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Bearcat Blast
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Bearcat Blast • February 15, 2024 • AledoISD.org
4-Day Weekend for Students - Feb. 16 - 19
Staff Professional Learning Day Friday, Feb. 16 and Teacher Work Day Monday, Feb. 19
Thanks to AHS senior & communications graphic design intern Lily F. for creating this graphic!
2023-24 Winter of Greatness Circle of Greatness Special Honorees
Please help us congratulate these outstanding Aledo ISD employees who exemplify what it means to be #GrowingGreatness in our students each and every day! The following are our Winter Circle of Greatness Special Honorees.
Professional Recognition: Valerie Whitehead, Aledo Middle School
Mrs. Whitehead's nominator shared:
This year has been a big adjustment for our child going from elementary to middle school in terms of schoolwork and homework. Mrs. Whitehead has been instrumental in working with us to express what we are seeing as parents and her perspective working with our child in school. We have had many concerns and she has walked with us step by step. Together we have looked at his accommodations and helped to clarify/elaborate and also prepare new suggestions for our child’s upcoming ARD meeting in just a few days.
It is not very often that a SPED teacher is highlighted. But without these caring individuals, students who struggle would fall even further behind in their schooling. Mrs. Whitehead encourages her students, works with all staff members across the subject contents, and really strives to bridge that gap in learning. I can't begin to put into words how meaningful and helpful she has been in this transition from elementary to middle school. She's also the first SPED teacher that I've worked with that really focuses on case-by-case what a student needs rather than applying blanket accommodations.
Paraprofessional Recognition: Raquel Leyva, Instructional Paraprofessional - Early Childhood Center
Ms. Leyva's nominator shared:
Ms. Raquel is the paraprofessional in my pre-k class and she has gone above and beyond this year especially the last two weeks. I have been out and she has stepped up to help in a teacher role with the class. She has kept me updated on how the kids are doing with daily pictures and messages. When not taking on the class, she is always the first to ask if there is anything she can do to help with the class, copies, cutting or laminating. She also loves to decorate our classroom for the holidays. Most importantly, she is wonderful with the kids!! I don’t even think there are enough thank yous for how thankful I am for her!
Auxiliary Recognition: Jennifer Lehman, Bus Driver/Transportation - North Lot
Ms. Lehman's nominator shared:
Ms. Jennifer is AMAZING! This year has been the first year my child has ridden the bus. She has been welcoming and so kind to the kids. My child got a little car/bus sick one morning, she wouldn’t allow my child to clean up the mess. My child was mortified, but Ms. Lehman jumped in to check on my child, told my child it was okay and that she was super worried about my child not feeling well. As a first time bus rider and middle school mom I really appreciate how kind she has been.
Guest Teacher Recognition: Morgan Bodie, Annetta Elementary
Mr. Bodie's nominator shared:
He is the most amazing guest teacher. Any time he steps foot on campus the kids are exuberant with excitement. Great substitute teachers can adapt quickly to different classroom environments, grade levels, and subject matter. They are flexible and can handle unexpected situations with poise. He does this every single time he is on our campus. He has the ability to engage and connect with students. Whether through enthusiasm, humor, or relatability, a great substitute teacher creates a positive and inclusive learning atmosphere and he is amazing at this! We love having Mr. Bodie on our campus!
Make a plan to vote! Early Voting starts Tuesday, Feb. 20!
We 🧡 Valentine's Day and 🖤 our Bearcats, and 🧡🖤 we especially our Aledo ISD schools! Keep in mind as election season is upon us that BEARCATS who LOVE their Aledo schools VOTE! 🫶
Make a plan to VOTE when early voting starts on Tuesday because BEARCATS 🧡🖤 Aledo schools! Find more information at aledoisd.org/bearcatsvote.
The SSES grant deadline is March 15, 2024
Attention parents of students that receive special education services through an IEP:
The Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) program is a one-time $1,500 online grant for parents/guardians of eligible students served by special education and who are enrolled in a Texas public school. Parents/guardians of eligible students can use the online accounts to shop the marketplace to obtain educational materials and resources such as textbooks, curriculum, or technology devices and/or services such as additional speech therapy, tutoring, or other specific services. The deadline for this application is March 15, 2024 and we want to make sure you are aware of the last date to apply as the program won’t re-open until next school year on February 3, 2025. If you have any questions about this program, please contact the Special Programs office.
Click here to apply for the SSES grant. The application button is at the bottom of the page.
