Message From the Superintendent, Nov. 30, 2020

Disponible en: Español

Dear Aldine Community,

Welcome back! I hope all of you had a restful, safe, and enjoyable Thanksgiving week break — despite the challenges with gathering this year. My family and I really appreciated the time together, where we could do some of our favorite activities. In my case, that meant reading a good book, listening to a few podcasts, and binging on a few shows.

The next three weeks before Winter Break will be packed with important learning and activities. We must continue to work together to provide students with the support they need to finish 2020 strong. I also encourage everyone — students and staff — to take their devices home each day. Given the uncertainty related to COVID-19 and the weather, it is wise to be prepared at any time in case our schedule shifts.

Below you will find a few reminders and updates to help support the next few weeks of learning.

Preference for Next 9 Weeks
For students wanting to change their learning model selection, changes must be submitted between Monday, Nov. 16 – Friday, Dec. 4. Changes will go into effect on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 — the start of the third nine weeks.

We recognize the complexities and barriers that have come with remote learning for some of our students and invite all of our families to carefully evaluate the decision to change their child’s instructional setting. For students who are struggling academically or with attendance, please reach out to the teacher or campus administrator to determine available support and help.

Our goal is to provide choices for our families while being responsive to public health conditions.

Remote Learning Days
Remote Learning Days are set aside for all students to learn from home while all campus-based staff will report to school. Friday, December 4, is our first Remote Learning Day.

All students should log in to Schoology and revisit pre-recorded lessons and previously posted assignments. The district’s Remote Learning Day is a perfect opportunity for students to catch up on any missing assignments and review any lessons they may have missed or need additional time to complete. Teachers will not present any live instruction sessions and may not be available for live feedback sessions.
As a reminder, attendance will be taken through the evidence of completing assignments and/or logging into Schoology. Families who need students to be on campus Friday or during any of the designated remote learning days should directly contact their child’s campus.
Please update your calendars to include the following Remote Learning Days:

Friday, December 4
Friday, January 29
Friday, February 26
Friday, March 12
Friday, April 16
Monday, May 17

Weekend Meal Bundles
Student’s learning on campus will take home weekend meal bundles on Thursday, December 3.

Storytime
The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team is excited to announce the start of virtual storytelling for young readers on the first and last Thursday of each month. Our first session will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3. Librarians from across the district will read to students virtually.
Listen to stories with your young reader as we go on an adventure and discover the fantastical worlds of literature!

English storytelling at 5:00 p.m.
Spanish storytelling at 5:30 p.m.

Visit https://bit.ly/virtualstorytelling to participate.

As we embark on the last month of a long year, we can’t forget that we promised to go as fast as we can, but as slow as we must. That has meant that every month and every week of this school year has looked just a little different. But I’m convinced that Team Aldine did excellent work at each step — and that’s a source of inspiration and pride. As Oprah Winfrey said, “Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.”

I’m proud of our community for doing its best. Let’s keep at it!

With Aldine Pride,

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent