Black History Oratory Competition Winners Announced at March Board Meeting

Carver High School student Jordan Nelson, with trophy, took first-place honors in the second annual Black History Oratory Competition. He’s pictured with Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, Aldine ISD Board President Randy Bates, Carver High staff and his family.

Young Women’s Leadership Academy student Katheryn Trail, pictured with trophy, took first-place honors in the second annual Black History Oratory Competition. She’s pictured with Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, Aldine ISD Board President Randy Bates, YWLA staff and her family.

Calvert Elementary student Alexia Watts, pictured with trophy, took first-place honors in the second annual Black History Oratory Competition. She’s pictured with Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, Aldine ISD Board President Randy Bates, Calvert Elementary staff and her family.

Public hearing held on 2020-21 APR

During the March 8 Board meeting, Aldine ISD conducted a public hearing to discuss the district’s annual report. Dawn Ayers, Chief of Strategic Initiative and Accountability, conducted the hearing. The report includes the district and campus Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR), district accreditation status, campus performance objectives, a report of violent or criminal incident, and information received under Texas Education Code 51.403(e) from the Texas Higher Education Coordinator Board. Ayers reported that within the next two weeks, the 2020-21 Annual Performance Report will be disseminated and may be accessed in its entirety on the district website.

Teaching, Learning and Leading Department recognizes two All-State musicians

During the March 8 Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Todd Davis, Chief Academic Officer, along with Refugio Rodriquez, Director of Performing Arts, recognized Aldine ISD students Andres Castillo of Aldine High School and Victoria Cerda of Eisenhower High School who were named Texas All-State Musicians by the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA). All-State is the highest honor a Texas music student can earn. Only 1,800 students are selected through a process that begins with more than 75,000 students from throughout the state vying for the honor to perform in one of 18 ensembles (bands, orchestras, and choirs) at the TMEA Convention. Andres and Victoria are among the top 2% of all high school musicians in the State of Texas. Andres and Victoria traveled to San Antonio and enjoyed four days of intense practices with world-renowned conductors. Every All-State musician performed in a full concert to an audience of more than 2,000 music educators and the general public at the world-famous Lila Cockrell Auditorium. Jeremy Gray is Andres’ teacher and Sandra Walker is Victoria’s teacher. This marked the third straight year that Victoria has earned All-State honors.

Staff assignment announced

During the March 8 Board of Trustees meeting, Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney announced one staff assignment.

• Joseph Lucario was named Program Director for Elementary Social Studies after serving as an Assistant Principal at Aldine High School.

Employees recognized

During the March 8 Board of Trustees meeting, a number of Aldine ISD employees were recognized who provide leadership and represent the district’s values in the most exceptional ways.

• Dr. Keena Bradley, Executive Director of Employee Services and Experience, named Maggie Zuniga as the Human Resources Department’s Employee of the Quarter. Maggie serves as the secretary to the benefits director.
• Aldine ISD Police Chief Paul Cordova named Jacqueline Goodman as his department’s Employee of the Month. Jacqueline serves as the police department’s dispatcher.
• Christina Riojas, Director of Transportation, named Marcus Garvie the Transportation Department’s Employee of the Month. Marcus serves as a bus driver at the Northside Transportation Department.
• Juan Vargas, Director of Buildings and Properties, named the Dr. Wanda Bamberg Professional Development and Research Center, as the Building of the Month. On hand to accept the award was Head Custodian Gloria Livingston.
• Tremel Prudhomme, Director of Maintenance, named Rudy Bazan as the department’s Employee of the Month Rudy serves as a plumber.
• Teresa Lane, Director of Child Nutrition Services, named Judy Benavides as the CN’s Employee of the Month. Judy serves as a Quality Assurance Trainer for the department.
• Patrick Mouton, Executive Director of Facilities Planning and Construction, named Leonard Morgan as his department’s Employee of the Month. Leonard serves as a Job Site Superintendent.

Grants announced

Stacey Smith, Director of Special Programs, announced four grants during the March 8 Board of Trustees meeting.

• Eisenhower High School Principal Mandele Davis and teacher Sharell Hilton secured a $1,000 grant from Chevron to support a balanced and healthy lifestyle for local Houston youth through running and wellness.
• Anderson Academy Principal Dr. Eunetra Simpson and teacher Raquel Peavy secured a 44,121 grant from AAUW-North Houston Branch to fund the school’s STEAM Girls Rock project. The project will provide young girls exposure to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) software.
• Johnson Elementary School Principal Pamela Riggins-Johnson and Assistant Principals Dr. Troas Jones and Jasmine Edwards secured a $10,000 grant from the Houston Food Bank.
• Dr. Matt Warford, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning and Leading, secured a $149,000 grant from the Texas Education Agency to fund the Texas Reading Initiative for Literacy Coaching and Professional Development. The program will provide training for K-5 teachers in utilizing mCLASS reading interventions, unit assessments and triangulating data to assess student progress for students’ reading development.

The grants announced at the March 8 Board meeting totaled $164,121.

Trustees approve action items

During the March 8 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved a number of action items. Those action items were:

• Approved the College Transition Innovative Course for State Credit
• Approved a Board Resolution for the H.O.P.E. Truancy Prevention Program at all comprehensive high schools for the 2022-23 school year
• Approved the following bids: instructional supplies, materials and equipment, professional counseling services, restaurant, food and catering vendors, and retail stores
• Approved bid contract renewals
• Approved contracts of purchases of more than $50,000
• Approved the monthly Tax Office refunds
• Approved the District of Innovation Proposed Renewal Plan

Prior to the start of the March 8 Board of Trustees meeting, the Hoffman Middle School LOTC cadets presented the colors. Students who participated were Leonardo Medina, Maylin Morales, Zamara Ayala and Bladimir Reyes-Prudencio. Ermel Elementary School student Felipe Hermosillo and Vines Primary student Matias Hermosillo led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Texas Flag. The April Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 19 and will be held in the Board Room of the Donaldson Administration Building beginning at 7 p.m.