I hope that everyone had a very relaxing Spring Break and that last week presented an opportunity to get the work back going for our students. I recently had a chance to visit with our Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) students at Taylor High School. Their sponsor Andrea Lotsu and the students give Alief ISD a lot to be proud of. In addition, one of our own, Kameron Keller, represents the state and the region as the organization’s president leading fellow TAFE students. As I visited with the TAFE students, I was impressed with their presence and willingness to share their thoughts with me.

Last week I had an opportunity to visit Holub Middle School, where principal Renita Crutchfield and her team lead with enthusiasm and energy daily. I was energized from the time I entered the building, where students, parents and staff are greeted with a warm welcome. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations as we discussed how she supports all students in growing socially, emotionally, and academically. Her leadership was evident in the systems she and her team developed to support student success. Even leveraging restorative practices to have the lowest referral rate of students among middle schools. Practices include restorative circles, treaty agreements, and implementing character-based curriculum such as Capturing Kids Hearts. These practices help to establish respect and empathy among students and staff. Holub staff are also dedicated to engaging in the three V’s: being Visible, Verbal and Vigilant, setting staff and student expectations for a successful school learning environment.

March 23rd marked the first day of Ramadan, a holy month of worship for our Muslim students and families. The linked article shares ways that we can support our Muslim students that may be observing Ramadan. (How teachers can support students during Ramadan)

Celebrations

Congratulations to Alief ISD’s Elsik and Taylor High School Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) students who advanced to national competitions. National qualifiers include from Elsik – Yailyn Sanchez and Angela Santos and from Taylor – Qianna Dean, Kameron Keller, Cyndol Davis, Amy Ogundare, Sebastian Abreu, Davon McLean, Efe Ehimuh, Ashlynn Hawkins, Emily Reyes and Catherine Nguyen. Both Elsik and Taylor’s national qualifiers will compete in the Educators Rising Nationals Conference that will be held in the summer in Orlando, Florida.

We are also so proud of the Alief Middle School choir, as they brought home sweepstakes from the recent UIL regional concert and sight reading adjudication. Both tenor/bass and treble choirs received sweepstakes. Great job!

Our Elsik boys soccer team is in the second round of the UIL soccer playoffs. They play tomorrow, Tuesday March 28th against Dobie High School at Pasadena ISD’s Veterans Memorial Stadium at 7:00 PM. Go Rams!

And finally, I’d like to share our fourth episode of Q&A with Dr. Mays. In this episode, I had the pleasure to speak with Youngblood Intermediate School Sixth grade student Bryton Field. View the video here.

Sincerely,

Dr. Anthony Mays
Superintendent
Alief ISD

 

Looking Forward

  • March 30: Wonderfully Made Girls’ Summit – Holub Middle School, 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
  • April 1: Alief ISD Girls Conference – Cummings Elementary, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • April 1: CIA Market Place – Taylor High School, 9:00 AM – Noon
  • April 5: Smith Elementary 50th Anniversary, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
  • April 13: Kinder Round Up – All Elementary Schools, 5:00 PM
  • April 14: Taylor HS Lion Pride Festival – Taylor HS, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • April 14: Cadre Kerr Lip Sync Competition – Kerr HS, 2:30 PM
  • April 15: Teacher Job Fair – Alief Center for Talent Development, 9:00 AM – Noon
  • April 22: Early Learning & Childcare Conference – Alief Center for Talent Development, 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM