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Northeast News

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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Lone Star College to provide students laptop computers

August 4, 2020

Houston (July 29, 2020) – Lone Star College has purchased an additional 5,000 laptop computers to assist students taking classes this fall.

“The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the digital divide and the urgency with which we must work toward a solution,” said Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., LSC chancellor. “Lone Star College is committed to finding a solution that makes education accessible to all.”

LSC students will be able to check out the computers, much like a library book. Application for computers starts July 29 and distribution will begin before the start of the fall semester.

“Providing access to these computers and other resources is part of our promise and our effort to close this technology gap,” said Head.

To qualify for a computer, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA) and enroll in a minimum of six credit hours for the fall 2020 semester. Students can keep the computer for future semesters as long as they stay enrolled at LSC.

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Congressman John Lewis, Civil Rights Icon, dies at 80

August 4, 2020
January 2018 – the late Congressman John Lewis gave a rousing speech while in Houston attending a Criminal Justice forum aimed at improving the nation’s Criminal Justice System. Lewis emphasized the need to never use acts of violence to accomplish one’s goal. John Lewis said, “The best non-violent action we can take to correct the unfair Criminal Justice System is to VOTE! Vote like you’ve never voted before. Get everyone to VOTE!” (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

It was January 24, 2018 at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Houston’s Fifth Ward. As a photojournalist for the North Channel Star, I got to meet Congressman John Lewis of Georgia. I was there covering the Criminal Justice Forum (CJF) spearheaded by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

The North Channel Star put on its front page my article and photos of Lewis and the CJF. You can still read the article by going to www.northchannelstar.com. (Search for “crime forum.”) Hundreds gathered at the church to hear Lewis’s speech. Here’s part of it:

“You must find a way to get in the way. You must find a way to get in trouble, good trouble, and necessary trouble.”

“I’ve been arrested about 50 times for getting into good trouble.”

“Use what you have to help make our country and make our world a better place, where no one will be left out or left behind… It is your time.”

After the event I made it a point to meet Lewis. I wanted to have a few words with him. As we shook hands and exchanged a few words, I told him he delivered a good speech. And I told him how I respected and admired him for his achievements and his relentless effort to make improvements in civil rights, voting rights and criminal justice reforms. I told him how I hoped my article would help his efforts; he thanked me. Before parting, I then told him I’d be praying for him, and he thanked me again.

Congressman Lewis served Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death Friday, July 17, 2020, at age 80. Known as a civil rights icon, he was one of the giants in the historic struggle for equal rights in America.

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Governor Abbott waives grade promotion requirements for 2020-2021 STAAR testing

August 4, 2020

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott announced that the grade promotion requirement related to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test for students in grades 5 and 8 has been waived for the upcoming school year. Typically, school systems must take into account a student’s score on the STAAR test to determine whether the student can be promoted to the next grade level. The traditional A-F rating system will remain in place, albeit with certain adjustments due to COVID-19.

Typically, students enrolled in grades 5 and 8 are required to re-take a STAAR test late in the school year, and sometimes again in the summer, if they do not meet grade level when taken during the spring. With this waiver, there will only be one administration of the STAAR grades 5 and 8 mathematics and reading assessments for the 2020–21 school year. The test will be administered in May to coincide with the administration of other STAAR grades 3-8 assessments.

“As always, our goal is to provide a high quality education for every Texas student,” said Governor Abbott. “This will be a uniquely challenging school year, therefore, this year is about providing students every opportunity to overcome the disruptions caused by COVID-19. By waiving these promotion requirements, we are providing greater flexibility for students and teachers, while at the same time ensuring that Texas students continue to receive a great education — which we will continue to measure with high quality assessments.”

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East Aldine District reports to the community

August 4, 2020

JULY 2020 –– Harris County Precinct 2 is working on the Aldine Mail Route road reconstruction between Slater Ln to Aldine Westfield with construction set to begin later this year.

Differential Response Team (DRT)

The DRT deputies are focusing on a community outreach approach (to businesses, residents and area organizations) to address community crime hotspots (cantinasibars, convenience stores, junk yards, apartments, game rooms and smoke shops), and other neighborhood nuisances. In June, DRT conducted 31 felony/adult misdemeanor arrests, issued 3 Felony/Misdemeanor warrants, 93 Citations, 209 reports, 27 Nuisance Abatement, 20 Nuisance Abatement Follow Up. (more…)

Governor Abbott extends early voting period for November 3rd Election

August 4, 2020

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott issued a Proclamation extending the early voting period for the November 3rd Election by nearly a week. Under this proclamation, early voting by personal appearance will begin on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, and continue through Friday, October 30, 2020. The proclamation also expands the period in which marked mail-in ballots may be delivered in person to the early voting clerk’s office, allowing such delivery prior to as well as on Election Day.

“As we respond to COVID-19, the State of Texas is focused on strategies that preserve Texans’ ability to vote in a way that also mitigates the spread of the virus,” said Governor Abbott. “By extending the early voting period and expanding the period in which mail-in ballots can be hand-delivered, Texans will have greater flexibility to cast their ballots, while at the same time protecting themselves and others from COVID-19.”

County Attorney Ryan warns residents to avoid COVID-19 scams

August 4, 2020

Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan reminds everyone to be aware of scams using the coronavirus to try to trick you out of your money or personal information.

Crooks are using the fear of COVID-19 as a way to defraud and steal from people via emails, texts, phone calls, and in one recent case, in person.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner warned recently about a scam where men get access to peoples’ homes by claiming to be city Public Works employees, saying that that their water lines had be poisoned with COVID19. KTRK-TV reported about a couple who lost an expensive watch and a ring to this scam. In addition to the fact that the virus does not exist in city water, Public Works employees will never ask to enter your home.

“It is unfortunate that bad people will use something like the coronavirus to commit crimes like this,” said County Attorney Ryan. “This couple not only lost precious possessions, they could have been seriously hurt.”

COVID-19 scams come in many forms—emails, texts or phone calls:

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