The Tartan Tribune

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It is with great excitement and gratitude that I introduce myself as the new principal of McCullough JH. I am honored to be back with my Highlander family and can’t wait to meet each and every one of you.

I want you to know that I will lead with love, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and the entire community. Together, I believe we can create an environment where every student is seen, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Thank you for this incredible opportunity. I am thrilled to be part of such a vibrant and dedicated school community.

Please know if you ever need anything to reach out to me at any time.

Let’s make this a fantastic year—and as always, GO Highlanders!

Here in the Woods...We See You. We Believe in You. We Support You.

Now Go and Do Great Things.

Where Every Highlander Belongs!

We are excited to share that construction at McCullough JH is officially in its final phase! 🎉 Our building is really coming together, and we are thrilled about all of the beautiful additions and improvements taking shape.

As we enter these final months, please keep in mind that construction workers will continue working in the evenings and on weekends as they put the finishing touches on our building.

Thank you for your continued patience, flexibility, and understanding throughout this process. We are so excited to welcome our Highlanders into their new and improved spaces!

❤️💚 Please be mindful of construction workers, follow all safety signs and directions, and stay safe while on campus.

Child Nutrition Information

Please refer to the following website for any questions regarding free and reduced meals information or the application process. Changes have been made since last year. You must re-enroll every year in order to receive this assistance.

Free / Reduced Lunch Link

Free & Reduced Letter to Household 2026-2027

Free & Reduced Information-English

Free & Reduced Information-Spanish

First Day of School Procedures (it will be a RED Day)

• On Wednesday, August 12th, doors will open for students at 8:00 AM.
• Please know that at the junior high level, parents do not walk their child in on the first day. Make sure to take pictures at home and allow them to come in on their own.
• Homerooms are already listed at the top of student's schedules--We will have it posted on campus in the cafeteria as well.
• At around 8:30 AM, all students will be released to a HOMEROOM class. This is only something we do on rare occasions. In secondary schools, all junior high and high school students attend their homeroom on the first day of school. They will receive a new copy of their schedule on GREEN paper.
• If they are unsure, we will have staff available throughout the school to help students find their homeroom.

While in homeroom, the McC administration and other staff must complete a required "audit" or "balancing" of enrollment. We will be checking to see who arrives, who is withdrawn, etc. Once our audit is complete, students will be released to their 1st period class. Students will then resume to normal RED Day schedule.

Arrival Procedures

• ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE THEIR ID BADGE (they will receive them on the first day of school).
• If your student has their badge, sleeve, and lanyard from last year, please have them bring it to school on the first day.
• Students riding the bus will be dropped off on the bus ramp area of campus. These students will then report to the cafeteria until they are dismissed to class at 8:35 AM.
• Students riding their bike may LOCK their bike at the bike racks (located West side front of Bock Auditorium in grass area). PLEASE remember the NEW Electric Scooter/Bike Rules (cannot be used on campus--see more information towards bottom)
• Car Riders - Please have patience and be nice to your neighbors. Be sure to follow all signs.
• There will be several staff members to help you navigate through our car rider line.
• See Graphic below

Dismissal Procedures

• McC JH begins dismissal at 4:00 PM.
• Walkers & Bikers will be dismissed through the front doors at 4:00 PM.
• Car riders will exit car rider side of building - follow the same procedure as arrival. Drive SLOWLY and look for your child. Pull all the way forward and allow your child to enter from the passenger side.
• Please do not cut or pass others in order to move to the front of the line.
• Bus riders - Will be called in groups where they will dismiss through the bus ramp doors.
• Around 4:15 PM - any remaining bus riders will be released to wait in the cafeteria.

During the first week of school, we will begin the dismissal process 5-10 minutes early. Please plan accordingly.

E-Bikes & E-Scooters: Safety Starts at Home

E-bikes and e-scooters have become increasingly popular with students, but they also present serious safety concerns. Across our community, first responders are responding to more crashes involving these devices, many of which result in significant injuries. Common risks include excessive speeds, limited rider experience, failure to wear helmets, and conflicts with pedestrians and vehicles.

New this school year, the Conroe ISD Student Handbook prohibits students from riding e-bikes and e-scooters on school grounds. Students who bring these devices to school must walk them while on campus.

To help families better understand these risks, The Woodlands Township has created a video that highlights the laws and expectations in areas where they apply, while also providing valuable safety information for families throughout our district. Together, we can help keep our students and community safe.

We do not use lockers at McC--Make sure you store all athletic/gym bags in your assigned lockers that you will get in class. You only need to bring what you need for the day!

