The Tartan Tribune
McCullough Junior High School - Week of October 5, 2020
Football and Cheerleaders
Volleyball - First Set of Home Games
Athletic Event Attendance
We are excited about our upcoming junior high UIL events. In accordance with UIL guidelines, our venues will be limited to no more than 50% capacity which includes all participants, coaches, officials, and spectators with appropriate social distancing. Spectators are required to wear face coverings per Executive Order GA-29 and Conroe ISD guidelines. Each participant will receive two tickets for each game. If your family cannot attend a specific event, please notify your child’s coach so that those tickets can be distributed to others. At the gate, each ticket holder should present their reserved ticket along with the $2 admission charge to the ticket collector. Children five years of age and younger will not be required to have a ticket for entry. We appreciate your understanding and support of these policies to keep our players, coaches, and spectators safe during these events. We will continue to monitor the attendance at these events and adjust our protocols as needed.
All employees, parents, visitors, and students ten years of age or older must wear face coverings or face shields upon entry to an area where UIL activities are being conducted and when not actively practicing or playing in the contest, unless an exception applies (please see UIL link for exceptions). https://www.uiltexas.org/policy/covid-19/2020-2021-uil-covid-19-risk-mitigation-guidelines#:~:text=All%20employees%2C%20parents%2C%20visitors%20and,an%20exception%20listed%20below%20applies.
Football games on Monday and Tuesday begin at 5 p.m this week. Ticket holders arriving prior to 4:30 should park in the designated parking area until our car rider line has dispersed. Those arriving later than 4:30 may park closer to the football field.
School News
Free Breakfast and Lunch Started Oct. 1
Beginning October 1st, Conroe ISD will offer free breakfast and lunch meals to ALL in-person students, remote/online learning students, and children 18 and younger in the community. Meals will be at no cost through December pending funding availability from the United Stated Department of Agriculture.
Remote/Online Learning Students and children 18 and younger who are not attending school on campus may receive Free Curbside meals at McCullough Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. -12 p.m. at the front horseshoe entrance.
Students need to have their Student ID/Meal Card ready to scan when getting lunch in the cafeteria to make the line go faster. Students can also access their bar code on Student Access if they have forgotten their Student ID/Meal Card.
Student Check Out Procedures
Please send a note with your student on the day the student needs to leave campus during the school day. Students should bring the note to the front office in the morning to exchange it with a Permit to Leave School Pass. This pass will be used to show their teacher so that they are released to go to the front office and ready for check out at the appointed time.
We are unable to take notes prior to the day the student is to check out. If the parents are unable to send a note they may always call ahead to have a pass prepared and delivered to the student.
Orientation for Students Returning to Campus for Second Nine Weeks
Students attending orientation will use the main northwest entrance on the Bock Auditorium side of the building. Parents, please park and wait in your car for your child. Administrators and counselors will be available to assist students as they navigate the building. If your child plans to participate in the orientation, please click on the link below to sign up for a time slot so that we can stagger the number of students by arrival time.
PSAT 8/9 Test - October 14, 2020
On Wednesday, October 14th, we will be administering the PSAT 8/9 to all 8th graders at McCullough. This will be offered to both In-Person and Remote learners. Remote learners will need to come to campus to take the exam in person. This is not a test that is required by the state and will not have any impact on their advancement to high school. The PSAT 8/9 is a good indicator of how students will perform on the SAT in high school and is what our district uses to predict college readiness. You can find information about the PSAT 8/9 here: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9
McCullough Yearbook Information
Order last year's 2019-20 yearbook HERE by Monday, Oct. 8th. Last year's yearbooks are $50 and will be delivered to in-person students during school. Virtual learners can pick up their copies at the front office from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Oct. 8th to 11th. We only have a few left!
The 2020-21 yearbook is now available for $45 until Nov. 1st. Order yours HERE. Search "McCullough Junior High School" to start your order. Orders placed after Nov. 1st will be $50.
The McCullough yearbook staff invites parents to share photos of their students to be considered for the yearbook by downloading the Balfour Image Share App. The free app is available for iPhone or Android using the McCullough code 109116.
