2025-2026 Bearcat Blast

High school doesn’t look the same for everyone, and it shouldn’t. That’s why Aledo High School is introducing Grad My Way. Grad My Way is a flexible path to graduation at Aledo High School that gives students more choice in how, when and where they learn - without changing Aledo’s high standards.

It’s not something you apply for. It’s a new way to think about your path to graduation. Aledo ISD is starting small and plans to grow options over time - with student and parent feedback in mind.

We're recognizing our AMAZING Aledo ISD Board of Trustees - and PROUD public school grads - this month for School Board Recognition Month! Our Trustees are the best in the state and selflessly and proudly volunteer their time to serve our Aledo ISD community! Please help us thank them this month!

Take a minute to read a little about how his time in Pleasant Grove ISD public schools shaped Trustee Jeremy Pruett into the person he is today!

Take a minute to read a little about how Mr. Collins' time in Arlington ISD taught him how to never stop learning and growing!

Lynn is a proud public school grad, albeit in Colorado, but she's sharing with us today how public schools shaped her life!

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.

Harvest of the Month: Citrus!

Aledo ISD Cafeterias are serving up lots of fresh citrus all moth!

Tomorrow is Breakfast for Lunch! Make sure to grab a delicious cinnamon roll with sausage, vegetables, fruit and milk!

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

We are fortunate to have an amazing group of men and women protecting our Bearcat students each and every day in Aledo ISD! On this Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we hope you'll take the time to send an extra big THANK YOU to our Aledo ISD Police Department officers! We are so grateful for all of you!

Today, we wanted to take a minute to introduce four of our newest officers who have been sworn in over the last couple of months. Please help us welcome each of them!

• Officer Will Fowler spent 15 years in law enforcement prior to joining Aledo ISD. He is also a retired Staff Sergeant in the Texas Army National Guard. Officer Fowler is the campus officer at McAnally Middle School.
• Officer Nicole Brunswick is a 10-year law enforcement veteran. She has a passion for serving the kids and truly wants to be a role model for them. Officer Brunswick is assigned to McKinney Elementary.
• Officer Michelle Gregory is a 25-year law enforcement veteran. She brings a vast investigative background and is a proud parent of an Aledo ISD graduate. Officer Gregory is assigned to Aledo High School-DNG.
• Officer Mat Cox is a 27-year law enforcement veteran. He spent 7 years serving as a School Resource Officer, where he excelled at building relationships with the students, staff and community. Officer Cox will primarily be assigned to Aledo High School-DNG.

Last week, senior Arianna Calderon represented Aledo ISD and the Aledo Bearcat Dance Team as a TDEA All-State Dance Team member!

From BDT Coach Emily Robison, "Ari danced countless hours, giving her all with strength, passion, and unwavering dedication. Every moment she was on stage was a true reflection of her grace, excellence, and commitment to her craft. We are so proud of her and want to congratulate her on this amazing achievement."

Congrats to the Aledo High School Cheerleading Team on an incredible 3rd place finish at the Mustang Invitational this past weekend on January 10! The girls delivered an outstanding competition routine showcasing multiple cheer styles and their hard work truly shined.

Help us keep the momentum going! Join us Friday, January 16 at 10:35 AM for the UIL State Sendoff, happening between Aledo High School and Daniel Ninth Grade. Come cheer them on as they head to state!

• 📅 Friday, January 16
• ⏰ 10:35 AM
• 📍 Between Aledo High School and Daniel Ninth Grade

Aledo competes at state prelims at 6:06 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, in the Arena at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

We are proud to announce that the following students have been selected as 2026 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Band Members, one of the highest honors a high school musician in Texas can achieve:

• Aiden Ivie — Trumpet
• Lydia Wood — French Horn
• Harper Jones — Flute
• Christian Chevalier — Trombone
• Jackson Sirois — Clarinet

These talented musicians earned their All-State positions through a rigorous multi-level audition process. Each fall, over 70,000 high school students from across Texas audition at the regional level, with the highest-ranking performers advancing through area competitions and ultimately qualifying for a spot in one of the prestigious TMEA All-State ensembles. 

Only the top performers in this competitive process are selected — generally around 1,875 students statewide, which equates to approximately the top 2.6–2.7% of all auditioning students — achieving All-State status. 

Being named a TMEA All-State musician signifies exceptional dedication, musical excellence, and countless hours of practice. These students will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform with other elite young musicians at the annual TMEA Clinic/Convention, an event that draws thousands of music educators and performers from across the state.

Congratulations to Aiden, Lydia, Harper, Christian, and Jackson on this remarkable accomplishment!

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!

Aledo High School is hosting a robotics district championship tournament this Saturday, January 17, in the Daniel 9th Grade Campus Gymnasiums. Spectators are welcome to come between 10 am and 5 pm to watch matches and view the team pit displays. There will be four Aledo teams competing along with 20 teams from the North Texas area! Go Bearcats!

*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