All beverages must be in a CLOSED CONTAINER---NO OPEN beverages are allowed. This includes all types of drinks/cans/cups. If students enter campus with open container, they will have to throw it away, so please plan ahead.

Please donate to our teacher treasure chest---WE greatly appreciate these items to give to our teachers throughout the year!!!!

• $5 - $10 gift cards to eating establishments, Amazon, Starbucks, Target, etc.
• Any other donations that teachers would really appreciate
• See Link be low or just click on picture

If you would like to donate something else besides Amazon, please drop off your donations at the front office and let them know it is for the teacher treasure box! Thank you for your support!!❤💚

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2S7KAF9SSH5MX/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

Back to School Bash Tickets - 2026/2027

You can now purchase tickets for our annual Back to School Bash that will take place at McCullough JH on Friday, September 18th. Click on picture below for link to order!

.

• Details Here Graphic

• Link to School Cash Online: PURCHASE HERE

• This entry ticket is for the 2026-2027 Back to School Bash Celebration! Entry tickets are all inclusive to all of the activities as well as 1 drink and 1 snack from the concession stand!

  
  

• ADDITIONAL items will be available to purchase Ala Carte at the concession stand if desired.

All PE students are required to dress out and have a PE uniform.

See Link below to order--if you have already ordered unform, it will be delivered in PE classes by the teacher.

McCullough JH PE | North Houston Athletics

*Will add more information before first day of school!

NEW--READ

Your child's password has been changed for security purposes. On the first day, teachers will help students get into their SSO. If you would like to help prepare your child for the first day, follow the steps below to access their new password.

Parent Portal student account lookup

Parents and guardians can now look up a student’s initial account information in the Parent Portal. Teachers/Admin will provide first day.

To use this option, the parent or guardian must log in with a valid Parent Portal account. The account must belong to the student’s primary or secondary guardian in the Student Information System.

1. Go to

   
   

   Conroe ISD : Parent Portal and log in to the Parent Portal.

2. Click the Student Account Lookup app.

3. Verify your identity by entering the 6-digit code sent to the phone number specified for your account.

We have a beautiful new library, that is like being in a tree house. Books in the Woods! I cannot wait for everyone to see it. We have not moved everything over yet, but when we do, it will be full of kids all the time. I am looking for parent volunteers, specifically for the hours of 8:15-9 am every day. The library is at its fullest during that hour and there are so many things happening that having a helping hand will ensure all students are getting what they need. If you are interested in helping out during that hour once we open, or at other times as needed, please reach out to me, Cerise Eaves. You will need to have had your volunteer application approved. You can access that application here: https://www.conroeisd.net/page/get-involved. Once you have been approved, please email me your approval and I will send you the information you need to sign up. Thank you so much for your interest.

• Student Sign In Process
• Parent must be present to sign in a student coming in late.
• If student is coming in late due to an appointment, please hand in an excuse note to the front office

• Student pick-up
• Please send a signed note with your student to hand in to the Front Office Portable in the morning. The note will be exchanged for a yellow "Permit to Leave" pass. The student will show their teacher the pass and will meet you in the Front Office Portable at the designated time.

• Photo ID required to check out student – approved emergency contacts only

• Due to the logistics and potentially delayed process to retrieve your student
• The cut-off for early sign-out will now be at 3:15 pm instead of 3:30 pm.

• Please be aware, it can take 15-20 minutes to get a student from class depending on where they are in the building. Please factor this into your pickup time.

• You can choose to wait for your student in either the available chairs inside the portable or on the benches outside of the portable.

• Student Item Drop-off (Lunches)
• Student items or lunches may be dropped off in the front office.
• Student items MUST be labeled with the student's name and can be left on the lunch shelves in front office.
• NO 3rd party deliveries are allowed–This includes food, flowers, and/or gifts
• The student will NOT be notified of their lunch delivery, so if you are planning on bringing their lunch, please let your student know in advance.
• Lunches will be transported to a pick-up table for students in the cafeteria.
• Drinks need a screw top–NO fountain drinks/Starbucks/Giant Smoothies–they can cause a mess. MUST be in a closed container.

• Student Item Drop-off (Other items)
• For any other drop-offs (gym bags, items left behind, etc.), we will have a form for parents to fill out in the Front Office
• A note will be sent to your student to come to the portable to retrieve the item.
• Please have your student's ID number ready when filling out the form to ensure accuracy and efficiency!

