Message From the Superintendent, August 3, 2021

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Dear Aldine Community,

The top priorities of Aldine ISD are the safety and academic success of all our students. As Aldine ISD continues to provide in-person learning, protocols and information for families have been updated for the 2021-2022 school year. While masks continue to be optional, they are welcomed at all Aldine ISD campuses and administrative buildings, based on updated guidance from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics. We will continue to evaluate our current protocols and will take into consideration CDC, state, and local health guidelines. As a reminder, we post all information related to our operations along with any updates at www.aldineisd.org/healthalerts. Please continue to be safe. It’s hard to believe that the first day of school is just two weeks away!

Legacy Builders
This week, W.W. ‘Bill’ Thorne, affectionately known as “Mr. Aldine,” passed away. Mr. Thorne, a Navy veteran, ascended to the superintendency by first serving as a bus driver and teacher. After retiring as superintendent in 1973, he remained active. Mr. Thorne served as the first president of North Harris College (now Lone Star College-North Harris), was the first chancellor of the North Harris Montgomery Community College District, the first executive director of the Harris County Toll Road Authority, and was the first executive director of the North Houston Association. Mr. Thorne became well known for his efforts in saving the school district from bankruptcy in 1958. Those who knew Mr. Thorne best state that while he held significant political influence, he remained a “man of the people.” He knew everybody, including secretaries, bus drivers, custodians by their name. I encourage you to read his story. He certainly left his mark in Aldine. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and friends. Services will be held Wednesday, August 4 at Memorial Baptist Church, 22333 Kuykendahl Rd., in Spring, TX. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the Memorial Service at 2 p.m.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
As we prepare to Start Strong on August 16, we are excited to launch into year three of our literacy initiative. Last year, we launched a new literacy framework at primary, elementary, and middle schools campuses. I am excited to announce that we saw progress. According to the district’s end-of-year mClass reading measure — a test that measures skills that students need to be strong readers — nearly 50 percent of students in kindergarten through fifth grade ended the year at or above grade level in May. Starting this school year, we are launching a new literacy program for our high school students. We are focused and committed to improving student outcomes especially in the area of reading. You will hear more as the year continues.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The top priorities of Aldine ISD are the safety and academic success of all our students. As Aldine ISD continues to provide in-person learning, protocols and information for families have been updated for the 2021-2022 school year. While masks continue to be optional, they are welcomed at all Aldine ISD campuses and administrative buildings, based on updated guidance from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics. We will continue to evaluate our current protocols and will take into consideration CDC, state, and local health guidelines. As a reminder, we post all information related to our operations along with any updates at www.aldineisd.org/healthalerts. 

UPCOMING EVENTS
This Saturday, August 7, Aldine ISD will be hosting its sixth annual Back to School Expo from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center, 1865 Aldine Bender Rd. The free drive-thru event is open to families in Aldine ISD with children in Grades PreK-12. In addition to backpacks and supplies, the COVID-19 vaccine and other childhood vaccinations will also be available. For more details about the expo and how to preregister for vaccinations, click here.

BACK TO SCHOOL REMINDERS
Enrollment Open for New Students 
Parents or legal guardians enrolling students new to the school district will complete a New Student Online Enrollment Form.

Communication 
Communication is important for schools and the district to reach out to families about new programs, updates, or information about your child. Beginning TODAY, students’ families must complete the Required Annual Update. Previously, AISD relied on parents/legal guardians to make updates on their student’s information. Moving forward, Aldine ISD will have families complete the Required Annual Update. Why? The measure will help increase customer service and ensure individual student information is updated annually. AISD will ask families to complete a yearly update before beginning each new school year. Families will access the Annual Update form through the Home Access Center (HAC). At least one legal guardian — a student’s parent or legal guardian — needs to have a HAC account. 

Resources
Aldine ISD families can visit AldineISD.org and click on the Back-to-School button. As items are approved, the page will continue to be updated, and information will be shared on social media and campus websites. Check regularly for any updates.

Updates 2021-2022 Bell Schedule 
The district has made revisions to standardized start and dismissal times for the 2021-2022 school year. Aldine ISD updated the times to ensure each level has the same amount of hours. Please find all schedule updates at this link.

DISTRICT REMINDERS 

Students to Benefit From Free Breakfast and Lunch During the 2021-2022 School Year
All students are eligible for free school breakfast and lunch meals next school year through a USDA program. Families are not required to submit a free/reduced meal application. However, they are encouraged to apply for meal benefits 1) to ensure that their household qualifies for P-EBT funds if they become available again, 2) to allow for meal status eligibility carryover the following school year, and 3) so that the district receives funding to support all students the next year. Families can apply for free and reduced-price meals on www.SchoolCafe.com. To learn more, click here.
 
District Updates
We have so many wonderful things happening in our district! Please make sure to check out the District News page to stay up to date on everything happening in our district. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

I wish you a wonderful week ahead.

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent