Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney on Back-to-School, Cell Phone Ban, and Student Opportunities

Preparing for the New School Year

• 🏫 Aldine ISD is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, building on a strong foundation of past leaders and teachers.
• 📚 The district is preparing students for a new school year, including those transitioning to new campuses due to school closures.
• 🤝 Communication and transparency have been key in managing school closures, with events and resources provided to ease the transition for students and parents.

Enhancing Student Choice and Opportunities

• 💡 Aldine ISD is focused on being the best choice for its students, offering diverse programs like coding, single-gender leadership academies, and early college options.
• 🚀 The district is expanding opportunities for students to earn associate degrees on high school campuses through partnerships like the "College for All" program.
• 🌟 Initiatives like the ACE program have transformed lower-performing schools into high-achieving campuses.

Addressing the Cell Phone Ban

• 📱 Aldine ISD is complying with the new state law banning cell phones on campus, with phones needing to be stowed away throughout the school day.
• ⚠️ The district aims to protect instructional time and restore the joy of learning, treating the cell phone expectation similarly to other school rules.
• 📞 Communication between parents and students during school hours will be facilitated through the school office, similar to pre-cell phone eras.

Combating Bullying and Ensuring Safety

• 🚫 Bullying is taken very seriously, with a zero-tolerance policy and an anonymous online reporting system.
• 📱 While many incidents may start off-campus via social media, the district takes responsibility for addressing them when they manifest at school.
• ⚖️ Consequences for bullying can range from disciplinary actions to alternative schooling or involvement of the district's police department.

Driving Academic Growth and Future Readiness

• 📈 Aldine ISD is focused on accelerating student growth, particularly in literacy, with historical gains reported in reading proficiency.
• 🎓 The district is working towards a goal of 100% of high school graduates being college, career, and military-ready (CCMR), with significant progress already made.
• ✈️ Innovative programs, such as an aviation program where students fly planes and a health education program with mentorships, are preparing students for diverse career paths.