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.