ALDINE – Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian García recently visited Eckert Elementary on April 28 to distribute laptops to 50 students in need of one.
Students and teachers welcomed Commissioner García and Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. The Superintendent first took a moment to laud the students, teachers, and Principal Jennifer Price for their hard work this school year. She also thanked García for helping to close the digital divide. The computers she said would “allow students to reach endless possibilities.”
The Commissioner spoke to students and let them know that he wants to help them be what they want to be, adding that he is “looking for the next commissioner.” He advised the students to continue to wear their masks and encourage their families to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
He also showed them how to take care of the laptops and how they are supposed to be used, like helping them learn, adding that “if your head hurts, it means you are learning.” After speaking, students lined up to get their computers. Commissioner García asked each student what they wanted to be when they grew up. Many responded that they wanted to be doctors, scientists, but García was most impressed by the student who said he wants to feed people.
For García, community outreach initiatives like helping schools close the digital divide are important to him.
“Closing the digital divide has been a priority going all the way back to when I was on Houston City Council. When the CARES Act money became available, Harris County Commissioners Court stepped up immediately funding these critically needed laptops, tablets, and hotspots to area schools that needed them. This goes back to long before the pandemic. I’m proud to have helped Aldine ISD get the tens of thousands of devices that students and teachers are now using for their educational needs. Today’s students will be the astronauts who eventually travel to Mars or invent life-changing technology that will save our environment. We must give them every opportunity to succeed. This is money well invested in the present that will lead to a better future.”
Also present was Chief Business and Operations Officer Dr. Tamika Alford– Stephens. She and her team have worked with the community, organizations, and tech companies to help close the digital divide in Aldine ISD. The district was able to reach its 1:1 device goal earlier this spring.