Message From the Superintendent, April 26, 2021

Disponible en:

Dear Aldine Community,

I am excited to say that I am declaring next Monday, May 3, as the last “First Day of School.” On this day, I invite all students to come back to on-campus learning so we can all Finish Strong and Finish Safe. That means ensuring all of our students are given the opportunity to catch up on any missing assignments, take scheduled spring exams, and participate in end-of-the-year activities and celebrations.

Families: There’s no need to complete any form — simply contact your campus leader if you have any questions about your child’s return.

From the beginning, we have relied on science and data to go as fast as we can but as slow as we must. And it worked. Aldine saw very little community spread in our schools. Our students followed the protocols — watching their distance, washing their hands, and wearing their masks. Additionally, we continue to make vaccines available to every Aldine ISD teacher and staff member and work with community partners to help ensure our community is educated and has access to testing and vaccines. 

The year is coming to an end, but it is not over. There are exciting activities, momentous events, and important learning left to do. Without a doubt, this community’s dedication is why we made it this far and the reason we will end the year safe and strong.

COVID-19 UPDATES – Testing, Safety Protocols, and Vaccination News
As a reminder, Texas has opened COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all adults. Under the expanded eligibility, Texans 16 and older can receive a vaccine. However, the Pfizer vaccine is the only approved vaccine available for that age group. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been approved for people 18 and older. Learn more. 

Aldine ISD has partnered with Custom Care Pharmacy, Texas Patient Care Services, Community Health Choice, and Harris Health to provide COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer) for Aldine ISD staff, students, and the community.

Currently, Harris County Public Health is offering vaccines on demand. To schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from Harris County Public Health (HCPH), click here or call 832-927-8787.

Additionally, in anticipation of approval for children 12 to 15 years of age to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Aldine ISD has partnered with Texas Children’s Hospital and will provide vaccines for this age group and others at M. O. Campbell Educational Center once approval has been granted. More information will be provided once we receive notification.

Drive-thru rapid COVID-19 testing continues to be available for all Aldine ISD students and staff. Online registration is required and can be found here. I encourage everyone to continue doing their part:  wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.  

Adjustments to Quarantine Protocols
Following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control, Aldine ISD will no longer require fully vaccinated students and staff without symptoms to quarantine if exposed to a lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 case. 

Individuals are considered fully vaccinated: 

• Two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

Students who are fully vaccinated are encouraged to provide a copy of their vaccination card to their campus nurse to enter into their student health immunization records. Staff will only be asked to provide their vaccination records to the Aldine ISD Benefits if they are identified as an exposure to a positive case.  Fully vaccinated staff members, who can provide their vaccination card, can then be cleared by the Aldine ISD Benefits department to return to work.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS 
Preregistration for PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten is Open
Families can pre-enroll their eligible students for the 2021-2022 school year in three grades — prekindergarten for three-year-olds (PreK3) and Pre-K for four-year-olds (PreK4) and kindergarten. Again, pre-enrollment is for new, eligible students entering AISD for the first time. Families can click here to begin the preregistration process by completing online documents. The deadline to pre-enroll students to PreK and kindergarten is May 31, 2021.

Students Take Part in Survey About Their Well-being, Social-Emotional Skills — AISD students in grades 3-12 are taking part in a survey about their experiences this year.  The survey will be open until April 30. Students learning on campus and those learning at home can provide feedback that the district can use to improve services and programs that better support the whole student. Research links social-emotional learning (SEL) to long-term success. Student Survey Link: surveys.panoramaed.com/aldine

Campus professional staff members are also providing feedback. They received a survey link from Panorama Education, the company conducting the student and staff survey for AISD.

STAAR Testing 
STAAR testing picks back up next week.  It is important to note that all students are required to test in their assigned school building. Safety guidelines will be followed to ensure that students and staff are as safe as possible. Transportation and meals are available to everyone, and dates will be available for students to make up the exams.

2020-2021 ALDINE ISD STANDARDIZED TESTING SCHEDULE
 

*All at-home learners must go to their home campus to take tests on their scheduled day(s).
** May 18 and May 19 are Remote Learning Days for students in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade on-campus students.

Family and Community Engagement (FACE)
Keep up with the Aldine ISD FACE Department’s April newsletter for this month’s event dates and family resources, with a few highlights below:

Storytelling
Thursday, April 29
https://zoom.us/j/91286173652
English Session from 5:00-5:30 p.m.
Spanish Session from 5:30-6:00 p.m.

In closing, we have so many wonderful things happening in our district! Please make sure to check out the District News page of the website to stay up to date on everything happening in our district.

I wish you a wonderful week ahead. 

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent