Message From the Superintendent, Aug. 3, 2020

Disponible en:

Dear Aldine Community,

Conversations between state and local governments continued last week. Both groups have shared what they believe is right for students and teachers related to back to school plans. Rest assured that our team is paying close attention to these dialogues and participating where appropriate. I remain committed to our plan, which will allow all students and staff to work and learn from home for the first three weeks of the school year and will adjust as needed.

Aldine ISD’s first day of school remains August 17, 2020. 

Aldine ISD’s first day of school is August 17. The first three weeks of school will be conducted virtually. In case you missed it, please see last week’s message for details on what At Home Learning looks like for our students.

Our Approach

As guidance continues to fluctuate based on case levels. The district has developed a tool that will help determine what course of action we will take — keeping public health and our local context top of mind. As you can see in the COVID Meter below, AISD’s action plan will connect directly to our area’s color phases. We are currently in the Red Phase. Red signifies a severe and uncontrolled level of COVID-19 in our community as determined by local health officials, meaning outbreaks are presently worsening. Authorities advise residents to minimize contact with others wherever possible and avoid leaving home except for an essential need.

As our community’s COVID-19 outbreaks increase or decrease, our district will announce the phase (e.g., orange, yellow, or green). This will, in turn, result in action items related to opening schools for in-person learning.  Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the COVID Meter. Again, we will use it to guide our decisions for both students and staff.

To share more about our approach, I recently participated in KTRK-ABC 13’s Town Hall on COVID-19 with other district and community leaders. Host Gina Gaston asked us many essential questions about how we will direct learning this fall. You can watch it here. We also continue to communicate with school leaders, staff and community members to share how we are approaching learning this fall. These are two-way conversations designed to share as well as gather input and feedback.

Annual Back-to-School Expo

Aldine ISD is hosting its fifth yearly Back-to-School Expo. This FREE event is open to families in Aldine ISD with children in prekindergarten to high school. The drive-thru Expo will take place on Wednesday, August 5, starting at 11 a.m. at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center (MOC; 1865 Aldine Bender Rd.), and will continue while supplies last. Families will receive FREE backpacks, school supplies, and groceries. Children can also receive FREE vaccinations, which start at 9 a.m. at the district’s Child Nutrition Services Center (1802 Aldine Bender Rd., directly across from the MOC). Please note children do not need to be present to receive backpacks.

Learn more about the event on our district website. 

We are all in this together

For so many, this is the first week of the new school year. If you are new, “Welcome to Aldine.” If you are returning, “Welcome Back.” To all, please know that the safety and well-being of our staff and students remains paramount in our decision making.

There has never been a more challenging time to be a student or educator. Let us remember that we are all on the same side: the side of doing what’s best for our kids. Our leaders ground themselves daily in this Core Belief: We will reopen our physical buildings as fast as we can but as slow as we must, all while continuing to provide choices and opportunities for our students.  

We recognize that there is a lot of information being provided in different places, so the team has captured highlights in one place. Please continue to visit aldineisd.org/returntolearn for the district’s plans, preparations.

Please continue to wear your masks and stay safe.

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney