McCullough Family Update
September 7, 2026
Good Evening Mustang Families,
We had an amazing start to the 2026–2027 school year, and it was wonderful to welcome all of our Mustangs back to McCullough! As we return from the Labor Day weekend, we are excited to continue building on the positive energy and momentum from our opening week.
This week, students will begin diving deeper into instruction while continuing to build relationships, learn routines, and strengthen the habits that will support their success throughout the year. As always, we remain committed to being Champions for Every Student and creating a school community where every Mustang feels supported, challenged, and inspired to succeed. Please review this week’s Family Update for important information, reminders, and upcoming events at McCullough.
Week of 9/7 Exploratory Schedule
- Monday, September 7th: Labor Day (Schools & Offices Closed)
Tuesday, September 8th: B Day
Wednesday, September 9th: A Day
Thursday, September 10th: B Day
Friday, September 11th: A Day
Code of Conduct Presentations
This week, our students will begin participating in Code of Conduct presentations led by their grade-level administrators. These presentations will help students understand schoolwide expectations, their responsibilities as Mustangs, and the choices that contribute to a safe and positive school community. We encourage families to talk with their students about what they learned and help us reinforce the importance of being safe, respectful, responsible, and ready to learn each day. Thank you for partnering with us to make McCullough a positive place for every Mustang!
NFL Day at McCullough
Get ready to show your school spirit! Our first Spirit Day of the year will be Wednesday, September 9th. Students and staff are encouraged to wear their favorite NFL team gear or colors to celebrate the start of the football season. Let’s see which team has the most fans at McCullough!
Math & ELA Benchmark Assessments
This week, all McCullough students will complete their Beginning-of-Year Benchmark Assessments. These assessments provide our teachers with important information about each student’s current strengths and areas for growth and help us plan instruction and supports for the year.
- mCLASS Math Benchmark Assessment → Wednesday, September 9th
- STAR Reading Benchmark Assessment → Thursday, September 10th
Please help your Mustang be ready to do their best by ensuring they arrive at school on time and get a good night’s rest. How families can help:
- Encourage your student to take their time and give their best effort.
- Talk with your student about the importance of showing what they know.
- Remind them that benchmark results help teachers identify the instruction, support, and enrichment they need to grow throughout the year.
McCullough's Got Goals Parent Meeting & Open House (see flyer below)
Join us on Thursday, September 17th for McCullough’s Got Goals Parent Meeting & Open House! Parent/Guardian arrival begins at 5:15 PM. Families will begin the evening by following their student’s schedule to meet teachers and learn about classroom academic and behavioral expectations for the school year. We will then gather in the auditorium for our McCullough’s Got Goals Parent Meeting, where we will:
- 🎯 Review McCullough’s academic goals for the year
- 📊 Share students’ Fall Benchmark results in Math and ELA
- 🤝 Discuss how families and staff can work together to support student success
Transportation & Dismissal Information
One of the most important things your child should know when they arrive at school is how they will be going home at the end of the day. Please review your child’s transportation information in Infinite Campus and make sure they know their bus number or whether they are a walker or car rider.
Taking a few moments to review this information with your child before school will help us ensure a safe, smooth, and organized dismissal. If you have any questions about your child’s transportation information, please reach out to the main office, and one of our secretaries will be happy to assist you.
Fall Sports Tryouts
We’re excited to kick off the fall sports season! Tryouts for cheerleading, soccer, and field hockey will begin very soon. Please be sure to review the Athletics section of this newsletter for detailed information on tryout dates, times, and requirements.
Let's have an amazing week as a school community, and remember MUSTANGS RUN TOGETHER!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hyacinth Lewis, Principal
Families can access grades, attendance, transportation information, report cards, and more through the portal or mobile app. If you do not yet have an account, please use the information below to create your account.
For additional information or support with creating/accessing your account, please visit: https://form.jotform.com/252254619385059
Reminder: Enroll in the Wellness Center Today!
We encourage all families to consider enrolling their child in our school-based Wellness Center! This is a valuable resource that offers medical and mental health services right here at school with no out of pocket cost to you—making it easier to support your child’s well-being without missing work or school.
Important Notes:
- Enrollment in the Wellness Center does not replace your primary care provider—it’s an added support.
- Services are available during the school day to enrolled students.
- Once enrolled, you can schedule appointments by phone and choose whether to:
- Attend in person
- Join via phone or video
- Allow your student to attend independently
How to Enroll:
- Option 1: Complete the electronic enrollment packet using the link below
- Option 2: Pick up a paper copy in the main office. Paper packets should be returned to the main office once completed.
Summer Hours & Contact Information:
The Wellness Center will reopen on Monday, August 17th. Families can call 302-512-7500 over the summer to schedule appointments or ask questions. This is a great opportunity to ensure your child is supported both physically and emotionally throughout the school year. Don’t miss out—enroll today!
Athletic Participation Requirements
- All students interested in trying out for, participating in, or competing on an athletic team must have a completed DIAA Sports Physical on file with the school prior to participation. Sports Physicals can be competed at the McCullough Wellness Center if your student is enrolled.
- 2026-2027 Athletic Physical and Consent Forms Packet
- 2026-2027 Athletic Physical and Consent Forms (Spanish)
- 2026-2027 Athletic Physical and Consent Forms (Haitian Creole)
All students must adhere to the Colonial School District Student Code of Conduct policies and requirements regarding attendance, academics, and behavior set forth by McCullough Middle School in order to participate on an athletic team.
Fall Sports Information
- Soccer
September 9: 7th and 8th Grade students only
September 10: 6th Grade students only
September 11: Call-back list students only
- Field Hockey
September 9–11: All grade levels
- Cheerleading
September 16–17: All grade levels
Students interested in participating on the cheerleading team must complete and return the Cheerleading Application Form.
Practice Information
Practices are held directly after school from 2:50–4:25 p.m.
Students are expected to remain with their team coach for the entire duration of practice.
At the conclusion of practice, students will be dismissed in the following order:
Walkers
Car riders
Bus riders
After-School Bus Information
McCullough's after-school buses are neighborhood buses. This means students will be dropped off at their designated neighborhood stop listed in Infinite Campus. These buses do not provide door-to-door service.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to speak with their child in advance about how they will safely travel from the neighborhood drop-off location to their home
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