Message From the Superintendent, Nov. 17, 2020
Dear Aldine Community,
We are just a few days away from Thanksgiving break. As a reminder, district buildings and campuses will be closed between November 23-27. Families can pick up free meal bundles today and Thursday. Classes will resume Monday, Nov. 30, with curbside meal service resuming on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
I’m sure our entire community is ready to take some time away from our routines to rest and reflect with loved ones. However, as COVID-19 numbers continue increasing throughout Texas and in our community, please remember to exercise safe judgment during this time. Check out this advice from a Houston-area infectious disease physician about how to celebrate family gatherings safely during the holidays.
In this week’s message, I have some important updates related to the remainder of the fall semester. I ask that you read through them carefully so that you don’t miss any crucial actions required.
Preference for Next 9 Weeks
For students wanting to change their learning model selection, changes must be submitted between Monday, November 16, and Friday, December 4. Changes will go into effect on Wednesday, January 6 — the start of the third nine weeks.
Our goal is to provide choices for our families while being responsive to public health conditions.
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 the 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.
Remote Learning Days
After hearing feedback from teachers, school leaders, staff, and the community, about the new ways teachers are teaching and students are learning, we decided to take immediate action to provide additional planning and preparation time for our classroom teachers. We heard the message loud and clear: teachers and students need additional time.
Remote Learning Days are set aside for all students to learn from home while all campus-based staff will report to school.
Teachers, please accept this gift of time each month as a day for you to plan and collaborate. Students are encouraged to use the time to review assignments and catch up on any missing work.
All students should log in to Schoology and revisit pre-recorded lessons and previously posted assignments. Attendance will be taken through the evidence of completing assignments and/or logging into Schoology.
Families should note that teachers will not present any live instruction sessions and may not be available for live feedback sessions. Parents may contact the campus directly if there is a need for a student to be on campus during these designated remote learning days.
Please update your calendars to include these Remote Learning Days:
Friday, December 4
Friday, January 29
Friday, February 26
Friday, March 12
Friday, April 16
Monday, May 17
Rapid Testing for COVID-19
Recognizing that social distancing is less possible for student-athletes, Aldine ISD has decided to participate in a Texas Education Agency (TEA) program being offered to districts. The fast-acting test kits allow individuals to take their own nasal samples and provide results in just 15 minutes. Participating in testing is optional and will be made available to Nimitz High School student-athletes (along with coaches, band, and cheer) starting the first week in December. To learn more about this program and see some frequently asked questions, please visit our district website. We will monitor the program before expanding to other schools and groups.
As a reminder, free testing is also available through the county. One of the free testing sites is the M.O. Campbell Educational Center (MOC). Please visit this link to learn more.
November is a month to reflect on what we are grateful for in our lives. I am genuinely filled with gratitude for the energy, commitment, and dedication of staff, families, and students. Please use this time off to remember what you are grateful for while finding time to rest.
With Aldine Pride,
Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney Superintendent