Message From the Superintendent, Sept. 4, 2020

Disponible en: Español

Dear Aldine Team:

Since the start of the pandemic, our entire community’s health, wellness, and safety have been my top priority. As we have discussed on numerous occasions, we decided to approach this school year by opening “as fast as we can but as slow as we must.” And we have done just that. We are in the third week of the school year, and I am thrilled to see all of the ways teaching and learning continue.

Each week our team reviews local data by zip code, pours over reports from the county, and monitors the number of reported cases in the district. We have had conversations with local health officials and stay abreast of activity and changes happening in surrounding school districts. We have noticed that many indicators are flattening, while other COVID-19 indicators are decreasing. We anticipate that our local decision meter will change to Orange in the coming weeks. Orange signifies a severe and uncontrolled level of COVID-19 in our community as determined by local health officials, meaning that there is ongoing transmission of the virus. We are advised to minimize contact with others and avoid medium or large gatherings. However, we also indicate that up to 25% of students who requested to receive in-person instruction can return as targeted student groups.

We are bringing back groups of strategically identified students in a staggered way. Just as we have had stakeholders’ voices develop our Return to Learn plans, we are working with a cross-section of principals, leaders from Teaching and Learning, Operations, and other departments to determine the staggered return schedule. More details will be shared soon, but I have charged the COVID Taskforce with identifying the groups of students that would benefit most from in-person instruction (including early childhood, English language learners, students in specialized programs, etc.). At this time, we anticipate that no student would return to campus before Monday, September 21.

To prepare for our students’ return, we ask that all staff — both central-support and campus-based personnel — permanently return to their normal worksites on Monday, September 14. This approach will give us all time to acclimate to our health and safety protocols ahead of our students, including required face coverings, social distancing, and frequent handwashing. Our protocols also require all staff to complete a health screening each day before reporting to work. The short self-screening is a series of questions, including the taking of your temperature. You will be sent detailed information on completing the survey and your personalized login and password.

Many staff members have shared that child care is a concern. The district has developed a temporary childcare plan that will assist staff. The plan will allow employees with students in grades PreK-5 to bring their school-age child/ren to their worksite. Details of the plan have been shared with campus leaders, and more information is posted here. I hope this solution provides you peace of mind as we continue to navigate virtual learning and new learning ways.

Should you have any questions about employee accommodations, submit your question directly to employeeaccommodations@AldineISD.org, and a member of the benefits department will get in contact with you. We have also provided answers to some frequently asked questions here. Also, anticipate a message from your campus principal or department leader with follow-up information specific to your department.

As you know, I am not only a superintendent but also a parent of a student. I’m not only a superintendent but also a family member with elderly relatives. I have neighbors and friends who are at risk. I am not only your superintendent but also your colleague, and I share both your worries and your hopes for your students.

We must remain careful and courageous as we continue to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 together while ensuring our students continue to succeed.

As we have said from the start, the situation with COVID continues to evolve, and we must all stay flexible. Should conditions change, and COVID cases increase, we are prepared to make necessary adjustments to protect our staff and students’ health and well-being.

Important Dates to Remember