Bearcat Blast

Aledo ISD will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr, Day. Regular classes and activities will resume on Tuesday, January 21.

Thanks to AHS senior and communications graphic design intern Kiara B. for creating this holiday graphic!

Aledo ISD Community: We are actively recruiting special education teacher aides to become a part of our Bearcat Staff!

Benefits to being a teacher aide in Aledo ISD include:

• Teacher aides are eligible to transfer their own children into Aledo ISD to attend our schools, even if they don’t live in the Aledo ISD boundaries.

• Teacher aides are eligible to send their babies and young children to the Aledo ISD Child Development Center employee daycare.

• Teacher aides follow the same school calendar as their kids/students in Aledo ISD.

• Teacher aides who are hired to work in a special education centralized program will receive a $600 sign-on bonus [when hired between September 20, 2024, and March 7, 2025, after completing 45 days of employment and maintaining an attendance rate of 90%].

• No experience required - we will train you!

• Want to become a certified teacher? We will work with you on your path to teacher certification.

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.

The second grading cycle report card grades are now accessible in the Ascender Parent Portal. Paper report cards will not be sent home.

• Click here for instructions for accessing report card grades in Parent Portal.
• Click here for information regarding K-2 standards-based report cards.

Thank you for your continued support and for your partnership! Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have any specific questions related to grades.

We understand that absences are sometimes unavoidable due to illness or family emergencies. However, regular attendance is essential for your child’s academic success. Missing too many days can make it harder for your child to keep up with lessons, participate in classroom activities and achieve their full potential.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Chronic Absences: Missing 10% or more of school days (about 18 days in a year) is considered chronic absenteeism, which can significantly impact learning outcomes. If your child’s absences are becoming excessive, you will receive communication from the school to discuss how we can support your family.

• Support Available: If you’re facing challenges affecting attendance, please let us know. We’re here to provide resources and solutions to help ensure your child is present and engaged.

We encourage you to prioritize attendance and schedule appointments or vacations outside of school hours whenever possible. Together, we can help your child stay on track and achieve their goals.

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. Please take a look at our attendance website here for expanded information on school absences, attendance reporting times and more, and please utilize this form throughout the year to report absences. This form is also linked on the Attendance Matters website www.aledoisd.org/attendancematters.

The Aledo Leads community group met for the third time on Monday night, learning about the many different opportunities for high school students in Aledo ISD. They got to hear from several extremely impressive Aledo High School students, tour the health science and aviation CTE classrooms, and hear an incredible rehearsal performance from Aledo Theatre in preparation for their show Grease this weekend!

During this meeting, it was obvious how All in Aledo our teachers and students are in the exceptional experiences that happen every day in our campuses!

Bearcat Nation,
As we enter the second half of the school year, we urge everyone to prioritize safety on the roads, especially in school zones. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, there were 748 traffic crashes in Texas school zones in 2023, resulting in one fatality and 14 serious injuries. The leading causes of these accidents were speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield the right of way. Let’s work together to keep our community safe!

Stay Safe: School Zone Driving Guidelines

School zones are high-traffic areas filled with children and pedestrians. Following these safety rules can help ensure everyone’s well-being:

1. Adhere to Speed Limits: Speed limits in school zones are designed to protect children. Slow down and be prepared to stop unexpectedly. Traffic fines are increased in school zones.

2. No Mobile Phones: Please avoid distractions by refraining from using mobile phones while driving in a school zone. Your full attention is needed. In accordance with Texas law, drivers must utilize hands-free technology when using their phones while driving in school zones.

3. Buckle Up: Seatbelts are mandatory for all drivers and passengers. Ensure everyone in your vehicle is properly secured with seat belts. It’s a simple step that saves lives.

4. Follow Traffic Directions: You must follow a police officer’s direction when he or she is directing traffic. Respect your Aledo ISD Police Officers and crossing guards as they direct traffic and facilitate a safe and efficient drop off and pick-up at our campuses. Obey road signs, and traffic signals, they’re there to guide you safely through these areas.

Your cautious driving makes school zones safer for everyone. Let’s keep our kids safe—always drive responsibly!

There will be breakfast for lunch this Friday, January 17 on all campuses! Don't forget, breakfast is available at all Aledo ISD campuses to help you start your day with a delicious and nutritious meal. Fuel up before you take off!

Updated Meal Viewer & Menu:

Check out the latest meal viewer for menus, nutrition information, allergens and more on the Aledo ISD website and app.

Parent Reminders:

• Menus, pricing, nutritional information, allergens, setting account restrictions (PK-5), special dietary needs and more can be accessed via the new meal viewer system.
• To easily make online cafe account payment, use My School Bucks. Cash and check payments are also accepted in the cafeteria.
• Apply online here for Free/Reduced meals. Applications must be submitted each year. Paper applications are also available on campus.
• If a student’s account reaches the charge limit of -$15.00, the student can be provided a school meal (only). Snacks or extras are not available with a negative or low balance.
• Negative balances communicated to parents via parent-link email address on file and/or letter to household address on file. Go to My School Bucks to view café account balances/transactions/install café balance email notifications. If you are experiencing a financial setback, please contact us so we can help.

In Aledo ISD, Leadership for Tomorrow’s Texas begins at six-weeks old! This School Board Recognition Month, we’re highlighting the Aledo ISD Board of Trustees shared dedication to being All in Aledo by listening to the needs of our staff.

Today, we’d like to thank board member David Lear for his commitment to ensuring every Bearcat, from infant to high schooler, has exceptional experiences every day. Watch as Aledo ISD Child Development Center Director Becky Albertson and parent and Lynn McKinney Elementary Counselor Lacey McBride share why they believe the CDC plays a vital role in growing greatness in Aledo ISD.

Thank you, Mr. Lear, and all of our board members for your commitment to our staff and community!

Congratulations to the wonderful, talented Aledo High School student Kaitlin Brummer for making TMEA All-State Choir! Kaitlin went through an audition process, with over 14,000 talented high school singers. She went through four rounds of auditions, where she was one of the top 224 singers to make the All-State Mixed Choir. Kaitlin is headed off to San Antonio in February to one of the largest conventions nationwide! Congratulations, Kaitlin!

As the weather begins to change and the temperature begins to drop, it becomes more and more essential to be comfortable! Stop by the Aledo ISD Bearcat Store where comfort is guaranteed! Get these new items before the semester ends!

• New Aledo A fleece vests, in men's and women's sizes, are perfect for keeping you warm!

• New Aledo A hoodies to keep you warm and show off your Aledo spirit!
• New Aledo-themed beanies to keep your ears toasty when temperatures drop after sunset!

The Bearcat Store is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the Administration Building Lobby. The Aledo ISD Bearcat Store follows the Aledo ISD schedule for closures.

Give the Bearcat Store a like and follow to stay up-to-date on all of our new merch!

• Facebook
• Instagram

Mark your calendars for the Aledo Education Foundation’s Bearcats n Boots — a night of boots, dancing, live music, dinner, and most importantly raising money for our teachers and students!
📅 March 28, 2025
📍 Stockyard Station

This is the MOST anticipated, BIGGEST, and most FUN event of the year, and you won’t want to miss it! Whether you’re coming for dinner, exciting live & silent auction, or to dance the night away, Bearcats N Boots has it ALL!

Stay tuned for more details, but trust us, this is going to be a night to remember!

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

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!

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