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

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Dear Aldine Community:

Happy New Year!
Welcome back to school! I hope everyone had a restful and relaxing break and is having a wonderful back-to-school week. It is always great to tap on the brakes and recharge the batteries for the second half of the school year. We are also excited to continue strengthening and building our programs.

So many members of our community have shared your New Year’s Resolutions or your one word for the year with me. Many of you plan to improve your grades, and others want to spend more time with family members and friends. Many staff members also shared their one word for the year with me. They included words like grateful, forward, fearless, and joy.

Over the years, I’ve read and binge-watched numerous self-help books and series. I have taken the time to reflect. I can tell you that life is about doing, being, and becoming. Take time to hit the refresh button to spark new ideas. Look for golden moments to take risks or to encourage and support your student in taking healthy risks. Try to work smarter, not harder. Silence your inner critic and savor your accomplishments. And be present when you are with your friends and family, and be present at work. You’ll find your relationships flourishing, and you’ll find that you are more productive when you need to be. That helps you feel more balanced with life and work. And remember to treat yourself! It doesn’t have to be a brand-new car! It can be small indulgences like drinking your favorite cup of coffee or tea you have stashed in your office or classroom, reading from a book you are trying to finish or a meditation moment during your 15-minute break. Make a little time for yourself every day.

These things might seem trivial or easy to achieve, but we must remember their importance. These little things can increase our joy in everything we do, our outlook on life, and the happiness of those around us. They also help us give our very best to the most important group we serve — our students!

And remember: You are doing a fantastic job! Keep up the good work!

2nd Semester Has Started
Schools are already in full swing in the second semester. We’re confident that students will receive the support they need to be well-prepared, but we also know that both students and teachers want to make the most of every moment in the coming days. Remember: You’ve got this!

January is School Board Appreciation Month
School board members represent the public interest in schools and serve as advocates for our students, staff, and local communities regarding education. They help support the district’s mission, vision, values, and goals, spending countless hours of unpaid time working to provide the best possible education for our students.

They are the heart and soul of what makes a stable school district. Our school board members keep us grounded in our community to ensure we deliver on the promise of the best education possible for all our students.

Please take a moment to reach out and thank our fabulous Board Members! Click here to read more about them.

Wellness
We have all been experiencing the Texas winter that flip-flops between hot days to biting cold stretches. It is a time of year when many can fall ill.

If you are worried about your children’s well-being, please don’t hesitate to contact their school for support. School teams do their best to help struggling students have access to the resources they need. Skilled counselors and nurses are available to help, and community resource referrals that can be made if required. I encourage everyone to take good care of themselves and to consider colleagues and students if you or your child is ill or not feeling well.

A Few Celebrations
Our hashtag is #AldineConnected. What better way to kick off 2023 than with a new initiative to connect more with staff and students? Monday, I started my morning with three Board Trustees and our senior leadership team at our first Aldine ISD Boardwalk at Keeble EC/PreK/K School. Worsham Elementary was our second Boardwalk visit this week. I loved seeing students engaged. Good job, everyone, on a fantastic start to the 2023 year!

January 9th was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Hard-working, dedicated team members comprise the Aldine ISD Police Department. Thank you for your commitment to keeping our students and staff safe and for all you do within our communities and schools.

Monday, January 16th, is the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. It is a national day of service that honors Dr. King’s tireless efforts in pursuing social justice and embraces his teachings on community service. I know everyone is excited about the long weekend; however, I encourage you to take a moment to remember Dr. King’s legacy as a nonviolent leader in the civil rights movement. Click here to learn more about MLK Day.

School Attendance
In closing, I emphasize the importance of student attendance. Please ensure that your students arrive at school on time each day, well-rested, and prepared to have a great day!

Have a great week and an incredible year ahead! And enjoy the long weekend!

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent of Schools

UPCOMING & ONGOING EVENTS FOR THE COMMUNITY

• Jan. 13: Report cards are available for students at all schools — schools on the traditional school year calendar and those on the Additional Days School Year (ADSY) calendar. Parents can use their Home Access Center (HAC) account to view their children’s report cards.
• January 19: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) School Art Program/Aldine ISD Visual Arts Reception will be held at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center in the foyer (second floor). The doors will open at 5 p.m., with the Awards Ceremony starting at 6 p.m. (flyer)
• Winter Edition of VYPE: Be on the lookout for the latest edition of the Aldine ISD HS Sports VYPE Magazine.
• Now-Apr. 22: AISD’s Health Services Department is holding monthly CPR classes. (click here)
• Feb. 11: Virtual #LiteracyMatters Conference — Click here to register.
• Ongoing: Read to the Final Four® Competition has elementary students reading in a March Madness tournament. Click here to read more. Follow us on Twitter to see which school is leading the district competition!
• 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
Happy New Year post

RECENT NEWS & ALDINE ISD PODCAST

• La Promesa Students Learning Responsibility, Service to Community Running School’s Food Bank
• Aldine ISD Hosts Share the Joy Event at M.O. Campbell Education Center
• District Seeking Community Input on 2023-2024 Academic Calendar
• Ermel Elementary Makes a Slam Dunk With New Basketball Court Donation From Bimbo Bakeries
• All The Things: The Aldine ISD Podcast – Episode 8, Season 3
• Free GED Classes for Aldine Parents

MONTHLY OBSERVATIONS
January
January School Board Appreciation Month

• Jan. 9: Start of 9 Weeks
• Jan. 16: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

February
CTE Month
Financial Aid Awareness Month
Magnet School Month
Black History Month

• Feb. 1: National Signing Day (student-athletes)
• Feb. 6-10: National School Counseling Week
• Feb. 20: Presidents Day
• Feb. 24: Go Texas Day!

Click here to view the 2022-2023 school year calendars — traditional and Additional Days School Year (ADSY).

REMINDERS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

• Outside food and beverages are prohibited on the premises of secondary schools (middle school, ninth-grade schools, and high schools). Click here for details.
• 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.