Bearcat Blast

Friday, Sept. 20 is a student holiday and staff workday in Aledo ISD! Students, enjoy your long weekend, and we'll see you back in school on Monday, Sept. 23.

Holiday graphic by AHS senior and communications graphic design intern Kiara B.

Please review this important homecoming parade and community pep rally information:

• Please review the map of the homecoming parade below; it has been slightly altered from last year’s route to include the area on the westernmost side of the parade (near the Ag building) blocked off for spectators due to construction in that area.

• Spectators are welcome to start setting up for the parade at 5 p.m., and the parade starts at 6 p.m. Please remain on the sidewalks or grassy areas and avoid the street.

• Spectators must park in the designated parking lots surrounding the AHS and DNG buildings. No parking will be permitted on Bailey Ranch Road or in the grass.

• Spectators will be expected to comply with requests to remain off the driveway during the parade and follow directions provided by the administrators, police and volunteers assisting with the parade.

• Tailgating will not be permitted during this event.

Even though we will have AHS-DNG administrators, AISD police officers and volunteers stationed throughout the route to ensure the safety of our participants as well as spectators, we ask that parents/guardians and adults attending the parade help to make sure children do not enter the driveway/parade route during the parade.

The Community Pep Rally will begin immediately following the parade inside Buchanan Stadium. Spectators should sit on the home side of the stadium.

Homecoming football game ticket sales will follow our usual home ticket timeline:

• AHS-DNG students in grades 9-12: May purchase 1 ticket per non-participating student 8 a.m. on Monday through noon on Thursday.

• Parents of students participating in home varsity football games: May purchase up to 4 tickets from 8 a.m. on Monday through noon on Tuesday.

• General Admission Public Ticket Sales: Begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday until sold out. More General Admission tickets may become available beginning at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Please note that tickets will sell out extremely fast! Bearcats fans may purchase tickets on the visitor side, but you MUST sit on the visitor side with a visitor ticket. We ask that if you have reserved tickets and can’t make it to the game, please consider sharing them with or selling them to other Bearcat fans!

As a reminder, we have streamlined absence reporting for all of our campuses for this school year. It is very important that we have documented reasons for absences so that we can ensure your student is given an excused absence when needed.

In Aledo ISD, parents, students, community members, fellow staff members - ANYONE - can nominate ANY staff member to be recognized in this way! Take the time today to nominate someone who you've seen going above and beyond and being All in Aledo for Circle of Greatness!

Stay up-to-date on what's going on in Fine Arts in Aledo ISD! Learn about our student successes, AMAZING teachers, upcoming events and important announcements.

Check out the September Career & Technical Education newsletter! Inside you will find highlights from the summer, information on upcoming events, and spotlights on student groups and local businesses working with Aledo ISD.

During the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year, Aledo ISD will “close” certain grade levels at certain campuses to prevent excessively large class sizes.

Across the district, some grade levels at certain campuses have class sizes that are getting too large to accommodate any new students. Going forward, when a new student comes to enroll, if the grade level at the school in the student’s attendance zone is too full, the district will assign the student to another school outside of the attendance zone for which they are zoned where there is room for enrollment. Aledo ISD will work with families on transportation, the placement of siblings, and other needs.

The district has been communicating about budget cuts since early this year, and part of that communication has included the need to staff class sizes tighter than in the past. It is our hope that moving new-to-the-district students to a different campus doesn’t happen too frequently this year; it will depend on how registration and enrollment plays out throughout the year. We will also continue to advocate for public school funding to be addressed and increased during the next Texas Legislative session in 2025 so that the district will have more flexibility with staffing levels.

Pumpkin Season is Here!

Fall is just around the corner, and your child nutrition staff has whipped up another nutritious treat. Try a pumpkin yogurt, fruit and granola parfait!

Parent Reminder:

Please fill out a 24-25 Free/Reduced Meal Application prior to end of grace period on 9/30/24: https://www.nlappscloud.com/

Voting is open for the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football DFW Most Spirited School Challenge presented by Wing. This is a 64-team, head-to-head bracket challenge to determine the best high school fanbase in DFW.

