Your weekly guide to all things MAC |
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As we navigate the final stretch of the school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible community support that fuels our campus.
First, a massive thank you to our PTSA for the wonderful job they did taking care of our teachers and staff last week during Teacher Appreciation Week. Your efforts made a visible impact on morale and energy across the halls! I also want to extend my gratitude to every parent who participated in the Secret Pal program this year. Those thoughtful gifts throughout the year are a constant reminder to our staff that they are valued and appreciated members of this community.
Furthermore, last week was Nurse Appreciation Week, and we are uniquely blessed to have a former Knight, Genevieve Guinn, serving as our school nurse. Thank you, Nurse Guinn, for the expertise and compassion you show in taking care of our students every single day!
May is a significant month for celebrating the rich diversity that defines McCallum. This month, we recognize both Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage and Jewish American Heritage. Our Students of Color Alliance and Jewish Student Union have worked hard to plan activities throughout the month to raise awareness of their cultural impact. We encourage everyone to engage with these activities as we celebrate the histories and contributions that strengthen our school.
Finally, I want to wish a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and mother figures in the McCallum community tomorrow. Thank you for everything you do to support our students' growth and success. We hope you have a wonderful day!
Go Knights!
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Final Exam Schedule and Reminders
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The end of the school year is quickly approaching, and with it comes the final exam period. These exams are an important part of the learning process, offering our students one last opportunity to demonstrate their comprehensive understanding and mastery of the course content from the entire semester. Preparing effectively is key to finishing the year strong!
We encourage all students to begin preparing now for their final exams. Consistent, daily effort is far more effective than last-minute cramming. Here are three simple steps to incorporate into your routine:
Review Daily Notes & Assignments: Spend 15-20 minutes each day reviewing the notes and homework from the current week in each subject. This prevents the material from piling up.
Identify Weak Areas: As you review, use your practice tests, quizzes, and unit exams to pinpoint concepts you struggled with. Focus your study time on these specific areas rather than material you already know well.
Use Available Resources (FIT/Tutorials): Sign up for a FIT session or attend teacher tutorials for personalized help with challenging content. Your teachers are ready to assist you in bridging any gaps in your knowledge.
Final Exam Policy and Scheduling
To uphold test security and ensure a manageable workload for our dedicated teaching staff, final exams cannot be administered before the official exam window for a specific grade level begins.
We understand that scheduling conflicts sometimes arise. Once the official exam window for your grade has opened, students who have a conflict may coordinate with their teacher to schedule an alternate exam time within that designated window.
For any student unable to complete their final exam during the testing window, arrangements can be made for the student to take the exam over the summer. The student's final grade will be officially updated once teachers return in August.
Senior Exam and Final Week Schedule
In order to provide time to identify any students who may need additional support to reach their graduation goal, seniors will begin their final exams before the rest of the campus.
Seniors are still required to attend school through the remainder of the semester. We will have special senior activities, including senior check out, carnival and graduation practice, set up for the week following Memorial Day.
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Calendar Highlights.
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Monday, May 4th - Friday, May 15th - AP Exams
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Tuesday, May 12th - McCallum Awards Knight
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Monday, May 18th - McCallum Vertical Team Elementary Walks
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Friday, May 29th - Graduation, 4 pm Toney Burger Arena
McCallum General Information
Here are a few other items that came across my desk this week.
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The Nacho Average Food Truck is visiting our school on Wednesday and Thursday! That means you can choose your breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria or from the food truck. The food truck will serve tasty made-to-order egg sandwiches at breakfast and bbq pork sandwiches and grilled cheese at lunch. Snacks and drinks are also available for purchase. You can find the food truck in the north faculty parking lot by the gym. Hope to see you there!
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Your voice matters, Knights! We want to hear from you. Check your school email today, if you haven't finished the Student Climate Survey, you’ve been sent an email reminding you to complete it, with instructions on how to access the survey. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us and helps shape the future of McCallum. It only takes a few minutes, so please take a moment to share your thoughts and help us make our campus even better!
