Upperclassmen enjoy off campus privileges

A change in the school lunch period has been implemented.
Now replacing the 45 minute lunches last year are shorter, 36 minute lunches. The two shorter lunches are a result of not meeting the state’s requirements for the hours that the school is required to be in session.
The school also opened the option of off campus lunch for juniors and seniors as long as they have their parents permission. The students’ parents had to sign a permission slip which holds the student accountable for all his or her actions off campus.
When it came to deciding how to schedule the school hours, the administrators made sure they had the required amount of time to be spent in classes.
“We added one minute to the first three classes,” assistant principal Peter Braveboy said.
Fourth through seven periods were lengthened by three minutes. The minutes that were added to each of the classes came from the 45 minute lunch.
“What was left [minutes] went to lunch,” Braveboy said.
As a result of the shorter lunch, there were some problems. Second lunch was overcrowded with students, so the administrators worked with the counselors to rearrange schedules and moved people around. These students were moved to first lunch.
Some students suggested making a third lunch, but Braveboy doesn’t find three lunches necessary.
“If they move quickly, they will have plenty of time to eat,” Braveboy said. “People like to play around, and that slows the process down.”
Braveboy suggests that students take 15 minutes to go through the line. Once the students have their food, they have a remaining 21 minutes to eat, which is more than enough time.

Early Release Leads to Fewer Seniors Attending Pep Rallies

When students walk into the gym for a pep rally, every section is full. Every section, that is, except the senior section.
Senior Jordan Aldaco gets out of school after her 6th period JV Tennis class and usually doesn’t come back unless her friends “really want her to.”
“I went to the very first one we had and skipped the second one,” Aldaco said. “I don’t feel like I’m missing out on too much. There’s school spirit still, but it doesn’t seem to take over the crowd like it used to.”
Instead of going to the pep rallies, Aldaco just stays home.
“I watch TV, let my dog outside when he needs to, and just chill basically,” Aldaco said.
Senior Bianca Rodriguez gets out of school after 6th period but always makes it a priority to return for pep rallies.
“I think its important because it’s senior year,” Rodriguez said. “The last year I will be able to attend pep rallies and show some school spirit.”
Rodriguez’s favorite parts about the pep rallies are the Ooh-ah’s and the class yells
“They’re just something small that is actually a big part of the pep rallies themselves,” Rodriguez said.
Even though she’s not planning on attending many other pep rallies, Aldaco said she will definitely go to the last one.
“It’ll be the last rally of my high school career,”Aldaco said.
Some students don’t have the option of staying around for the pep rallies.
“I get out after 5th period,” senior Ayesha Waseem said. “But I go to work right after I get out.”
If Rodriguez could tell the seniors one thing, she would tell them that “they should really come back [to the pep rallies.]”
“It’s our last year,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve waited four years to get here, show some pride and school spirit that we’ve made it this far!”

Harrell Provides Alternative to Seniors Behind in Credits

Students who are behind on credits are resorting to Harrell. Harrell Accelerated Learning Center is an accredited high school that meets the needs of non-traditional students in the Wichita Falls Independent School District. From pregnant teens to  those having problems staying in school, Harrell gives the student an opportunity to graduate.

“Harrell is both for students who are behind on credits and who want to graduate early but mainly for students who are behind on credits,” counselor Alice Rogers said.

Rules have changed now. A student who was a senior used to be able to walk the stage with Rider. Now if you are a senior at Harrell and you graduate from there,  you have to walk the stage there. You can not walk the stage with Rider.

“Harrell is a credited school just like Rider. The military and colleges will accept a Harrell diploma just like they will accept a Rider diploma,” Rogers said.

Yearbooks and Senior Ads on sale now

Senior ads and yearbooks are available online at yearbooksforever.com.

The ad forms were sent out in the mail last month. More forms are on the yearbook page of the Rider website.

The prices for yearbooks will go up after January 12.

Senior ads can be purchased in the newsroom or online at yearbooksforever.com until Jan 30. Yearbooks can only be purchased online.