HOW IT WORKS:

• It will be up to fans to vote now through Friday, November 22 for your school to be named the most spirited school in DFW! Each round lasts two weeks, with the round of 64 ending next Friday, September 13.
• There is no limit on how many times you can vote so help us spread the word, vote now and vote often. The winner receives a $5,000 donation back to their school!

LINK TO VOTING PORTAL: https://www.texasfootball.com/most-spirited-school-challenge/form

Last Friday, our new staff had an amazing time at the tailgate hosted by the Aledo United Methodist Church! It was the perfect way to kick off the school year and come together in such an amazing place. More than 100 new staff members and their families watched Ladycat Volleyball, ate dinner and headed over to Buchanan Stadium for the Aledo vs. Lancaster game. Big thanks to Aledo UMC for their warm hospitality and support! Check out some photos from the tailgate here!

After the Aledo ISD Board of Trustees met the Lancaster ISD Board of Trustees at a convention this past summer, the two groups decided this fall would be a perfect time to connect since the Bearcats and Tigers were slated to play on Friday, Sept. 6. Aledo ISD Trustees and administrators had a great time welcoming their Lancaster counterparts to the district with snacks and camaraderie before the big game.

We know our Bearcat Community is #AllinAledo on Friday nights, but this year we're taking a closer look at all that goes into the Friday Night Magic in and around Tim Buchanan Stadium.

The Bearcats Dance Team does more than perform – they bring the energy, excitement, and heart to Friday Night Lights! From pumping up the crowds to inspiring the next generation of young girls, they are true role models on and off the field. Their passion and spirit make every game night unforgettable.

These incredible dancers practice nearly every day – and it shows. The routines are choreographed by the dancers themselves, showcasing their creativity and dedication. Not only do they perform at football games and pep rallies, but they also compete throughout the second semester during their full competition season. The team gets just a couple of months off in the summer to rest, recharge and prepare for the next year. The Bearcats Dance Team is All In, energizing our community all year long!

The Aledo Growth Committee met last night to get the latest updates on #AledoBond2023 construction projects and the district's growth and finances. Tune in to Episode 16 of the AGC Minute with community co-chairs Dan and Kelli to learn more!

Since 2002, Aledo Children's AdvoCats has proudly partnered with Aledo ISD, thanks to the incredible generosity of our members and sponsors. With your support, we're not just meeting basic needs; we're opening doors to advanced academic opportunities and helping students dream big.

During the 2023-24 school year, your contributions made an extraordinary impact, providing:

• Over 600 Christmas gifts through the Angel Project
• $28,149 in grocery gift cards for Holiday Dinners
• $25,000 in scholarships for Aledo ISD graduates
• $35,041 worth of clothing from the AdvoCats Clothes Closet

Additionally, your donations supported medical, dental, counseling, and vision needs, as well as career and technical education, dual credit courses, and field trips.

By supporting Aledo Children's AdvoCats, you're not just helping our community—you're changing lives and creating a brighter future for our children. Join us by becoming a member for $35 at bit.ly/JoinAdvoCats. Every membership counts and includes an Ambassador’s Pass for 10% off at 26 local stores, plus member news and special event invitations.

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 Bearcatstudents 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.

Platinum Sponsors

Canvas at Willow Park

EECU Credit Union

First Bank Texas

K&M Elevator, LLC

Myser Orthodontics

United Educators Association

Gold Level Sponsors

First Financial Bank
Impact Athletic Training Center

Redwood Financial

Stroud Pediatric Dentistry
TFWG Insurance Services

Silver Level Sponsors

Brookshire's

Kisselburgh Law Firm

Bronze Level Sponsors

A2Z Promotions, Inc.

BigFoot Ink

First Bank

Kinnear Child Psychology

Olympus Willow Park

Paradigm Wealth Management

Turquant Business Services

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