McCullough Family Update
December 17 , 2023
Good Evening Mustang Families,
I hope that everyone was able to enjoy the weekend! This week is a four day week for students. Please see our exploratory schedule for this week....
Week of 12/3 Exploratory Schedule
Mon. 12/18- A Day
Tues. 12/19- B Day
Wed. 12/20- A Day
Thurs. 12/21- B Day
Fri. 12/22- No School: Winter Break
The McCullough Wellness Center will be opening very soon! Our plan is to begin to distribute enrollment information shortly after we return from winter break. Please be sure to continue to read the Family Updates for more information about the Wellness Center and for directions for how to enroll your student.
The middle of the year math benchmark assessment was taken by all students the morning of December 12th and makeups were completed December 13th-15th. We plan to share our data with students regarding if we met our school wide goal by the end of day tomorrow, December 18th.
We are continuing with our Countdown to Winter Break! Please continue to encourage your student to participate in our school spirit days! Let's have an amazing week as a school community, and remember Mustangs Run Together!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hyacinth Lewis, Principal
Referendum Information
IT’S TIME . . . .On February 29, 2024 we will need your support to get out and vote to improve our facilities and maintain the quality of our programs and services…our students deserve it!
Why are we having a referendum? You may recall that in the fall of 2022, we went to the Delaware Department of Education (DEDOE) asking for a Certificate of Necessity (CN) to provide state funding for important improvements needed throughout our facilities. The list of projects we submitted was prepared with input received from staff and families through a series of public meetings and feedback sessions. DEDOE was not able to offer support at that time. After thoughtful consideration and discussion, our school board authorized us to submit our request again this fall. We are excited to announce….. that this time, our CN request has been approved!
As apart of the approved CN request the state will cover the funding of 60% of the projects and Colonial will need to cover 40% of the cost, hence now the need for the referendum. For the most current information about the referendums check out our website: Update for Certificate of Necessity 2023 | Colonial School District (click link).
Mark your calendar….February 29, 2024 is a big date in Colonial Nation!!
COLONIAL NATION DESERVES IT!!!!
- 12/18/2023: Wrestling Match - Tri-Meet at Home against HB DuPont & PS DuPont @ 3:30pm
- 12/18/2023: Seeds of Greatness will deliver Christmas Gifts to McCullough Students @ 1:00pm
- 12/19/2023: Wrestling Match away @ Gunning Bedford @ 3:30pm
- 12/22/2023-1/1/2024: Winter Break- Schools & Offices Closed
- 1/4/2023: McCullough Family Night at Red Robin (Christiana Location) from 5:00pm-8:00pm
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.
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.
McCullough Library
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.
Winter Sports Information
- At McCullough Middle School, winter athletics are extremely popular; therefore, we must ensure that all students submit their paperwork on time. Also, please be advised that there is no assurance that your student will be selected for the team, even if they are permitted to try out. At tryouts, your student must have passing grades all four core courses. Team rosters will be capped at 25 (due to the number of uniforms) and students trying out for sports will be evaluated by anonymous judges. Please speak with your student about putting forth their best effort in the classroom to ensure their academic eligibility, and to prepare mentally and physically for upcoming tryouts.
- Students that wish to attend our home matches for wrestling or home games for basketball must have a signed permission slip on file with our athletics director, Dr. Morris. If your student is interested, permission slips can be picked up from the main office.
Winter Season Start Dates (Tryouts)
- Wrestling- Roster has been finalized and posted
- Cheerleading- Roster has been finalized and posted (Academic eligibility will be based on 2nd Marking Period Grades)
- Boys Basketball: Roster has been finalized and posted (Academic eligibility will be based on 2nd Marking Period Grades)
- Girls Basketball: Thursday, December 7th (Academic eligibility will be based on 2nd Marking Period Grades)
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.
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