¡En Aldine, se habla español!

As Superintendent Dr. Latonya M. Goffney notes, “If you know where George Bush Airport is, you’re in the heart of Aldine ISD.” The district spans 111 square miles and is home to a vibrant cultural landscape, with 61 languages spoken among its approximately 60,000 students. Of these, 27,404 are emerging bilinguals or English language learners, making cultural diversity a hallmark of Aldine ISD.

While many students may not share the same native language, they all share a common goal: to learn, graduate, and achieve success. Their families’ dream remains the same: to witness their children cross the stage and receive their high school diplomas. Aldine ISD is dedicated to ensuring that no language or cultural barrier stands in the way of these aspirations.

Understanding the importance of communication, Aldine has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure bilingual communication throughout its interactions with the community. The Office of Communications has a team of translators and interpreters who provide Spanish-language services to meet the needs of the district’s large Spanish-speaking population. From posting social media messages in English and Spanish to maintaining a fully bilingual website and ensuring that all communications — such as letters, announcements, and newsletters — are accessible, Aldine ISD continuously works to break down language barriers and foster inclusivity.

One of the district’s most significant strides in this area has been implementing interpretation services at key district events. Spanish interpreters have provided consecutive interpretations at community meetings, including those held for Bond 2023 and other large gatherings, ensuring that families can fully participate, ask questions, and share their perspectives. These efforts are designed to encourage greater engagement from families whose primary language is not English, ensuring that their voices are heard and valued.

Building upon these services, Aldine ISD piloted simultaneous interpretation using specialized devices during the 2024 graduation ceremonies and the summer graduation in August. This allowed Spanish-speaking families to experience the ceremonies in real time, in their own language. Due to the positive reception of this initiative, the district plans to expand the use of simultaneous interpretation at future events.

In addition, other departments, such as Multilingual Services, play a critical role in supporting Spanish-speaking students and their families. Programs like the two-way and one-way dual language models ensure that multilingual students receive a strong education in both English and Spanish. Family-focused initiatives, such as the annual Festival de Primavera, also contribute to this effort.

The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department is also instrumental in bridging the communication gap. Through programs like the Family and Community University, the district offers English as a Second Language (ESL) and Spanish conversation classes, helping families communicate and engage fully within the district. These initiatives work to continuously reduce language barriers across Aldine ISD.

Aldine ISD remains committed to strengthening its connection with all families, regardless of the language spoken at home. The district is on a mission to ensure that every voice is heard and that every student and family feels fully integrated into the educational community. At Aldine, diversity is not just celebrated — it is lived and reflected in every decision made.

¡En Aldine, se habla español!

– Written by Sandra Perez Chaviano & Carolina Pinales