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Huge congratulations to MAC Archery on a record-breaking season! Their performance at Nationals was the perfect capstone to an incredible year. The team set both a new Nationals Team Best and an overall Team Best score, placing higher than ever before and outscoring every other Austin-area team! Beyond the tournament rankings, 24 archers set lifetime bullseye bests and 7 set lifetime 3D bests. Whether they were hitting targets or building the "best snowman in Utah," our Knights showed incredible heart and discipline. We are so proud of the hard work from the archers, coaches, and families who made this success possible!
- Come join McCallum Baseball on Monday May 18th between 4 - 10 PM for their final Spirit Night at P.Terry's on Koenig Lane. Dine in, drive through and pick up are included. Mention "McCallum Baseball" when you order and a percentage of the total will go towards the club. Thanks Knights for supporting our Spirit Nights!
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Next week is School Resource Officer Appreciation Week, and we want to take a moment to recognize the dedicated officers who keep McCallum safe every day. A huge thank you to Officer Reilly and Officer James for their constant support, mentorship, and commitment to our campus community. Their presence helps ensure that MAC remains a secure and welcoming environment for all students and staff. If you see them in the halls next week, be sure to give them a high-five or a word of thanks for everything they do!
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We can hardly believe it, but the final stretch for the Class of 2026 is officially here! As we gear up to celebrate our seniors and their incredible achievements, we need your help to make these milestone events truly unforgettable. We are still looking for a ton of volunteers to ensure everything runs smoothly. If you have some time to spare, please consider lending a hand at one (or both!) of our upcoming celebrations:
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Awards Knight, which will be held on Tuesday, May 12th. This special evening is dedicated to recognizing the hard work, talent, and dedication our Knights have shown throughout the school year. From academic excellence and department awards to special honors, we look forward to coming together as a community to applaud the success of our scholars. Stay tuned for more specific details regarding the start time and location as the date approaches. We can’t wait to see you there to honor the Class of 2026 and our underclassmen! Go Knights!
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Have ideas or feedback? Please feel free to email me directly at andy.baxa@austinisd.org.
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Important Update: New Parking Enforcement Plan |
We know that finding a spot at McCallum is a daily struggle. Between the limited space on campus, crowded surrounding streets, and the ongoing construction projects, the parking situation has become increasingly difficult. However, for the safety of our students, staff, and emergency responders, we cannot allow cars to be parked in unauthorized areas or "created" spots when valid ones are full.
To ensure a safe and orderly environment, we are implementing a new parking enforcement plan beginning this week.
We will begin systematically stickering and documenting any vehicles parked illegally on campus. The consequences for repeated violations are as follows:
1st Offense: Official warning sticker on the vehicle and a phone call home.
2nd Offense: One day of lunch detention.
3rd Offense: One day of In-School Suspension (ISS).
4th+ Offense: The vehicle will be towed at the owner’s expense.
While we understand the frustration caused by the lack of parking, blocked fire lanes and double-parked cars create significant safety hazards. We ask for your cooperation in keeping our campus accessible and safe for everyone.
Please plan to arrive early and ensure you are only parking in designated, valid spots. Thank you for your help in navigating these growing pains together!
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Make Your Mark with Yearbook+ |
Want to see more of your favorite memories in the MAC yearbook? Yearbook+ gives students and families a unique opportunity to contribute their own photos to this year’s edition! Whether it’s candid shots from a weekend hangout, a sports highlight from the sidelines, or a great moment with friends, your perspective helps tell the full story of the school year. Head over to our submission portal to upload your photos and help us make the most inclusive, community-driven yearbook yet! |
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Get Ready for Mr. McCallum 2026! |
Get ready for one of the most exciting traditions of the year! Mr. McCallum is officially back, featuring our annual all-male identifying pageant where contestants will battle it out for the crown. Join us on May 16th at 7:30 PM to watch these brave students compete through a high-energy talent portion, a choreographed group dance, and a fast-paced question-and-answer round. The competition actually starts early, as the entire week leading up to the main event will be filled with various activities and challenges designed to help contestants rack up points toward winning some truly big prizes. Best of all, every cent of the profits raised from the event will go directly toward funding prom! Don't miss out on the fun, come support your favorite contestants and help us make prom an unforgettable night!