Be sure to follow our new McCullough Yearbook page at https://sites.google.com/view/mcculloughyearbook/home, where the yearbook staff will post coverage for extracurricular activities and events. Stay tuned to the page for special student questions and polls too!
Referral Requests for Gifted and Talented Testing
Referral requests are now open for the Conroe Independent School District Gifted and Talented program. Although the testing will not take place until late January for both remote and in-person platforms, referral requests are accepted at this time. Referral requests can be made by the parents and/or teachers. If you are interested in referring your child, you may want to discuss this with your child’s teacher at conferences. Referrals will be accepted through December 18th. You can find the referral form and other GT information on the CISD GT homepage.
Car Rider Pick Up and Drop Off
Student drop off begins at 7:45 a.m. Enter the parking lot as indicated by the arrows on the map and follow the coned lane toward the building. When prompted, please have the student exit on the left side of the vehicle so they are closer to the sidewalk. Staff members will be on duty to ensure student safety as they exit their vehicles and enter the building.
Student pick up this week will begin at 3:55 p.m. Our intent is to slowly get back to a 4:00 p.m. dismissal as in the past.
Parents who arrive early to campus may park in the area shown on the map to wait for their child. We ask that parents who are parked stand by their car and watch for their child. Once within sight, please meet them at the median near the crosswalk to escort them safely to the car.
Parents who remain in the car line should pull up to the first cone along the sidewalk near the Bock Auditorium entrance before stopping to load.
Remote Learner Pick Up and Drop Off for Athletes and Fine Arts Students
All athletes and fine arts students will use the front horseshoe when picking up students in the morning and dropping off in the afternoon so that the general car rider line is not affected. The front horseshoe entrance will also be used throughout the day for pick up and drop off of athletes and fine arts students who are Remote Learners.
Students need to sign in and out as they enter the building. There is a station located inside the front horseshoe entrance for students to sign in when they arrive on campus. Students will also sign out at this location when they exit the building.
Opportunities for Extra Help
Teach 2 Learn
Hello parents and students! We are Teach 2 Learn, a local student-run nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring students with career applicable passions. You may remember us from last year (and this summer) if you have participated in our workshops before. As experienced and passionate students ourselves, we host free and engaging workshops that are designed to inspire younger students with passions in various topics such as entrepreneurship, computer science, scientific research, and more.
For our Fall Program, we are implementing a free, online format, and we have redesigned all of our workshops to include content for both new and existing Teach 2 Learn students. This program is free, nonbinding, and you can join any workshop according to your interest. We encourage you to try it out! If you are interested, we have attached a signup link, our website, and a flyer below.
Sign Up Here: https://forms.gle/Bmon6tkquDq1M5Kh8
Our Website: https://www.weteach2learn.com/
Workshop Schedule: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=obph7h2rcubjmcr103g6n0hrgc@group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicago
Best Regards,
Alex Deng
Teach 2 Learn President
PAWS After School Tutoring for In-Person Learners
What: An after-school study hall where students can have time specifically set aside to complete their homework or get help in different subjects. We will have McCullough teachers available to help.
Where: PAWS is held after school in the downstairs library.
When: Monday-Wednesday from 4:10-5:00 beginning on Monday, September 21st!
How: Please use the sign-up genius link to sign up for PAWS. Students cannot show up for PAWS without signing up so that we can make sure we keep the number to 25.
What should I bring? Come prepared with homework and any supplies you might need. Be sure you have enough to work on until 5:00. Students will not be dismissed early from PAWS and must remain in the library the entire time.
How do I get home? A parent or guardian must pick you up at 5:00 p.m. at the front of the building when PAWS is over. There is no late bus. All students from PAWS will leave together and go to the covered horseshoe at the front of the building to wait for their ride.
Link to sign up for in person afterschool tutorials:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084FA9A72BA1FC1-paws
CHANGE!!!
***Please note that we will not be having math zoom tutorials for in person learners. You will not be allowed to sign up for PAWS and visit the math zoom tutorials. There will be an in-person math tutorial schedule coming out soon so please be on the lookout for that. In addition, there will be a math teacher available on Wednesday in the library to help with math work.
