Message From Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, Superintendent of Aldine ISD

Disponible en: Español

Dear Aldine Community,

October is here! The weeks are flying by quickly, and as I visit schools, students are engaged and learning, and schools are celebrating progress made. It brings me joy to see all the great opportunities our students have.

In my last message, I asked you to share about hope, why it’s essential, what you do to keep it alive, and what makes you hopeful. Many of you responded. For many, hope keeps them going even when it feels impossible to go further. Mothers Ashlee Goree from Reece Academy and Eda Escalón from Carmichael Elementary School shared their hopes for their children to be successful and achieve their dreams. Teachers like Leticia Cortez from Orange Grove ES and Angela LaMothe from De Santiago EC/PreK/K shared that our students give them hope for a better future and that having a growth mindset ensures students progress. Kenneth Hernández, athletics program director, and Lauren Birks in our Social and Emotional Learning Department wrote about prioritizing relationships and how developing positive relationships with students gives them hope that students will succeed in life knowing they have people in their corner rooting for them. These are just a few examples but reading all the comments reinforced what I already know — there are so many in our community and on campuses and departments supporting our students. That gives me hope that we are moving forward in the right direction for our students. Thank you for sharing with me.

Our incredible staff is doing excellent work. Congratulations to Margarita Cruz at La Promesa! Ms. Cruz has been named the 2022 ESL/Bilingual Secondary Teacher of the Year by the Texas Association for Bilingual Education. We also have an incredible visual arts program. Aldine was named a District of Distinction for a fourth consecutive year by the Texas Art Education Association. Only the top 5% of districts in the state earned the honor! The honor is the achievement of many, including Kaileigh Newman, our visual arts director, for her leadership and vision in overseeing our visual arts program and many talented teachers. They connect, inspire, and impact our students every day.

As I have always said, leadership matters. Leaders guide and inspire staff to meet the district’s goals. This year, we have been celebrating gains made in state testing. Those gains are in large part to the leadership on campuses. October is National School Principals Month. I encourage you to take a moment to thank school principals for their dedication and commitment to our students.

There is another group of valued staff I want to recognize: our custodians. Yesterday, October 2, was National School Custodian Appreciation Day. Custodians hold a special place in my heart. My grandma, mi abuelita, was a maid. Because of Bigmama, I know the hard work custodians put in every day. Their work has not gone unnoticed. As I visit our schools and buildings, I see how clean and bright they are. You do quality work and always smile and greet everyone. For all that you do, you have my complete respect. Tienen mi respeto de todo corazón. I encourage the Aldine community to take a moment to thank the custodians in your building this week.

Schools started hosting their Open House events along with book fairs. A number of our campuses will host their Open House this month. Check your child’s school for dates and times. I encourage you to come to see the wonderful things happening in our schools. It is also a great way to meet teachers.

We are in the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month! I have enjoyed seeing posts on social media from schools and district personnel taking part in activities and showing their Hispanic pride in our book lotería, our cultural art walls, and dressing as their favorite Héroe Hispano. Last week, best-selling and award-winning author Matt de la Peña was the keynote speaker in our virtual lunch and learn event. And I am really looking forward to later this week when our administrative leaders will enjoy homemade Hispanic foods during our ILT on October 6, as well as hearing our talented students from Mariachi Acero, who will perform. I am proud to mention that our ballet foclórico and mariachi at Carver HS were featured on Fox 26 Houston. And we are not done! Next week we close out Hispanic Heritage Month with our Book Club. The group will discuss this year’s book, Emily Francis’ If You Only Knew: Letters From an Immigrant Teacher. Click here to read more.

There are so many other happenings that offer choices and opportunities for our students and families. From voter registration drives to our Transition Expo for families of students with disabilities and hearing real stories of transformation from families who participated in our Family and Community University sessions last school year. FCU focuses on empowering families and serving as a resource for the whole family to succeed. I had the great pleasure of seeing the first FCU class graduate, and I have to say it was one of the most inspiring moments I have witnessed. Click here to register for FCU’s 2022-2023 year, which opened on October 1. Our Parent Leadership Academy also offers new sessions for parents and legal guardians. Click here for details.

Other upcoming events include a Day of Learning Together on October 8 for families and teachers of students with dyslexia. College Night on October 10 is an excellent opportunity to talk with college, trade school, and armed forces representatives. The Annual TCCA event for edtech educators will be on October 22. And our Choice Schools Festival, on October 29, gives families a chance to meet representatives from our specialized programs for PreK to high school students and apply early for the 2022-2023 school year. Stay connected to these and other opportunities by visiting AldineISD.org.

