November 10, 2026
At Ogden Elementary School in Aldine ISD, there is no “them or us.” It’s just Ogden.
Students who are deaf or hard of hearing learn alongside their peers who can hear,
build friendships, and experience a school community where they feel welcomed and
supported. For Addilyn Violante, that means having more friends to communicate with in
sign language and play with at recess.
“I was shy before, and now I’m happy,” she said. “I feel like I’ve made friends since I got
here.”
A Partnership Supporting Student Success
Ogden Elementary is one of four Aldine ISD cluster sites participating in the Region 4
Regional Day School Program for the Deaf (RDSPD). Region 4 Education Service
Center (Region 4) provides program leadership, specialized resources, and support to
participating districts and charter schools serving students who are deaf, hard of
hearing, or deafblind.
Principal Gregory Castille credits Region 4 with helping him better understand Deaf
culture and strengthen the campus community.
“I did not have much information on Deaf culture before serving as principal at our
campus,” Castille said. “They were able to explain it to me in simple terms so that I
could take [the culture] and make sure that everyone on our campus was a part of it.”
His commitment to students and educators earned him the 2026 Outstanding Principal
of the Year award from the Texas Association of Parents and Educators of the Deaf
(T.A.P.E.D.).
For students and families, the impact is reflected in everyday school experiences. As
grade 5 student Sarah Ochoa puts it, “We never give up.”
Learn more about how Region 4’s Regional Day School Program for the Deaf
supports students and school systems across the region.