Aldine ISD employees come to community’s aide during recent floods

When floods ravaged the Houston area April 18-20, employees in Aldine ISD responded in extraordinary fashion.

Employees and a number of departments came to the aide of community members who were displaced from their homes. The Greenspoint area was especially hit hard as a number of apartments that are home to Aldine students and their families were flooded.

“I am proud of our staff members who responded during the flooding,” said Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg. “I appreciate the incredible work and giving spirit our employees and students put forth to help flood victims. I witnessed and heard about Aldine staff members who volunteered to help colleagues and students.”

The first calls for help came on Monday, April 18, when the Red Cross requested that the M.O. Campbell Educational Center (MOC) be used as a shelter for families who were displaced from their homes. The Campbell Center staff supported the Red Cross and assisted to meet the needs of flood victims.

In addition to serving as a Red Cross shelter, the MOC was used as a donation location. Flood victims were able to find clothes, baby food, shoes, toys and other essential items that were donated by individuals throughout North Houston.

The Aldine Police Department responded in outstanding fashion as officers monitored roads before and during the rain, provided security throughout the district and at the MOC.

Other departments that assisted during the floods and their contributions were:

[ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”][li]Payroll Department – ensured that employees received paychecks on time. Essential staff reported to work to assist with employees’ questions.[/li][li]Child Nutrition Supervisors – met food deliveries at every campus on April 19 to ensure that Aldine students had food when they returned to school on April 21.[/li][li]Maintenance Department – worked to make necessary repairs to campuses so they were ready when students returned to school.[/li][li]Curriculum Department –served as substitute teachers at various campuses on April 21.[/li][li]Student Services – pulled records to identify students who were flooded in the Greenspoint area.[/li][li]Transportation Department – Bus drivers were among the first to arrive to drive to pick up stranded families on Greens Road and transport them to MOC. Transportation employees also purchased uniforms and shoes for students who lost everything. Once schools re-opened, bus drivers transported displaced students from area hotels to school.[/li][li]Technology Services Department – provided support for the district during the storm to allow employees to work to re-open schools.[/li][li]Communications Department – communicated with the media alerting the Aldine community of school closures and re-opening. They also provided social media updates to keep community members informed. The department also served as a liaison between governmental agencies to coordinate district services and activities during the week.[/li][/ul]

Counselors in the district worked with families who were displaced from their homes. The district even received support from retired custodians who volunteered their time to help clean up schools that sustained water damage. Staff members and students throughout the district volunteered at the MOC by sorting clothes and assisting where needed.

The Houston Texans showed their support for flood victims as a group of players, led by J.J. Watt, Duane Brown and DeAndre Hopkins, visited the MOC on April 19 to show their encouragement and support to their fellow Houstonians. Texans players handed out pillows and other items to flood victims.

Many local businesses showed their support by donating food, water and other supplies to those affected by the flood.

“The Aldine family always responds during a crisis,” said Dr. Bamberg. “Many of our students, staff and community are still involved in recovery efforts. I ask that you give them your support and keep them in your prayers.”

Flood victims in the Aldine area have a number of resources to access to deal with issues caused by the floods.

A complete list of flood relief assistance can be found on Aldine ISD’s website.

Information on how to contact FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is also available on the district’s web site.