Many families received emails about completing the Annual Update for 2022-2023 before October 21. I encourage families to complete the required form online. The information you provide includes emergency contacts, acknowledgments, and necessary permissions. By completing the form, you also assist us in maximizing school funding. Again, I urge you to complete the Annual Update to ensure communication between schools and families and to ensure schools receive the maximum funds. The data also determines if the district qualifies to provide free school breakfasts and lunches to all our students — like we are doing this school year. Next week marks National School Lunch Week. As your students enjoy free healthy school meals, remember to complete the Annual Update so all students can benefit again next year.

As I close, I want to remind you of another communication channel we use, All The Things: The Aldine ISD Podcast. Last month, you heard me talking about ‘all the things‘ that have been going on in Aldine since the last episode in May. And stories about my daughter, who graduated from Nimitz High School. In the second episode of the third season, you hear Chief of Police Paul Córdova talking with our Chief of Staff and host of the podcast, Sheleah Reed, about safety in our schools and our Aldine communities. I encourage you to tune in and learn about best safety practices, what the Aldine ISD Police Department is doing about cyber threats, and how you can be proactive in the community.

Until the next time, have a fantastic experience in our schools!

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 1: Family and Community University’s 2022-2023 year starts. Click here to register.
October 8: Day of Learning Together for families and teachers of students with dyslexia. Click here for details.
October 10: College Night at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center, from 6-8 p.m. (Click here)
Oct. 11-15: National School Lunch Week
October 21: Parent Leadership Academy session at the MOC. Click here for information.
October 22: Technology & Curriculum Conference of Aldine (TCCA), from 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m., at Davis HS. Expect 200 sessions, 90 educational vendors, and nine featured speakers. Click here to register to attend.
October 29: Choice Schools Festival at the MOC, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Ongoing: iEducate is hiring college students, especially Aldine ISD grads, as tutors to work with Aldine ISD students. iEducate accepts applications on a rolling basis, and interested students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHT
Ms. Lelis Andrade: Facebook post. 224 likes/expressions. 19 comments
Carmichael A-rated Day: Facebook post. 71 likes/expressions. 5 comments
Episode 2 of season podcast tweet: 524 views

RECENT NEWS

Read To The Final Four
Eisenhower, Nimitz Football Players Named to TD Club of Houston’s Pre-Season Team
Cornelius Harmon Aims to Establish a Winning Culture in His First Year as Head Coach of Nimitz
Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney Named Among Top 30 Influential Women in Houston
MacArthur Volleyball Player Jessika Martínez Named to GHVCA Pre-Season Team
District Names New Eisenhower Ninth Grade School Principal
Spring ISD Shares George Stadium Policies for Aldine ISD Fans Attending District 14-6A Games
Several Staff Assignments Announced at September 20 Board Meeting
Aldine ISD Welcomes Two New Roles to the Family and Community Engagement Department

MONTHLY OBSERVATIONS
October
National School Principals Month

Oct. 2: National School Custodian Appreciation Day
Oct. 3-7: Hispanic Heritage Month — Food served at ILT on October 6; Mariachi Acero will perform.
October 5: World Teacher Day
October 5: ENVI2ION School Day (ADSY Calendar)
On October 10-14: Hispanic Heritage Month — Book Club to discuss the selected book on October 11.
Oct. 11-15: National School Lunch Week
October 12: ENVI2ION School Day (ADSY Calendar)
October 13: Nine Weeks End (Traditional Calendar)
October 14: Student Holiday/Staff Development Day
October 17: Student Holiday
October 18: Nine Weeks Start (Traditional Calendar)
October 19: ENVI2ION School Day (ADSY Calendar)
Oct. 19-23: National School Bus Safety Week
October 29: ENVI2ION School Day (ADSY Calendar)

Click here to view the 2022-20223 school year calendars — traditional and Additional Days School Year (ADSY).

REMINDERS

The state requires high school seniors to apply for financial aid to graduate. — FAFSA Application link or TASFA Application links
The state requires all entering college students to take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment. (Details).
Aldine ISD’s top priorities are students’ safety and academic success. The district posts information related to protocols along with any updates at www.aldineisd.org/healthalerts.
Stay connected by visiting AldineISD.org. Check out our District News and Aldine ISD Podcast pages to stay updated on all the great things happening in our district. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.