Aldine ISD Fall 2024

PREGAME

AISD NEWS

ALDINE ISD BOARD MEMBERS

SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Aldine Community, Have you ever had a jaw-dropping moment where you’re not sure if you’re having an out-of-body experience or if you’ve stepped into another realm? I felt that way when I walked onto the turf of the newly designed W.W. Thorne Stadium for the ribbon cutting ceremony just moments after addressing our community at the State of the District event in our new Community Center at the south end of the stadium. The rain started drizzling but it wasn’t going to rain on our parade. This was the moment we’ve all been waiting for after watching the previous W.W. Thorne Stadium torn completely down and rebuilt over the past two years. The Thorne family were in attendance to be part of the celebration to honor their father’s legacy, the namesake of the stadium: Superintendent W.W. Thorne who served the Aldine Independent School District from 1958-73.

President

DR. KIMBERLEY BOOKER

PAUL SHANKLIN Vice President

The ribbon cutting for the new stadium was just one of the monumental beginnings of the school year. Other experiences came straight from the classrooms. On Mondays, I start my week off visiting campuses and not only does it give me joy to walk the halls and see the work, it gives me assurance of why I began this journey almost 25 years ago. It’s all about the students. When we created a strategic plan and defined a portrait of a graduate, it’s all about the students. It’s always been all about the students. Accelerate At Aldine ISD, we remain committed to providing a rigorous and enriching educational experience that prepares every student for college, career, and life. Our strategic plan, Accelerate, will guide us as we build on our established strong foundations. Our strategic priorities—Students First, Instructional Excellence, Thriving Teams, and Aligned Systems—are at the core of this plan. The Portrait of a Graduate, which outlines the qualities every Aldine ISD student should possess by the time they graduate, is central to these priorities. #AldineImpact The new school year began with an inspiring Convocation featuring astronaut José Hernández, who reminded us of a single teacher’s profound impact on a child’s life. We’re fortunate to have outstanding educators like Ana Cuevas Nicasio and Bailey Steffek, who were recently named the Texas Association for Bilingual Education’s 2024 Elementary Bilingual Teacher of the Year and Secondary ESL Teacher of the Year, respectively. Their achievements, along with those of our students, reflect the hard work and dedication within our district. Our students continue to raise the bar. This year, 88 of our students earned College Board National Recognition—a 76% increase from last year. Over 75 students received nearly 100 AP Scholar Awards, a 46% increase from the previous year. The Class of 2024 has excelled, with 86% earning a College, Career, and Military Ready (CCMR) designation, 92% submitting college applications, 63% completing FAFSA/TASFA applications, and securing over $50 million in scholarships. New Initiatives/Bond 2023 Projects As we strive to be innovative, I am proud of our ongoing initiatives, like the HEAL (Health Education and Learning) program at Nimitz High School, which allows students hands-on experience at a mock hospital and mentorship opportunities all in partnership with Memorial Hermann. There is much to be excited about in Aldine ISD, from the new partnership between United Flight System and the Aviation Program at Davis High School, to a 1.8% increase in salary for all employees, and the start of the first three projects from our $1.8 billion-dollar Bond 2023. Thank you for trusting us to serve you and your students. I look forward to seeing you at the football games at the new W.W. Thorne Stadium. Here’s to a fantastic school year and making a lasting #AldineImpact together! With Aldine Pride, Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney Superintendent of Schools

Secretary

CONCEPTION ESPARZA

ROSE AVALOS

Assistant Secretary

Member

RANDY BATES

Member

DR. VIOLA M. GARCIA

Member

STEVE MEAD

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