ActionLIne 2-12 - Aldine Independent School

ActionLine…Your Board Meeting Update
February 16, 2012
Staff assignments approved
During the Feb. 14 Board meeting, Aldine ISD Trustees approved
four staff assignments.
James Showers was named head football coach and campus athletic
coordinator at Davis High School after serving as a business teacher and
defensive coordinator in Killeen ISD. Showers received his bachelor’s
degree in business administration from Sul Ross State University in
1993. He meets district requirements for this position. He began his
teaching career as a middle school English teacher and athletic
director/coach at Sierra Blanca High School in Sierra Blanca ISD in
1993. In 1995, he moved to Fort Stockton High School in Fort Stockton
ISD to serve as a microcomputer applications/keyboarding teacher and
as the offensive coordinator of the varsity football team. He also served
as the varsity boy’s head track coach. In 2000, he moved into his present
position as a business teacher and defensive coordinator at Shoemaker
High School in Killeen. Showers has 19 years of experience in the field
of education and coaching.
Dawn Ayers-Rodriguez was named executive director of research
and evaluation after serving as an assistant principal at Shotwell Middle
School. Ayers-Rodriguez received her bachelor’s degree in English
from Texas A&M University in 2001. She is certified as a principal. She
began her teaching career as an English teacher and yearbook sponsor at
MacArthur High School in 2003. In August of 2008, she transferred to
Shotwell Middle School where she taught English. She was appointed to
her current position as an assistant principal in 2008. Ayers-Rodriguez
has spent all nine of her years in education with Aldine ISD.
Michelle Becwar was named program director of middle school
language arts after serving as the English language skills specialist at
Marcella Intermediate School. Becwar received her bachelor’s degree in
English from the University of Iowa in 1998 and her master’s degree in
curriculum and instruction from Texas A&M University in 2001. She
meets district requirements for this position. She began her teaching
career as a ninth- and tenth-grade English teacher at MacArthur Senior
High School in 1998. In 1999, she transferred to MacArthur Ninth
Grade School to teach honors English and ESL. She transferred to
Marcella Intermediate School in 2007 to serve in her present position as
that school’s English language arts skills specialist. Becwar has spent all
of her 14 years in education with Aldine ISD.
Jose Diaz was named assistant principal at Plummer Middle School
after serving as the mathematics skills specialist at that same school.
Diaz received his bachelor’s degree in business management from the
University of Houston in 2004 and his master’s degree in educational
administration from Prairie View A&M University in 2009. He meets
district requirements for this position. He began his teaching career in
2005 as the math skills specialist at Plummer Middle School. Diaz has
spent all seven of his years in education with Aldine ISD.
In addition to the staff assignments, Trustees approved three
administrative transfers. Natasha Arceneaux-Brooks was approved to
move from Nimitz Senior High School to Davis High School to serve as
a counselor, while Brandy Bumpus was approved to move from
Shotwell Middle School to Davis High School to serve as a counselor
and Veronica Martin-Perkins was approved to move from Nimitz
Ninth Grade School to Davis High School to serve as a counselor.
Calendar approved
Aldine ISD Trustees approved the 2012-13 school calendar during
their Feb. 14 Board meeting.
The first day of instruction will be Monday, Aug. 27. Other key
dates are:
•Aug. 16-17 – Staff Development Days
•Aug. 20-24 – Staff Development Days
•Sept. 3 – Labor Day Holiday
•Oct. 8 – Staff Development Day (student holiday)
•Nov. 19-23 (Monday-Friday) – Thanksgiving Holiday
•Dec. 24-Jan. 4 (Monday-Friday) – Mid-Winter Break
•Jan. 7 (Monday) – Beginning of second semester
•Jan. 18 (Friday) – Staff Development Day (student holiday); end of
first semester (87 instructional days)
•Jan. 21 (Monday) – Martin Luther King Holiday
•Feb. 18 (Monday) – President’s Day Holiday
•March 11-15 (Monday-Friday) – Spring Break
•March 29 (Friday) – Good Friday Holiday
•May 27 (Monday) – Memorial Day Holiday
•June 6 (Thursday) – Last Day of Instruction/End of second semester
(90 instruction days)
•June 7 (Friday) – Staff Development Day
Inclement weather days will be Monday, Oct. 8, Monday, Nov. 19,
Monday, Feb. 18 and Monday, May 27.
Employees recognized
During the Feb. 14 Trustee’s meeting, a number of Aldine ISD
employees were recognized for the contributions they make to the
district on a daily basis and the district was also singled out for its work
with the Aldine/Spring/Klein Houston (ASK) Metro Go Texan
Committee.
Kenneth Tann, an ASK committee
member, recognized Aldine ISD for its
effort in supporting the committee’s
scholarship fund-raisers, which benefit
Aldine ISD students. Aldine ISD
employees have helped make college
possible for scores of Aldine ISD
students by supporting the fund raisers
and serving on the ASK committee. Aldine ISD had the highest
participation rate in the committee’s December fun run event, and Tann
presented a trophy to Dr. Wanda Bamberg in recognition of the
district’s effort.
Emitte Roque, executive director
of buildings and properties named
Eisenhower Senior High School as
his department’s Building of the
Month. On hand to accept the award
were head custodian Paula Gonzales
and assistant principal Donnie King.
Roque also named Anderson
Academy as his department’s Yard
of the Month. On hand to accept the
award were head custodian Annette
Powell
and
principal
Julie
Johnson. The yardman is Larry
Fisher.
Aldine ISD Police Chief Brian Allen
named Sgt. Rodney Thordsen and
Officer Abraham Cortes as his
department’s Officers of the Quarter. The
two made the holidays a bit brighter for a
local family by giving of their time and
resources. During the holidays, a woman
at Kroger’s on Aldine Mail Route approached Sgt. Thordsen and
inquired if he knew anyone who could help her with Christmas presents
for her four grandchildren, whom she is now raising. Sgt. Thordsen put
her in touch with Shirley Reed, the founder of Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren. Ms. Reed was happy to help and asked the sergeant if he
knew of anyone who would play Santa Claus for a holiday event she
was hosting. Officer Cortes stepped up and played Santa while Thordsen
volunteered to also help out at the event. While the party was going on,
a number of children who were at the WIC office next door to where the
party was being held spotted Santa and decided to pay him a visit.
Officer Cortes was more than happy to listen to their wishes, which
made them and their parents very happy. Officer Cortes helped to pay
for the Santa suit, while Thordsen purchased a bicycle for one of the
children who attended Ms. Reed’s party.
Dani Sheffield, executive director
of child nutrition services, named the
cafeteria staff at Parker Intermediate
School as her department’s Team of
the Month. The team consists of
manager
Delta
Wright
and
specialists David Callaway, Patsey
Hanson, Norine Johnson, Susan
Machann, Kristine Norris, Jenevie Paxman and Yolanda Valdez.
The CN supervisor is Sal Jessa and the school’s principal is Candace
Hardin.
Richard
Delgado,
executive
director of transportation, named
Charles White as his department’s
Employee of the Month. White works
at the west side transportation
department and serves as a route driver.
He has been with Aldine ISD for 27
years.
Grants announced
Stacy Smith, program director of resource development, announced
a number of grants during the Feb. 14 Trustee’s meeting.
Katy Roede, principal of Conley Elementary School, and teacher
Evelyn Clayton secured a $500 Wal-Mart Grant for Cultural
Enhancement. The money will be used to help students develop a
positive self-concept by providing the history, culture and contributions
made by diverse groups. Conley teacher Emily Hantelmann was also
awarded a $500 Wal-Mart Grant to create workstations for Clayton’s
students and parents.
Marcus Pruitt, principal of Aldine Middle School, and counselor
Carolyn Brown secured a $700 Target Field Trip Grant. The money
will be used to take students on a tour of Lone Star College-North
Harris.
Jeana Adams, assistant principal of Grantham Academy, and
counselor Sebrina Shields-Taylor secured a $700 Target Field Trip
Grant. The money will be used to take students on a tour of Lone Star
College-North Harris.
Debera Thomas, principal of Kujawa Elementary School, and
teacher Linda Johnson secured a $2,000 Lowe’s Toolbox Grant to
assist with the school’s beautification project.
Lee Wold, principal of Carter Academy, and teacher Susana Bazan
also secured a $2,000 Lowe’s Toolbox Grant to assist with the school’s
beautification project.
The grants announced at the Feb. 13 Trustee’s meeting totaled
$6,900.
Program presented
The program for the Feb. 14 Trustee’s meeting was presented by
Thomas Lucas, the district’s warehouse director. He provided an
overview of how he and his staff work as a team to supply materials and
furniture for the district’s schools and support facilities.