It finally feels like fall, just in time for Halloween! Speaking of Halloween, I do not think any other high school celebrates quite like we do. Students and teachers alike joined in on the fun, and the creativity on campus was incredible. Be sure to check out MAC J’s Instagram for some great photos from the day.

We are now entering the third week of the grading period, which means progress reports are right around the corner. Please take a moment to talk with your student about their academic performance and reach out to teachers if your child needs any additional support.

One factor that has a direct impact on academic success is attendance. This week, our attendance rate fell below 93 percent, and we are seeing some concerning trends, especially among our senior class. It looks like senioritis may be setting in a little earlier than usual. Parents, we need your help encouraging students to attend school every day and stay engaged as we head toward the holidays.

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.

We didn’t receive any RAVEs to share this week, but we know there are so many wonderful moments happening all around our school every day! 

If a teacher or staff member has made a positive impact in your or your student’s life, we’d love for you to take a moment to share a RAVE. These shout-outs are such an easy way to recognize the care, dedication, and hard work that make our community special.

Your kind words truly brighten our staff’s days and remind them how much they are appreciated. Let’s keep the gratitude going and celebrate all the great things happening in our school!

Click here to submit a RAVE.

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!

With colder days ahead, McCallum is excited to announce our annual PALs Coat Drive in partnership with Coats for Kids. From November 10 through December 1, we’ll be collecting gently used and new coats to help children and families in our community stay warm this winter.

Students who donate will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win fun prizes, including free prom tickets!

Keep an eye out for the donation bins located around campus, and drop off your coats anytime during the drive. Every contribution helps spread warmth and kindness this holiday season.

This holiday season, McCallum United Against Homelessness, a student-led club dedicated to raising awareness and supporting those affected by homelessness in Austin, is organizing a Thanksgiving Food Drive to help members of our community in need.

We are collecting non-perishable and shelf-stable food items to donate to local homeless shelters and support programs during the holidays. Every can, box, or bag of food makes a difference.

Donation Locations and Dates:
On Campus:
  • McCallum Library
  • Interim Front Office
November 3 through November 21

Off Campus:
  • Bennu Coffee at Highland
Through November 26

Your generosity can help make the holidays brighter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Together, we can show that the McCallum community truly cares.

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!

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.

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.

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 & Interiorshttps://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)

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

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!

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!

HEREis 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

Elevate your high school experience by becoming a part of our Parent-Teacher-StudentAssociation (PTSA). As a member, you'll empower students with enriched programs and resources, advocate for their needs, build a supportive community, and stay informed. Join us to make a direct impact on education, foster connections, and shape a brighter future for our students – your involvement truly matters!