Message From the Superintendent, August 17, 2021

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Dear Aldine Community,

It is my great honor to officially welcome all of you back to school! Every year, I get excited as we look ahead to the new opportunities that lay before us. This year, I am especially excited to have our students back on campus and learning in our buildings. Even in these still uncertain times, we know that students learn best when they are with their teachers, classmates, and school staff — and we finally have the opportunity to be together again. Let’s use the lessons we have learned in the past year and a half to Start Strong. In case you missed it, you can view the Back to School video by clicking here. Don’t forget to share your back-to-school photos on social media using the hashtag #AldineForward and let us know what you are looking forward to this school year!

Yesterday, I visited several schools and met students, families, and educators. It was a joy to see everyone. This year, we will continue our mission to provide rigorous, life-changing experiences for our students. We continue to offer students more choices and opportunities, like opening two new schools this school year, the Aldine Young Women’s Leadership Academy, which is encouraging girls to go into STEM careers, and La Promesa is giving newcomers a strong foundation to thrive while taking pride in their native language and finding commonalities in their new culture and language. Additionally, this year, Carver High School for Engineering, Applied Technology and The Arts is offering two new CTE programs — mechatronics and interior design — and is applying for P-TECH status. This year, our new motto is #AldineForward because it encompasses what we in Aldine are about: moving forward, meeting the objectives and goals of our strategic plan, and demonstrating what is possible for students when you have the right people doing the right work.

As a reminder, masks are now required for anyone age two and older at all Aldine ISD campuses, district buildings, and buses. Aldine ISD’s top priorities continue to be the safety and academic success of all students. As Aldine ISD provides in-person learning, protocols and information for families have been updated for the 2021-2022 school year. The protocols will be revisited to address any changes from the Texas Education Agency, CDC, state and local health guidelines.

BACK TO SCHOOL REMINDERS

Communication 
Communication is important for schools and the district to reach out to families about new programs, updates, or information about your child. 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 a HAC account. Please complete the Annual Update application and submit it by August 20.

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.

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 following year. Families can apply for free and reduced-price meals on www.SchoolCafe.com. To learn more, click here.

Opportunities for Family and Community Engagement 
As we all settle into the rhythm of being back to school, I’d like to remind all of our Aldine families about the district’s Family and Community Engagement Department, which is also referred to as FACE. 

FACE is committed to elevating district pride by strengthening partnerships with families, communities, and business communities by:

• Empowering families to become strong advocates for their children;
• Increasing school staff capacity to connect, engage, and partner with families effectively;
• Creating opportunities for parent leaders to engage directly with the Superintendent to inform and validate district strategies; 
• Providing additional resources and support to each campus; and
• Developing more systems and opportunities for parents to be active partners at the campus level, including strong PTO/PTAs, Parent Ambassador Programs, and volunteer opportunities.

To learn more about FACE, visit their webpage here and sign up for the monthly newsletter.
 
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 great first week of school ahead!

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent