Message From the Superintendent, January 18, 2022

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Dear Aldine Community,

I hope all of you enjoyed your day off yesterday; even more so, I hope you had a moment to reflect on the life of Martin Luther King Jr. As an activist, Dr. King was committed not only to justice but also to the betterment of oneself. He once said, “Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” This week, I want to encourage each of you to do something — small or big — to honor Dr. King’s life. Below are just a few ways to do so:

• Read Letter from a Birmingham Jail
• Take a moment to get to know someone from a background that is different from yours
• Learn something new

Personally, I will continue to work toward fulfilling Dr. King’s vision. Aldine ISD will continue fulfilling our strategic plan. Our collective efforts should ensure that our design, intent, and actions lead with love and care for the students, families, and communities we serve. Our students must have access to high-quality schools and learning experiences that prepare them for their futures. All Aldine ISD students will graduate with choices and opportunities.

One of my favorite quotes is from another legendary civil rights leader who marched alongside Dr. King, Representative John Lewis. And it is one that I refer back to in my work as an education leader:

“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year; it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

To do what is necessary, we must surround ourselves with good people. Make good decisions based on good information and feedback. We must all be committed, intentional, and do work that matters. It is not a title that will mark my or your legacies but whether our work positively impacts others in our community. We must do right by our students. We must give all children every opportunity to succeed and thrive in school, college, and life.

Let’s continue to create opportunities to help students fulfill their potential and reach their aspirations. We must fulfill our promise to them. I encourage us to move with actions steeped in justice, love, and progress. Let’s all get into some good trouble for their future and future generations.

Dr. Martin Luther King and Representative John Lewis were both change-makers, which is the theme of this year’s second annual Black History Oratory Competition. The contest, which coincides with Black History Month, gives us an opportunity to hear our students’ voices and what they think about leadership. Students in grades 3-12 will describe how an African American leader has demonstrated leadership by inspiring others, connecting people of different cultures, and impacting change. 

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Jan. 24- Feb. 17: Black History Oratory Campus Competition 
• Jan. 25: Aldine ISD has partnered with the University of Houston-College of Education in the Community Teacher Equity Development (CTED) program. The CTED program is now recruiting community teachers of color, especially male teachers of color. Interested individuals can RSVP to join an information session on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 4 p.m. Click here for details about the CTED program, how to apply, and how to RSVP for the session.
• Jan. 26-28: The 63rd Annual Aldine ISD FFA Livestock Show will be held at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center, 1865 Aldine Bender Rd. (Houston, TX 77032). Click here for details including, the Buyers’ Luncheon, the Sale of Champions, and how to view the Show online.

OBSERVATIONS
January
School Board Recognition Month

February
Black History Month

• Feb. 7-11: National School Counseling Week
• Feb. 18: Student Holiday/Staff Development Day
• Feb. 21: Presidents Day (Student Holiday)
• Feb. 21: ADSY Schools — Ermel and Vines — Regular Day for Students
• Feb. 22: School Bus Drivers Appreciation Day
• Feb. 25: Wellness Day — Theme is Love Your Heart Month

Aldine ISD COVID-19 UPDATES
The district leadership team is committed to doing all we can to increase the safety and health of our students, staff, and families while implementing measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community. We want all our students healthy, learning, and thriving in our classrooms. I ask for your continued support as we tackle the Omicron variant.

• Face Masks: As we have done throughout the pandemic, we continue implementing COVID mitigation protocols. While we had hoped to lift the mask mandate after the midwinter break, we decided to maintain the mask requirement until further notice with rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the Houston area. The district will require students, staff, and visitors to wear face masks at all district facilities — schools, buildings, facilities, school buses — and events.
• Symptoms: We strongly encourage you to please keep your child home if they have COVID or any other communicable disease (.e.g. flu, whooping cough, measles, chickenpox) symptoms. Have your child tested if you suspect it is COVID-19. Here is a link to our Health Alerts web page regarding keeping your student/child home.
• Reduce Spread of Any Communicable Disease: Please continue to protect yourself and others by taking precautionary measures to prevent infection of all viruses, including COVID-19: wash your hands often, cover your coughs and sneezes and keep a safe distance from others.
• Protocols: Our district administrative leadership team has been, and is, in constant communication. Based on CDC recommendations, we updated our protocols and guidelines. Our COVID reporting procedures have not changed. We will continue to monitor local and school cases to further adjust health and safety protocols as appropriate.
• District Dashboard: Families can always check the COVID-19 dashboard for an overview of the active cases by school. 
• Testing Sites: Please get tested if you exhibit symptoms, have been exposed to someone with the virus, have been with groups of people, or travel. Click here for a list of testing sites and to register online. Additionally, each campus has a testing opportunity weekly or biweekly. A parent/guardian must consent for testing.
• Vaccinations: The district continues to work with local officials, including Harris County Public Health (HCPH), to communicate the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine is available to individuals five and older. On January 3, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 booster vaccine in adolescents from 12 to 15 years. Booster doses are now available to everyone over the age of 12. The FDA also shortened the time to receive the booster after completing the two-dose schedule. It went from six months to five months. The FDA also authorized the third dose as part of the primary series for certain immunosuppressed children between 5 and 11. The CDC announced on January 10 that at-risk Americans (immunocompromised) are eligible for the fourth COVID dose.

REMINDERS

• Aldine’s Family and Community Engagement Department launched the Family and Community University. It provides education and resources to empower families to support students academically, socially, and emotionally. Programming is free and open to all Aldine families. Register today.
• The state requires high school seniors to apply for financial aid to graduate. The FAFSA application opened on October 1.
• Aldine ISD’s top priorities continue to be all students’ safety and academic success. The district will post all information related to operations along with any updates at www.aldineisd.org/healthalerts.
• Please stay connected by visiting the District News and District Podcast pages to stay up to date on all the great things happening in our district. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.