Before we dive into this week’s updates, I want to begin with a heartfelt apology to a truly special group of educators, our amazing teaching assistants. Last week was Teaching Assistant Appreciation Week, and I missed the opportunity to properly recognize their incredible work. These dedicated individuals support some of our most at-risk students, providing both academic and emotional care with compassion, consistency, and commitment. They are essential to our mission, and we simply could not do what we do without them. To all of our teaching assistants, thank you for the profound impact you make on our students every day.

This week, we turn our appreciation to another group of unsung heroes, our custodians. It is Custodian Appreciation Week, and we want to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the hardworking team that keeps our campus clean, safe, and running smoothly. Often working behind the scenes, they arrive early, stay late, and go above and beyond to support our school community in countless ways. We are truly grateful for all that they do.

In other exciting news, McCallum has been honored with the 2025 Community Choice Award for Top Public School in Austin. It was a genuine honor to be nominated alongside such distinguished schools including Anderson High School, Austin High School, Casis Elementary, Cowan Elementary, Dripping Springs Elementary, Florence High School, Georgetown High School, Lake Travis High School, Magnolia Montessori for All, Meridian World School, Serene Hills Elementary, and Spicewood Elementary. Being named the winner is both humbling and a powerful testament to the remarkable community we have here at McCallum.

This recognition belongs to all of you, our dedicated teachers, staff, students, and families, who invest your time, energy, and heart into making McCallum a truly special place. Thank you for helping us build a school community that celebrates connection, creativity, and excellence.

Finally, we shared a couple of important items this week to keep our community informed. First, families received a notice if their child’s teacher does not yet meet all certification requirements for their position. This often applies to new teachers working toward completing their alternative certification. Please rest assured that each of these educators has our full confidence in their ability to provide excellent instruction. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly, andy.baxa@austinisd.org.

Secondly, we sent a flyer home yesterday about the upcoming release of the Consolidation Plan. A copy of the flyer is included with this update and contains important details along with a link to a survey where families can provide feedback to district leaders.

We deeply appreciate your continued support and are grateful to have such a united and caring community as we work together to provide the best experience for our students.

GO KNIGHTS!

Wishing everyone a great week ahead,

Calendar Highlights

• Monday, September 22nd - Student Holiday, Staff Professional Development

• Tuesday, September 23rd - Student Holiday, Staff Professional Development

• Monday, October 6th - CAC at 5:30 pm and PTSA General Meeting at 6:30 pm both will be in the library.

• Friday, October 10th - Student Holiday, School office will be open on an adjusted schedule

• Monday October 13th - Student/Staff Holiday

• Monday, October 20th - Student Holiday, Staff Professional Development

• Tuesday, October 21st - PSAT Day at McCallum - 10th and 11th grade students - more information coming in a future update.

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.

• Save the Date: Class of 2026 Graduation: We are excited to announce that graduation for the Class of 2026 will take place on Friday, May 29th at 4:00 PM. The ceremony will be held indoors at the Burger Athletic Center Arena. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with our students, families, and staff. More details will be shared as we get closer to the event.

• Senior Class Meeting: The Class of 2026 will have a meeting with Ms. Nix on Wednesday, October 15th during FIT. Important information will be shared, so all seniors are required to attend.

• Our Students of Color Alliance (SOCA) has been working hard to bring awareness and celebrate the rich culture and contributions of the Hispanic community in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Through thoughtful discussions, displays, and campus engagement, SOCA continues to promote inclusion and cultural appreciation. We’re especially excited to celebrate this week with a performance by our very own Ballet Folklórico group. We look forward to seeing their talent and passion on display as we honor this important month.

• Congratulations to our Varsity Volleyball Team on a huge win last night over Ann Richards. The Knights defeated the Stars in four sets. Great job, Knights! Your hard work, teamwork, and determination continue to make us proud.

• Congratulations to the MAC Band! We are thrilled to celebrate the MAC Band for making it to the finals at last weekend’s Bands of America competition. Their hard work, dedication, and incredible talent truly shined on the national stage. We couldn’t be prouder of this outstanding achievement, way to go, MAC Band!

• Good luck to our Water Polo team as they compete in the district meet this weekend! We’re cheering you on and proud of all your hard work!

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 1 RAVE submission highlighting the outstanding work of our MAC team!

