McCullough Family Update
April 7, 2024
Good Evening Mustang Families,
I hope that you all enjoyed spring break! This week is a five day week for students. Please see the exploratory schedule below...
Week of 4/7 Exploratory Schedule
Monday, April 8th: B Day
Tuesday, April 9th: A Day
Wednesday, April 10th: B Day
Thursday, April 11th: A Day
Friday, April 12th: B Day
Tomorrow is going to be a very special day throughout our country! We will be able to witness a breathtaking experience that last happened in 2017! This afternoon, Delaware will experience a partial solar eclipse. When this happens, millions across America will have a rare opportunity to see the afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun. The next time something like this will happen again will be in 2044! Teachers have been provided with resources to share with students and they may show live streams of this event in class.As a precaution, will not have any outdoor activities for tomorrow and we will close window shades in classrooms/offices. The timeline of events for the afternoon in New Castle starting around 2:00pm and ending by 4:30-ish. As the timeframe will occur during dismissal, we will want to ensure students and staff are reminded not to look at the Sun directly during the event as a result of the damage that can happen to their eyes.
Our school community will be taking the Math & ELA DeSSA Assessment (state test) the weeks of April 14th & April 22nd. Please see the flyer for our spirit week for when we returnfrom Spring Break. Our theme is "McCullough's Got Goals...There's no Place Like Home!" We hope that you will encourage your student to participate.
- In preparation for testing your child will participating in goal setting meetings with their ELA & Math teachers in preparation for the DeSSA assessment. Please speak with your student about their goal setting conference and encourage them to do their best!
- In order to make sure that our student devices are ready for the test, we will be collecting devices the week of April 8th (all student devices will remain at school until testing is completed). During this time all student devices can be inventoried and/or repaired to ensure that our school community is ready for testing.
We are continuing to support our Muslim students, during Ramadan. The final day of Ramadan will be Tuesday, April 9th. Mrs. Begum-Hakim will be providing students with an opportunity to pray Dhur prayer in school. The students that completed the will be excused from class, so that they can participate in the Dhur prayer at 1 p.m. everyday during the month of Ramadan. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Mrs. Begum-Hakim: jomana.begum@colonial.k12.de.us.
As we approach the end of year, we as a building are beginning to plan extra-curricular end of the year activities for students. As plans for these various activities are finalized information will be presented to students and shared with families. Please be advised that there will be behavior expectations that students must meet in order to participate in the extra-curricular activities. If you have any questions once the information is shared please reach out to your child's grade-level administrator.
- 6th Grade Class Trip: Philadelphia Zoo (Permission Slips & Money was Due Thursday, March 28th)
- 7th Grade Class Trip: TBD
- 8th Grade Class Trip: Hershey Park (Permission Slips & Money is Due Friday, April 19th)
- 8th Grade Formal: Wednesday, May 29th at the Executive Banquet Center from 6:30pm-9:30pm. Students will receive the information for the formal to shares with with their families on Friday, April 12th.
If you are interested in serving as a parent chaperone for our upcoming class trips, please be sure to use the link below and reach out to your child's grade level administrator. All interested chaperones must also complete the online volunteer application linked below. This application does take time to process, so we encourage all interested chaperones to complete the form as soon as possible.
We are excited to share that the McCullough Wellness Center is now able to accept enrollment forms electronically. Please see the Wellness Center section of this newsletter for the link to enroll your student!
Finally, William Penn would like to welcome all of our 8th grade parents to attend their April Freshmen Foundations Parent Teacher Group meeting. This is a great chance for parents of 8th and 9th graders to connect and find out what's going on at Penn. Please use the link below to RSVP.
Let's have an amazing week as a school community and remember, Mustangs Run Together!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hyacinth Lewis, Principal
Congratulations Mustangs!!!
Mrs. Hubbard named McCullough's 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year!
Mr. Garibaldi named as Delaware's 2024 Fellow for the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation!
Mr. Fitzpatrick named as the 2024-2025 Colonial School District Behavioral Health Professional of the Year!
McCullough Wellness Center
Spring sports have begun! Hydration is important. Aim for ½ your body weight in ounces of water daily before any physical activity and for every 15 minutes of physical activity you should drink 4 additional ounces of water. Prepare your body to perform its best.
As a reminder the our Wellness Center is open for enrollment! Enrolling your student into our Wellness Center will not replace your primary care doctor, but will be in addition to. The services are free and can be done during the school day (parents will not have to leave work).
Please complete Nemours enrollment packet. Once your child is enrolled, we can call and schedule their appointment. Parents/guardians may be present for appointment, join via phone or video or have your student complete on their own. Please complete the parent portion of the DIAA form before appointment and bring to appointment. The DIAA form will be completed and handed directly to the school to ensure your student may participate in sports once medically cleared. The physicals will be competed free of charge.
Please use the button below to enroll in the McCullough Wellness Center (Hard copies of the enrollment form can also be found in the main office).
4/11/2024: MC Baseball & Softball vs. Talley at Talley @ 3:30pm
4/11/2024: MC Track vs. Talley at Talley @ 3:45pm
4/12/2024: McCullough Testing Pep Rally (Each grade has a designated time)
4/15/2024-4/18/2024: 6th & 7th Grade DeSSA Testing for ELA & Math
4/15/2024: MC Track vs Springer at Springer @ 3:45pm
4/15/2024: MC Baseball & Softball vs. Springer at Home @ 3:30pm
4/17/2024: District Math 24 Competition @ George Read
4/18/2024: McCullough Family Night from 3:00pm-10:00pm @ Texas Roadhouse (Bear Location)
4/18/2024: MC Baseball vs. Odyssey Charter at Rockford Park @ 3:30pm
4/18/2024: MC Softball vs. Odyssey Charter at Greenbank Park @ 3:30pm
4/19/2024: MC Track @ Delcastle Invitational at Delcastle High School @ 3:30pm
This is a tournament for select students to participate. Runners will be selected based on times. The entire track team will not attend this event
4/19/2024: Professional Development Day (No School)
Mustang Hideway Corner (McCullough's Library)
Library Information
Our library has gone through a complete overhaul over the last few years with upgrades, such as painting, new furniture and new books. Students are able to visit the library to check out books during period 2 on their classes designated day. We are continuing to look for books to add to our library that represent our diverse student population and their interests. If you are interested in knowing what books are in our library please use the link below...
https://dlc.lib.de.us/client/en_US/COLO/search/advanced
We also encourage you to follow our new library Instagram page @mcculloughreads (click link) to see all the great things happening in our library.
McCullough Athletics
McCullough offers DIAA sports teams during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Please visit our athletics website (click link) to learn more about the sports that we offer.
Sports Requirements & Physicals
Student athletes must maintain passing grades in all 4 year long classes (ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies).
2023-2024 DIAA Sports Physical Form (use this form if you are taking your child to their doctor for the physical.
McCullough Reminders
Grade level Administrators & Counselors(click names to send and email)
The names and contact emails for our grade level assistant principals, student advisor and school counselors are listed below. They are your go-to contacts for supporting your student. Our school phone number is 302-429-4000 and our secretaries are Ms. Moore & Ms. Butcher.
Principal: Hyacinth Lewis
6th Grade Admin: Sarah Bateman 6th Grade Counselor : Nichelle Artwell
7th Grade Admin: Aaron Lamb 7th Grade Counselor: Tonya Bailey-Smiley
8th Grade Admin: Nicole Sumner Grade Counselor: Kahlil Fitzpatrick
Follow us on Social Media
There are lots of amazing things going on at McCullough, so I encourage you to follow us on Facebook (click link) and on Instagram (click link) to see all of the wonderful things happening at school! Please review our weekly update that contains announcements and updates for families.
Hallway Transitions
Please continue to speak with your student regarding school rules and expectations. Grade level admin are continuing to complete hall sweeps during transitions. Please speak with your student about transitioning themselves directly from class to class. Students should arrive to class on time and come to class with all materials needed to learn.
Student Lockers
In order to ensure the safety of our students and their belongings, all lockers that are unsecured (do not have a lock) will be secured. If students wish to be able to use a locker at school, they must present a lock to their homeroom teacher to be assigned a locker. We plan to have combination locks available for sale in the main office for $1.00 dollar. Students may bring in their own lock from home if they would like to.
Social Media Challenges
We want you to be aware that students of all ages are being influenced to participate in numerous “social media challenges” some of which pose significant health risks up to and including hospitalization. We encourage you to discuss these challenges with your children and discourage them from engaging in risky behaviors.
After School Activities
After school activities such as clubs and sports have started at McCullough. Please know that we conclude after school activities at 4:30pm. Students may be picked up or they can take the after school bus (if they are a bus rider). Please be patient with after school buses; if they are late arriving to McCullough your student may be delayed with getting home. If you are picking up your student please arrive promptly at 4:30pm.
Student Arrival & Car Rider Line
As a reminder, our doors open at 7:55 AM for students, advisory meetings in homeroom will begin at 8:15am and students are considered late if they arrive after 8:20am. All walkers and car riders will enter the building through the front door and buses will still drop off and pick up in the rear of the building. In order to ensure that we have safe arrival and dismissal we are asking that parents dropping off students be sure to...
- Pull up in single line along the curb
- Pull your car up as far as you can
- Be sure that your student is ready to promptly exit your vehicle in order to keep the line moving (arrival only)
Student Expectation Reminders
Please discuss with your student the importance of adhering to our school expectations....
Please reinforce the importance of respect & the boundaries for students.
Please continue to remind your student regarding cell phone expectations (click link).
Please review the student code of conduct (click link) & discuss appropriate dress with your student(s). Such as...
Hats & hoods should be off in the building
Midriffs should be covered
Ski masks should not be worn in the building
COVID 19 Guidance
As we approach cold/flu season please be sure to monitor your student for signs that indicate that they are ill. If your child is not feeling well they should not attend school. Colonial School District is continuing to monitor the increased reports of COVID-19 cases nationally. Students and families should refer to Delaware Department of Education’s Isolation and Exposure Guidance for K – 12 School Settings for guidance on testing positive for or exposure to COVID-19. This document will provide information on when you should return to school following a positive test and what to do following exposure.
Families who have any further questions should consult with their primary care provider for specific medical guidance. Your school nurse continues to be available to support your student’s medical needs at school.
Winners After School Program
The Winners After School Program will be held at McCullough for the 2023-2024 school year. The program is scheduled to run from 3:15pm to 6:00pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays when school is open from October 3, 2023 through May 23, 2024. While in the program students may participate in tutoring, mentoring, homework help, academic enrichment, music, arts, sports, cultural activities, and community service opportunities. Participating students will have the option to ride the 4:30pm after school bus home or will be picked up by parent/guardian/designee anytime after 4:30pm. If you are interested in having your child participate in the Winners Program please use the link below to register your child.
Please be advised that students may not participate in the program until they are registered. Space for the program is limited so we encourage families to complete the form as soon as possible.
McCullough Middle School
Website: https://www.colonialschooldistrict.org/mccullough/
Location: 20 Chase Avenue, New Castle, DE, USA
Phone: 3024294000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McculloughCSD