A Message From Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney

Disponible en: Español

Dear Aldine ISD Families and Staff Members,

What’s on your Christmas list this year?
At the top of my list is something I keep top of mind: our students. I wish every child in our district knew how much we care for them and how hard we are all fervently working to prepare them for bright futures. There is no greater gift than a caring adult in a child’s life. So many of you provide that guidance and support to our students, and for that, I thank you. This year has been remarkable, filled with unforgettable milestones, memories, and moments. I always enjoy reflecting on the past and looking ahead to the future.

From celebrating the awe-inspiring solar eclipse (Remember those watch parties?) to rallying together after Hurricane Beryl, we demonstrated our resilience. We proved once again that Aldine is a family that shows up for one another. This year, we also opened our beautifully renovated W.W. Thorne Stadium — a state-of-the-art facility for our athletes, performers, and fans.

I’m incredibly proud of the launch of our new strategic plan, Accelerate. The plan prioritizes Students First, Aligned Systems, Instructional Excellence, and Thriving Teams. At its core lies our Portrait of a Graduate, a vision that inspires everything we do.

Emiliano Paz, an AISD grad and Avalos P-TECH School alum, completed the NDT pathway at Avalos. He is currently working in the NDT field.

We expanded our prekindergarten for three-year-olds this school year at all 12 primary schools. The half-day program ensures more students have early access to foundational early development. The ACE (Accelerating Campus Excellence) model will continue through the 2024-25 school year at Goodman and Worsham elementary campuses. We launched the HEAL Program at Nimitz High School, which offers five career pathways in partnership with Memorial Hermann and, thanks to a multimillion-dollar grant from the Bloomberg Foundation, sets a new standard for healthcare-focused education, equipping our students with critical skills for their futures. As we continue to focus on college readiness, we expanded our dual credit access to high school 10th graders.

Aldine HS’ baseball team wins first District Title in 32 years.

All means all in Aldine, including our homeless students. We have always supported homeless students but expanded our offerings this year. Students, grants, and local partners are driving a new food pantry, clothing access, and healthcare partnerships. These services increase students’ sense of self, help them stay healthy, and help them focus on learning. This is an excellent example of the power of community. Our Title 1 campuses also received additional support with the addition of family engagement clerks to ensure families are informed, supported, and empowered.

And talk about talent! Our amazing educators and students brought home numerous honors, including accolades in the arts, academic decathlon/pentathlon, and state competitions. We are overflowing with incredible staff and students from the classroom to the field.

Aldine ISD 2024 Legacy Holiday Event

We had a few firsts this year, but let’s not forget Aldine High School’s baseball team winning its first District Title in 32 years! We also held our inaugural District Spanish Spelling Bee and AISD’s Legacy Holiday Event, honoring past leaders who have helped shape the district.

We’ve achieved remarkable milestones and can all take pride in them. We continue to show what is possible for our students!

Top 2024 Points of Pride

Below are a few moments that will fill you with pride as much as they do me. I could list many more examples, but it would be a long message! If you follow us on social media or our district website, you know a lot is happening in Aldine. Below is a small sampling of some of the highlights and points of pride from 2024:

U.S. News & World Report: Victory Early College High School, Blanson CTE High School, and Carver High School, making U.S. News best high schools rankings.
The College Board: Blanson CTE High School achieved Silver Distinction, and Avalos P-TECH School earned Bronze; both received AP Access Awards.
The College Board: 88 District high school students were named 2024 College Board National Recognition Program Scholars.
The College Board: Aldine ISD students earned nearly 100 AP Scholar Awards.
Magnet Schools of America: Eight AISD magnet schools earned National Merit Awards; two received Nationally Certified Demonstration Magnet School status.
Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA): Second year of TIA! Approximately 590 AISD educators were among the state’s spring 2024 recipients, receiving $6.3 million of TIA funding.
Annual AISD Livestock Show and Auction: The 2024 livestock auction raised $168,250 for FFA student animal projects and scholarships, thanks to the staff and community support.
Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) State Award: The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department received the Promising Practice Award from Region 16 at the PFE Statewide
Conference for the innovative project Family and Community University, which stands out for its unique approach to adult education.
Aldine Education Foundation Annual Golf Fundraiser: The event raised over $139,000 this year for student scholarships!
TAEA named Aldine ISD a District of Distinction for the sixth consecutive year for Outstanding Visual Arts Program, placing AISD in a small, elite group.
Bond 2023 Projects: We are progressing with several projects and technology upgrades.
Good Reason Houston: The organization named Kujawa Primary and Impact Leadership Academy among the inaugural ‘Schools That Inspire‘ honorees.
The AISD Board of Trustees approved employee pay raises and increased the starting teacher salary.
The district was honored with two Outstanding Awards from the Mexican American School Board Association at the 2024 Conference: 1) SHINE (Supporting Honoring Inspiring New Educators) and 2) Parent Leadership Academy.

These accomplishments are only possible because of the unwavering dedication of our teachers, staff, families, and community partners. Your passion, hard work, support, encouragement, and belief in our students and our mission embody what being part of the Aldine family means. We are deeply grateful for your contributions to our shared success.

As 2025 approaches, let us carry forward the momentum. With unity, innovation, and a steadfast focus on student success, we will continue to make an #AldineImpact.

Before we close the year, thank our talented student performers for filling our hearts with joy during their holiday performances. They have genuinely brought the spirit of the season to life, and we are truly grateful for their contributions.

I know everyone is counting down to the last day before the break. Still, I encourage you to visit AldineISD.org, follow us on social media, and read the Aldine Connection newsletter for the latest updates. You’ll find a link to take a survey on which calendar you want for the 2024-25 school year. Don’t forget to tag your good news with #AldineImpact!

From my family to yours, I wish you a holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, and cherished moments. May the new year bring renewed hope, opportunities, and growth.

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent of Schools
Aldine ISD