2025-2026 Bearcat Blast

Each January, we are honored to recognize the dedicated individuals who tirelessly serve our community - our Aledo ISD Board of Trustees! This is just a small way for us to say THANK YOU for their work, leadership and commitment to improving our schools... for being All in Aledo!

Our Future is Public, and our amazing team of 7 Trustees volunteer their time and expertise to guide the direction of our school district and to ensure that Aledo ISD is Growing Greatness each and every day!

Stay tuned throughout the month on our Facebook and Instagram social media pages for individual shoutouts to each of our Trustees!

In this Only in Aledo feature, members of the Aledo High School Wrestling Team share what goes through their minds as they prepare to compete and how the sport has shaped them as athletes, leaders and Bearcats. All in Aledo Captains J.D. Neff, Brice Bohn, Lilly Carruthers and Joy Stephens reflect on the discipline, focus and growth that come from stepping onto the mat.

From the camaraderie of the team to the opportunity to excel as high-performing student-athletes, Aledo Wrestling offers an Exceptional Experience that goes far beyond competition. It’s about belonging, accountability and becoming your best. #GrowingGreatness found Only in Aledo.

All Ascender applications now require a new, updated password for every user. Please note that this change applies to all Ascender applications, even though some on-screen instructions have not yet been updated.

New password requirements:

• Must be unique to you

• Must be different from any of your other passwords or Ascender passwords

• Minimum of 16 characters

• Includes uppercase and lowercase letters

• Includes at least one number

• Includes at least one special character

Important note: While Ascender may still display a requirement of 8–46 characters, users are being required to meet the new 16-character criteria when creating a new account or selecting “Forgot Password.” We understand this has caused confusion for parents and staff, and we appreciate your patience as this update was not communicated in advance. Thank you for your understanding as we work through this system update.

The grading cycle 2 report card grades will be accessible in Ascender Parent Portal on the afternoon of Friday, January 9. Paper report cards will not be sent home.

• Click here for instructions for accessing report card grades in Parent Portal.
• Click here for information regarding K-2 standards-based report cards.

Thank you for your continued support and for your partnership! Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have any specific questions related to grades.

In compliance with state law, Aledo ISD provides a public list of all library materials that are proposed to be procured by a school library, accessible for review by the public for at least 30 days before final board approval.

Parents, students and/or community members are welcome to ask questions or provide feedback on the library materials list by submitting an email to: Library@aledoisd.org. All comments received within the 30-day comment period will be reviewed by the School Library Advisory Council and considered prior to finalizing the purchase.

Use the link below to review the proposed book titles for purchase. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find tabs for Elementary, Middle and High School to help you navigate the lists by grade band

Proposed Library Book List 25-26

How to share feedback:
Please email the book title, author, and your questions/ feedback to: Library@aledoisd.org

Harvest of the Month: Citrus!

Aledo ISD Cafeterias are serving up lots of fresh citrus all moth! Get your Vitamin C and keep those colds away. Make sure to check out this fresh citrus salad with home-made citrus vinaigrette!

Parent Reminders:

Aledo ISD Nutrition Department serves nutritious breakfast and lunch daily at all schools!

More information is available at aledoisd.org/childnutrition or call 817-441-5142.

• Menus, pricing, nutritional info, allergens, setting account restrictions (PK-5), special dietary needs and more!
• MySchoolBucks: for online café account payments, go to AISD app or link above. Or pay in Cafeteria by cash, check.
• Free/Reduced Price Meals: Apply online at link above (each year) or see if you qualify (paper applications also available on campus).
• Meal charging (max charge amount $15): If student has no meal/no money, we can provide a school meal (only), then alternate meal.
• No snacks, extras if negative/low balance.
• Negative balances communicated to parents via parent-link email address on file and/or letter to household address on file.
• Go to MySchoolBucks to view café account balances/transactions/install café balance email notifications.
• If you are experiencing a financial setback, please contact us so we can help.

Thank you for allowing us to serve your students! Aledo ISD is Serving up Greatness!

Congratulations to Liz Griffin, Aledo High School senior and member of the Aledo Ladycats Basketball team, on reaching 1,000 career varsity points! This milestone is a true testament to your dedication, hard work, and countless hours in the gym. We are so proud of you, Liz!

On January 2, our Bearcats and Ladycats had an incredibly long and productive day on the mats at the Lamar Invitational! The Varsity Boys were the tournament champions and the varsity girls ended 9th out of 38 teams (with only 6 wrestlers).