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BLU3 Dance Crew Showcase! |
BLU3 is BACK!
McCallum's K-Pop dance crew is bringing the dances we've performed all around Austin this year to YOU at their end of year showcase on Tuesday, May 19th at 7:30pm in the Fine Arts Building Theater (FABT) Entry is free. You can also see Coach T in Dance Studio 2 for any additional details.
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MAC PTSA Scholarship Winners |
The McCallum PTSA is pleased to announce the winners of the Class of 2026 PTSA Scholarships. Maggie Brown and Mira Patel have each been awarded $1000 to help fund their post-high school plans. Thank you to all who took the time to apply and we wish all members of the senior class the best as graduation approaches and beyond!
Maggie, who will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall, is pursuing a degree in music composition, with the intention of becoming a conductor and composer for musical theater scores. Her teachers describe her as one of the most creative, kind, hard working, resilient, reliable, respectful, and intelligent students around. Maggie credits her life-changing experiences at McCallum with setting her on this course. Be sure to catch her last high school-era production "Walk Back to Your Car" on campus on May 27!
Mira plans to go to Yale University on a pre-law track next year, and seeks to develop the skills necessary to address complex social issues through thoughtful, innovative solutions. At McCallum, she found both her voice and her purpose through the Fine Arts Academy, where she was challenged to think creatively, take risks, and communicate meaning beyond words. Her teachers describe her as one of the top students they have taught in their many-decade career, and say she is a strong leader, creative, committed, very mature, willing to take risks, intellectually curious, compassionate, passionate, socially conscious, and an independent thinker.
Bravo, Maggie and Mira!
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AP Exams Continue this Week! |
Advanced Placement (AP) exams begin this week and will continue through May 15th. During this two-week testing window, our campus will continue to follow the normal bell schedule; however, the bells will be turned off throughout the exam periods to maintain a quiet testing environment. Students will need to be more mindful of the time to ensure they are on time for their classes. We also ask that everyone avoid the designated testing areas to prevent any disruptions for our students engaged in these rigorous exams.
For more details, students can review this document to learn about the schedule and what is expected on exam days.
Best of luck to all our students as they take on their AP exams, we are rooting for you!
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A Message from Nurse Guinn |
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Tennis Tryouts/Meet and Greet |
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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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Gullet Scholarship Application is Open - Closes Soon! |
The Gullett Elementary Alumni scholarship has been established to recognize former students who have excelled in their academic endeavors, supported their community through various service projects and/or participated in extracurricular activities, and proven they possess the drive to further their education. By granting this $1,000 Scholarship, we encourage students to pursue their educational goals, and we hope to continue the relationship between Gullett and its Alumni. Completed application packages must be submitted no later than May 4, 2026.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1irz-mgkCYs10gveajRLtJTuzORS_FjFy/view?usp=drivesdk
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2026 Senior Walk Lee Elementary |
Russell Lee Elementary Alumni Senior Walk!
The faculty, staff, and current students of Russell Lee Elementary invite our former students back to where it all began to celebrate their high school graduation. There is nothing quite like the magic of seeing our former students return to walk the halls, high-fiving our younger Roadrunners and reconnecting with former teachers. It is a powerful reminder to our current students of where their hard work and dedication will eventually lead them.
Graduating seniors are all invited to join us on Monday May 18th at 7:45am. Graduates are encouraged to wear their cap and gown and we will gather in the front of the school before taking a tour through campus, ending with time in the library to catch up with old friends and classmates before your next chapters begin.
To help us plan for approximate numbers, please RSVP at the google form here. Questions? Please email Sarah Farrell at sarah.farrell@austinisd.org
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Celebrate the Legacy: Ridgetop’s Final Farewell Events |
As Ridgetop prepares for its next chapter, we invite our community, alumni, and students to join us for a series of emotional and celebratory "Final Walk" events to honor our history.
Class of 2026 Senior Walk Monday, May 18th | 7:30 AM Attention graduating seniors! We invite all former Ridgetop students in the Class of 2026 to return to where it all began. Don your cap and gown for one final lap through the halls that started your journey. Let’s celebrate your graduation and the legacy you leave behind.
Final Student Walk (Grades 6-11) Friday, May 15th | 7:30 AM We aren’t forgetting our underclassmen! Any former Ridgetop students currently in grades 6th through 11th are invited to participate in a special "Final Walk" to reconnect with old teachers and say a formal goodbye to the campus.
End of an Era Party Thursday, May 28th | 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM Everyone is invited! Join us for a community-wide celebration as we host the "End of an Era" party. Whether you are a current family, an alum, or a neighbor, come share memories, enjoy the festivities, and help us send off Ridgetop in style.
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Bulldog Alumni Senior Walk: A Homecoming Celebration!
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Calling all graduating Class of 2026 Seniors, it’s time to come home to Brentwood Elementary! On Monday, May 18, we invite our former Bulldogs and their families to participate in the Bulldog Alumni Senior Walk.
Please assemble in the Gym (entrance now located at 6703 Yates Ave) at 7:45 AM to prepare for the walk at 8:00 AM. Don your cap and gown (or your favorite tie-dye!) and get ready to walk the halls to the cheers of 700 current Bulldogs. It’s a morning for memories, photos, and catching up with old friends over coffee and donuts afterward. We can't wait to celebrate your journey from elementary school to graduation! For any questions, please reach out to Laura Beck at 512-786-1098.
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Interested in Playing Water Polo?
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The McCallum Water Polo Team begins practice the week of August 3rd (Tues/Thurs/Fri, 8-10 PM at Westlake). No experience is necessary! Whether you're a seasoned swimmer or just looking for a new, challenging sport, we welcome you to join the team!
For more information and to sign up, please contact Coach O'Neal at catherine.oneal@austinisd.org.
Beginner Clinics:
New to the sport? Beginners clinics will also run on Thursdays, August 13th and 20th, from 8-10 PM at Westlake, led by McCallum Water Polo alums. This is a great opportunity to learn the fundamentals in a supportive environment!
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Upcoming Girls Basketball Camps |
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CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHIELD’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER |
The Shield is a national award-winning newsmagazine and website run by students in McCallum’s journalism program. Throughout the year, student reporters and editors cover school sports, fine arts, special events, and breaking news in the community.
In the model of a professional newsroom, our students pitch and report their own stories, conduct interviews, and produce regular podcasts and news videos. Students also run the MacJ Instagram account, which recently won Best Social Media Reporting in the nation from the National Scholastic Press Association.
This year, our student reporters have expanded their coverage to include regular Spanish-language content, in the hopes of including and reaching more members of the McCallum community. They have also taken a trip to the past with their new darkroom, which allows them to shoot, develop, and print with analog film.
To support our students in these activities, our program must purchase materials, pay to enter and travel to contests, and pay for our website and print editions. To help do this, we are asking for community support. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the hard work our student journalists do!
DONATE TO MACJOURNALISM HERE: https://mccallumwebstore.myschoolcentral.com/(S(mvjffymtuhpzgvxktneqxzjx))/Index.aspx#/22558/product/1863
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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
SHAC Agenda April 15, 2026 (English)
SHAC Agenda April 15, 2026 (Spanish)
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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.
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!
Click here to join today!
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