Aldine ISD to Host Inaugural ‘FESTIVAL DE PRIMAVERA’ to Connect With Spanish-Speaking Families and Community

Disponible en: Español

The event centers around literacy and the opportunities the district offers.

Aldine ISD will host its inaugural ‘FESTIVAL DE PRIMAVERA’ in April. While most districtwide events have translators or interpreters available to translate from English to Spanish, this will mark the first time an event will be hosted and delivered in español.

District partners and sponsors of the event include Lakeshore®, Xfinity, Harris County Precinct 2, Lone Star College, the DePelchin Children’s Center, Bonding Against Adversity, BakerRipley, Custom Care Pharmacy, Sea Smiles Dental & Orthodontics, Legacy Community Health Clinic, the Houston Food Bank, and more.

FESTIVAL DE PRIMAVERA

Saturday, April 30, 2022
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
M.O. Campbell Educational Center • 1865 Aldine Bender Rd. • Houston, TX 77032

- Activities include children’s story read-alouds, STEM activities, a bouncy house, and art activities.
- Informational tables on college, career, technology education (CTE), community resources like financial planning, health clinics, and dental resources
- Petting zoo, face painting, karaoke, and Zumba
- Free books for students in the activity areas
- Student performances mariachi students, ballet folklórico, and cheerleaders
- Student-athlete soccer players
- Student-run food concession stands
- Summer camp registration
- School and department staff sharing information about the district’s wide range of programs and opportunities for students:
  - Choice School Options
    - Magnet Schools (STEAM Programs for PreK-12)
    - International Baccalaureate Program (Grades K-12)
    - Early College High School
    - Career and Technical Education High School & Pathways in Technology
    - Non-Traditional High School
    - Dual Language Program
  - Early childhood education programs
  - Advanced Academic Programs Like Gifted and Talented & College Preparedness
  - ESL and GED Programs for Parents in Partnership With Lone Star College
  - Family and Community University
  - And So Much More!
- Pre-register your child for the 2022-2023 school year
- Learn about resources available to students and families
- Hear from speakers, including Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney; motivational speaker and family engagement expert Dr. José Luis Zelaya; and Jasminne Mendez, a poet, playwright, and award-winning author of several books for children and adults.

The district is targeting the Spanish-speaking community, the largest demographic in Aldine ISD, to ensure key messages and information are reaching families and students. According to Altagracia’ Grace’ Delgado, executive director of the Multilingual Department, face-to-face communication is the number one way to communicate with Hispanic families. Her department is sponsoring the event.

April is perfect timing since it is Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month. Currently, Aldine ISD has over 26,000 students identified as emergent bilinguals, but almost 34,000 families that list Spanish on their home language survey.

“This will be a fun, engaging festival. It is an opportunity to share en español Aldine’s story. We look forward to speaking with our Spanish-speaking families without a language barrier. That is why everything at the event will be in Spanish. We want our Spanish-speaking families to understand all the information about the wide range of programs, options, resources, and opportunities available to the entire family. We have offerings and resources for parents and students. In Aldine, we are working to help the whole family thrive and succeed,” said Delgado.

Centering the theme around literacy, a district strategic priority, Aldine ISD uses the event to celebrate International Day of the Book, typically on April 23. Delgado shared that even though the festival is a week later, the concept is the same — spreading the importance and joy of literacy while sharing information about the district, school options, and programs from more than 15 different AISD departments.

There will be something for the entire family, ranging from face painting and participating in STEM and art activities to enjoying student performances. They will learn about community resources and hear from speakers like motivational speaker Dr. José Luis Zelaya, whose message on the power of education has been broadcast worldwide via television, radio, and newspapers, and author Jasminne Mendez, an award-winning author, poet, playwright, and translator. Families will also hear from Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney.

Aldine ISD families can also sign their children up for summer camps.

“We are excited about the work that is happening with our families. We look forward to seeing and having a chance to talk face-to-face to increase family engagement and build strong relationships with families in an event we strongly think will break down any communication barriers. We plan to give a fun-filled event for the entire family,” said Delgado.