What an incredible week it’s been here at McCallum! Our Homecoming Week was packed with school spirit, creativity, and community pride. Students truly outdid themselves this year, and the class hall decoration contest was one of the best we’ve ever seen, every grade brought their A-game! Congratulations to the seniors for taking first place, and a big shoutout to the freshmen for an impressive second-place finish!

Homecoming Day kicked off bright and early on Friday morning with a special appearance on the Today Show’s “Friday Morning Lights” segment. We were honored to be chosen for this amazing opportunity by our district and so proud to see our school spirit showcased for a national audience.

A huge thank you to all of the parents and student groups who showed up early to represent McCallum and bring the energy to the broadcast, you made the morning unforgettable! A special thank you to Coach Gammerdinger for agreeing to be part of the segment. You did an incredible job, and we are so fortunate to have you leading our program.

Our morning pep rally was also a huge success, with outstanding performances by our cheerleaders, Blue Brigade, Mac Band, and our Knight Steppers, who brought the house down with their performance.

Finally, congratulations to all the students selected for our Homecoming Court, and an extra round of applause for our Homecoming King, Dylan Fissel, and Queen, Emily Spigner!

It was a week full of pride, tradition, and celebration. A perfect reminder of what makes McCallum such a special community.

Calendar Highlights

• Monday, November 3rd - CAC @ 5:30 pm and PTSA @ 6:30 pm, both meetings are held in the Library

• Tuesday, November 4th - Student Holiday/Staff Development

• Monday, November 17th - Fine Arts Showcase for incoming students (current 8th graders)

• Monday, November 24th - 28th - Student and Staff Holiday

McCallum General Information

• AB Calendar

• Bell Schedule (Updated on 8/28/25)

• McCallum Campus Map

• AISD Personal Device Policy

• McCallum Personal Device Protocols

Here are a few other items that came across my desk this week.

• What an incredible season for our Lady Knights! The team closed out the regular season with a thrilling five-set victory over Bastrop High School, capping off an exciting run filled with hard work, teamwork, and determination. This win moves the Knights into a tie for second place in district — an amazing accomplishment and a testament to their dedication and grit all season long. We can’t wait to see the Knights in playoff action this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. (location to be announced soon). Come out and support our team as they continue their incredible journey!

• A huge shoutout to Julia Lentz for qualifying for the State Cross Country Meet this week! Julia’s dedication, determination, and hard work have paid off in a big way, and we couldn’t be prouder of her incredible accomplishment. Join us in wishing Julia the best of luck as she represents McCallum at the state level.

• We’d like to remind all parents and visitors to enter the school only through the main entrance, located by the flagpoles in the circle drive. If you don’t see the flagpoles, you’re in the wrong spot! For the safety and security of our students and staff, please do not enter the building through any other doors. All visitors must check in through the main office upon arrival. Thank you for helping us keep our campus safe and secure!

• We’re so proud of the McCallum Band for advancing to the Area Marching Contest next weekend! This accomplishment is a reflection of their hard work, dedication, and incredible talent. Join us in wishing the band the best of luck as they march for a spot at the State competition.

• Students are welcome to dress up in school-appropriate costumes for Halloween! Please keep the following guidelines in mind:

  • No masks or items that make it difficult to identify the student.

  • No weapons or items that look like weapons.

  • No fake blood or anything that could create a mess.

  • We can’t wait to see everyone’s creative costumes while keeping our campus safe and fun for all!

One of my favorite things to work on each week is this section, where I get to share the amazing things you say about our incredible staff through the AISD RAVE (Recognizing All Valuable Employees) program. This week, we received a RAVE submission highlighting the outstanding work of our MAC team!

• Lia Ferrante - Ms. Ferrante called to leave a message full of positive feedback regarding my freshman. By taking a few minutes to leave this note of affirmation, she not only filled us with pride for our student, but gave us a greater appreciation of the MAC culture. I was even motivated to pay it forward and am making an intentional effort to send home positive messages with the middle school students I teach. Thank you Ms. Ferrante!

Thank you for sharing how our staff postively impacted your student's life. Keep those RAVEs coming! Click here to submit a RAVE.

All three of our construction projects are progressing well, and we’re excited to share that the front office renovation is nearly complete. We anticipate reopening the front office within the next couple of weeks.

The primary reason for the office redesign was to add a secure entry vestibule for our campus. This new feature includes a double set of doors, with the inner doors remaining secured at all times to prevent unauthorized access. All visitors will now enter through the front office to check in before being granted access to the rest of the school.

To maintain the security and integrity of the new entry vestibule, we ask that students do not use the front entrance during the school day. Limiting foot traffic through this area helps ensure the system functions as intended. Fortunately, since students have already been using alternate entrances this year, this transition should be smooth.

Our other two projects are also on schedule:

• The new turf field is expected to be ready by the spring semester.

• The new Science and CTE building is scheduled to open in the spring of 2027.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we continue improving our campus facilities to create a safer and more dynamic learning environment.

Get ready to step into a story where imagination and reality collide! Between the Lines, written by Timothy Allen McDonald, with music and lyrics by Kate Anderson and Elyssa Samsel, and based on the original novel by Jodi Picoult, is a heartfelt and magical journey about finding your voice, rewriting your story, and discovering the power of believing in yourself.

Show Dates:
November 6–9 & November 13–16
Thursdays–Saturdays @ 7 PM | Sundays @ 2 PM

Location: McCallum Arts Center
Tickets: mactheatre.com

When Delilah, an outsider at her new school, escapes into the pages of her favorite fairy tale, she’s stunned to discover that the prince inside the book can actually talk back. As the lines between fiction and reality blur, both must decide how to write their own happily ever after.

Don’t miss this enchanting fall musical filled with heart, humor, and the magic of storytelling!

As we continue planning for the future of our Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, we want to hear from you, our community! One of the exciting features of the new CTE/Science building (opening in 2027) will be a flexible workshop space that can be adapted to meet the evolving needs of our CTE programs.

Back in the spring of 2024, we sent out a poll to gather input on what types of CTE pathways and courses our community was most interested in. Since it’s been a couple of years, we’d like to get updated feedback to make sure our plans reflect current interests and opportunities.

Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts by filling out this short survey. Your input will help us shape the next generation of hands-on learning at our school

Thank you for helping us build a stronger, more future-focused CTE program for our students!

Congratulations to Our All-Region Orchestra Musicians!

We’re so proud to recognize our talented McCallum Orchestra students who earned a spot in the All-Region Orchestra this year! Their hard work, dedication, and musical excellence truly shine through in this outstanding accomplishment.

Congratulations to all of our students who represented McCallum with pride — your commitment to your craft continues to inspire our entire community. Bravo!

We’ve reached the final week of Bullying Prevention Month, but our commitment to creating a safe and supportive school environment continues all year long.

This week, we’re focusing on gratitude and appreciation, two simple but powerful ways to build a positive community. Taking time to recognize the good in others and to say “thank you” helps everyone feel seen, valued, and respected. Thank someone who has shown you kindness, whether it’s a friend who made you laugh, a classmate who offered help, or a teacher who supported you. A little gratitude goes a long way in spreading kindness and respect across our campus.

And remember, if you ever witness bullying or feel unsafe, please reach out to a trusted adult or report it anonymously through the “Safe Space” feature.

Let’s wrap up Bullying Prevention Month strong by making kindness, respect, and appreciation part of everyday life here at McCallum. Together, we can make a difference!

We understand that some families chose not to share income information during registration, and we respect that decision. However, completing the income verification process can provide important benefits for both your student and our entire school community.

Students who qualify can receive free or reduced-price meals at school, which helps with everyday costs. They may also qualify for reduced fees on college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT, making it easier to prepare for college. In addition, qualifying students might get discounts on college application fees and access to other programs that support their academic success and future goals.

Accurate income information is also essential for our school. It affects how we are evaluated compared to other schools in state accountability ratings and can impact the funding and resources we receive. When more families participate, it helps ensure our school receives the recognition and support needed to continue providing a quality education for all students.

If you’re willing to see if your student qualifies, here’s how to apply:

• Online applications are preferred. Families can create an account and apply at www.SchoolCafe.com/AustinISD.

• To create a SchoolCafe account, find step-by-step guides here: English / Spanish.

• New this year: You may also submit a completed PDF application with a digital signature via email to foodservicebusinesssupport@austinisd.org (attachments included).

• Paper applications are still available and may be picked up in the front office and returned to the Registrar’s Office.

Please submit your application by October 27th!

Families can also apply for state-funded benefits like SNAP at www.yourtexasbenefits.com.

For more details and helpful resources, check out our Food Service Campus Toolkit.

Thank you for considering this important opportunity to support your student and our school community!

SIGN ORDERS HAVE CLOSED:

I do still have a few generic signs available for purchase.  Please email me if you would like to purchase one! 

The final order of signs has not arrived yet;  I do still have several senior signs from the 1st order available for pick up!    If you are unsure if your sign is here text or email me & I am happy to double check!  Address for pick up is 3208 Sunny Ln. 

BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS

Thank you to our business sponsors!  We are so grateful for your support!!!

PALOMA EFRON Design & Interiors https://www.palomaefrondesign.com/

Harper Phinn Jewelry https://harperphinn.com/

The Gravette Family

If you have a business or know of someone who does please contact Valerie Foohey @ valeriedromero@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities!

SPONSOR A SENIOR

We are up to 75 out of 485 Seniors Sponsorships, so we still have a long way to go!  

If you have not already contributed to Supporting a Senior, please donate here macprojectgrad.square.site/

SENIOR 2026 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Friday, May 22nd 8am - SENIOR BREAKFAST

Wednesday, May 27th 1:30pm - 4pm - SENIOR CARNIVAL

Friday, May 29th @ 4pm - GRADUATION

Please reach out with any questions or if you would like to volunteer!

Bria Cirkiel (bria@parksideprojects.com or 512-565-7412)

Thank you to all our parents, students, and staff for taking the time to read this week’s edition of the Weekend Update. I appreciate your continued support and partnership in making McCallum a great place to learn and grow.

A message from Ms. Nix, our College and Career Counselor:

The '26-'27 FAFSA  Application is officially open! You can access the application through the studentaid.gov website, and create the student FSA ID if you have not done so.

Step One: Create student FSA ID (You will receive an email from the federal government once your ID has been fully established). 

Step Two: You can then complete the FAFSA application in the STUDENT account for year 26-27 in its entirety. Student will invite parent and then parent creates FSA ID to be able to complete their portion.

Here are the updates:

1. The students will no longer need to know their parents DOB, social security, or address.

2. The student only needs to know their parent(s) email address for the contributor section.

3. Parent(s) will receive the invitation via email then they can create their FSA ID if they do not have one.  

4. If parents are married and file jointly, only one parent needs an FSA ID. 

5. Pell grant still strong. Workforce pell grant still exists. No changes to subsidized loans. No changes in definition of full-time enrollment for a student. YAY!

Important Dates for FAFSA Help:

10/16 - 10:00 am to 12:00 pm - ACC FAFSA employee here to help students in Mrs. Nix's room (Create student FSA ID first if you can!!)

10/23 - 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm - Opportunity Austin financial aid volunteers at Mac to help families complete the FAFSA

11/12 - 5:30 pm to 7 pm - Nix and others to help families complete the FAFSA

LAST THING: When you finish the FAFSA, be sure you send Mrs. Nix the email you receive from the federal government that states your completion. Mrs. Nix can then submit your graduation completion in this area to the State. If you are opting out, please submit THIS FORM to Mrs. Nix.

I HAVE 12 STUDENTS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED FAFSA PROOF TO ME ALREADY - WOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The simplest way to check your student out of school is to send a written note to the front office before the school day begins.

