McCallum High School

Weekend Update #7

Your weekly guide to all things MAC

Principal's Corner

The end of the first grading period is just two weeks away! It’s essential for students to focus on completing any outstanding assignments. If there are any concerns or if your student requires assistance, please encourage your child to reach out to their teachers. October is also Bullying Prevention Month, a timely reminder for us all to foster a safe and supportive environment for our students. Additionally, I want to remind our families about the PSAT test this Wednesday, which presents a tremendous opportunity for our students to showcase their skills and prepare for future academic endeavors.

Calendar Highlights

Monday, October 7th CAC meeting at 5:30 pm in the Library, followed by the PTSA meeting.

Wednesday, October 9th PSAT

Friday, October 11th will be an A day.

Monday, October 14th will be a student holiday. Our campus offices will be open.

Friday, October 18th will be an A day.

Below are a few other items that came across my desk these past weeks:

  • Congratulations to the MAC BAND for their oustanding performance last weekend at the USBands Austin Regional. The band won 1st Place for Best Music and Best Visual (marching) in their division in preliminaries. Our students advanced to finals and placed 3rd overall and were awarded Best Music for the entire Festival.

  • October is also Dyslexia Awareness month! Austin ISD has two events that I want to highlight this week.

    • Central Texas Dyslexia Conference 2024 - (Virtual)

      • Dates: October 10th-31st

      • Information: Join the AISD Dyslexia Team for the 2024 CTDC Dyslexia Conference. Registration is NOT required for the conference. On October 10th, a YouTube channel link will be available on this page to watch any and all of the presentations. The link will be available October 10-31, 2024.

      • Flyers: CTDC flyer- English   CTDC flyer- Spanish

    • Hopeville Screening - (In-person)

      • Date and Time: Thursday, October 10, 2024, 6:30-8:00 PM

      • Location: Austin ISD Performing Arts Center (PAC), 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin, TX 78723

      • Information:  Join the AISD Dyslexia Team for a live screening of the new documentary "Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars"

      • Registration: Registration is required. Please register here.

      • Flyers: Hopeville Flyer- English  Hopeville Flyer- Spanish

  • Thank you to the PTSA for the coffee bar Thursday morning during our staff professional learning day. Our staff loved the mid morning pick me up!!!

  • BRAVO to all the students and staff who were apart of bringing Tuck Everlasting to life the past two weekends. Thank you for your hours of commitment to your craft and for sharing your gifts with our community. Thank you to all the parents for the invaluable support that often goes unnoticed. We truly couldn’t accomplish any of this without you!

  • For more McCallum Fine Arts performances, check out the FAA Events Page.

  • Students will be asked to take a couple of different assessments over the next few weeks geared around providing data on student progress. These CBAs (Curriculum based assessments) will be administered in EOC tested courses (ELA 1 & 2, Algebra 1, Biology and US History). Please talk to your students about doing their best on these assessments, which will help us create a system of support for each student.

Round Table Preview (included as part of the 2nd block class [2/6]) Begins at 10:41 am.

  • Mon 10/7: Academic Advising

  • Tues 10/08:

    Hispanic Heritage Month Activity

  • Tues 10/15:

    Hispanic Heritage Month Activity

    and FIT Assignment Communication

Flexible Instructional Time (FIT).

  • We will hold FIT sessions on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 1st and 2nd block (10:41 - 11:04).

  • Students may chose to attend tutoring sessions with their teacher or attend club sessions.

  • Some students will be assigned a FIT session by their teacher based on their performance in class. Students will be informed by their teachers if they are being assigned a FIT session.

  • Students who do not need to attend tutoring or are not apart of a club may spend the FIT time in the Cafeteria.

  • Students looking for a quiet environment for FIT may go to the library or one of our on campus courtyards.

  • Students are not allowed to leave campus or walk the halls during FIT.

Bullying

Bully Prevention Month

We are proud to announce this month is dedicated to Bullying Prevention. At McCallum, we believe that every student has the right to feel safe and supported in their school environment. This month, our school will focus on raising awareness about bullying, educating students on its various forms, and promoting kindness and inclusion within our community.

Understanding the Difference: Bullying vs. Conflict It's important for families to understand the difference between bullying and conflict. Bullying is intentional, repeated behavior that aims to harm, intimidate, or control another person. It often involves a power imbalance, where the bully seeks to assert dominance over the victim. Conflict, on the other hand, is a normal part of relationships and can occur when two or more individuals have a disagreement or differing opinions. While conflicts can sometimes be hurtful, they can often be resolved through communication and mutual understanding.

Why Bullying Prevention Matters: Bullying can manifest in many ways, including physical, verbal, emotional, and cyberbullying. It not only affects the victims but can also impact bystanders and the overall school climate. Our goal this month is to empower students to recognize bullying, speak out against it, and support one another.

How Parents Can Get Involved:

  • Discuss: Talk with your child about bullying and encourage open communication. Ask them about their feelings and experiences at school.

