Message From Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, Superintendent of Aldine ISD

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Dear Aldine Community,

Here we are in the middle of December, about to wrap up the fall semester and 2022! During this holiday season, I’ve also enjoyed hearing student groups from schools across the district sing and entertain us.

Reflecting on the past semester and year, I cannot help but swell with pride. We have been busy giving all our students opportunities to grow. As I look back, below are a few moments that I hope fill you with pride as much as they do me. I could list many more examples, but it would be a really, really long message! With that, here are some highlights:

Student Achievement
STAAR
Everyone, including our partnership with Teach for America and iEducate, has worked hard to close the gaps COVID made in education. And what an excellent year for gains!

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New Frameworks
We launched our new reading framework during the pandemic, demonstrating what is possible. In 2022, we launched new visions and frameworks for mathematics and multilingual learners. The change continues the district’s projects to serve students whose first language is not English and develop a deep understanding of math knowledge.

Curriculum
There are many career and technology education opportunities for students across our district, like our aviation program at Davis High School and the Norman Borlaug Youth in Agriculture Program with Texas A&M University. We also continue to focus on increasing students’ interest in STEM fields. Aldine teamed up with Microsoft, TEALS, and volunteer technology professionals to offer Intro to Computer Science to high school students this school year. Students have an exciting opportunity to gain technological skills, build their self-confidence to succeed, and pursue STEM careers.

College, Career & Military Readiness (CCMR)
One of the district’s priorities centers on CCMR. Between the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years, we increased the number of CCMR students by 4 percentage points. Additionally, we continue to expand opportunities to ensure our students receive a high-quality education to prepare them for a successful future. Among the opportunities available to Aldine students are the chance to tour a college campus, meet with college admissions representatives, study for and take their TSI Admissions exam, and explore careers as 10th, 11th, and 12th graders with their College and Career Readiness Coordinator. Aldine also works with programs like EMERGE Fellows, OneGoal, and College Community Career, which empower and prepare first-generation and low-income students to apply for and attend colleges and universities nationwide. Additionally, our partnership with the University of Texas OnRamps program is expanding to provide more students an opportunity to earn college credit from one of the top universities in the nation. They can also explore the experiences, resources, and special opportunities available to help students pursue their college and career goals.

Aldine Education Foundation (AEF)
What a banner year for AEF, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary! The foundation sold out the 2022 Annual M. B. “Sonny” Donaldson Golf Tournament, raising a record-breaking $100,000 in support of scholarships for graduating seniors. The annual Your Dollar Makes a Difference, currently raising funds, has reached, as of Dec. 15, 87.33% of the $150,000 goal. The AEF Board is now also focusing on building the endowment, and a planned giving program is a great way to grow and benefit even more AISD grads.

Choice Schools
We offer so many choices for our families like nationally recognized Victory Early College High School. Between partnerships with Prairie View A&M University to the opening of our new all-boys school, Impact Leadership Academy, the launching of Hoffman College Prep, and the announcement of new options like Eisenhower College Prep, it has been another exciting year for our Choice Schools. We held our annual Choice Schools Festival, and Choice School Showcasesthis fall. These events give families opportunities to know our different programs better. They can then choose the best school for their student to attend in the 2023-2024 school year. Incidentally, there is still time to register (click here)!

Accelerated Campus Excellence (ACE) / Additional Days School Year (ADSY)
After two successful years, we extended our ACE program at Goodman and Worsham elementary schools for another two years. Due to the success at Vines Primary and Ermel Elementary, we expanded the ADSY program to Harris and Smith elementary schools and expanded to support the entire feeder pattern. The ACE model and ADSY program support a positive trajectory for each student’s educational journey to help them reach their full potential. They offer opportunities to apply innovative learning practices to equip our students with the tools they need to succeed. We are committed to maintaining academic rigor and high expectations.

School Culture
From the start, I meant it when I said, “All means all.” Since then, we have been working toward opportunities to ensure we reach all our students in the best possible way. We made a bold move by partnering with the University of Houston’s College of Education in the Community Teacher Equity Development (CTED) program to advance our equity goals, which include efforts to increase the number of community educators of color working in schools. We know that students of color reach better outcomes when taught by teachers of color. Students have better academic performance, improved graduation rates, and are more likely to attend college.

We launched a mentor program in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters. The “Big Brothers and Sisters” at Aldine High School provide academic support to “Little Brothers and Sisters” at Bussey Elementary, while the “Bigs” develop social-emotional skills like working with others and establishing a foundation for a life of serving others.

Mission-Driven Leadership
Talent is so important to drive excellence. Our School Board Trustees made bold moves to attract high-quality teachers by approving a teacher starting salary of $61,000 and sign-on bonuses. To retain and reward our staff for their years of service and dedication to Aldine, the Board approved pay raises for all employees.

As I’ve repeatedly stated, leadership matters, especially in our schools. As part of the five-year partnership between Aldine and The Holdsworth Center, leaders at participating schools — Escamilla Elementary, Thompson ES, Garcia Middle, Stovall MS, and Nimitz Ninth Grade School — completed the two-year Campus Leadership Program. The work of the campus leaders will continue to impact and build a legacy of equity and excellence across the district.

