A Message From Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, Superintendent

Disponible en: Español

Dear Aldine Community,

State of Education
Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce’s State of Education. I and my fellow sister superintendents — Dr. Jenny McGowen of Klein ISD and Dr. Lupita Hinojosa of Spring ISD — discussed critical legislative issues affecting public education, including our school districts and the impact of the pandemic on student learning. It was also an opportunity to tell Aldine’s story and share all the great things happening here.

It is hard to believe I am nearly completing my fifth year as your superintendent of schools. The years have come and gone so quickly. Each day has been filled with bustling activity in and out of the classrooms. Between meetings, games, and events supporting students, it is easy to forget how much we have accomplished for students. Between new programs, choices, opportunities, and new initiatives that impact student learning and academic progress — each day, I am once again reminded of how proud I am to serve the Aldine community. I am living the dream!

Community Meeting
I encourage all of you to hear Aldine’s story. Join us at the next planned Community Meeting on Thursday, April 20, at Eisenhower High School. It’s a celebration and a chance to see talented students from the feeder schools — primary, elementary, middle, and ninth — and learn more about what Aldine ISD offers our students, including programs that benefit parents. Hear how we prepare our students to live their dreams.

Soñadores Summit
On Saturday, we held our Soñadores Summit for our undocumented high school students, DACA recipients, Visa holders, permanent residents, refugees, asylum grantees, and all high school students — born in and outside of the U.S. This event was full of information as well as gave all dreamers a chance to make connections to guide them in reaching all their possibilities. Thank you to all that made this summit possible.

SHINE Celebration
We also connected with our first-year teachers at the SHINE (Supporting Honoring Inspiring New Educators) event on Saturday. I hope you left feeling accomplished and so very valued. Aldine is committed to investing in our new teachers to yield positive student outcomes. We celebrated them on completing their first year in Aldine. I can’t wait to see the amazing things you do in your classrooms next year!

Legislative Session
Students — again, all students — are my why. A part of my work entails advocating for public education. I was at the State Capitol in Austin last week, giving testimony and extending the dialogue about public education. It should come as no surprise that I, like so many fellow public school superintendents and districts, am against vouchers, which drain needed dollars from all public schools. Public schools also already offer so many choices for families. And while I know we still have to fight for public education, my hope was lifted when state legislators voted 86-52 to ban school vouchers from the state budget. T thank you, legislators, for listening. Together we’re stronger and will make a difference for all Texas students.

Long-Range Planning Committee
It starts with authentic partnerships. Listening to and working with the people we serve is something that we in Aldine do. Last week, we held our third Long-range Planning Committee meeting. We are reviewing and assessing, and thinking about the future. We’ll present the committee’s suggestions to the Board of Trustees later this spring. Click here to view our long-range planning committee webpage.

Kudos and Shout-outs
Spring is full of competitions, and our students across the district are excelling! Follow us on social media and visit AldineISD.org, where you can read about Carver High School’s theater troupe being named a finalist in 10 categories, including best musical and best director, in the Tommy Tune Awards! Good luck at the awards ceremony on May 4!

Kudos to Carver HS theater director Roshunda Jones-Koumba! Roshunda as she continues to advocate for the arts and our students! She was invited to speak on Houston Public Media’s Town Square podcast. Click here to hear the entire podcast.

The semester is full of opportunities, like the Aldine String Festival. We had special guest star David Connor with the Houston Symphony this year. Click here to hear our students perform with him.

We have exciting news! Davis High School has been selected to be a part of The College Board’s African American Studies pilot program. The Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies course will be offered next school year at the campus.

STAAR Testing Starts This Week
Before I close, I remind everyone that STAAR testing begins this week, April 18th. Please rest up and continue to keep a positive attitude. I know all our students will do their best! You can click here if you would like ideas to support students during testing.

Have a great week ahead!

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent of Schools
Twitter: @drgoffney
Contact Me

UPCOMING & ONGOING EVENTS FOR THE COMMUNITY

April 18: STAAR Testing … End-of-Course (EOC) English 1
April 18: The district will hold a public hearing on the 2021-2022 APR at Board Meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at the Donaldson Administration Building-Board Room.
April 19: STAAR Testing … Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 Reading and Language Arts
April 20: STAAR Testing … EOC English 2
April 20: Community Meeting at Eisenhower High School from 6-7:30 p.m.
Now-April 21: Free GED and ESL classes for AISD parents with a student enrolled in the bilingual or ESL program in AISD. Click here for details and to register.
April 22 (Saturday): Fun Day in the Park is a fun-filled event that will offer resources to help support and empower families of students with autism. It is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at East Aldine District Park, 2800 Aldine Mail Rt. We’ll offer activities, and food trucks will be present too. Click here for details and to register.
Now-Apr. 22: AISD’s Health Services Department is holding monthly CPR classes. (Click here)
April 25: STAAR Testing … Grade 5 and Grade 8 Science, EOC Biology
April 25 (Tuesday): Gifted and Talented Education Expo will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center, 1865 Aldine Bender Rd. Nearly 300 students in Grades 1-5 from the district’s Gifted And Talented Education (GT) programs will be showcasing projects.
April 26: STAAR Testing … Grade 8 Social Studies, EOC U.S. History
April 27: Community Meeting at Davis High School from 6-7:30 p.m.
April 29: AISD’s 2nd Annual Festival de Primavera (an all-Spanish event), from 9 a.m. to noon, at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center
May 2: STAAR Testing … Grades 6, 7, and 8 Math, EOC Algebra 1
May 3: STAAR Testing … Grades 3, 4, and 5 Math
May 4: Community Meeting at MacArthur High School from 6-7:30 p.m.
May 11: Community Meeting at Nimitz High School from 6-7:30 p.m.
Now-June 1: AISD is applying to receive its share of ARP ESSER III (ESSER III) funding as determined by the Texas Education Agency. Aldine ISD seeks feedback from all district and community stakeholders to help determine how the district should best utilize these resources. Click here to take the survey.
Ongoing: Family and Community University’s 2022-2023 — 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.

RECENT NEWS & ALDINE ISD PODCAST

STAAR Testing Dates
Aldine ISD to Host its Inaugural Soñadores Summit for All High School DREAMERs
Aldine ISD to Host Community Meetings
Long-Range Facilities Planning Underway
District Elementary Students to Showcase Projects at Gifted and Talented Expo
District to Host Inaugural Fun Day in the Park for Families of Students With Autism
Davis High School to be Part of African American Studies Pilot Program
District to Host 2nd Annual Festival de Primavera
Internet Services are Available for All Households With Kids at CEP Schools
Houston Symphony Community-Embedded Musician to Speak at Aldine Strings Festival
Preregister Your Eligible Head Start, Prekindergarten, and Kindergarten Students for 2023-2024
Eisenhower College Prep to Open in Fall 2023
View the 2023-2024 AISD School Year Calendars

MONTHLY OBSERVATIONS

April
National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month

Apr. 15-19: National Volunteer Appreciation Week
Apr. 19: ENVI2ION School Day (ADSY
Apr. 26: ENVI2ION School Day (ADSY)

May
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

May 1-5: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 2: Decision Day
May 13: School Communicators Day
May 29: Student Holiday (traditional & ADSY)

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 all secondary school campuses (middle, ninth-grade, and high school campuses) premises. 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.

FOLLOW US!

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.