  • Model Kindness: Demonstrate kindness and empathy in your interactions, reinforcing the importance of treating others with respect.

  • Support School Efforts: Encourage your child to participate in school activities related to bullying prevention and be active in fostering a positive school environment.

We want to ensure that families have access to tools and information to support their children effectively. Below are some valuable resources:

  • StopBullying.gov: A comprehensive site with information on bullying prevention, types of bullying, and how to report incidents.

  • National Bullying Prevention Center: Offers resources and tools for schools and families to work together in preventing bullying.

Thank you for partnering with us in fostering a safe and supportive environment for our students. Together, we can make a significant impact in preventing bullying and promoting kindness within our schools.

PSAT on Wednesday October 9th

On Wednesday, October 9th students in grades 9-11 will be taking the PSAT test in the morning.

  • Students need to remember to bring their fully charged school issued chromebook.

  • Students will report to their testing rooms at 9:05. There are lists throughout the building with test room assignments.

  • The test will take approximately three hours.

Seniors will need to report to campus by 1:07 for a condensed A day schedule. Seniors can have the morning attendance excused by participating in one of the following options:

  • Go on a college visit

  • Work on their college applications

  • Participate in a job shadow activity

  • Resume/Essay Work

  • Students can submit their choice via this link: https://forms.gle/7FuQT3TXmSdV3CTLA 

  • Take the TSI test in the school cafeteria, we will record their attendance

PSAT

RAVE All About It!

Since my last update our campus received two additional Rave awards honoring the efforts of our amazing staff.

  • Robert Carrasco - My 9th grader was originally hesitant to sign up for Beginning Theater class because he can feel shy in new situations with new people but Mr. Carrasco has created a fun and engaging environment where it is safe for him to step outside of his comfort zone. It is evident how much Mr. Carrasco cares about his students and about sharing his craft and experience with others. Theater is now my son's favorite class!

  • Garrison Land - Mr. Land is a terrific and a just right challenging teacher. He is super responsive to parent emails and encourages open communication. Keep up the great work!

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. 

RAVE

Pink Week Returns

McCallum High School is thrilled to kick off its annual Pink Week, proudly sponsored by MAC PALs. As the school week begins, students will step into a vibrant pink wonderland on Monday morning, setting the tone for an entire week dedicated to raising awareness and support for Breast Cancer. Pink Week has become a cherished tradition, not only as a fundraiser but also as a powerful demonstration of unity and compassion within our school community. Throughout the week, students can look forward to engaging in fun activities during lunch, many of which are available for just $1. Every dollar raised during these activities will be channeled towards supporting the Austin only non-profit Breast Cancer Resource Center of Austin (www.bcrc.org). This amazing organization has provided invaluable support for countless patients and at least one current McCallum parent. 

Together, as a school, we aim to make a meaningful impact in the fight against breast cancer and show our unwavering support for those affected by it.

PINK

Orchestra shines at Region

I am thrilled to share the outstanding performance of the McCallum Orchestra at the Region competition this weekend! Their commitment to excellence was evident in every note, earning them high praise and recognition. This remarkable achievement not only highlights the individual talent within our orchestra but also reflects the collaborative spirit and passion for music that defines McCallum and the Fine Arts Academy. Congratulations to all the students and their directors for an unforgettable weekend—your hard work has truly paid off!

Region Symphony Orchestra

  • Violin - Bella Lorenzini: CONCERTMASTER, Imogen Hendrickse, Calvin Hodge, Edith Carlson, Eleanor Klein, Natalia Rivas-Micoud, Shiloh Hendrickse, Townes Hamre, Kate Talley, Alfredo Gonzalez, Ashton Ward, Ella Brotman

  • Viola - Maria Bulger, Miranda Farahani

  • Cello - Miguel Bosquez, Daniel Rhodes, Shira Bracha,

  • Bass - Owen Black: PRINCIPAL, Aidan MacDonald, Enid Hanson-Kickertz, Phoenix Vaughan, Sam Kruck

Region String Orchestra

  • Violin - Nora Murdock, Nettie Rodus

  • Viola - Vera Schmitt

  • Cello - Anjali Stith: PRINCIPAL, Abigail Foster, Grace Schlegel

  • Bass - Emil Lindelow-Cook: PRINCPAL, Jamie Weber, Oliver Brady

HJ

Class Ring and Graduation Orders

As we approach a significant time in our students’ lives, I invite you to visit Herff Jones to place your orders for class rings and graduation items. For our Junior parents (Class of 2026), it’s time to celebrate your child’s achievements with a class ring. Meanwhile, Senior parents (Class of 2025) can explore essential graduation items, including the approved cap and gown which is required for participation in the ceremony. Seniors can also puchase graduation announcements, senior memory books, and a variety of Class of 2025 swag. If any senior is experiencing financial difficulties regarding their cap and gown, please encourage them to speak with Ms. Nix or their counselor for assistance.

Let’s make these milestones memorable!

whiteboard

Join the MAC PTSA

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!