Varsity Boys:

The varsity boys team brought home the team title with strong performances across the board:

• 🥇 Charles Anderson
• 🥇 Brady Powell
• 🥈 Brice Bohn
• 🥈 Cameron Robbins
• 🥉 Dylan Chandler
• 🥉 Cade Rangel
• 🏅 Cam Becera

• 🥇 Grace Beasley
• 🥉 Milena Prole
• 🏅 Lillian Carruthers

Big shoutout and thanks to the Aledo PTO’s Special Education Bearcat Collaborative for treating our Special Programs staff to a coffee truck in the morning and fresh iced tea in the afternoon on their professional development day Monday!

This group of hard-working staff members appreciated the nice gesture and support! The Special Education Bearcat Collaborative is an arm of the Aledo PTO that provides support and collaboration to our dedicated special education staff and the special Bearcats who receive special education services. YOU can also help support this group through the Aledo PTO!

The Aledo High School cast is ready to make a splash with their musical production of The Little Mermaid! Join us Opening Night on Friday, January 16 at 7:00 PM for an unforgettable evening filled with music, magic and incredible student talent as this beloved story comes to life under the sea.

Showtimes:

• January 16 & 17 at 7:00 PM
• January 18 at 2:00 PM
• January 19 at 7:00 PM

Tickets are $11. Get your tickets on MySchoolBucks or purchase in person.

Bring your family and friends, support our talented Bearcats, and be part of a magical night at the theater. Make plans now and come experience the wonder of The Little Mermaid. We’ll see you there!

Attention SilverCats! You're invited to a special SilverCats-only preview of the AHS Theater production of The Little Mermaid! Join us for "theater snacks" beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, in the lobby of the Aledo High School Auditorium before enjoying the show starting at 5 p.m.!

This is a SPECIAL performance for our SilverCats members only - so please RSVP today to Katherine at kspringer@aledoisd.org if you're able to attend!

Interested in becoming a SilverCat to have the opportunity to attend exclusive events like this? Go to www.aledoisd.org/silvercats for more information!

*ATTENTION CURRENT 5TH GRADERS!*

Event Details:

• When: Saturday, January 17, 2026
• Where: Aledo High School Cafeteria (Enter through the main entrance, Door 1)
• Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Arrival times will be staggered by last name to keep the event flowing smoothly)
• 
  

REGISTER NOW! (See QR Code)

ABOUT THE ALEDO BAND PROGRAM:
The Aledo Band Program has been fostering excellence since 1974, and our dedicated staff brings over 140 years of combined experience in Music Education. Excellence is evident in every Aledo Band Hall—whether at AMS, MMS, or AHS—where the impressive display of awards and recognitions reflects our students’ hard work, commitment, and the exceptional foundation they build in early band classes. Thanks to the support of our passionate Band Boosters and a thriving community, every student’s musical journey is enhanced.

DID YOU KNOW?
If you’re thinking about joining the Band, 6th grade is the ideal time to start in Aledo ISD. After this, the opportunity to join Beginning Band closes, as students progress quickly in learning their instruments and building solid musical foundations. Band not only teaches the art of music, but also opens doors to future opportunities, including scholarships for college or university and potential careers in music. Some former Bearcats have even turned their love for music into successful careers!

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!
The 2026 Band Fair is your opportunity to explore a variety of instruments and find the one that suits you best! Our directors and staff will be there to help you discover where your natural talents lie.

YOU MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND!
CLICK HERE for the registration form. You can also find it on the AMS & MMS Band Websites, which are great resources for more information about the Beginner Band program at your new middle school.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Aledo Band Program. Ask any current or former member of the Aledo Band—they’ll tell you that the music, camaraderie, and overall experience are totally worth it. What you put into the program is what you’ll get out of it, and we’re excited to see you start your journey toward joining this award-winning program!

We can’t wait to meet you and help you grow your love for music even more!

This flexible role lets you support students, keep learning on track and build connections across our schools. If you’re ready to serve your community and inspire students of all ages, step into the classroom with Aledo ISD.

If you have not applied to become a Substitute Teacher, apply today! Once you have applied, register for the mandatory orientation that will be held on January 22 from 10 AM - 12 PM in the Aledo ISD Administration Building Boardroom.

Join us for Raise Them Strong: Parenting Resilient Kids with Brooks Gibbs. This virtual presentation is an engaging and practical conversation focused on helping parents equip their children with confidence, character and resilience in today’s world.

• 📅 January 29, 2026
• ⌚️ Doors open: 5:30 PM
• ⌚️ Presentation: 6:00 - 7:00 PM
• 📍 Aledo High School Lecture Hall
• 🍕 Pizza will be served!

Don’t miss this impactful parenting opportunity!

Show off your Bearcat Pride with a new Aledo Bearcats license plate holder. Nothing says being All in Aledo more than showing off your support of Aledo Bearcats on your morning drive. Get yours while they last!

The Bearcat Store is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the Administration Building Lobby. The Aledo ISD Bearcat Store follows the Aledo ISD schedule for closures.

Give the Bearcat Store a like and follow to stay up-to-date on all of our new merch!

• Facebook
• Instagram

Bearcat's N Boots is the Aledo Education Foundation’s annual spring fundraiser, to raise community support for AISD's immediate teacher and student needs. Last year's event allowed us to give back over $150,000 across our schools. This districtwide initiative brings together the greater Aledo Community in support of the high-quality education we all work so hard to provide for our kids.

Sold out over the past two years, your Bearcats N Boots sponsorship empowers our future by strengthening education & investing in teachers across our 12 schools. Come support the Aledo Education Foundation with a night of dinner, dancing, and endless fun with Aledo parents, grandparents, friends, and longtime AISD supporters.

We cannot achieve this year's goal without our community's continued investment. Sponsorships will be available soon!

Aledo ISD and the Aledo Education Foundation are partnering once again for the Bearcat Backer program, and we'd love your support!

As our district is #GrowingGreatness through exceptional experiences that empower learners for life, we are committed to fostering relationships and partnerships with our outstanding businesses and organizations to help support our Bearcats. Your partnership provides a direct investment and benefit to our Bearcatstudents and staff.

If your business is interested in joining our Bearcat Backers program, please visit our Bearcat Backers webpage that includes sponsorship levels as well as a commitment form to fill out.

Platinum Sponsors:

EECU Credit Union

KB Home
Loyal Laundry
Magnolia Learning Academy
Mathnasium of Aledo
Myser Orthodontics
The Atkins Agency
United Educators Association
W Dental
Wholesale Payments

Gold Level Sponsors

Christi James - TWFG Insurance Services
First Financial Bank
Institute for Hormonal Balance
Nothing Bundt Cakes
P1 Roofing and Solar
Redwood Financial

Silver Level Sponsors

Bearcat Financial Network
Brookshire's
Kisselburgh Law Firm
The Little Gym of Aledo
One Rock Carwash
SBK Electrical

Bronze Level Sponsors

Aaron Valencia, The A GAME Agent, Realtor
Aledo InterBank
Bigfoot Ink
First Bank
NBT Financial Bank
Paradigm Wealth Management
Rebecca DeLuca, Compass, Realtor
Turquant Builder Services

As a reminder, we have streamlined absence reporting for all of our campuses for this school year. It is very important that we have documented reasons for absences so that we can ensure your student is given an excused absence when needed. Click here or the button below for the Absence Reporting Form!

There are many Aledo ISD team members who are doing great work every single day! You can nominate any employee serving in the district for the Circle of Greatness Award.

We are looking for employees who are bringing Aledo ISD #GrowingGreatness to life, positively impacting our community, and helping us grow each and every Aledo ISD student. Click here or the button below to recognize a staff member today!

The intent behind House Bill 1481 is to limit distractions in the classroom and across campus so students can stay focused on learning. As a public school district, our Board of Trustees must adopt a policy that implements the law. Click here or the button below to learn more and check out common frequently asked questions!

Each Aledo ISD student has access to nutritious and delicious meals prepared by our amazing Child Nutrition staff. Breakfast and lunch are served everyday throughout the school week. Click here or the button below to view this month's breakfast and lunch menus.

Aledo ISD is capturing Bearcat pride all year long on our official Flickr account! From Friday night lights and fine arts performances to classroom moments and community events, you’ll find photos that showcase the heart of Bearcat Nation. Take a look, relive the memories, and find yourself on Flickr!

The Bearcat Blast E-Newletter is managed by the Aledo ISD Communications Department. To submit news items, email communications@aledoisd.org.

https://www.aledoisd.org/
1008 Bailey Ranch Road, Aledo, TX • Phone: 817-441-8327
Facebook: facebook.com/AledoISD • Twitter: @AledoISD