• Reporting an Absence
• If your student will be absent, please call 832-592-5111 to report the absence.

• Temporary badges are now being printed for students who do not have the IDs
• There will now be discipline consequences for not having ID's.
• Replacement badges and lanyards can be purchased for the following amount:
• A $2 charge will be placed on the student's account for a replacement ID badge
• A $2 charge will be placed on the student's account for a replacement sleeve
• A $5 charge will be placed on the student's account for a replacement lanyard

Also, our "sleeves" for Smart Tags this year seem to be very, very flimsy. They break quite often, and we do not have the budget to replace all of the broken ones. We recommend finding a more heavy-duty option for your student. As long as you can clearly see the Smart Tag, and a lanyard can be attached, you should be good to go! See the link below for some ideas off of Amazon:

Clubs are officially getting started! Head over to our clubs website to see the available clubs, meeting times, and descriptions! Click the RED button below or QR code on graphic to get all the details!

Texas has passed a new law prohibiting cell phone usage in schools.
CISD has updated our cell phone policy to align with this new state law, and we will also be updating posters throughout the building. Below are the key details:

• Student Device Use:
  Students are not allowed to use personal electronic devices during the instructional school day, or “Bell to Bell.” This means that once the bell rings to dismiss students to their first class, devices must be put away. Students may use their devices again after the first afternoon announcement releasing car riders.

• Texas House Bill 1481:
  HB 1481 prohibits student use of personal electronic devices—including cell phones, personal iPads, and similar items—during instructional time. CISD’s School Board has adopted a policy extending this to cover the entire school day. Devices must remain off and put away from the time students are dismissed to class in the morning until the final release bell. This applies in classrooms, hallways, and even during lunch.

Parents,

Friendly reminder about our dress code policy! Please review expectations below with your child. We will also go over these with students during our class meetings. We appreciate all of your help.

McCullough Junior High Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a group of parents, family members, staff, and teachers who work together to enhance academic achievement and enrichment for all students.

McCullough Junior High 2026-27 PTO Memberships for Incoming 7th and 8th Graders are available now. Thank you for your support!

If you have concerns about your student's bus route related to pick-up or drop-off times, missed stops, number of students on the bus, etc. can be communicated directly to our transportation department utilizing the contact form linked below. Please click the "Transportation Contact Form" below if you have any concerns or questions about your students bus route.

• Free and Reduced Lunch Information
• Links to sign up for Free and Reduced lunch
• View school meals

Guiding Families Through a New Educational System

Iytzia supports families who are new to the district as they adjust to the U.S. school system. If you meet a family who may benefit from additional guidance, please consider referring them for a one-on-one meeting.

🌍 More Than a Language Barrier

Adjusting to a new country involves more than learning English. Many families experience culture shock, grief from leaving loved ones behind, and confusion about new academic expectations, graduation requirements, and school procedures. These changes can feel overwhelming without the right support.

👩‍🏫 Experience and Districtwide Support

With over 12 years of experience working closely with families, Iytzia now serves all district schools through the Jett Center. She connects with newly arrived families directly or through staff referrals to ensure they feel informed and supported.

📌 How She Can Help

• Provide clear, step-by-step guidance

• Clarify academic processes and expectations

• Offer cultural and emotional support during transition

📞 281-220-9527
✉️ icardenas@conroeisd.net

A simple referral can make a meaningful difference in helping families feel welcomed, understood, and confident in navigating our school system.

Here are a few dates you'll want to put on your calendar for the beginning of the school year.

• More detailed information will be sent regarding each event as we get closer to them, but I wanted you to go ahead and have the dates on hand!
• Please know that dates & times may be tentative!

Fall 2026 Semester

August 12 - First Day of School, MP1 begins

August 13 - Open House - 7th Grade 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

August 17 - Open House - 8th Grade 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