Math Zoom Tutorials for Remote Learners
Our math department will offer math tutorials through zoom each Monday and Wednesday from 4:10-5:00 p.m. for remote learners. Students will need to sign up using the links below for their specific math course. Sessions will be limited at 15 students. These are reserved for remote learning students only. The link to the zoom meeting will be sent to those who have signed up for that day through the Sign-Up Genius. If you have signed up and are having trouble finding the link, please contact Erin Parks at eparks@conroeisd.net.
7th Math: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084FA9A72BA1FC1-7thmath
Pre-Algebra: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084FA9A72BA1FC1-prealgebra
Algebra: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084FA9A72BA1FC1-algebra
Highlander Huddle for Remote Learners
Highlander Huddle is a program that we are offering as an extra level of support for our remote learners. Students can sign up for 15-minute individual sessions or 30-minute small group sessions for any help that you may need. We will do our best to troubleshoot any issues you are having. This is something that will be available to you as long as remote learning is taking place. We can help you with, but certainly not limited to, the following things:
- Technology (Canvas, Google, etc.)
- Schedule help
- Study Skills
All you need to do is visit the Sign Up Genius link below and select a time to meet with one of our Highlander Huddle staff members. We are also happy to just give you an overview in one of these sessions of what this program is about and a chance to meet with one of our staff members!
Sign Up Genius Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084FA9A72BA1FC1-pandemic
Academy Information for Eighth Graders
Academy of Science and Technology
Click on the following link to access information: http://tiny.conroeisd.net/h6nK8
Academy for Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) Information
My name is Mike Papadimitriou (Dr. Pap), and I am the Headmaster at the Academy for Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) located on the Oak Ridge High School Campus. Students in the Oak Ridge, Grand Oaks, College Park and Woodlands feeder zones are eligible to apply for admission to the Academy at Oak Ridge (ACES) and/or the Academy of Science and Technology (AST) at College Park. Despite the name differences, both academies offer just about the same courses, and we have the same program requirements. The manner in which we fulfill these program requirements varies a bit between academies.
Our application deadline is mid-November. Junior High counselors and math/ science teachers will have applications in the near future. Applications are also available on our website. Submissions can be by mail, email, fax or in-person drop off.
For the Academy for Careers in Engineering and Science, we do not require any additional testing other than the PSAT 8/9 that all CISD 8th graders take at their junior high schools. If your child is not able to take this test, we will use prior standardized test data already on file.
We have three 8th Grade Parent Information Zoom Nights scheduled:
ACES 8th Grade Parent Information Nights
6:00-7:00 pm
Via Zoom Conference
(same meeting—only need to attend one)
Monday October 5, 2020
Thursday October 8, 2020
Wednesday October 14, 2020
Please register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRonEG6aeKCn1ddC3Pyrag14GRkgye9mHxlKAkTpb_vEjKbw/viewform?usp=sf_link
Once you register, we will forward the zoom link or links to you.
These Zoom meetings are limited to 300 participants. Also, if something weird happens with technology, we will schedule other meetings! Please call or email if I can answer questions for you.
Application Link: http://tiny.conroeisd.net/mBMyi
A Big Thank You to McCullough JHS PTO!
McCullough Junior HS PTO Membership Drive
Please click HERE to join or click on the button below for more information about PTO.
Lunch Outside
Cough Guard
New School Shirts
McCullough Club News and Information
Principal's Book Club
Would you like to join the Principal's Book Club with Ms. Houser? The first set of books up for consideration are J R R Tolkien's The Hobbit or Jack London's The Call of the Wild. Both of these books have appeared on a banned book list in the past.
Students who would like to participate in the book club to read and discuss one of these books should click on the following link to sign up. Students will be notified by email which book was the most popular choice along with a reading schedule of dates. Meetings will take place during advisory from 2:00 to 2:20 p.m. for In-Person students with Remote Learners joining us via Zoom.
Manga Club
Student Council News
Water Bottle Update:
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Water Bottle Project. We were able to donate roughly 90 water bottles to the elementary school! Go, Highlanders!
