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Dear Aldine Community,
On Friday, Houston and Harris County health officials mandated that all schools in Harris County remain closed to in-person instruction until at least September 8, 2020. This is for the safety and well being of our children and community. We all have a role to play in stopping the spread of COVID-19, and Aldine ISD is committed to working in partnership with our public leaders on this important goal. Our health experts tell us that to get the virus under control, it will take all of us working together, wearing masks, avoiding social gatherings, and practicing frequent hand washing.
Aldine ISD’s first day of school remains August 17, 2020.
As we shared last week, Aldine ISD’s first day of school is August 17. The first three weeks of school will be conducted virtually. As of this writing, staff and families can anticipate the following for our Return to Learn.
First three weeks (August 17 – September 7):
Learning will take place entirely virtually. Students will be required to log in to Schoology daily and complete assignments online for courses that are available virtually. Students will need to have access to a device such as laptops or tablets and consistent, robust access to the internet. Traditional learning packets will also be available. During this time, no UIL athletics or extracurricular activities will be permitted.
Beginning Tuesday, September 8 (subject to guidance from health officials): Students will start their selected instructional model.
Learning On Campus: This option consists of in-person instruction, which includes face-to-face, in-classroom learning using safety protocols to protect students and staff. Students will also complete projects and assignments online. This will make it easy to transition to virtual learning should there be a need to cancel school or limit access to a campus building. The district will follow local, state, and federal guidelines and safety precautions.
Learning At Home: This option is entirely virtual and requires students to have a consistent online presence to complete their assignments. Students who enroll in the Learning At Home option will be required to log in to Schoology daily and complete assignments online. Students who select this option should have access to a device such as laptops or tablets and the internet.
What will virtual learning look like?
AISD will utilize the Schoology learning management system for students this year. This platform is where students will access their courses each day. It offers tools and resources that meet the needs of our students, and includes targeted options for our English language learners and SPED students. Families can anticipate that learning this fall will be more robust than the spring. Students will engage with their learning daily, both with live teacher-directed instruction and recorded self-paced elements. This summer, our teachers are receiving training in delivering lessons virtually.
Features of AISD’s Virtual Learning This Fall:
- Students can expect to hear from their teachers each day.
- Teachers will record lessons that will be posted within their Schoology courses.
- Work will be assigned and students can complete at their own pace. This is designed purposely. We know that many parents are working during the day.
- Teachers will offer “virtual office hours” to connect with students using video conferencing.
- Parents and students can message teachers directly within Schoology.
- Daily attendance will be recorded. Students must log in to Schoology every day to be marked present.
Below you can see a quick look at the Schoology Learning Platform and how a teacher might engage with a student on their work.
We’ll continue to share more information about our plans for virtual learning, including ideas for structuring the day and tips for parents to support their students. Please also reach out to your campus principal and teachers with any specific questions.
Technology Options for Students
Aldine ISD is committed to ensuring its students have access to educational opportunities. Because learning is now taking place outside of the traditional classroom, the district will begin distributing devices on August 3. This distribution is for students who identified a need on their student commitment form.
Sharing our Plans
We are working to ensure our entire community is aware of our plans and are using local and national media outlets to get the word out. Last week, I had the opportunity to share more about our district’s plans on ABC News Live.
We have also hosted several meetings and town halls with parents, staff, and community partners. The input and questions have been extremely valuable to us as we plan for the fall. If you would like to catch up, we’ve created a playlist of the recorded town halls.
Annual Back-to-School Expo
Aldine ISD is hosting its fifth annual Back-to-School Expo. This FREE event is open to families in Aldine ISD with children in prekindergarten to high school. The drive-thru Expo is set for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5 at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center (1865 Aldine Bender Rd.), while supplies last. Families will receive FREE backpacks, school supplies, and groceries. Children can also receive free vaccinations. Learn more about the event on our district website.
Concluding Thoughts
As we head into the last week of July, I am continually amazed and impressed by the flexibility Aldine staff and families are demonstrating during these extremely hard times. I know making sense out of all this information is not easy. We each must absorb it in the best way we can – whether that means sitting with the material, talking through it with our neighbors and friends, or gathering insights on our social media feeds. Remember, you can always access the district’s plans, preparations, and up-to-date health information impacting our community on our new school re-entry page: aldineisd.org/returntolearn.
We are all in this together. Stay safe.
With Aldine Pride,
Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney
Superintendent