Message From the Superintendent, March 1, 2021

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Dear Aldine Community,

The week of February 15 took an incredible toll on all of us. While the sun may be shining today, for many, the outlook is not as bright. Many of our students and staff members were left without electricity, heat, and water in freezing weather conditions. Some are still handling the fallout from the winter storm. Throughout our district, nearly 100% of our buildings experienced power outages, and 67% of our campuses and other buildings experienced damages. As with many tragedies, the silver lining quickly appeared in the form of communities coming together to make sure everyone had what they needed. Friends and family members checked in on each other, neighbors swapped resources and manpower, and many of our Aldine staff members quickly jumped into action to make sure families had access to critical items.

I would like to first say thank you to our Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team. With help from the Aldine ISD Executive Leadership Team and Representative Armando Walle’s family, FACE liaisons held a water distribution event at Aldine High School on February 22, providing water and boxed salads cases to close to 500 families. This event was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Halliburton Charitable Foundation and the Buckner Family Hope Center-Aldine. Additionally, the FACE team partnered with the Houston Food Bank to host a food drive-thru for 5,000 people on Sunday, February 28, at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center. Board Trustee Dr. Kimberley Booker collaborated with the FACE team to organize the event and 100 volunteers and 20 police officers. On top of everything else, the FACE team continues to provide one-on-one support to those families who reach out to them needing assistance.

I want to give a special thank you to those who worked so hard to guarantee a safe return to our buildings. Our police department, custodial, maintenance, and operations staff devoted their time and energy to address a variety of issues at our various schools and district buildings. The next time you see one of these staff members, please consider thanking them for everything they have done. You can also share your appreciation on social media using #AldineAnywhere.

Reminders
Preference for Next 9 Weeks
For families wanting to change their learning model selection, they must submit the changes by Thursday, March 4. Changes will go into effect on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 — the start of the fourth nine weeks.

Learning Model Change Request Link: learningoption.questionpro.com

We recognize the complexities and barriers that have come with remote learning for some of our students. This is why we invite all of our families to carefully evaluate the decision to change their child’s instructional setting. For students who are struggling academically or with attendance, please reach out to the teacher or campus administrator to determine available support and help.

Our goal is to provide choices for our families while being responsive to public health conditions.

Next Remote Learning Day
As a reminder, Remote Learning Days are set aside for all students to learn from home while all campus-based staff will report to school. This Friday, March 12, is our next remote learning.  

During Remote Learning Days, all students should log in to Schoology and revisit pre-recorded lessons and previously posted assignments. It is a perfect opportunity for students to catch up on any missing assignments and review any lessons they may have missed or need additional time to complete. Teachers will not present any live instruction sessions and may not be available for live feedback sessions. 

The district will mark attendance through the evidence of students completing assignments and/or logging into Schoology. Families who need students to be on campus Friday or during any designated Remote Learning Days should directly contact their child’s campus.

Course Selections for 2021-2022
It’s course selection time for the 2021-2022 school year. Campus counselors are working with all students to complete their course requests. Students in eighth grade through high school select courses utilizing the online SchooLinks program SchooLinks. Students learning at home will be contacted about course requests using various communication platforms. Parents will be able to verify their child’s course selections through their Home Access Center account on April 12, 2021. Please contact your child’s counselor for more information about course selections. 

School Meals Available
Free curbside meals are available for all children 18 and younger. We also offer free weekend bundles to students learning on campus at all elementary, middle schools, ninth grade schools, and high schools every Friday. It’s not easy to learn on an empty stomach, so we encourage all of our families who need this program to take advantage of it. Please contact your campus for more information.

Happening This Week
Student and Family Engagement
Families are invited to the following training sessions led by the FACE Department:

Parent Training: Presentation About the COVID Vaccine
Wednesday, March 3
English Session:  9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. https://zoom.us/j/93108849091
Spanish Session: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. https://zoom.us/j/91686428499
 
Storytelling
Thursday, March 4
https://zoom.us/j/91286173652
English Session: 5:00-5:30 p.m.
Spanish Session: 5:30-6:00 p.m.

Aldine ISD COVID-19 Updates

• This Week’s Overview: We are continually monitoring cases in our community and have plans in place should there be a substantial increase or outbreak. I encourage everyone to continue doing their part: wear a mask, wash our hands, and watch our social distance.  
• District Dashboard: Families can always check the COVID-19 dashboard for an overview of the active cases by school. 
• Testing Sites in Aldine Area: Drive-thru rapid COVID-19 testing is available for all Aldine ISD students and staff learning and teaching on-campus at the M.B. Sonny Donaldson Child Nutrition Services Building, 1802 Aldine Bender Rd., Houston, TX 77032. Online registration is required by clicking here.

Happening Next Week
March is Women’s History Month. This is an excellent opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against bias, and take action for equality. We will be celebrating International Women’s Day on Monday, March 8, at the Donaldson Administration Building and Bamberg Professional Development Resource Center. Staff members can wear pink, purple, and pearls and enjoy “Tea and Treats” in the foyers of each building at 10 a.m.  

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent