Message From the Superintendent — In Full Stride

Disponible en:

Dear Aldine Community,

On April 1, I quietly marked a milestone — 18 years as a superintendent.

Three districts. Countless students. Thousands of educators who gave everything they had. And one unwavering conviction that public education has the power to change the trajectory of a life — because it changed mine.

I share this not to focus on me but to provide perspective. Eighteen years of spring semesters have taught me something important: no time of year compares to now in a school district. The energy is electric. The stakes are real. The heart of our Aldine community beats loudest in April.

This momentum is fueled by the many stories that define our district, stories that embody what it means to be in full stride.

The People Who Make It All Possible
This month, we have paused — as we should — to celebrate the dedicated educators and staff who unite to hold our schools together in ways that often go unnoticed. They are an essential and cherished part of the #AldineStory.

We celebrated our paraprofessionals on April 1. These patient, dedicated professionals show up every day to support our most vulnerable learners. We recognized our school librarians on April 4. They are champions of curiosity and literacy who open worlds through books. From April 6–10, we honored our assistant principals — our MVPs — for the invisible heavy lifting they do each day. They keep our campuses moving.

And congratulations to our April Customer Service Award winners — Evelyn Evans of Ogden Elementary and Claudia Ruiz of Marcella Elementary — recognized for going above and beyond for our Aldine families every single day.

To every one of you: Aldine ISD sees you. We are grateful to you. This #AldineStory is yours, too.

Our Students Are Shining
From the stage to the track to the classroom — our students continue to shine, excelling at the highest levels and filling us with pride as they represent our community.

Carver High School theatre had an incredible season. The department earned 35 nominations and finalist honors in the 2026 Tommy Tune Awards. Students across the district advanced to compete in the International Thespian Festival in June, the national event for middle and high school students. Meanwhile, six Aldine ISD theatre programs competed in UIL One-Act Play. Carver advanced to the Area competition with Porgy. Davis, Nimitz, MacArthur, Eisenhower, and Aldine High all earned individual and technical honors along the way.

In the visual arts, Blanson CTE students Alexandra de León and Stephanie Leiva earned National Scholastic Gold Medals. Their work ranks among the top student artwork in the country, selected from over 335,000 entries. Schools held GT Expos to showcase our gifted and talented students’ research and creativity. Art students at Impact Leadership Academy worked with muralist and Aldine ISD alum Carlos Mendoza. Together, they brought their creativity to life in the community.

On the competition front, Aldine High School FCCLA students are headed to state. Our Nimitz Cougar Unified Track team is state-bound for the second straight year after winning first at Area and Regionals. Students from across the district headed to the Texas State History Day competition, with one student heading to the state competition for her sixth time.

On the Athletic Fields
Our student-athletes have been remarkable. The Nimitz varsity girls and Davis varsity boys claimed the District 14-6A Track and Field Team Championships. Eisenhower girls and Nimitz boys earned runner-up honors. An impressive 83 student-athletes — 44 boys and 39 girls — qualified for the 6A Area Track and Field Championships. This event takes place today, April 16, at College Park High School in The Woodlands. Go Aldine! Additionally, the Aldine HS girls’ tennis team and the MacArthur boys’ team claimed District 14-6A Tennis Championships. Fourteen student-athletes are headed to the UIL Region 2 6A Tennis Championships in Waco on April 20–21.

And to our baseball, softball, and soccer student-athletes still competing — we celebrate your efforts and cheer you on.

Choices and Opportunities — Built Into Every Classroom
In Aldine, we believe every student deserves access to high-quality learning experiences that open doors. This month, three powerful program spotlights reminded our community just how many doors we are opening.

The HEAL Program at Nimitz High School prepares students for real-world healthcare careers by equipping them with hands-on skills in a mock hospital, rehabilitation spaces, and CTE classrooms, thereby increasing their readiness for medical professions. Impact Leadership Academy builds future leaders through mentorship, community engagement, and purposeful learning, resulting in students demonstrating improved confidence and leadership abilities. The Aldine Young Women’s Leadership Academy empowers young women to lead, succeed, and envision futures without limits, as students gain enhanced leadership experience, self-advocacy, and ambition.

I was also honored to attend the MacArthur JROTC Military Ball alongside Commissioner Garcia. He delivered an impactful keynote and shared apprenticeship opportunities for graduating seniors. The discipline, leadership, and service commitment these students showed filled me with pride.

We also celebrate Ogden Elementary Principal Gregory Castille, whose statewide leadership award in deaf education reflects the inclusive, student-centered culture we are building across every campus in Aldine ISD.

Earlier this month, my administration team visited Spence Elementary and Hill Elementary — and I want to say directly to those campus communities: the learning happening in your buildings is extraordinary. Every classroom we walked into reminded us why we do this work.

Coming Up
Our Festival de Primavera (Spring Festival) is this Saturday, April 18. It is a free, family-friendly event at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center. The event is now expanded to celebrate all of Aldine ISD’s emergent bilingual families. Come out, bring your family, meet award-winning authors, and connect with resources available to you. All means all in Aldine. This event reflects exactly that.

Spring is also the season of beginnings. Our PreK Expo and Enrollment Fair invited families to explore what an Aldine ISD education looks like from the very start. If you know a family with a child ready for PreK, tell them: we have a place for them.

Our Choice Schools are also hosting the 3rd Annual Creative Pursuit Art Showcase and Trashion Fashion Show — a celebration of student creativity, self-expression, and sustainability that is not to be missed.

And yes — prom season has officially begun! Aldine High School kicked things off on April 10. To our students: you only get these moments once. Enjoy every one of them.

In Full Stride
April is the month when everything we have built all year comes into view. STAAR testing is underway — and I want every student to know that we believe in you, we have prepared you, and we are with you every step of the way.

Keep running your race, Aldine.

I am so proud of you.

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent of Schools