A Message From the Superintendent

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Dear Aldine ISD Community,

In May, many of our schools are in the final stretch of their academic year. I can’t help but reflect on the incredible momentum we’ve built together this spring. Our students, staff, families, and community continue to amaze me with their talent, dedication, and spirit. It’s a joyful time to be part of the Aldine ISD family, and I’m proud to share just a few of the exciting highlights from across our district.

One of the initiatives I’m especially excited about is our new 2+2 Cybersecurity Pathway, launched in partnership with the University of Houston-Downtown and Lone Star College. This innovative program allows students to earn a high school diploma, associate degree, and bachelor’s degree in the high-demand field of cybersecurity — all through a seamless academic experience supported by all three institutions. The program is structured in a way that students can seamlessly transition from high school to college, with support from all three institutions. This not only saves time and money but also provides a comprehensive education in cybersecurity.

Our Class of 2025 seniors are counting down to graduation. Many have made college commitments, while others await final acceptances and scholarship offers. Among them is Daniel Garner, an Avalos P-TECH School senior who has earned the prestigious Gates Scholarship. Daniel will attend Texas A&M University as a general engineering major and plans to explore robotics, electronics, or mechanical engineering. Congratulations to Daniel and to the Class of 2025 as they prepare for college, careers, the military, or the workforce.

Our juniors are also making waves. Alisson Garcia Molina earned a National Gold Medal in photography through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards — the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Several students also earned Gold Seals at the State VASE competition, placing them among Texas’s top 1% of student artists. On the academic front, Logan Haagenson-Jiménez from MacArthur High School won top honors in three events at the National Academic Decathlon’s Individual Division.

Our student-athletes are excelling as well. Aldine High School’s baseball team captured the District 14-6A Championship for the second consecutive year. Jameson Kegler, a Mustang basketball player, was named an All-American by the National High School Coaches Association for his academic excellence and sportsmanship. And at the UIL 6A State Track & Field Meet, Jayla Cooper from Nimitz High placed fourth in the 100-meter hurdles. She holds 11 scholarship offers from Purdue, the University of Louisiana, Prairie View A&M; my alma mater, Sam Houston State University, and more.

These students — and so many more — are shining examples of the brilliance, creativity, and determination that define Aldine. Their achievements also speak volumes about the dedication of our teachers, coaches, and campus leaders.

We’re also seeing success in emerging areas. It has been nearly two summers since we hosted the Greater Houston Area Inaugural Esports Conference. In less than two years, two high school teams — composed of students from different AISD campuses — have qualified to compete in the Texas Scholastic Esports Federation (TexSEF) State Championship this month. What began as an experiment is now a fast-growing program that fosters analytical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and technological literacy, opening doors to non-traditional career pathways.

Throughout our district, end-of-year awards ceremonies and celebrations are in full swing. My Superintendent’s Student Ambassadors recently wrapped up their final meeting. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to our seniors, but hearing about their next steps was incredibly inspiring. I know they’ll continue to make Aldine proud wherever they go.

And of course, we’re celebrating the heart of our campuses — our staff. Last week, we recognized our School Lunch Heroes. This week, we are observing Teacher Appreciation Week, School Nurses Day (today, May 7), and later this week, School Communicators Day. Next week, we’ll honor our police officers during National Police Week, and on May 18, we’ll celebrate Speech Pathologist Day. I am deeply grateful to every team member whose dedication helps keep our students healthy, engaged, and safe. Your contributions make a lasting difference — we couldn’t do it without you.

We also celebrate our diverse communities. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and while our AAPI community members may be small in number, their impact is powerful. Keep an eye out for campus events that honor the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched American history and continue to shape its future.

Before I close, I invite you to read the latest edition of our newsletter, Aldine Connection. Inside, you’ll find stories about the students I’ve mentioned, highlights from a citywide chess tournament, a recap of the virtual 2025 Festival de Primavera joined online by more than 800 families, and details about upcoming events, including the end-of-year mariachi and ballet folclórico showcase at Carver High School.

As we move through these final weeks, I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect and celebrate the milestones and victories we’ve achieved together. We are building a district where every child has the opportunity to achieve their dreams — and that’s something to be incredibly proud of.

Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and belief in the power of education. Let’s finish this year strong — #AldineImpact!

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent
Aldine ISD