil Spirit Wear (on the Store Tab) and sign up to receive weekly emails about future McNeil activities and special events. MHS PTSA weekly updates are sent on Sundays

McNeil HS PTSA Store

Visit www.mcneilptsa.com to buy McNeil Spirit Wear (click on the Store Tab).

2025 Central Texas U.S. Service Academy Forum

Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Cedar Ridge High School

Cedar Ridge High School

Fine Arts Auditorium

2801 Gattis School Rd

Round Rock, TX 78664-3808

FREE. No Reservation Necessary.

This forum is intended for students, parents, and educators and will provide information about the admissions process to ail 5 U.S. Service Academies. The 5 academies include: the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

We encourage you to stay for each portion of the forum. The forum will include:

• Lobby time to meet with both congressional and academy representatives

• A speech from Congressman Sessions

• Academy admissions panel

• Congressional panel

• Parent perspective

• Academy Board perspective

• Cadet/Midshipman perspective

NOW OPEN: Free & reduced school meal application for eligible families. It takes only 5 minutes to apply and your application is completely confidential. For more details and to apply click HERE: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

Does your student have an upcoming Driver’s License appointment? If so, YOU WILL need a Verification of Enrollment form. The VOE Request Form and MANY MORE resources are available on our MAV Campus Website and Students Section.

Click HERE for the McNeil HS Transcript Request Form.

Each week we send out this newsletter to CELEBRATE OUR Mavericks and share important information about upcoming events. If you see something missing from a MavMail, reach out to the sponsor of the team, club, or event and ask them to have it added to the next MavMail.

You'll find more MAVtacular Events on our Community Calendar and the MHS IB Corner Newsletter:

McNeil High School Community Calendar

MHS IB Corner Newsletter

The latest edition of MavMail will be emailed and posted on most Sundays at 5PM.

Due to the School Holiday next week, the Next MavMail will be Monday, September 1.

Do you want more information about McNeil High School?

Website: https://mcneil.roundrockisd.org/
Address: 5720 McNeil Road, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: (512) 464-6300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rrisd.mcneil
Twitter: @MHSmavs

Are you looking for MORE ways to stay informed of ALL the aMAVzing news from McNeil High School?

Follow YOUR MHS Student Council!

Read the OFFICIAL Student Newspaper: The Trailblazer, and visit this site to read our daily student announcements.

Important Information from Previous MavMails...

Click these links for previous editions of MavMail:

August 17, 2025

August 10, 2025

August 1, 2025

World Class Mavs are Safe. Respectful. Responsible:

Maverick Student Expectation Presentations Through FLEX

YOUR Maverick Students are participating in informational sessions facilitated by their 1st / 5th period teaches during our FLEX Period. We share this information with Maverick Families for discussions and to ensure the entire Maverick Community is aware of what makes McNeil Students World Class Mavericks -- Safe, Respectful, and Responsible! 2025-2026 McNeil High School FLEX Student Presentation

Additionally, McNeil Administration will be hosting Class Expectation meetings this week on the designated days linked in the information above.

If you have any questions, please reach out to YOUR Maverick's Assistant Principal. Click HERE for the contact information of YOUR McNeil High School Administration Team.

All Maverick students exchanged their current Chromebook for a NEW Chromebook during the First Week of School

If your student did NOT receive a new chromebook please email Richard_Raney@RoundRockISD.org or Jessica_Thailing@RoundRockISD.org.

THANK YOU to our MAVtastic Community for approving the most recent RRISD Bond providing

As a reminder, all Maverick students need to bring their RRISD Chromebook to school every day.

Mark your Calendars...

Class of 2026 Graduation, Friday, May 22, 2026 at 2PM

Updates from Round Rock ISD: Cell phone Update From Round Rock ISD -- A new state law requires students to store personal communication devices out of sight from bell to bell. Items that must now be stored away all day on Round Rock ISD campuses include:

● Personal cell phones

● Tablets

● Gaming devices

● Smart watches

● Bluetooth headphones or earbuds

● Fitness trackers that can send or receive messages

● Personal (non-district-issued) computers

● Two-way radios

● Pagers

● Any other device capable of digital communication.

Updates from Round Rock ISD: Round Rock ISD Changes Final Exam Requirements

Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, Round Rock ISD high schools will no longer be required to administer cumulative final exams, implement finals week schedules, or offer final exam exemptions based on attendance. The shift is designed to maximize instruction time, reduce stress, and support authentic learning.

Under the new approach:

● Cumulative final exams will no longer be required, though teachers may still choose to assign them at their discretion.

● Final exam exemptions will be eliminated, meaning all students will participate in end-of-semester learning activities.

● Finals week bell schedules will be discontinued, allowing schools to maintain their regular instructional schedules through the last day of the semester.

“This change aligns with our commitment to student-centered learning and gives teachers the flexibility to assess students in ways that are more aligned to their course objectives,” said Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez.

Instead of traditional finals, students may complete projects, presentations, performance tasks, or quarterly exams—many of which build cumulatively toward semester goals. Written assessments may also be given before the last week of the semester to allow time for grading.

Semester grades will be calculated as an average of the two quarter grades:

● Q1 + Q2 = Semester 1 grade

● Q3 + Q4 = Semester 2 grade

The change does not affect State of Texas End-of-Course (EOC) exams, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual-credit college courses, which will continue to follow their respective assessment schedules. The changes are reflected in updates to the Student Handbook (linked) and campus-level procedures.

McNeil High School International Baccalaureate World School

MavMail Sunday, August 24, 2025