2025-2026 Bearcat Blast

Aledo ISD families, winter break is almost here! The district will have an early dismissal on Thursday, December 18, and our winter holiday break begins Friday, December 19. All campuses and offices will be closed December 19 through January 2. Staff will return on Monday, January 5, and students will return on Wednesday, January 7.

We hope everyone enjoys a restful and refreshing break as we look forward to a great start in the new year!

Thanks to communications department intern and AHS senior Macy W. for creating our holiday graphic!

Aledo ISD has been selected as a CTE District of Distinction by the Career and Technical Association of Texas (CTAT) for the second-straight year.

This esteemed recognition celebrates districts across Texas that demonstrate exemplary leadership, innovation and commitment to student success through high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Aledo ISD is one of 72 school districts in Texas to receive this designation.

“Our job is to prepare students for what’s next, and we are thrilled that we continue to lead the way in providing these exceptional experiences,” Aledo ISD Superintendent Dr. Susan Bohn said. “A huge congratulations to our students, staff and community business partners who support our student internships and practicums.”

Aledo ISD offers 10 different career clusters where students can earn industry-based certifications as well as real-world experience. In 2024-2025, Aledo High School students earned 562 industry certifications; the district offers 28 unique industry-based certifications. In the current school year, 2,049 high school students - or 86% - are taking at least one CTE course. In all, Aledo ISD offers 79 unique CTE courses for students in grades 7-12.

The available CTE programs of study in Aledo ISD include: arts, audio visual technology and communication; architecture and construction; agriculture, food and natural resources; business, marketing and finance; engineering; education and training; health science; information technology; law and public service; and transportation, distribution and logistics.

“With over 80 percent of our high school students in at least one CTE class, we believe that CTE course options are critical in helping students discover what they are passionate about and preparing them for their future,” said Angie Wilkinson, AISD Director of CTE and Advanced Academics. “Earning this status for the second year in a row is confirmation that we have a deep commitment to student success, we employ CTE teachers who are experts in their field, and we are aligned with our workforce needs in Eastern Parker County. I am incredibly proud of how innovative and dedicated our staff and students are to our CTE programs.”

The CTE District of Distinction program was designed to celebrate outstanding career and technical education programs across Texas. Honored districts are selected based on their ability to meet rigorous criteria that include innovative programming, industry-based certifications, alignment with workforce needs, and exceptional student outcomes.

Aledo Community: We are once again collecting $25 Gift Cards for a Holiday Giveaway for our entire staff! We are seeking donations of $25 gift cards - to wherever you want! - that we can gift to our staff right before the holiday break in December. Families, businesses, churches, neighborhoods - anyone is encouraged to donate!

If you want to donate a gift card, please fill out the form at bit.ly/2025HOLIDAYGIVEAWAY and bring the gift card to the Aledo ISD Administration Building by Friday, Dec. 12!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

On Monday, December 15, 2025, the Aledo High School Band will present their annual Holiday Show, and we’re hosting an exclusive SilverCats Social Hour beforehand to celebrate the season together.

• SilverCats Mingle & Jingle Social Hour: 5:00–6:00 p.m.

• Band Holiday Show: Begins immediately at 6:00 p.m.

• Location: Aledo High School (1000 Bailey Ranch Rd, Aledo, TX 76008)

• Entry: Please enter through the main high school building doors that face Bailey Ranch Road for the Social Hour. (The auditorium doors will not be open for this portion of the event.)

• Perk: Reserved seating for all SilverCats at the performance!

During the Social Hour, we’ll enjoy light refreshments, good conversation, and the chance to visit before the performance begins. The Social Hour will conclude before 6:00 p.m. so everyone can move to their reserved seats for the show.

We hope you’ll join us for this festive evening honoring our cherished SilverCats community. Your presence always makes these events brighter.

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: Dark Leafy Vegetables!

Try a Grinch Smoothie - kale, fruit, yogurt and honey!

Adding more kale to your diet is a great way to boost your intake of these key vitamins and minerals, along with other important nutrients!

Aledo ISD Cafeteria Services is Serving Up Greatness!

Registration for the Bearcats Beyond the Bell after-school enrichment programs for our elementary schools for the Spring semester is open! Find more information for Bearcats Beyond the Bell at https://www.aledoisd.org/community/beyond-the-bell.

We’re Hiring at Aledo High School! Recent grads or experienced teachers - come work at a top-tier campus where students and staff thrive together. Aledo High School is currently seeking full-time professionals in the following areas:

• Math
• Spanish
• Special Education Teacher
• Counselor
• School Nurse
• Special Education Aide

If you're passionate about empowering students, building strong relationships, and being part of an exceptional team, come join the A-Team and make an impact in #BearcatNation!

Apply today and be part of something special: aledoisd.org/careers.

The Bearcats beat Denton Ryan 43-17 last Friday at Northwest ISD Stadium for the State Quarterfinal Championship! Up next: Frisco Lone Star at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, at Mansfield ISD's Vernon Newsom Stadium with a trip to the State Championship on the line! Scroll down for game and ticket information for this State Semifinal!

The Bearcats dominated, sweeping the tournament and bringing home the Boys Team Championship! The Ladycats battled tough, finishing 9th out of 25 teams, an incredible showing in a stacked field.

Boys:

• 🥇 Ian Crosby
• 🥇 Charles Anderson
• 🥈 Ben Hungerford
• 🥉 Cam Robbins

Girls:

• 🥉 Grace Beasley

Congratulations to Aledo’s own Tiara Butler and Elizabeth Griffin on earning All-Tournament honors at the Moritz Dealerships Ladycat Basketball Invitational! Proud of these Ladycats and the hard work they bring to the court!

Thank you to the Coder Elementary School Choir for stopping by the Aledo ISD Administration Building today and filling our halls with holiday cheer! Their festive music medley was the perfect way to brighten our day.

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. They make great gifts and are perfect stocking stuffers! 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