Welcome back, Team Alief. I hope everyone enjoyed reconnecting with family and friends. I was glad to see members of Team Alief throughout the community completing their errands at the local post office, grocery store, or simply relaxing and dining in Alief. I also appreciated the downtime with family and friends from across Texas who joined me here in Houston to give thanks for our blessings. Watching our young adults grow and hearing their stories as they navigate life was both insightful and inspiring. As I saw younger family members go from high school students to entering the workforce or becoming college graduates, I couldn’t help but reflect on our efforts as educators. Creating future opportunities for the next generation is the core of what we do.

I hope your holiday gave you a chance to reflect and recharge. I encourage everyone to use this renewed energy to work together, support our students, and finish the year strong!

The Young Women’s Leadership School application is now open! This is a college-preparatory opportunity that will provide additional choices for our families. As we increase the number of choice school opportunities, our families can find more information here about what is happening in Alief ISD.

I am excited about this year! I am excited to “Be all in with Alief ISD!”

Alief ISD is pleased to announce updates to its Board of Trustees leadership. Dr. Darlene Breaux will continue her service as Board President, Rick Moreno has been elected Vice President, Janet Spurlock will serve as Board Secretary, and Dr. Lily Truong will serve as Assistant Secretary. We are also honored to welcome Isaac Perez as the newest member of the Board. We extend our sincere appreciation to all returning trustees for their commitment to the students, families, and community of Alief ISD.

In this episode of ImpactED, Kristyn Cathey, Chief of Communications, sits down with Alief ISD Chief of Police, Chief Eric Robins, and Sergeant Tiere Strambler to discuss the importance of school safety and how strong communication between law enforcement, school staff, and the community helps protect and support students. They also share insights on building positive relationships with students and the continued professional training that keeps Alief ISD police officers prepared to serve with excellence.

Alief ISD is excited to announce that applications are now open for our new all-girls school, set to launch in Fall 2026. This innovative campus will provide a supportive and empowering environment that enables young women to excel academically and develop into leaders.

Please click the link HERE for the application requirements. The application can be found on the TYWLS page on our new Choice microsite and will close on February 28, 2026. For maximum efficiency, please complete the application on a desktop or laptop.

TYWLS Lunch & Learn Series

Please join The Young Women’s Leadership School at any of our Lunch & Learn sessions. Learn more about the school and meet the Founding Principal, Tamara Albury.

December 3 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. – Lunch & Learn #4

Alief Taylor HS proudly hosted the Area Manager Inspection, showcasing the campus’ commitment to excellence, safety, and student success. Thank you to our dedicated staff and leadership team for ensuring our students thrive in a well-supported and high-quality learning environment.

Watch video

Our high school choral scholars participated in the Huston-Tillotson University’s Choir Recruitment Tour at Kerr HS, gaining firsthand exposure to collegiate fine arts. This partnership strengthens our commitment to connecting students with institutions that champion academic and artistic excellence.

Thank you to Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas for donating turkeys to our Alief families and staff, and to Alief Petrosky Elementary for donating canned goods. Your generosity is making a meaningful impact this holiday season!

A huge thank you to Families Helping Families! They provided Thanksgiving baskets packed with a week’s worth of groceries and all the essentials for a full holiday meal. Their generosity is making a meaningful difference for Alief ISD families this season. We appreciate their continued support and heart for our community.

For the seventh consecutive year, Alief ISD has been named a TXarted District of Distinction. This prestigious honor recognizes our outstanding leadership and commitment to high-quality visual arts programs. We are proud to be one of only 16 districts in Texas to earn this distinction for seven consecutive years—placing us among the top 1% in the state.

Join us for the Alief ISD Rodeo Art Show Family Night on Wednesday, December 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Marshall Center for Advanced Careers. This free event will feature amazing rodeo-inspired artwork created by our talented students. We can’t wait to see you there!

The magic of the holidays comes to Alief! Join us as the Bayou City Ballet Youth Company presents The Alief Community Nutcracker 2025 on December 6 and 7 at Alief Taylor High School. Come support our talented Alief ISD students as they bring this classic to life on stage — a wonderful holiday experience for the whole family! Purchase tickets here: https://bcbyouthcompany.org/aliefnutcracker

International Management District – Community Grants

We encourage staff to explore the International Management District’s Community Grants, designed to support innovative projects that enhance learning and community engagement. By diversifying applicants, we aim to ensure teachers have the opportunity to access these valuable funds for new initiatives that directly benefit students.

