VYPE Aldine ISD Fall 2022

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A I S D N E W S

DISTRICT NAMES ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

On Wednesday, August 17, Aldine ISD’s first all-boys school, Impact Leadership Academy at Wilson, opened its doors for the first time to welcome its students on their first day of school. A red carpet greeting was accompanied by business men and leaders of the community to encourage the students as they start the school year. Prairie View A&M was also in attendance, in celebration of the partnership between PVAMU and ILA. “It’s a unique campus,” said Principal Jonathan Kegler. “Most all-boys schools start at middle and they go through high school. We’re starting when they’re young. We’re catching them and training them up when they’re young.” Starting with the end goal in mind is how Kegler wants to approach the instruction of the students. That is evident by the partnership with Prairie View A&M, in Aldine ISD named Diaka R. Melendez Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services. Melendez is returning home, having started her career in edu cation at Nimitz Ninth Grade School as a teacher and softball coach. Melendez will oversee several depart ments and initiatives, including Guidance and Counseling, Health Services, School Administration, Dropout Recovery, and Social and Emotional Learning and Culture. “Diaka brings 20-plus years of experi ence to the role and is eager to support the district’s strategic priorities,” said Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. “She will be an asset in continuing our work in giving students the resources, skills, and tools that help our students overcome barriers and find success in school, college, and life.” She joins Aldine ISD from Spring ISD, serving as curriculum and instruction executive director since 2021. Melendez

which campus visits are already sched uled for the young students to go and gain exposure of being on a college campus. ILA currently holds students of first, second, and sixth grade, with grades scheduled to be added each year until they reach their goal of having students from first through eighth grade. To round out the morning, ILA held two pep rallies for its students, one for the sixth graders and another for the first and second graders. The pep rallies were used to kick off the beginning of the school year, introducing the students to the various teachers they would be inter acting with and learning what they can expect by attending ILA. The rallies were closed out with the Prairie View cheer team leading the students in a dance and Prairie View chants. led the PreK-12 curriculum development efforts to ensure equitable outcomes for all learners. In her role, Melendez mon itored and ensured curriculum projects, timelines, and activities were completed as outlined in the district’s strategic plan. She supervised the district’s curric ulum directors, content specialists, and instructional technologists. Melendez also led the development and creation of all local district assessments. Addi tionally, she supported the integration of literacy, arts, social-emotional learning (SEL), STEM, and digital technology across curriculum levels. After Nimitz she joined Humble ISD as an assistant principal at Humble High School in 2008. She advanced to associate princi pal of curriculum and instruction at Sum mer Creek HS and Humble HS, a position she held since 2011 until joining Spring ISD in July of 2016. “Working at Aldine means that I will have the opportunity to be part of the work that can positively impact the trajectory of our students’ lives,” said Melendez. “I take that role

very seriously because the work I am helping lead means our students, staff, and schools can tap into every ounce of potential. When I think of all the possibil ities for the students in our classrooms, I think, ‘Wow! How awesome is it to work with this community to change lives? I feel very fortunate to be back.”

IMPACT LEADERSHIPACADEMYGIVES ITS STUDENTSA RED CARPETWELCOME FORTHEIR FIRSTDAY

“We were glad to see PVAMU come out and give our students a genuine PV ex perience,” said Kegler. “They recognize our goal is to provide a unique experi ence for our students, and we appreciate them sharing their time and support.”

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