• Lia Ferrante - Ms. Ferrante noticed my child doodling a concerning statement in her notebook and reached out to me a short time later that day to discuss the situation and make sure my student was safe. I appreciate her active monitoring of her students and her quick response to ensure safety. This is the most important work a teacher can do. She is also engaging and a challenging teacher.

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

The PSAT will be administered at McCallum on Tuesday, October 21st for all 10th and 11th grade students.

In preparation for the digital version of the exam, we will hold special FIT sessions on Wednesday, October 15th to complete the required digital readiness checks. It is important that all 10th and 11th grade students attend these sessions to ensure their devices are properly set up and ready for test day.

Important reminders for test day:

• Bring your fully charged, school-issued Chromebook.

• Testing will begin promptly at 9:05 AM and will conclude before lunch for most students.

• Students testing with accommodations may finish after lunch. These students will have the option to order lunch from the cafeteria or bring their own.

The PSAT is a valuable opportunity for students to gain testing experience and receive feedback that can support future SAT preparation and scholarship opportunities.

On the same day, freshmen will participate in a class assignment focused on academic support using IXL, helping to strengthen essential skills and prepare them for success throughout the year.

We will also provide information soon about what seniors will be doing during the PSAT day.

Please reach out if you have any questions. We appreciate your support in helping students prepare for a smooth and successful testing experience.

As we all know, parking at McCallum is far from ideal, and traffic flow around campus continues to be a challenge. While there is a long-term plan to separate bus traffic from car traffic, that solution won’t be possible until construction is complete on the new building along Grover.

In the meantime, I need to address some immediate issues that are creating serious safety concerns for our students and staff.

Too many vehicles are parking along Houston Street on the south end of campus. This is a two-lane road, and parking there significantly impedes the flow of traffic. More importantly, it creates dangerous blind spots where students can't safely see oncoming cars before crossing the street.

Additionally, please do not park in school lots in a way that blocks traffic flow. When cars stop or idle in active lanes, it creates unsafe conditions. Students end up running between vehicles, and other drivers—staff and students alike—can’t exit the lot. Please be mindful of keeping these areas clear during drop-off and pick-up times.

Our Band program also needs your cooperation. The parking lot along FM 2222 (Koenig Lane) is the band’s designated practice area and serves as an outdoor classroom for morning rehearsals. This lot must be completely clear by 6:00 a.m. each day. Overnight parking is not permitted, and vehicles left there in the morning disrupt scheduled practices.

We understand that McCallum’s location in a residential neighborhood makes drop-off and pick-up more complicated.  As a former high school parent myself, I remember how frustrating it could be to wait in the pickup line. I often coordinated with my students to meet across the street to avoid the congestion.

Here are a few options to consider that could help ease the traffic burden:

• The Half Price Books parking lot is just a five-minute walk from campus and includes a crosswalk at Lamar and Houston for safe access.

• Side streets near campus may also serve as alternative meeting spots for pick-up and drop-off.

• We welcome your input. If you have suggestions or ideas to help improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, please share them with us. We value your perspective and want to work together on practical solutions.

Of course, we recognize that shifting pick-up locations doesn’t eliminate the issue—it simply moves the bottleneck. But small adjustments, made collectively, can have a big impact.

Lastly, I need to address ongoing concerns about behavior during afternoon dismissal. We’ve received multiple reports of parents being disrespectful to both staff and students. These reports include instances of verbal aggression and inappropriate gestures when individuals are asked to follow parking or traffic guidelines.

Disrespectful behavior is not acceptable at McCallum. Please remember to treat staff, students, and fellow parents with courtesy and patience. Small acts of kindness and understanding help keep our community safe and supportive.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

As we close out Attendance Awareness Month, we want to thank our families for continuing to prioritize daily attendance and supporting student success. This week, we saw a slight dip in our attendance rate to 94.08%, which reminds us how important it is to keep attendance at the forefront of conversations at home. Every absence matters, and consistent attendance plays a vital role in academic achievement. To support our efforts, we’re introducing a new truancy prevention program in partnership with Go ATX, designed to provide additional outreach and resources for students and families facing challenges with attendance.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student’s Assistant Principal. Together, we can help ensure that all students stay on track and thrive.

SIGN UPDATE: The 1st round of Senior Signs are in!  Please pick up at 3208 Sunny Lane.  The signs will be on the front porch! Signs are still available for purchase at the link below!