August 26 – School Pictures through History classes

August 27 – School Pictures through History classes

August 31 – Grades due for MP1, 1st day of MP1 2nd 3 weeks

September 3 – Progress Report Published

September 7 - School Holiday

September 11 – AST College Park all lunches

September 15 - ACES Oak Ridge all Lunches

September 18 - BACK To School Bash 6-8 pm

September 18 – End of MP1 2nd 3 week

September 19 - Read For a Better Life

September 21 – Grades due MP1 2nd 3 weeks, 1st day of MP1 3rd 3 week

September 24 – Progress Report Published

September 25 – Eligibility LOSE or GAIN at 2:35pm

September 28 & 29 – Pep Rally 7th/8th

October 8 – MP1 Ends

October 12 - School Holiday

October 13 – MP1 3rd 3 weeks grades due, beginning of MP2

October 13 & 14 - Pep Rallies 7th/8th

October 14 – School Picture Retakes through all lunches

October 15 – Eligibility LOSE or GAIN at 2:35pm

October 16 - Progress Report Published

October 17 – 50th Year Celebration

October 21 - PSAT date for 8th graders

October 26 - October 30- Red Ribbon Week

October 26 & 27 - Pep Rally 7th/8th

October 30 - Last day of MP2 1st 3 weeks

November 2/3 – Holiday

November 4 - Grades due MP2 1st 3 weeks, Beginning of MP2 2nd 3 weeks

November 20 – Last day of grading period MP2 2nd 3 weeks

November 23 – 27 - Thanksgiving Holidays

November 30 – Grades Due, Beginning of MP2 3rd 3 weeks

December 7 - 11 – Candygram Sales

December 3 – Progress Report Published

December 7 – Eligibility Gain at 2:35pm

December 15 – 18 – Midterm Exams

December 15 - 7th & 8th exams

December 16 - 3rd & 4th exams

December 17 - 5th & 6th exams

December 18 - 1st & 2nd exams

December 18 – Early Release Day

December 18 – Last day of grading period MP2

December 21 - Jan 1 - Christmas Break

Spring 2027 Semester

January 6 – First day of Second Semester & Beginning of MP3 1st 3 weeks

January 8 – Report Card MP2 & Semester 1

January 13 – Eligibility Loss or Gain 2:35pm

January 14 - Advanced Math Meeting for Incoming 7th 6:00 Bock

January 18 – Holiday

January 20 – Rising 8th grade Parent Information Night 6:00 p.m.

January 25 – Last Day of grading period for MP3 1st weeks

January 26 – Grades Due, Beginning of MP3 2nd 3 weeks

January 27 - 100th Day of School

January 27 – Rising 7th Grade Parent Information Night

January 27- Spring Pictures through History

January 28 - Spring Pictures through History

January 28 – Progress Report Published

February 1 – Eligibility Gain 2:35pm

February 9 – Athletic & Elective Night 6:00 – 8:00

February 15 – Holiday

February 16 - Cheer Tryout Parent Meeting 6 pm Bock

February 16 – Last Day of Grading Period for MP3 2nd 3 weeks

February 17 – Grades Due, Beginning of MP3 3rd 3 weeks

February 19 – Progress Report Published

February 23 – Eligibility Gain 2:35pm

March 8-10 - Cheer Tryout Clinic

March 11 - Cheer Tryouts

March 12 – Last Day of Grading Period MP3

March 15-19 - Spring Break

March 22 – Grades Due, Beginning of MP4

March 23 - Mandatory Parent Highland Girl Tryout Meeting

March 25 – Progress Report Published

March 26 - Holiday

March 29 – Eligibility Lose or Gain 2:35pm

March 30-April 9 - Highland Girl Tryout Clinic

April 7 - ELA STAAR 7th and 8th

April 10 - Highland Girl Tryouts

April 12 - Color Guard Mandatory Parent Tryout Meeting

April 12 – Last day of grading period MP4 1st 3 weeks

April 13 – Grades Due, Beginning of MP4 2nd 3 weeks

April 13 - Science STAAR 8th

April 14 - Social Studies STAAR 8th

April 15 – Progress Report Published

April 16 - Spring Fling PTO 6-8 pm

April 19 - Eligibility GAIN at 2:35p

April 19-22 - Color Guard Tryout Clinic & Tryouts

April 20 - Math STAAR 7th

April 21 - Math STAAR 8th

April 30 - Holiday

May 3 – 7 – Teacher Appreciation Week

May 3 – Last Day of Grading Period MP4 – 2nd 3 weeks, Beginning of MP4 3rd 3 week

May 4 – Grades Due

May 6 - Progress Report Published

May 24 – 27 Final Exams

May 24 - 7th & 8th exams

May 25 - 3rd & 4th exams

May 26 - 5th & 6th exams

May 27 - 1st & 2nd exams

May 27 – Last Day of Grading Period, MP4

June 4 – Report Cards Published

Thank you so much to those of you who have left ratings on how we are doing here at McCullough! Several teachers and staff have approached me about all the great things people are saying about their kiddo's experience here. It's great to have some fresh perspectives, especially since most of our previous feedback was from several years ago.

Thank you!❤💚❤💚

Main Office.....................................832.592.5100

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