McCullough Family Update
March 17, 2024
Good Evening Mustang Families,
I first want to thank everyone for your condolences, words of encouragement, and understanding as our school community mourned the loss of our beloved, 7th grade math teacher Mr. Snow. His passing was unexpected; and our staff not only needed the time to process and grieve, but also to prepare for how to support students through their loss as well.
Tomorrow, as a school community our homeroom advisory meetings will acknowledge the loss of Mr. Snow and provide students with the time and space to share their thoughts and feelings. We have purposely extended the time for advisory so that the classrooms that need more time, have the time they need. Tomorrow the following resources will be available for students and staff that need support...
Nemours School Based Health (student does not have to be enrolled for support)
Children and Families First
Hispanic Personal Development (Spanish Speaking)
School Counselors
Our Math Coach, Mrs. Wolfe and our Math Interventionist, Mrs. Maczynski (both certified teachers) will work together to ensure that the instruction is able to continue for Mr. Snow's classes in the next two weeks leading up to Spring Break. By the time we leave for Spring Break, families of Mr. Snow's students will receive communication regarding the plan for the remainder of the year. Families should also know that as a staff we have decided that Mr. Snow's classes will be taught in a different classroom on the 7th grade quad that was not being used. The classroom was setup and decorated on Friday, March 15th by members of the McCullough staff.
We are sure that many students and families want to attend the arrangements that are being made for Mr. Snow. Please see the section below for that information. Together we will get through this and the days ahead will get easier. I urge you to continue to talk with your child about how they are feeling and to take advantage of the resources that we will have available at school.
Please see the updates for this week below...
This week is a four day week for students. Please see the exploratory schedule below...
Week of 3/18 Exploratory Schedule
Mon. 3/18 - B Day
Tues. 3/19 - A Day
Wed. 3/20 - B Day
Thurs. 3/21 - A Day
Fri. 3/22- Professional Development Day (No School)
Our lost and found is overflowing with items. Please encourage your student to check the lost and found in the main office if they are missing items. All items that are not claimed by spring break will be donated.
The book fair will remain open until Wednesday, March 20th in order to give students a chance to visit, since school was closed last Thursday and Friday.
As a reminder we will be supporting our Muslim students, during Ramadan. 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.
Our school community will be taking the Math & ELA DeSSA Assessment (state test) the weeks of April 14th & April 22nd. In order to make sure that our student devices are ready for the test, we will be collecting devices the week of April 8th. During this time all student devices can be inventoried and/or repaired to ensure that our school community is ready for testing.
Finally, 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 (Information will be sent home soon)
- 7th Grade Class Trip: TBD
- 8th Grade Class Trip: Hershey Park (Information was sent home the week of 3/4/2024)
If you are interested in serving as parent chaperone for our upcoming class trips, please be sure to reach out to the information provided on the information that will be sent home. 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.
Let's have an amazing week as a school community and remember, Mustangs Run Together!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hyacinth Lewis, Principal
Service Information for Mr. Mike Snow
A visitation to celebrate Mike’s extraordinary life will be held from 10 am until 12 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Gunning Bedford Middle School Auditorium. All are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Mike’s favorite causes, Faithful Friends, 165 Airport Road, New Castle, DE 19720 or online by clicking here or to McCullough School, through the Colonial School District, 318 E. Basin Road, New Castle, DE 19720 or online by clicking here.
McCullough School Climate Survey
We are asking you to complete the survey to help us learn what parents and guardians think about our school. Your thoughts and opinions are very important. Through this survey, we will use your experiences and opinions to help us build on our strengths and work to make improvements.
The survey will only take about 15 minutes to complete and can be accessed by desktop, laptop, or mobile device. If you have more than one child in this school, please complete the survey with one child’s experiences in mind.
The Delaware School Climate Survey was developed by the Delaware Positive Behavior Support Initiative (a partnership between the Delaware Department of Education and the Center for Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware). There is no identifying information on the survey, so no one will know how you individually answered any of the questions. Information from completed surveys will be used by the University of Delaware to make a report for our school.
When completing the survey, please do the following:
- Answer every question
- Mark an answer that best describes what you believe about the situation described
- Complete the survey by March 29, 2024
- Complete only 1 survey per child
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 (available at front desk and liked below) and return to school. 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 review, complete, and return the packet to enroll your student. Below is the link to the enrollment packet and we will have copies in the main office. More information regarding the start date of services is forthcoming.
McCullough Wellness Center Student Enrollment Packet- ENGLISH(click link)
McCullough Wellness Center Student Enrollment Packet - SPANISH (click link)
3/21/2024: End of Marking Period 3
3/22/2024: Professional Development Day (No School)
3/29/2024 - 4/7/2024: Spring Break
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.
Winter Sports Information
- All spectators for home basketball games will enter the building through the entrance in the rear of the building.
Spring Sports Information
- Baseball and Softball Tryouts begin on March 5th
- Track Tryouts begin on March 12th
- Spring Sports Physicals Week will be March 11th-15th (see flyer below)
- The document linked above outlines expectations for spectators at home sporting events. Students are to submit a completed permission slip to attend winter home games this season. The document is to be completed by students and their parent/guardian and returned to Dr. Morris in room 113. This is required for students to be able to attend winter home games this season with their parents/guardians. Additional paper copies will be available in the Main Office. Please contact Mrs. Lewis (principal) or Dr. Morris (athletic director) with any questions or concerns.
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