Inside Aldine - Aldine Independent School District

Inside AldineFall 2005Page 8Business PartnershipsFor more informationon student internshipprograms, call RobertThomas programdirector of business/education partnerships,at 281-985-7230.Aldine partnerSpotlightAldine is site ofBack-To-SchoolPep Rally forTexas EducationAldine ISD’s M.O.Campbell EducationalCenter was the site ofa back-to-school peprally, sponsored byFriends of Texas PublicSchools and businessesacross Texas.Scott Milder, left, founder of Friendsof Texas Public Education, receiveda proclamation from Houston MayorBill White lauding his and theorganization’s efforts in promotingthe good things that are happeningin public education in the state.Linda Clarke, a former AISD principal,who now works in the mayor’soffice, made the presentation whileLarry Payne with Houston Habitatfor Humanity looked on.Mattress macAddresses newteachersLocal business man laudsnew teachers.Jim Mattress “Mac” McIngvale spoketo Aldine ISD’s new teachers thefirst day of their three-day in-service.He applauded them for choosingteacheing as their profession andencouraged them to be life-longlearners.YMCA steps up to the plate to coordinate school supply driveThe Greenspoint YMCA was one of 35 Houston-area YMCAs who stepped up tothe plate to touch the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of Aldine ISD studentsthis school year.The local YMCA, one of AldineISD’s business partners, was partof the Y’s “Operation Backpack,”which included area churchesand other partners who collectedbackpacks and school supplies forAldine ISD students.Aldine ISD and 30 other Houstonareaschool districts benefited fromthe Y’s effort to collect thousandsof school supplies for childrenwho might otherwise have goneback to school unprepared.“Students need the necessarytools to reach their academic goalsand those tools are pencils, paper,pens rulers and other school suppliesthey need to get the job donein the classroom,” said Aldine ISDSuperintendent Nadine Kujawa,who represented Houston-areaschool districts at a press conferenceheld July 12 to kickoff “OperationBackpack” at the Post OakYMCA. “On behalf of Aldine ISDand other area school districts, weapplaud the YMCA’s efforts in assistingus in seeing that studentshave the necessary tools they willneed when school begins. We havealways had a strong working relationshipwith the GreenspointYMCA and we are so glad to seethem being a part of this importantendeavor.”Operation Backpack began July 18and ran through Aug. 18 and collectednew backpacks filled withschool supplies, which were laterdistributed to Aldine ISD studentsand other Houston-area students.The Greenspoint YMCA and otherYMCA facilities in the Houstonarea served as collection sites todrop off backpacks and supplies.From time to time wewill feature partnersfrom the North Houstonbusiness communityin Inside Aldine’sBusiness Partnershipsection.This edition’s featurestory is on ExxonMobiland Linda Araiza.Linda Araiza has been volunteeringin Aldine ISD schools since 1987.Araiza, a land technician in the propertytitle analysis group with Exxon-Mobil said she enjoys the time shespends working with students in thedistrict.“I think it’s important to get acrossto the students the importance ofeducation and how important it isto read, participate in class activitiesand after-school tutoring,” shesaid. “I encourage students to askfor help when they don’t understandsomething so they can avoidany setbacks in the classroom. I tellstudents they can do anything theywant to do. Although my childrenhave graduated from AISD, I planto continue volunteering at AldineHigh School or where I can be ofassistance.”Araiza is one of six ExxonMobil employeeswho volunteer in the district’sScience Ambassador Program.She added other employees serveas mentors, work with the district’sfour high school bands, serve aschaperones and read to Aldine ISDstudents.The Science Ambassador Program isin place at Bethune Academy, StovallAcademy, Francis Elementary, BlackElementary, Aldine High School,Nimitz High School, EisenhowerHigh School, and Teague MiddleSchool.She said she enjoys working for acompany that places a high premiumon education.“ExxonMobil strives to be a goodcorporate citizen in all the placesthe company operates worldwide,”Araiza said. “To the company, thatmeans being a trusted neighborand looking for ways to enhance thequality of life in communities wherewe have a significant presence. Tothat end, ExxonMobil encouragesemployees to actively contributetheir time and talents to Aldine-areaschools. Education is a top priorityfor ExxonMobil and we contributeto education initiatives that fosterlearning, improve teaching andstrengthen academic standards inscience, technology, engineeringand mathematics. We view this asinvesting in the most promisingnatural resources we know – ourstudents of today and leaders of tomorrow.”In addition to volunteering in AldineISD schools and her professionalresponsibilities with ExxonMobil,Araiza also serves on the Board ofthe Science Education Ambassadorprogram at Brookhollow.