The note must include:

• Student's full name

• Student ID number

• Date and time of early dismissal

• Parent/guardian name and phone number

• Parent/guardian signature

Your student should bring the note to the office before school. They’ll receive a pass to leave class at the designated time and can head straight out—no waiting required.

With ongoing construction, limited parking, and our large campus, this method is the most efficient option.

Please note: Our front office is temporarily relocated to the library. Parents can access this space through the double blue doors in the circle drive.

No note? A parent/guardian (or someone listed on the student’s pickup list) must come to the office with ID to check out the student. Please allow extra time for the student to be called from class.

Returning the same day? Students must check back in at the front office.

Reminder: Pickup notes do not excuse absences. For full attendance information, visit:
https://mccallum.austinschools.org/department/attendance

The SBS classroom (Social Behavior Skills) is working to create a warmer, more therapeutic space for their very special students. This classroom is a safe place where students can take breaks, regulate their emotions, and receive extra support from caring teachers. To help with this transformation, they’ve put together a WISHLIST of items that would make the environment even more comfortable and supportive.

If you’re able to donate any of the items on the list, please mark them so we can avoid duplicates.

Deliveries can be brought to the front desk at McCallum High School, Attention: Ms. Pina and Mr. Shaw.

If you have questions, feel free to email karen.mcgarity@austinisd.org.

Amazon links are included for convenience, but gently used items or purchases from other stores are also very welcome. Thank you for helping us make a positive difference for these students!

HERE is the link! 

Thank you!  

Mental Health - https://forms.gle/ikZ6QsG4DrJ8wnjZ8

Club form - https://forms.gle/Jmevft7F1EMctgPW7

Physical health - https://forms.gle/3kgQb5NQkReLUyT56

It’s important you know your student’s support team - their Assistant Principal and Counselor. We have a few changes to our team this year.  

Principal of McCallum - Andy Baxa: andy.baxa@austinisd.org

Students not in the Fine Arts Academy - List of Assistant Principals

Last Names A - GO Gabriel Adame (Assistant Principal): gabriel.adame@austinisd.org 

Last Names GP - PA Larry Featherstone (Assistant Principal): larry.featherstone@austinisd.org 

Last Names PE - Z Lavonda Loney (Assistant Principal): lavonda.loney@austinisd.org 

Students not in the Fine Arts Academy - List of Counselors

Last Names (A-E) Loren Croom: loren.croom@austinisd.org 

Last Names (F-LH) Nicollette Muller: nicollette.muller@austinisd.org 

Last Names (LI-RN) Cristela Garcia: cristela.garcia@austinisd.org

Last Names (RO-Z) Marc Garcia: marc.garcia@austinisd.org

All Students in the Fine Arts Academy:

Teri Kirby (Associate Principal): teri.kirby@austinisd.org

Shelley Goldstein (Counselor): shelley.goldstein@austinisd.org

Additional Supports:

• 504 Coordinator - Jennifer Padron - jennifer.padron@austinisd.org 

• College and Career Counselor - Camille Nix - camille.nix@austinisd.org 

• AP/PSAT Coordinator - Lisa Gorzell - lisa.gorzell@austinisd.org

• Principal’s Admin Assistant - Bonnie Baker - bonnie.baker@austinisd.org 

• Guidance Secretary - Tonya Moore  - tonya.moore@austinisd.org

The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) is a school board appointed advisory group of individuals who represent different segments of the community. By law, a majority of the members must be persons who are parents of students enrolled in the district and who are not employed by the district. The AISD SHAC is made up of parents, community members, students, and school staff working together to improve the health of all students and families through coordinated school health programs. Texas law requires all school districts to have a SHAC. The SHAC holds monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of every month with the exception of December and July. The meetings are from 6:00PM to 7:30PM. The meetings are held either on the 2nd floor of the AISD Headquarters Building located at 4000 S. I-H 35 Frontage Rd. Austin, TX 78704 or virtually.  

SHAC Meeting Dates and Locations