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Posts published in August 2020

Aldine ISD extends at-home learning thru Sept. 11

August 25, 2020

October class start possible

Aldine ISD Trustees approve waiver request to allow virtual learning to continue into October, if necessary

Aldine ISD will extend virtual learning for one additional week. This will make the adjusted first day of on-campus instruction Monday, Sept. 14.

Students should continue to log in, participate, complete and submit assignments in Schoology daily. Lessons are available every day by 8:30 a.m. for students to complete by 11:59 p.m. As a reminder, if students do not engage with the curriculum daily, they will be marked absent for the day.

Teachers will continue to have the option to hold classes from home or from their assigned campus.

“Aldine ISD’s core beliefs prioritize safety,” said Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. “I have always said, we will go as fast as we can but as slow as we must. We review current local, city, and county data daily and will continue to use the Decision Meter to make decisions concerning the re-opening of our schools. We are going to do what is in the best interest of our students and staff. Right now, that is extending virtual learning for an additional week and keeping our options open for an additional four weeks if necessary.”

In addition to the one-week extension, Aldine ISD Trustees approved the district’s waiver request to the Texas Education Agency to extend at-home learning another four weeks through Friday, October 9, if necessary.

County rent assistance available

August 25, 2020

Commissioners vote $25 million; application info here

Harris County, Texas – Friday, August 14, 2020, The Harris County Commissioners and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo unanimously approved a $15 million emergency rental assistance program to help individuals in Harris County suffering economic hardships due to the effects of COVID-19. Due to the overwhelming demand for rental assistance in Harris County, Judge Hidalgo and the Commissioners subsequently increased the amount of assistance to be provided through this program to $25 million.

“Our community continues to suffer great economic damage resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, with many people unable to cover basic necessities, including rent,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “This program will bring relief to those across our region who so desperately need it, allowing families to stay in their homes while addressing the collateral impact on property owners.”

The program will assist applicants with rent and associated expenses for payments and/or late fees occurring after April 1, 2020. Selected applicants will be eligible to receive up to a maximum of $1,200 in assistance. Landlord enrollment will begin on August 17th, with tenant applications opening for a 7-day period beginning August 24th. Applications will be available online at www.harriscountyrenthelp.org, and assistance will be available by phone.

Aldine Mail Route widening set for design, construction

August 25, 2020

The Harris County Engineering Department has announced that the widening of Aldine Mail Route Road, from Slater Lane on the west, to Aldine Westfield Road, is now in the Design Phase.

Construction will follow, starting before the end of this year, and ending in about 12 months, in 2021. The plan as shown below indicated the roadway to be reconstructed, with 4 lanes plus a center turn-lane, replacing the existing 2 lane roadway. Additional work will include new sidewalks and storm sewer drainage.

Benefits of the reconstruction include improved traffic flow and signal operations, an upgraded drainage system, and safer connectivity for pedestrians. The long range plan is to have this 5 lane road design from Airline Drive to I-59 Eastex Expressway.

County passes COVID relief bills

August 18, 2020
HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TOOK ACTION TUESDAY FOR COVID19 RELIEF, PASSING TWO BILLS TO HELP THOSE WITH ECONOMIC NEED.

$25 Million for Economic Relief; $32 Million for Digital Divide

HARRIS COUNTY – With the COVID-19 Pandemic continuing to affect the nation’s health and economy, and Congress unable to come to an agreement on additional economic aid, Harris County Commissioner’s Court took action at last Tuesday’s meeting to help residents of the County who are facing hardships. Two bills were passed, one for $25 million of Economic Relief, and the other for $32 million to provide digital access to families without electronic means.

The details of the bills are as follows:

Harris County Provides Much-Needed Direct Relief for Residents Still Struggling from Economic Fallout of COVID-19 Pandemic 

Commissioners Court Approves $25M for New Round of Direct Assistance Payments

Message from the Aldine Superintendent

August 18, 2020
Superintendent Goffney with Students

August 10, 2020

Dear Aldine Community,

We are counting down to the first day of school! In just one week, we will kick off the 2020-21 school year. Teachers across the district will welcome students back in creative and innovative ways to start the year virtually. I’ve seen digital classrooms, bitmoji avatars, and video messages preparing to welcome students back on August 17. Our current plan has us learning online for three weeks. We will continue to monitor the number of COVID-19 cases in our community and consider extending this virtual period as needed to keep staff and students safe.

As we count down the days, we’ve received a few questions about school supplies, uniforms, and a possible daily schedule that can guide at home learning. We’ve got you covered:

• Information about School Supplies

• Attendance and Grading Guidelines

• School Orientations and Meet the Teacher Events

• Schedules for each student will be available in the Home Access Center after August 12, and you may receive additional details and instructions from teachers.

