Message From the Superintendent, October 4, 2021

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Dear Aldine Community,

October is here, and I don’t know about you, but I am enjoying the cooler weather and the promise of a new season. We have so much to look forward to this month, and I encourage you to join me as we highlight individuals, events, and observations aimed at bringing our community together.

National Principals Month — October
Throughout National Principals Month, we would like to recognize and celebrate our campus leaders that are inspiring, impacting, and making connections across the district. Share your Principal Impact Story with us and take a moment to #ThankAnAISDPrincipal this month. Let them know how much you appreciate them.

Speaking of strong and capable leaders, we are excited to welcome back a former Aldine ISD graduate. Susana Velis will begin her role as Director of College Readiness in mid-October. Susana brings to this position a variety of skills and abilities that will ensure our students transition successfully after high school. We continue to ensure students graduate with choices and opportunities. Welcome back, Susana!

New Requirement for High School Graduation
To ensure students graduate from high school College, Career and Military Ready, TEA requires all high school seniors to file for financial aid before graduation. This year’s FAFSA application opened on October 1. By having students fill out their financial aid paperwork prior to graduation, the state hopes to increase college enrollment. Click here to learn more about the state’s new initiative.

Houston Astros Jersey Day — Thursday, October 7
Let’s go, ‘Stros! October baseball is here,  and our Houston Astros are the American League West Division champs. To support the team as they open the American League Division Series against the White Sox, we encourage all Astros fans to wear their favorite Astros jersey on Thursday, October 7.

#PinkOutDay — Tuesday, October 19
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To raise awareness and make sure people affected by breast cancer know we’re here for them, I challenge you to wear all of your pink gear on Tuesday, October 19. That’s pink from head to toe: pink shirts, pink skirts, pink dresses, pink shoes, pink sweaters, pink ties, pink blazers — even pink hair bows!

Hispanic Heritage Month — Now through Friday, October 15
As we continue our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, we are excited to resume highlighting the achievements of Hispanic people across the country. We are even more excited to celebrate those individuals right here in our community. During Hispanic Heritage Month, we will continue introducing you to a few of our innovative Aldine leaders who are making a big difference in students’ lives. 

This week, we highlight Ana Fernanda Flores-Bolivar. Ms. Flores-Bolivar is the principal of La Promesa, one of Aldine’s newest Choice School options. Originally from México, Ana has worked in education for more than a decade. She started her teaching career as a bilingual teacher in Aldine ISD in 2006 before taking on leadership roles at the school level. Most recently, Ana served as the principal at Orange Grove Elementary School.

Ana’s life experiences bring a wealth of knowledge, perspective, and understanding of what it is like to be an immigrant. Growing up as the daughter of a Mexican diplomat and a social anthropologist, she traveled and has lived in several different countries. Before returning to Mexico City, she lived in New York and El Paso during her elementary school years. Ana completed her middle and high school years in Central America. She and her family lived through Peru’s “Era of Terrorism” and witnessed an emerging democracy in Nicaragua. 

She values the importance of teachers caring for students’ well-being as well as building relationships with families in the community to increase the support students receive outside the classroom. Ana believes that parents and legal guardians play a crucial role in students’ academic success. 

Her goal is to empower our students to live with pride in their native language and heritage, alongside learning and adapting to a new culture and language. Ana promises that everyone at the La Promesa will build a solid foundation that prepares students for their future.

We are so fortunate to have a talented, phenomenal leader who brings a global perspective into her role as principal of La Promesa. I also invite you to learn a bit more about La Promesa.

Be sure to share on social media how you are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Include the hashtags #AISDHHM21, #AldineForward, or #AldineAdelante.

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent

UPCOMING EVENTS

• October 4: AISD 11th- and 12th-grade students can meet with representatives from post-high school options during College Night on Monday, October 4, from 7–8:30 p.m. at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center (1865 Aldine Bender Rd.). To learn more, click here.
• October 16: The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department will host its first Fall Family Conference on Saturday, October 16, at Benjamin O. Davis High School (12525 Ella Boulevard). Parents and caregivers can learn more about what our district has to offer. Each family in attendance will receive an Amazon gift card! English flyer | Spanish flyer 
• October 25: There is a COVID-19 vaccination event on Monday, October 25, at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center (1865 Aldine Bender Road) from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. This is another vaccination event for staff and students (and their siblings and family; students ages 12 and up). Families should RSVP.
• RSVP for the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines — Custom Care Pharmacy (ccarerx.com)

OBSERVATIONS 
October

• October 3-9: Fire Prevention Week — The theme is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” 
• On October 4: World Day of Bullying Prevention Awareness — Students and staff participated in #BlueUp by wearing blue on October 4 to raise bullying awareness.
• October 6: National Coach’s Day
• October 10: World Mental Health Day

REMINDERS

• Aldine’s Family and Community Engagement Department is launching a new program, Family and Community University! The mission of Family and Community University is to provide the necessary knowledge and resources to build confidence and empower families to support students academically, socially, and emotionally. All programming is free, offered virtually and in person, and open to all family and community members. Learn more and register today.
• Aldine Education Foundation Scholars Program gives students the opportunity to start earning college money in their freshman year of high school by achieving high academic standards for all four years of high school. Students who successfully meet the program’s criteria will have $3,000 of scholarship funds ready at graduation – no applications necessary! Click here for more information.
• As COVID-19 continues to be a part of our daily lives, I encourage you to continue to follow the three Ws: Wash your hands, Wear a mask, and Watch your distance. Aldine ISD’s top priorities continue to be the safety and academic success of all students. We will post all information related to our operations along with any updates at www.aldineisd.org/healthalerts.
• Please stay connected by visiting the District News page to stay up to date on all the wonderful things happening in our district. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.