Click here for more information and application details: International Management District Community Grants Policy and Application form.

Congratulations to our October Main Event Teacher of the Month winners! Thank you Mike at Main Event Stafford for recognizing our teachers and for your partnership with the Alief ISD Education Foundation!

Leslie McQueen – Heflin Elementary

David Covarrubias – O’Donnell Middle School

Dwayne Johnson – Alief Learning Center

Huge congratulations to the Alief ISD educators who were awarded $500 mini-grants through the Alief ISD Education Foundation! These competitive grants provide valuable support for innovative instructional ideas, hands-on learning opportunities, and creative classroom projects that enhance student engagement. We are proud of our teachers’ dedication to enriching the learning experience and grateful for their commitment to bringing new and exciting educational possibilities to our students.

Karen Orta – Kerr HS

Kristi Heer – Hicks Elementary

Brenda Villafuerte – Martin Elementary

Janeth Montalvo – Martínez ELC

Bella Escot-Mendoza – Alief Early College HS

Vashonda Newsome-James – Chancellor Elementary

Watch video

The Alief ISD Education Foundation Innovative Grant Program is designed to spark creativity and enhance the learning experience in classrooms across the district. Rather than focusing on standardized test performance, this program empowers educators to bring fresh, engaging, and imaginative ideas to life.

Each year, the Foundation awards grants to educators who develop innovative classroom projects that inspire students, foster curiosity, and encourage critical thinking. Successful proposals feature well-designed implementation plans and creative approaches that make learning both meaningful and memorable.

By supporting innovation, the Foundation helps teachers turn great ideas into powerful educational opportunities — ensuring that Alief students are prepared to dream big and achieve even more.

Please email your questions to [email protected] and a member of the Alief ISD Education Foundation team will follow up with you.

Alief ISD Education Foundation – Pay It Forward Campaign

Dear Alief ISD Team,

We’re excited to invite you to participate in the Alief ISD Education Foundation’s Pay It Forward Campaign! This initiative is a simple yet meaningful way to support our students and teachers by automatically giving a seamless donation directly from your paycheck.

Click here to complete the Pay It Forward Form

For more information on this campaign, please visit our website or contact [email protected]. Thank you for supporting the mission of the Alief ISD Education Foundation. Together, we can make a lasting difference in our community!

For fundraiser opportunities, contact [email protected].

Order here

Cheer on the Houston Texans and support the Alief ISD Education Foundation! Buy your Texans tickets through our special link , a portion of proceeds funds scholarships, teacher grants & student programs in Alief ISD. Scan the QR code to get tickets and make a difference!

Do you have a special celebration or achievement you’d love to share? Submit your celebration here and let us highlight the amazing moments that make Alief ISD so special!

Explore the Alief ISD SmugMug photo gallery and relive unforgettable moments from school events, celebrations, and achievements. Browse through vibrant snapshots capturing the spirit, talent, and dedication of our students and staff. Check out the gallery here!

Join the Alief Alumni Influencer Association and Stay Connected! Be a part of something bigger by joining the Alief Alumni Influencer Association—a network of proud graduates making a difference! Whether you want to reconnect with old classmates, mentor current students, share your success story, or give back to the community that shaped you, this is your chance to stay involved. Join today and continue making an impact!

Alief ISD MVP 2025-2026 Awards Nomination Form

Each month, one student, two teachers, and two support staff will be selected as an MVP Award winner by their peers.

These winners are chosen based on evidence of their support of customer service and positive climate and culture in Alief ISD, and they will be celebrated during our next regular board meeting.

We encourage our stakeholders to submit the MVP Award Submission.

Looking Ahead

December Athletic Schedule

December 3: Rodeo Art Show Family Night

December 6-7: The Alief Community Nutcracker

December 11: Stuff A Bus 9 AM -11 AM Crump Stadium

December 22-January 2: Winter Break

February 7: G.A.L.S. & Gowns

February 14: Lunar New Year Celebration at Marshall Center for Advanced Careers

April 25: International Parade & Taste of Alief

September 28: 22nd Annual Golf Tournament