Little by little we are getting to our goal!!!  

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.

While our tardy policy remains largely the same, most of it has been in place for the past three years, this year we are placing a stronger emphasis on early communication and student accountability.

One key update: when a student is tardy to the same class for a second time, we are asking teachers to call home. Our goal is to address patterns early and work in partnership with families to support students in developing strong habits that contribute to academic success.

The chart above outlines our school’s tiered response for students who consistently struggle with getting to class on time. It’s important to note that our approach is not simply about consequences, but about identifying challenges and supporting students in making improvements.

We also want to acknowledge concerns some students have expressed about hallway congestion. Our administrative team is aware of these challenges, and we are committed to taking individual circumstances into account when reviewing tardiness.

As we move forward, our assistant principals will begin having one-on-one conversations with students this week. We want all students to understand the value of punctuality, not just in school, but as a life skill. Let’s continue working together to build habits that support learning, responsibility, and success.

Understanding 504 Plans in Education
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination. In public schools, this law ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to education by providing necessary accommodations through a 504 Plan. The purpose of the 504 program is to remove barriers caused by a disability, allowing students to participate in the general education environment on equal footing with their non-disabled peers.

What Is a 504 Plan?
A 504 Plan is a formal document that outlines specific accommodations or supports a student may need to access the general education curriculum. These plans are intended for students with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as learning, concentrating, or managing a medical condition.
504 Plans are designed for students who do not require specialized instruction, but who benefit from changes in the learning environment to support their success in school.

504 Plan Meetings at McCallum
At McCallum, we follow a structured process for initiating and reviewing 504 Plans.

Initial 504 meetings are held for:

• Incoming 9th grade students with an existing 504 Plan

• Students who transfer to McCallum with a 504 Plan

• Students who are newly identified as potentially eligible for 504 support

These meetings take place throughout the fall semester and focus on reviewing the student’s current accommodations and determining how they will be implemented in the high school setting. In some cases, accommodations from a previous school may be revised to better fit the support systems and instructional environment at McCallum.

Following the initial meeting, we typically conduct a formal review every three years, unless a concern is raised that requires an earlier review. Between formal reviews, we will hold snapshot meetings to check in on a student’s progress and evaluate whether any adjustments to the plan are needed. If no changes are necessary, a full meeting is not held.

When Additional Support May Be Needed
If a student continues to face challenges despite having a 504 Plan, it may indicate that the current supports are not sufficient. In these cases, the student may be referred for a special education evaluation to determine whether more specialized instruction and services are needed. If eligible, the student would then receive support through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

For questions about 504 Plans or the referral process, please contact your student's counselor or the 504 Coordinator at McCallum, Jennifer Padron.

We are thrilled to announce that the McCallum Journalism program has received multiple national recognitions from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), one of the highest honors in student journalism!

Individual Excellence:
Several Shield staff members have been named finalists for individual awards in national categories, recognizing their outstanding reporting, writing, and journalistic leadership:

• Nate Williams (former Editor-in-Chief)

• Lillian Gray

• Sofia Celio

• Mira Patel

Shield Named 2025 Pacemaker Finalist:
In addition to individual honors, The Shield newspaper has been named a 2025 Pacemaker Award finalist, widely considered the Pulitzer Prize of student journalism. This national recognition celebrates the work of the entire staff, whose collective efforts have earned The Shield a place among the best student publications in the U.S.

What’s Next:
Winners will be announced at the NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention on November 15, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee. Whether individual or staff-wide, these honors are a reflection of the hard work, talent, and dedication of our incredible student journalists.

Please join us in congratulating the Shield staff and cheering them on as they head into the final round of national competition!

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

Here is how:

1) Sign up for one (or more) staff members.  Shhhhh… keep this a SECRET until Teacher Appreciation Week in May.

2) Drop off a small token of appreciation for your pal(s) to the office each month.  A student aide will deliver it.  I’ll send out monthly reminders so don’t worry about forgetting.

3) Mac staff members complete a “favorites” form to help with gift ideas. If you don’t see your pal on the list, it means they haven’t completed a form… yet. Start start giving generic gifts (like chips, cookies, thank you notes…) until they provide more specific ideas.

4) During Teacher Appreciation Week in May, you will make your last delivery AND reveal your identity!

If you have any questions, email Arin Fullerton at fullertonarin@gmail.com.

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