The University of Houston-College of Education featured our principal residency program. Through our partnership with UH, Aldine is equipping future principals to ensure that all students in our district receive a rigorous, enriching educational experience. A deciding factor was the need to increase the number of bilingual principal candidates that mirror the ethnic and racial trends in the current student population. We are committed to creating a strong, diverse bench of leaders who are prepared to transition into principal and assistant principal roles.

Organizational Efficiency
School leaders set a vision and maintain the systems and culture required that lead toward instructional excellence. Toward that end, the district created several new positions — Chief Information Officer, Chief Operations Officer, and Chief Financial Officer — to ensure they develop the conditions that result in accomplishing district goals.

Community Engagement & Outreach
The district is a source of empowerment for Aldine families and students. We continue to offer our Parent Leadership Academy and GED classes, Fall Family Conference, Youth Empowerment Summit, and support our non-traditional students. We held several inaugural events, like the Family Health Fair and Festival de Primavera.

Working with the HOPE Clinic, the second HOPE Clinic opened in Aldine. Aldine families — uninsured, underinsured, those with limited English proficiency, and low-income patients — can receive health care services regardless of their ability to pay.

To support communication between schools and families, this year, we implemented TalkingPoints — a tool that can translate messages into more than 100 languages — at 30 schools in the district, ranging from early learning to high schools. The new tool ensures teachers communicate easily with parents in their preferred language at home.

Awards
We are not about awards, but it is nice to be recognized for the work we do to provide the best learning experience for all. The Mexican American School Board Association honored the district with MASBA Excellence Awards for two different programs. AISD received the Outstanding Civics Initiative Award for its Family and Community University and the Outstanding English Language Learner Initiative Award for the specialized high school: La Promesa: The Dual Language Experience. Demonstrating excellence in financial stewardship, Aldine’s Purchasing and Finance departments received the TASBO Award of Merit and the Certificate of Achievement from the GFOA, respectively. Our Child Nutrition Services received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Furthermore, the Texas Art Education Association named Aldine a District of Distinction for a fourth consecutive year.

I am also grateful to the many organizations that honored me this year. It is my privilege and honor to work for Aldine ISD. Thank you to Latino Learning Center, K-12 Dive magazine, the Houston Area Urban League’s (HAUL) Black Excellence Award in Education, and Keith J. Davis for the recognition as one of 30 influential women in Houston. Again, the work is always about doing what is right for all students and multiplying hope in our students. The work we do is about giving our students opportunities that equip them to succeed and to graduate with choices.

A Few Firsts
We also had some incredible firsts! This school year, we added water polo as a UIL sport, and one of our schools, MacArthur High, made history by winning the first-ever District title for AISD, advancing to the Area round of the playoffs. One of our students taking part in the first aviation class at Davis High School was one of only two in Texas to earn a private pilot certification. We also had three of our mariachi students at Carver High School that competed for the first time and made the Texas UIL Region 33!

We certainly have been busy, but I hope you reflect on all we have accomplished and be proud of our district! We are showing what is possible! I am grateful to each team member for your hard work this year.

During the break, I hope everyone takes time to rest and recharge. Then, read or enjoy your favorite hobby and spend time with your loved ones!

With Aldine Pride and Joy,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent of Schools

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Dec. 2-Apr. 22: AISD’s Health Services Department is holding monthly CPR classes. (click here)
• Feb. 11, 2023: Virtual #LiteracyMatters Conference — Click here to register.
• Ongoing: Read to the Final® Competition has elementary students reading in a March Madness tournament. Click here to read more.
• Ongoing: Family and Community University’s 2022-2023 year has started. Click here to register.
• Ongoing: iEducate is hiring college students, especially Aldine ISD grads, as tutors to work with Aldine ISD students. iEducate accepts applications on a rolling basis, and interested students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHT
Vardeman Primary School’s Happy Holiday Show
Latest Episode of All The Things: The Aldine ISD Podcast — Featuring ag teachers & FFA advisors

RECENT NEWS
HOPE Clinic Opens Second Aldine Location
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship Application Now Open
District High School Students Show Their Acting Chops at State Festival Competition
Carnegie Mellon University Visits an Aldine ISD Magnet School, Carver High School
All The Things: The Aldine ISD Podcast – Episode 7, Season 3: Two agricultural teachers talk about food, farms, and full-ride scholarships.

MONTHLY OBSERVATIONS
December

• Dec. 20: End of 9 Weeks
• Dec. 21: Student Holiday/Staff Development Day
• Dec. 21-Jan. 6: Midwinter Break (ADSY Calendar)
• Dec. 22-Jan. 4: Midwinter Break (Traditional Calendar)

January
January School Board Appreciation Month

• Jan. 5: Student Holiday/Staff Development Day
• Jan. 6: Student Holiday/Staff Development Day
• Jan. 9: Start of 9 Weeks
• Jan. 9: Law Enforcement Day
• Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Click here to view the 2022-2023 school year calendars — traditional and Additional Days School Year (ADSY).

REMINDERS

• The state requires high school seniors to apply for financial aid to graduate. — FAFSA Application link or TASFA Application links
• The state requires all entering college students to take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment. (Details).
• Aldine ISD’s top priorities are students’ safety and academic success. The district posts information related to protocols along with any updates at www.aldineisd.org/healthalerts.
• Stay connected by visiting AldineISD.org. Check out our District News and Aldine ISD Podcast pages to stay updated on all the great things happening in our district. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.