Your weekly guide to all things MAC |
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The end of the semester is right around the corner. With just four weeks of school left, including one week dedicated to finals, it is more important than ever for our students to focus on their academics and seek support when needed. Our teachers are always willing to work with any student and will go the extra mile for those who show they care about their own academic progress. Students have many resources available to help them succeed, including FIT (Flexible Instruction Time), lunch tutorials and student-led learning centers in each core department. Taking advantage of these opportunities can make a real difference in understanding challenging material, staying on top of assignments, and preparing for final exams.
Parents, we need your help more than ever. Our campus attendance rate dipped below 89 percent this week, and our goal is 94 percent attendance each week. Regular attendance is critical not only for keeping up with classwork but also for building habits that lead to long-term success. Missing class, even occasionally, can make it harder for students to fully grasp concepts, stay engaged, and perform their best on assignments and exams. Please talk with your students about the importance of attending school every day and encourage them to take ownership of their learning. Reinforce the message that it is never too late to make positive changes, improve attendance, and finish the semester strong.
As we approach the end of the semester, it is also time to think about final exams. Exams will begin on Tuesday, December 16th, and conclude on Friday, December 19th. On these days, school will dismiss early at 1:05 p.m. We understand that conflicts may arise, so students should reach out to their teachers as soon as possible if they need to make alternate arrangements. Please remember that McCallum’s policy does not allow exams to be given before the official exam window. However, students may schedule exams for the afternoon of an exam day or, if necessary, take them in January.
Let us finish the semester strong by staying focused, attending class regularly, and taking advantage of the support that is available.
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Calendar Highlights
Monday, November 17th - Fine Arts Showcase for incoming students (current 8th graders) -
Monday, November 24th - 28th - Student and Staff Holiday
- Monday, December 1st - CAC @ 5:30 pm and PTSA meeting @6:30 pm. Both meetings are open to the public and are held in the library. Attendees may enter through the double blue doors located in the circle drive.
McCallum General Information
Here are a few other items that came across my desk this week.
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- The boys basketball team officially tipped off their season last night with an impressive 64–43 victory over Elgin. It was a strong, confident start, showcasing the team’s energy, skill, and determination. Exciting things are ahead for this group!
- As we cheer on our athletes this season, we want to remind our students of our expectations for positive fan behavior. Support our team, don’t cheer against others, and help create an atmosphere that reflects respect and good sportsmanship. Remember, no scholarships or NIL deals are being handed out at a high school game, so the focus should always be on growth, learning, and having fun. Every player and coach deserves that experience. Thank you for helping us build a supportive environment where everyone can enjoy the game.
- A huge congratulations to the MAC band on an outstanding marching season! Their hard work, dedication, and talent shone brightly as they advanced to the finals at the state meet this past week, earning an impressive 12th-place finish. We are incredibly proud of their commitment, teamwork, and the energy they bring to every performance. Way to go, MAC Band!
- We are thrilled to announce that three of our talented students have been selected for the TMEA All-State Orchestra! Congrats to Senior Owen Black, Junior Enid Hanson-Kickertz and Freshman Ezra Hawley This is an incredible achievement and a testament to their dedication, hard work, and musical talent. Please join us in celebrating their accomplishment and wishing them continued success as they represent McCallum on this prestigious stage!
- The final proposed consolidation plan for AISD was released this weekend. While some of the proposed changes may affect some of the elementary schools in our vertical team, there will be no major changes to McCallum’s attendance zone or the Fine Arts Academy for next school year. We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
- Best of luck to the Knights wrestling team at their first tournament of the season! We can’t wait to see all the great things you’ll accomplish this year.
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McCallum Soccer is getting ready to kick off their season soon! Students interested in playing or with any questions should reach out to Coach Martin for the boys team or Coach Rich for the girls team. Don’t miss your chance to be part of an exciting season on the field!
- Have an idea to make McCallum even better? Or a concern you’d like to share? Please reach out to me anytime. Your feedback helps us make our school the best it can be for our students and our community!
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Let's Celebrate Our Amazing Staff! |
Since my last update our campus has received two RAVE awards honoring the efforts of our amazing staff.
Jessica Garcia - Ms. Garcia has gone out of her way to get to know my student, who has had a hard time in art classes in the past. Thanks to her thoughtfulness and support, he’s excelling in art this year. Thank you Ms. Garcia!
Vic Ike - (from a student) He is very kind.
I would love to hear more about the teachers or staff members who make a difference in your child’s life. Please take a moment to recognize their contributions using this link; AISD RAVE.
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11th Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive
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McCallum CARES, SOCA, and the MAC Tennis Team are proud to present the 11th Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, brought to you by MAC Cares and McCallum Tennis!
Help us bless 4 to 5 McCallum families this holiday season by donating food or other items for Thanksgiving. Every donation counts and your generosity makes a real difference!
What you can donate:
Canned goods, Turkey, Gift cards, Cash or Venmo donations (@Larry-Featherstone)
Anything else you feel would help a family have a wonderful Thanksgiving
Where to donate:
Drop items off in the front office
Give donations directly to the MAC Tennis Team
Deadline: Thursday, November 20th
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Between the Lines, LAST Weekend! |
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 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!
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School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)
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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
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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.
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Supporting Our McCallum Community Through MACares |
MACares, a McCallum High School PTSA program, is here to help families in need across our McCallum community. Through this vital program, we provide emergency assistance — including help with rent, utilities, and H-E-B gift cards — to support students and families at McCallum High School and 12 other schools in the McCallum vertical team.
When our families face unexpected hardships, MACares steps in to make sure students can stay focused on learning and thriving.
Here's how you can help this holiday season:
Adopt a family for the holidays: Sign up to purchase gifts for a family.
Shop for the holidays: Join us at Parker + Scott General Store on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 5–8pm — 20% of all sales benefit MACares. Enjoy snacks, drinks, and live music from students.
Give directly: Donate online through the McCallum PTSA (select MACares option).
Questions: macares@mccallumptsa.org
Donations to MACares go directly toward assisting families right here in our community. Together, we can make a real difference.
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PALs Annual Coat Drive Begins Soon! |
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.
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Join McCallum United Against Homelessness for Our Thanksgiving Food Drive! |
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.
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SENIOR INFO CLASS OF 2026 - UPDATE #5 |
SIGNS ARE IN:
All signs have arrived!!!!!! Please stop by at your earliest convenience to pick up your sign! Address for pick up is 3208 Sunny Lane!
If you missed ordering, we do still have a few generic signs available for purchase. Please email me if you would like to purchase one!
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 82 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)
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Important FAFSA Information and Dates
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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!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Nominate an outstanding AISD team member for a Salute Award! |
Salute is AISD’s annual celebration to recognize some of the district’s outstanding team members for their continued dedication to student excellence and achievement in our schools.
The Salute Awards recognizes campus-based staff members in TEN categories. District employees, students, families, and the community are invited to submit a nomination for staff members they believe represent the very best of AISD in the following categories:
Transportation Staff of the Year
Food Service/Warehouse Staff of the Year
Custodial/Facilities Maintenance Staff of the Year
Teaching Assistant of the Year
Campus Support Staff of the Year (includes Library Clerks, Front Office team members, Parent Support Specialists, Assistive Therapists, and Campus Safety staff)
Campus Professional Staff of the Year (includes School Psychologists, OTs, PTs, Instructional Coaches, Diagnosticians, Licensed Mental Health Professionals, Mental Health Specialists, Speech Pathologists and Nurses
Library Staff of the Year (Includes Librarians & Associates of Library Services)
Counseling Staff of the Year (includes our Counselors and Wellness Counselors)
Administration Staff of the Year (Includes Assistant Principals, Academy Directors & Academic Deans)
Principal of the Year
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Future CTE Offerings at McCallum |
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!
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Need to Pick Up Your Student During the School Day? Make It Easy!
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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
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Elevate your high school experience by becoming a part of our Parent-Teacher-Student Association (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!
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