📰 Bearcat News Update ☑️
Aledo ISD Finance Facts
Today’s FINANCE FACT: The Texas legislature has not raised the basic allotment - the amount a district receives each year per student - since 2019 despite the record inflation we’ve been experiencing since that time. Aledo ISD would need an additional $1,200 per student just to get caught back up to 2019 funding levels.
In Aledo ISD since the 2019-2020 school year (the last time the Texas legislature raised the basic allotment), we’ve seen:
- Fuel costs increase 188.95% or nearly $315,000
- Insurance costs increase 329.43% or just over $1.2 million
- Utility costs increase 55.53% or nearly $855,000
How will this affect you? Without an increase in funding or a raise in the basic allotment, Aledo ISD and school districts across the state are being forced to make cuts that will impact our students and teachers to balance our budget. We are doing everything we can with what we have to serve students. We can no longer do more with less!
Property values, and thus property tax bills, continue to increase in Texas but the state funding for public schools has stayed the same. In other words, when property values like those in Aledo ISD increase, Aledo ISD gets more local property tax funding but we get less state funding and end up with the same total. Even so, Aledo ISD has reduced its tax rate nearly 39 cents over the last five years.
This video by Raise Your Hand Texas explains the relationship between local and state funding for school districts: https://bit.ly/fundTXschools
What does this mean for you? This means that, even though we’ve all paid more than ever in property taxes the last few years due to the skyrocketing values of our homes, Aledo ISD is not any better off. The state keeps what they would have put toward education and uses it for other priorities (not funding education!). This year, the state had a surplus in excess of $38 billion and very little was allocated to public schools.
Nutrition News: February Harvest of the Month - Berries!
We ❤️ our Child Nutrition Staff BERRY, BERRY MUCH!!!
Parents, did you know we have lactose-free milk at all schools? If your student has a milk intolerance or allergy, please email us to install a café account pop up message so your student can access lactose-free milk. Send an email today to: pwillhite@aledoisd.org
District Benchmark Assessments
The district benchmark assessment window will be February 27 - March 8. (Campus specific testing dates will be communicated through your campus newsletter.) Benchmark assessments measure student proficiency on grade level essential standards and results are used to determine which specific standards students have mastered and which standards need additional time and support.
Science and CTE Curriculum Review
Districts across the state are currently reviewing science and selected Career and Technology (CTE) course curriculum for adoption and implementation during the 2024-2025 school year. After an in-depth process of evaluation, the Aledo ISD Science and CTE Advisory Committees have narrowed down the state-approved curriculum options. We would like to offer the opportunity for community members to give feedback as we complete this process. Materials will be available for review in the Aledo ISD Administration Board Room, located at 1008 Bailey Ranch Road, at the following times:
February 26, 28-29, March 1, 4-5, 7-8
8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
February 27 and March 6
8:00 a.m.-noon
For questions about the science adoption, please contact Michelle Yates at myates@aledoisd.org or Miranda Rosenhoover at mrosenhoover@aledoisd.org. For questions about the CTE adoption, please contact Tim Rogers at trogers@aledoisd.org or Angie Wilkinson at awilkinson@aledoisd.org.
TAPR Report and Federal Report Cards Available Online
The Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) is now available on the Aledo ISD website. These reports pull together a wide range of information on the performance of students in each school and district in Texas every year. Performance is shown disaggregated by student groups, including ethnicity and socioeconomic status. The reports also provide extensive information on school and district staff, programs, and student demographics. Click here to view the district and campus-by-campus reports.
In addition, the 2022-2023 Federal Report Cards are available on the district’s website. Click here to view the report cards.
🎉 Celebrations: We're excited to recognize these AISD students & staff members!
AHS Swimcats are State Bound!
The Aledo High School Swimcats are State Bound! Swimmers Porter Lane, Haley Roberson, Victoria Crews, Avery Faulkner and Julia Gordy are headed to the UIL Swimming & Diving State Meet Friday, February 23rd - Saturday, February 24th hosted at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center at the University of Texas at Austin.
Make some noise and cheer on the Swimcats at the State Sendoff Celebration!
- Thursday, February 24
- 10:25 a.m.
- Aledo High School drive
📅 Coming up in Aledo ISD - Mark Your Calendars! ✅
Student Holiday Feb. 16 & 19!
Don't forget, there will be a student holiday and four-day weekend from Friday, February 16 through Monday, February 19 for students! Enjoy the long weekend to rest, relax and recharge. The district will remain open as it is a work day on February 16 and professional learning day on February 19 for Aledo ISD staff.
SSES grant deadline is March 15, 2024!
The Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) program is a one-time $1,500 online grant for parents/guardians of eligible students served by special education and who are enrolled in a Texas public school. The deadline for this application is March 15, 2024 and we want to make sure you are aware of the last date to apply as the program won’t re-open until next school year on February 3, 2025. If you have any questions about this program, please contact the Special Programs office.
Click here to apply for the SSES grant. The application button is at the bottom of the page.
AHS Ladycat Basketball team continues to Round 2!
The Aledo High School Ladycats are headed to the second round of the playoffs tonight, February 15! Make some noise and cheer on the Ladycats while they take on Mansfield Timberview at Cleburne High School at 6:30 p.m.
AHS Bearcat Basketball team face the Granbury Pirates Friday, Feb. 16!
The Aledo High School Bearcats boys basketball team faces the Granbury Pirates in a tie-breaking game to determine district seeding. Be All In Friday, February 16, at Weatherford High School at 6 p.m. and cheer on your Bearcat basketball team!
Above and below are two drone pictures from January 31 of the new Lynn McKinney Elementary! The above picture is looking toward the front of the school, which faces south; below is a picture from the west side - Morningstar neighborhood side - of the campus. Construction is progressing very nicely as we work toward opening this fall! McKinney Elementary is the district's seventh elementary, and it was included in the Aledo Bond 2023 proposal that passed last May.
P2 Character Trait of the Week: Love
This week's P2 Character Trait of the Week is Love!
Remember P2 has a site set up for families called P2 for Families. This site has all of the Character Cards that we will share each week, plus related and inspiring videos as well as questions for families to discuss around each character strength each broken down by grade bands (PK-K; 1-2, 3-5; 6-8; 9-12).
See the Love card below, and consider using one of these Table Talk questions to start a conversation with your child about Love!
LOVE TABLE TALK for your FAMILY
Grades Pre-K-K: What are some things you love about your family?
Grades 1-2: How does it make you feel when others show love to you?
Grades 3-5: Why is love important?
Grades 6-8: Is it difficult to love when things — or people — aren’t the way you expect them to be? Why?
Grades 9-12:How could you show someone in your life that they are important without a grand gesture?
Aledo Strategic Partner Information
The 18th Annual Aledo AdvoCats Run, Walk, Crawl is March 23!
If your New Year’s resolutions involve giving back and getting fit, the AdvoCats family-friendly GLOW 1K/5K race supporting local students and families is for you!
You can register NOW for the 18th annual Run, Walk or Crawl set for Saturday, March 23rd at Aledo ISD Bearcat Stadium. Click here to register!
Help make Bearcats N Boots a success!
This years Bearcats N Boots committee has hit the ground running on planning the best event yet! We are so excited to join forces with the greatest community in support of the students and staff of Aledo ISD. If you or your business would like to attend and sponsor this year's event or donate to our live and silent auction click here or email valerie@aledoef.org.
Bearcats N Boots will be on April 5, 2024 at the Fort Worth Stockyards Station. Come out for a night of live entertainment, dinner, live and silent auction, open bar, and more!
Thank you 2023-2024 Bearcat Backers!
Aledo ISD and the Aledo Education Foundation are partnering once again for the Bearcat Backer program, and we'd love your support!
As our district is #GrowingGreatness through exceptional experiences that empower learners for life, we are committed to fostering relationships and partnerships with our outstanding businesses and organizations to help support our Bearcats. Your partnership provides a direct investment and benefit to our Bearcat students and staff.
If your business is interested in joining our Bearcat Backers program, please visit our Bearcat Backers webpage that includes sponsorship levels as well as a commitment form to fill out.
Thank you to our 2023-2024 Bearcat Backers!
Gold Level Sponsors
First Bank Texas
First Financial Bank
Skin MD Medspa
TWFG Insurance Services - Christi James
Silver Level Sponsors
KMFG - Knight Miller Financial
Railhead Smokehouse BBQ in Willow Park
Stroud Pediatric Dentistry
Bronze Level Sponsors
Aaron Valencia, REALTOR - #AGAMEagent
Aledo Pediatric Dentistry
Anchor Counseling FTW
Bigfoot Ink
Bryan Insurance Agency
InterBank Aledo
Kinnear Child Psychology
Paradigm Wealth Management - Christopher Roberts
Reading Friends Aledo
Slade & Nash
Tara Stark Realty
Turquant Business Services
Aledo Independent School District
The Bearcat Blast E-Newletter is managed by the Aledo ISD Communications Department. To submit news items, email communications@aledoisd.org.
https://www.aledoisd.org/
1008 Bailey Ranch Road, Aledo, TX • Phone: 817-441-8327
Facebook: facebook.com/AledoISD • Twitter: @AledoISD