Message From the Superintendent, October 19, 2021

Disponible en:

Dear Aldine Community,

Many of you know that in addition to being one of the largest school districts in Texas, Aldine is also one of the most diverse. We are fortunate to have students and team members from so many different backgrounds. It’s what makes our school district such a special place to learn and work. As we continue to evaluate how we can best serve each and every student who sits in our classrooms, we are undergoing an audit focused on equity.

Our partner in this work, Mass Insight Education & Research, will engage families about equity through focus groups and surveys to understand the district’s current state and perceptions of equity in the coming weeks. While participation in the five-minute phone interview is optional, I encourage you to participate. The information gathered from family phone calls is anonymous, and our partner will remove all identifiable information. Mass Insight staff will use an Aldine area number and leave a voicemail with details if you are unavailable. 

One way to provide equity is to give students choices and opportunities that prepare them for their future. Aldine offers a wide range of options for all students, including our Choice Schools. I hope you will join us for our Choice Schools Festival on November 6 to get information about the many options in Aldine that families have for their children. Choice Schools give students the opportunity to attend schools outside their attendance zones to dive deeper into their interest areas. Students who live outside of Aldine ISD can also enroll. Every Choice School (PreK-12) will be represented at the festival. Click here for details.

Many exciting things are happening in Aldine ISD, including the Technology & Curriculum Conference of Aldine (TCCA) on Saturday, October 30, 2021. 

The Technology & Curriculum Conference of Aldine (TCCA) has grown to be one of the largest free EdTech conferences in the nation. The 2020 virtual TCCA conference drew over 4,400 educators representing over 22 different countries. The conference tackles how to use technology in teaching and learning. There will be something for every educator. I encourage you to attend. Click here for more conference information and registration.

On October 16, we held our Fall Family Conference. It was great to see more than 400 families taking part. Families enjoyed visiting with community partners and learning about the programs provided by the school district. The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department and AISD partners shared mental health resources, multilingual resources, student support, and much more. I also want to thank Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian García. We both were keynote speakers.

The podcasts are back! Season 2 of All The Things: The Aldine ISD Podcast has started. In this episode, we are celebrating #NationalBookMonth, and we are talking about books, libraries, and the magic of the people who run them. Join Chief of Staff Sheleah D. Reed and Program Director for Library Services, Marco Zannier Virginillo, on the latest episode. During the podcast interview, Marco defines the title Information Literacy Specialist, clears up common misconceptions of school libraries, and encourages families and staff to utilize the library resources at school and home. Subscribe and listen now on any podcast streaming service. 

Before I close, I want to mention National School Lunch Week. Our Child Nutrition Services staff should be commended for their hard work to provide our students with nutritious meals all year long — but we paused last week for the official celebration. We know that when it comes to building healthy, happy kids, proper nutrition is essential to help them thrive. This year, both breakfast and lunch are free, thanks to the U.S. Department of Health. I encourage your child to take advantage and eat breakfast and lunch at school.

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent

UPCOMING EVENTS

• October 19-22: Open houses have been happening since October 4 with our primary schools. This week middle school open houses are being held. The ninth-grade school and high school open houses are planned for October 25-29. Be on the lookout for information from your child’s school.
• October 19: #PinkOutDay — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To raise awareness and make sure people affected by breast cancer know we’re here for them, I challenged everyone to wear pink. If you did, don’t forget to share on social media using the hashtags #PinkOutDay and #AldineForward! 
• October 23: The Student Recovery Extravaganza will take place at Plummer Middle School (11429 Spears Rd.) from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event is a way to get students back in school. Students have choices and opportunities that prepare them for their future. Aldine ISD offers a wide range of programs and services to meet the needs of your child. Click here for details.
• October 30: The Technology & Curriculum Conference of Aldine (TCCA) has become one of the largest FREE EdTech conferences. The 2020 virtual TCCA conference drew over 4,400 educators representing over 22 different countries. This year, TCCA will offer over 150 sessions featuring speakers and presenters. Click here for more details.
• November 6: Choice Schools Festival gives students the opportunity to attend schools outside their attendance zones and pursue their interests. Every Choice School (PreK-12) will be represented at the festival on Saturday, November 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students who live outside of Aldine ISD can also enroll. Join us to discover the best-fit school for your child. Click here for details. 

OBSERVATIONS 
October: National Principals Month; Share your Principal Impact Story with us and take a moment to #ThankAnAISDPrincipal this month. It is also National Book Month. The observation Is a national effort to raise the profile of reading in American culture.
October 18-22: School Bus Safety Week
October 23: National Make a Difference Day
October 23-31: Schools will observe Red Ribbon Week, a national drug prevention campaign throughout the week. Students will participate in themed dress-up days, and other events focused on making good decisions.

REMINDERS
Aldine’s Family and Community Engagement Department has launched 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 Aldine families. Learn more and register today.

The state requires high school seniors to apply for financial aid to graduate. The FAFSA application was opened on October 1. 
 
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.