Limited visits to nursing homes now okay

August 18, 2020

HHSC to Allow Limited Visitation at Nursing Facilities and Long-Term Care Facilities State Enhances Certain Emergency Safety Rules

AUSTIN –The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) today announced limited visitation rules for nursing facilities and long-term care facilities. HHSC is also issuing enhanced emergency rules requiring additional actions by nursing facilities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“This is a rapidly evolving situation and we are constantly assessing what actions are necessary to keep residents and staff safe in these facilities,” said Phil Wilson, Executive Commissioner, Texas HHSC. “By following these procedures and rules, facilities can more effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help us achieve our shared goal of reuniting residents with their families and friends.”

“Access to family and loved ones is an important part of every resident’s health and well-being, which is why this policy shift is a move in the right direction for some of our most fragile Texans,” said Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (SD18), Chair, Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

“Today’s announcement is a critical first step for every person in a longterm care facility and their loved ones,” said Rep. James Frank (HD-69), Chair, Texas House Committee on Human Services. “This decision underscores that state leaders recognize the need to balance the emotional and physical health impacts of isolation against the serious dangers that COVID poses to these vulnerable Texans.”

RETURN TO LEARN AUGUST 17

August 17, 2020

Aldine ISD to start first 3 weeks of school virtually August 17

Aldine ISD’s re-entry plan, Return to Learn, will now have all students learning virtually from home for at least the first three weeks of the 2020- 2021 school year. The 2020- 21 school year begins Monday, August 17.

“We are thankful that the TEA made the decision to allow districts to use virtual learning as an option for the first three weeks,” Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney said. “Aldine will take advantage of this option. Regardless of the model families select — Learning At Home or Learning On Campus — the first three weeks of school will be virtual. As we move forward, we must remain flexible as we continue to monitor the conditions in Harris County and Houston. We will open as fast as we can but as slow as we must.”

Goffney emphasized that the academic school year begins on August 17. She stressed that the three-week remote learning period would help facilitate and ease the transition of the on-campus, back-to-school process for staff and families. The time will also be used for teacher training and planning. The district will continue to monitor local health conditions and reassess as needed throughout the school year.

Aldine starts back to school August 17

August 11, 2020
THOUSANDS of cars lined up at M.O. Campbell Center last Wednesday for a free food and backpack distribution, sponsored by Aldine ISD and BakerRipley. There were also 5000 free computers and hotspots handed out on another day at Aldine High School. There will be a second handout of computers on August 14 of this week.

Distributes computers, hotspots, food boxes, backpacks

ALDINE – Like many school districts in the Houston-area, the Aldine Independent School District is going to begin the school year with virtual learning. In order to meet the needs of students in the district and bridge the digital divide, Aldine ISD officials handed out Chromebooks and hotspots to hundreds of families last Monday.

The drive-thru distribution event took place at Aldine High School Monday afternoon ahead of the district’s Aug. 17 start date.

“All children deserve equal access to education and so with COVID-19 magnifying that devise, we are making sure that our students are getting the learning tools that they need to be successful,” said Aldine High School Assistant Principal Shavonya Rasberry-Vaughan.

District officials said more than 5,000 families signed up for the event and each family got one set of devices. With such a high need among students in the district, officials say they will plan a second event to hand out devices to more students.

Aldine ISD distributed computers at Aldine HS Monday.

First student enrolls in new HVAC Program at Lone Star College-East Aldine

August 11, 2020

HOUSTON (Aug. 3, 2020) – When classes begin for the fall semester on Monday, Aug. 24, Michelle Luna will be among the first students taking part in the new Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Program launching at Lone Star College-East Aldine Center.

A recent graduate from Aldine Senior High School, Luna became the first student to enroll in the program when she chose to broaden her career path at LSC-East Aldine Center to follow in her father’s footsteps in the HVAC industry.

Luna began working part-time with her dad at his HVAC job when she was a freshman in high school, turning the opportunity into her full-time summer job. She was in good hands for the work. Her father has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years.

Now, Luna is ready to take her skill set to the next level with the training provided at the LSC-East Aldine Center to earn her Class A license, allowing her to work with any size HVAC unit. Once she completes her workforce training, Luna plans to once again work alongside her father, but with a new company.

COVID MASKS new policy for Houston

August 11, 2020

HOUSTON – Mayor Sylvester Turner announced today that he has directed the Houston Police Department to issue warnings and citations to anyone not wearing a face mask or face covering required by the state’s mandatory mask order. Police will not ticket those who are not wearing a mask if they meet the exemption criteria. The citation carries a $250 fine.

“We know that wearing a mask or face-covering in public is one of the most effective methods to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Lives are at stake, so I am taking this step to save lives and slow the virus from spreading in August.”