I want to call your attention to a couple of upcoming events in our district, but first I want to thank you for all of the support you have given our students so early in the school year. Regardless of what you do for a student, a group of students, or the district, please know that your time and efforts matter. A prime example would be the electric atmosphere created by our staff and community at Crump Stadium for the recent football game between Alief Taylor High School and Katy High School. This game was televised across the country on ESPNU, and the entire nation witnessed Alief community pride. In case you wanted a brief look at the evening, we captured the excitement and atmosphere of the evening in an exciting video that I hope you enjoy. You may view that video here: Taylor video

As we all know, in addition to the high profile athletic programs in our schools, students are also involved in other relevant activities like the fine and visual arts. This involvement will be displayed in the upcoming musical production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” Theater Arts students from Elsik, Hastings, Kerr and Taylor high schools are combining their talents for this district-wide production. The production premiers on October 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the Taylor High School Theatre, and there are shows scheduled for November 2 at 2:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. at Taylor, located at 7555 Howell-Sugar Land Rd, Houston 77083. Tickets for the performance are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. I invite you all to support our fine arts students by attending one of these performances. Trust me, you do not want to miss seeing these talented students in action.

On another relevant topic, as most of you know, Tuesday, November 5, is Election Day across the nation. Although there is not a Presidential Election this year, there are many important races throughout Texas, the City of Houston and Harris County. I would like to call your attention to the Alief ISD Trustee Election, with four Trustee positions up for election this year.

Alief ISD Trustees serve four-year terms, and their terms expire in odd-numbered years. This year, four trustees are up for election, and three will be up for election in November 2015. The Trustees whose positions are open and who are seeking reelection in the upcoming November 5 election are Board President Ella Jefferson, Position 4; Trustee Nghi Ho, Position 5, and Board Secretary Sarah Winkler, Position 6.

Gary Cook, who has served in Position 7 since 1998, has decided not to run for reelection. We will honor Mr. Cook for his years of service during the November 18 Board meeting. He has been a tremendous asset to the students and staff of Alief ISD as well as to our parents and community members in his years on the Alief ISD School Board. Mr. Cook will most certainly be missed.

Candidates by position are as follows:

Position Four
Michael Bennett
Ella Jefferson

Position Five
Nghi Ho (unopposed)

Position Six
Veronica Thibideaux
Sarah Winkler

Position Seven
Fernanda Brady
Tiffany Thomas

Early voting for the election will begin October 21, and there are two early voting locations in our district. You may vote at the Alief Library, 7979 South Kirkwood, or the Tracy Gee Center, 3599 Westcenter Drive. Check http://www.harrisvotes.org/ for a complete listing of Election Day polling locations and key dates for this election. In addition to Harris Votes, you may find information about voting locations and times on the district Website — http://www.aliefisd.net.