I hope you are all having a wonderful, relaxing summer. As we cruise through July, it’s hard not to notice that the break is slowly starting to wind down. You know that warning sign on your passenger side mirror that says "objects in mirror are closer than they appear"? That is exactly how the first day of school feels right now.

Believe it or not, the start of the school year is exactly four weeks from this coming Tuesday. While four weeks might sound like a comfortable cushion, we all know just how fast that time flies by. I truly want to encourage all of our students and families to enjoy these last few weeks to the absolute fullest. Take the trips, sleep in, and do everything you can to soak in every single moment of summer before the morning alarms start ringing again.

Behind the scenes, the McCallum team is slowly buzzing back to life. This past week, our counseling team officially returned to campus to prepare for the year ahead.

Our counseling department will look a little different this year. Our lead counselor, Marc Garcia, has decided to pursue a new opportunity in a neighboring school district and will no longer be at McCallum. We are incredibly grateful for his service to our community and wish him the absolute best. Looking forward, we are thrilled to welcome Lisa Gorzell to the team, and we will be adding another counseling team member in the coming weeks. In the meantime, our counselors are fully ready to assist students with any questions about the upcoming year. Because they are currently knee-deep in building and balancing student schedules, please be patient with their response times; they are working hard to get to every email and phone call as quickly as possible.

Finally, I wanted to provide a quick update on our ongoing campus construction projects so you know what to expect when we return.

The New CTE/Science Building: This project is moving along nicely. On the first floor, the interior walls are nearly complete, and crews have already begun framing out the interior walls on the second floor. We anticipate work on the roof and the third floor will begin shortly.

Tennis Court & Sidewalk Access: Access to the tennis courts has shifted to the Grover side of the facility. The construction team cut a new opening in the fence to allow for much safer access to the courts. Please note that the sidewalk cutting through campus from Grover to Stark Street will be officially closed once school begins.

Track and Turf Field: As many of you know, this project has faced several significant delays due to the tight physical constraints of our construction site. However, we are finally nearing the finish line. The retention ponds on the north end are nearly complete. Once they are wrapped up, crews can begin laying down the new track surface. The current plan is to have the track and field fully open to the school by early August.

Thank you for your continued patience and support as we upgrade our campus.

Calendar Highlights.

• Monday, August 3rd - Big MAC Day - Freshman Orientation: 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm, MAC Gym
• Tuesday, August 18th - First Day of Classes
• Monday, August 24th - Back to School Night (tentative date)

McCallum General Information

• McCallum AB Calendar (Coming Soon)

• AISD School Calendar

• Bell Schedule (Updated on 6/15/26)

• McCallum Campus Map

• AISD Personal Device Policy

• McCallum Personal Device Protocols

Here are a few other items that came across my desk this week.

Since my last update, our campus received 1 RAVE award honoring the outstanding efforts and contributions of our staff.

Lia Ferrante - Ms. Ferrante’s class was one of my child’s favorites this year. Ms. Ferrante went above and beyond to keep the students engaged in learning. When my child had a hard time self regulating one day in geography, Ms. Ferrante gave me a call to ask how she could best support my child, and as a parent that meant the world to me. One of my child’s favorite parts of class was the beginning when Ms. Ferrante would spend a minute discussing a job or career with them. Ms. Ferrante truly loves teaching and her students, and it shows!

Even though it is the summer, I would still love to hear about the staff members who made an impact in your or your studnet's life. Please take a moment to recognize their contributions using this link; AISD RAVE.

McCallum High School is transitioning to a new photography vendor for the upcoming school year.

We will be using Photo Texas Photography for all yearbook portraits during the 2026–2027 school year.

We will no longer be using CADY Photography.

Information for Seniors (Class of 2027)

Upcoming Dates: Stay tuned for future announcements regarding portrait dates and signup opportunities hosted directly at McCallum.

Studio Booking: If you want to get a head start, seniors can already book free yearbook portraits as well as full portrait sessions directly at the Photo Texas studios. For more information or to book a studio session, visit the Photo Texas Photography Website.

Already booked with CADY? If you have already scheduled or taken an appointment through CADY Photography, please note that those photos will not be included in the yearbook. To ensure your portrait is included, you must book an appointment through Photo Texas or sign up for the on-campus senior sessions once they are announced.

Information for Underclassmen

Underclassman Photos: School photo dates will be scheduled for next fall. These sessions will take place on-campus in the library. More details will be shared when the school year begins.

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 Currently Vacant (Assistant Principal): 

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) Lisa Gorzell:  lisa.gorzell@austinisd.org

Last Names (RO-Z) Currently Vacant

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 - Currently Vacant

• AP/PSAT Coordinator - Currently Vacant

• Principal’s Admin Assistant - Bonnie Baker - bonnie.baker@austinisd.org 

• Guidance Secretary - Tonya Moore  - tonya.moore@austinisd.org

Austin ISD's Summer Theatre Series is back for its 11th anniversary, and this year's lineup is absolutely spectacular!  From magical blockbusters to witty comedies, our talented local students are ready to blow you away at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center.

Disney's "Frozen: The Musical"
Location: AISD PAC Main Hall 

Thursday, July 23 @ 7:00 PM

Friday, July 24 @ 7:00 PM

Saturday, July 25 @ 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Sunday, July 26 @ 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Support our incredible young actors, technicians, musicians, and designers.

Get Tickets Here!

Follow the journey and see behind-the-scenes magic:

Instagram: @austinisdsts

Facebook Group: @aisdsummertheatreseries

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.

McCallum Class of 2026 Diploma Pick Up

Diploma pick up dates and times:

Monday June 8th 2pm-5pm A-L alpha only
Tuesday June 9th 2pm-5pm M-Z alpha only
Wednesday June 10th ALL 

Please complete this form ONLY if you authorizing someone other than yourself to pick up your diploma. The person must be 18 years of age or older. Do not send an email. 

***Must present DL, Texas State ID, or McCallum high school ID when picking up diploma. This is a legal document and can not be released with out verification process.

This form will close on Sunday June 7th at 9pm. 

NO EXCEPTIONS!

Mass Transcription:

Transcripts for Class of 2026 will be available after June 18th

Monday Madness Enrollment Events

Need help with registration? We’ve got you covered! Join us in the Front Office from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM on any of the following dates for our Monday Madness Enrollment Events:

July 13th & July 27th

August 3rd, August 10th, & August 17th

These in-person sessions are specifically designed to support families who have not yet completed their student's registration for the upcoming school year. Our dedicated staff will walk you step-by-step through the enrollment process and assist you with uploading all necessary documents. Stop by and let us help you cross registration off your summer to-do list!

Respectfully,

Sonia J. Perez, Registrar
McCallum High School

Are you a leader looking to serve your country and earn a world-class education?

Congressman Lloyd Doggett is currently accepting application packets for Congressional Nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Military Academy (West Point).

To compete for an academy appointment, a congressional nomination is a critical first step. If you live in Texas’s 37th Congressional District and have a strong academic record, leadership potential, and grit, you are highly encouraged to apply.

Deadlines & Submission Info

Hard Deadline: Friday, September 11, 2026 (By Close of Business). Late applications will not be screened.

Where to Submit: Packets must be mailed or hand-delivered to the Austin District Office:

Congressman Lloyd Doggett ATTN: Academy Nominations 300 East 8th Street, Suite 763 Austin, TX 78701

Dropping it off in person? Students are welcome to hand-deliver their packets, but please call the office ahead of time to give them a heads-up on your arrival date and time.

Check Your District: Not sure if you live in TX-37? Type in your home address here to verify.

Checklist: Required Application Documents

Your completed application packet must include the following:

[ ] Application Form (Available through the Congressman's office/attached).

[ ] Two Small Photos (Maximum size: 3 ½” x 3 ½”).

[ ] Resume/List: Your special honors, extracurricular activities, and achievements.

[ ] Essay: A 1-to-2-page statement covering your interests, goals, and why you want to attend a service academy.

[ ] Official Transcripts: High school transcripts (and college transcripts, if applicable).

[ ] Official Test Scores: Use the codes below to submit your scores: SAT Code: 7350, ACT Code: 8233

[ ] Letters of Recommendation: A minimum of three (3) letters from teachers, counselors, coaches, academy alumni, or employers.

Note: Physical letters must be in a sealed envelope. Alternatively, your recommenders can email them directly to the office.

Pro-Tips for a Strong Application

The "All-in-One" Rule: Send all of your documents together in a single packet to ensure everything is processed quickly.

Skip the Staples: Please leave your pages loose. DO NOT use staples anywhere in your packet.

Make Your Essay Count: Focus on your long-term career goals, why you want to be a leader in the active services, and what internally motivates you.

Show Your Grit: You can submit more than three letters of recommendation. Find recommenders who can explicitly speak to your determination, resilience, and ability to handle tough challenges.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about the process or need guidance on putting your packet together, reach out directly to the Field Representative handling academy nominations:

Contact: Nya Jones

Phone: (512) 916-5921 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM)

Email: Nya.Jones@mail.house.gov

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

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!