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

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Dear Aldine Community,

The holidays are almost here! The weather has turned cold, and everyone is thinking about Thanksgiving. If you stopped by our turkey giveaway, I know you already have your bird for dinner. Before we take some much-needed time off to celebrate with our families next week, I have some good news to share.

Congratulations
Teachers are crucial for student success. Because we have incredible teachers in our schools, it is always gratifying when one of them receives recognition. Last week, Remelia Arpino was named the 2022 High School Science Teacher of the Year by the Science Teacher Association of Texas. She was honored at the organization’s Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST) in Dallas. Remelia is an educator at our Choice School, Eisenhower High School, which offers the International Baccalaureate® Diploma Program. She is an 18-year veteran teacher at Eisenhower. Congratulations, Remelia, on your well-deserved award.

Choice Schools
While I am on the topic of Choice Schools, I hope you have had a chance to attend our Showcase Events. Since the start of the month, each Choice School has hosted a showcase to give families another venue to learn more about their programs. Our students have so many opportunities, such as the Norman Borlaug Youth in Agriculture Program at Texas A&M University. High School students from several campuses were selected to participate as promising youth leaders. They will learn how to confront complex global food and fiber production challenges and pursue new frontiers in agriculture. We also have programs that develop students’ global mindsets and a culture that promotes open-mindedness and diversity. A great example is Kujawa Elementary, where students recently held their inaugural Ruby Bridges Walk. Visit our Choice Schools web page to see all the different options we offer our students. There are showcases planned for this week and the week after Thanksgiving. Click here for dates and times.

Save the Dates
Literacy is the cornerstone of development. Being able to read opens worlds for a child. The district implemented our new literacy framework in the fall of 2020, making gains, and in many instances, we have closed gaps. We’ve been sharing our journey and our experiences with others. We will be hosting the third annual #LiteracyMatters Virtual Conference on February 11, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Be on the lookout for more details on how you can join us! If you want to understand the science of learning and see what is possible, I strongly urge you to attend.

I am also excited about the upcoming 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston “A Framework For Schooling: The State Of The Black Manchild In Education” Conference. Please join my colleagues and me for the Superintendents’ Roundtable on November 19. Click here to register.

Staff
Schools across the district, such as Sammons Elementary and Hill Elementary, celebrated veterans working at their schools last week. Thank you for your bravery and sacrifice and for continuing your life of service by working with our students. If you missed it, please click here and take a moment to view our Veterans Day slide show of the men and women working in AISD.

This week, please take the opportunity to thank our education support professionals (Nov. 17) and our
substitute educators (Nov. 18). It takes a village of committed individuals to ensure learning happens every day for our students. Thank you for all you do!

Generation Texas Week
Before I close, we are celebrating Generation Texas Week (Nov. 14-18). I encourage everyone to take part in motivating students to pursue higher education and training after graduating high school. Click here to see the daily fun themes.

Gratitude
Last week, I mentioned that November is Gratitude Month. I shared some things I am grateful for. I also asked you to share with me what you are thankful for. I enjoyed reading all of them, including Nolita Bechara, an instructional specialist at Orange Grove Elementary, who wrote, “Gratefulness is a sign of happiness! I am grateful for the gift of life, my family, friends, and colleagues, good health, my work, and every experience and opportunity. They make our journey in this life merrier!” Kristin Smith, a retiree still supporting our students at Johnson Elementary. Kristin said she is grateful to her “family and my job!” She wrote, “As a tutor, I have the pleasure of seeing so much growth and confidence in my students. I have a third-grader who couldn’t read. Last week, I went to pick him up for tutorials. He ran up to me excitedly, saying, ‘I’m getting to learn to read.’ When I retired, I was going to work in business, but no way it could ever be as rewarding as this!!!” Triple exclamation marks! I couldn’t agree more. It is why we are in education. Thank you all for sharing.

Have a great last week before the holiday!

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent

UPCOMING EVENTS

• February 11, 2023: #LiteracyMatters Conference
• Ongoing: Read to the Final® Competition has elementary students reading in a March Madness tournament. Click here to read more.
• Ongoing: Family and Community University’s 2022-2023 year has started. Click here to register.
• 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
The podcast featuring head soccer coach Salvador Fernandez at MacArthur HS earned 1,201 views, 4 retweets, and 25 likes on Twitter.

RECENT NEWS
Eisenhower, Nimitz Football Teams Earn Playoff Berths
Aldine ISD Schools Continue to ‘Make A Difference’ in Our Communities
Aldine ISD’s Choice Schools Host Showcases for Upcoming School Year
Thank You, Military Veterans, for Your Service
Davis HS’ Sergio Avilés-Aguirre is One of Only Two Students in Texas to Earn Private Pilot Certification
Aldine’s Family and Community University is Already Making Strides in its Second Year
Aldine ISD Teacher is a Statewide Science Award Winner
Aldine ISD Elementary School Students Taking Part in Citywide Read to Final Four® Competition

MONTHLY OBSERVATIONS
November
Native American Heritage Month
National Scholarship Month

• Nov. 14-18: Generation Texas Week
• Nov. 15: America Recycles Day
• Nov. 16: Education Support Professionals Day
• Nov. 18: Substitute Educators Day
• Nov. 21-25: Thanksgiving Break

Click here to view the 2022-2023 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.