Upcoming:
Please check the Student Council Canvas course for October meeting times. In-Person students will need to reserve a spot due to limited seating and social distancing. Meetings will occur in the LGI. Remote Learners will access Zoom to attend these meetings and do not need to reserve a spot. The Zoom link is posted in Canvas.
Interested students who have not yet joined Student Council can still participate. Please contact Cailyn Dougherty at cndougherty@conroeisd.net to be added to the Student Council Canvas Course.
TWHS - McCullough Bass Fishing Club News
TWHS- McCullough Highlanders Bass Fishing Team competed last weekend in their first inshore fishing tournament of the season at SMG -Hangar 9. Thirty-eight anglers making up 19 teams competed for top spots. It was a tough day on the lake, but the following McCullough anglers were able to land some fish and start out the season on the leader board. In 1st Place the team of Athen Hart and Chase Tetlow had 5.63lbs, in 2nd Place the team of Louden Sebree and Cole Miller had 3.99lbs and in 3rd Place the team of Jose Algibez and Anthony Austin had 3.85lbs. The big Bass for the day went to Anthony Austin with a nice 3.26lb Bass. These anglers are off to a great start, and will meet again at Mustang Cat on October 31st.
1st Athen Hart and Chase Tetlow 5.63lbs
2nd Louden Sebree and Cole Miller 3.99lbs
3rd Jose Algibez and Anthony Austin 3.85lbs
4th Ryan Smith and Drew Bouffard 2.24 lbs
5th Aidan Martinez and Ty Collura 1.69lbs
6th Keaton Kilgo and Andrew Pitre 1.11lbs
7th William Laurence and Jake Martin .5lbs
7th Aidan McLean and Alec Lasky .5lbs
8th Ellie Hill and Madison Cox .39lbs
For more information about TWHS Bass Fishing visit http://www.twhsbft.org/
Health and Wellness Information
Clinic Information from Nurse Bianca
To ensure the health and safety of all students and staff and in accordance with recommendations and guidelines from the Texas Education Agency, all students should be screened for COVID-19 symptoms at home. Please read and answer the questions below. If you respond YES for your student on either question, please keep your student at home and notify the campus administrator or campus nurse.
1. Does your student currently have a temperature at or above 100.0 F. or any of the following symptoms that are not normal for them? ¨ YES ¨ NO
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Chills or shaking with chills
- Congestion or runny nose
- Significant muscle pain or body aches
- Have a new uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing or for individuals with a chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in your cough from baseline.
- Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
- New onset of severe headache
- Known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19
2. Are you waiting for COVID-19 test results for your student due to symptoms that began less than 10 days ago? ¨ YES ¨ NO
Health and Safety Reminders
Working together, we can keep our Conroe ISD community healthy.
- Keep any student who is feeling ill at home.
- Masks or face coverings help to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
- Everyone should cover any coughs or sneezes with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash, and immediately wash or sanitize their hands.
- Washing hands before and after eating, using the restroom, and touching high-contact objects/areas will help reduce the spread of germs and illnesses.
Parents/guardians are asked to pick up ill students within one hour of notification by school personnel.
Parents/guardians should have alternative arrangements if they are unable to pick up their student within one hour
MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL
Prescription Medication
At this time we cannot accept any nebulizer medications/treatment at school.
If your child is going to require prescription medication at school, please email or call the clinic to make arrangements to drop off and fill out the required paperwork. This will be by appointment only. If your child has a medication that is once a day, please administer at home if possible.
Over the Counter Medications
Over the counter medication, such as Ibuprofen and Tylenol, and other medications that treat Covid-19 symptoms, such as cold and cough medications, prescription medication such as an inhaler, will require a physician medication school order with a medical diagnosis to administer at school.
To reach the clinic with any questions please call:
Main: 832-592-5122
Fax: 832-592-5127
Email: cbianca@conroeisd.net
McCullough JHS Contact Information
24-hour Attendance Line...............832.592.5111
McCullough Fax.............................832.592.5116
Clinic...............................................832.592.5122
Clinic Fax........................................832.592.5127
Counselor's Office..........................832.592.5194
Registrar..........................................832.592.5114
Location: 3800 South Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands, TX, USA
Phone: 832.592.5100