Rochester Alternative Learning Center

A big thank you to TerraLoco for donating over a dozen new sneakers for our students in need. Grateful to be a #community school!

Attention Class of 2027: Interested in a healthcare career but not sure where to start? Curious about laboratory sciences and looking for a pathway to a meaningful, hands-on role at Mayo Clinic? The Fast Forward to Work High School Phlebotomy Training Program offers a unique opportunity to build real
clinical skills and gain experience in the high-demand field of phlebotomy.

Program Highlights
• Program Dates: Late August – Early June (follows the RPS calendar; classes held as part of the school day)
• Location: Mayo Clinic, downtown Rochester campus
• Transportation: Provided from Mayo, John Marshall, and Century High Schools
• Earn Credentials: Phlebotomy Certificate, 13 college credits, and elective high school credits
• Cost: No cost to students through a partnership with Rochester Public Schools, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, and the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.

Virtual: January 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
In-Person: January 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Rochester Public Schools Edison Building, 615 7th St SW, Rochester, MN 55902

Register here: https://airtable.com/appdynln57F04Nqyp/pagW1z3FuHwbO5Pol/form

Looking for soemthing to do with students during winter break? Help Mayo Clinic name their cranes. Between now and 2030, 13 tower cranes will rise above Mayo Clinic’s Rochester campuses. To celebrate, Mayo Clinic is launching a community-wide “Name the Crane” contest, inviting the Rochester community to help name these icons of progress. Submit your idea and be part of the story as we build our city’s future together! Learn more: https://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester-construction/cranes

As we wrap up 2025, read Superintendent Pekel's end-of-year letter to see all that we've accomplished in our district: https://rochesterpsmn.edurooms.com/engage/rochester-public-schools/newsletters/superintendent-pekel-s-end-of-year-update.

As we wrap up 2025, read Superintendent Pekel's end-of-year letter to see all that we've accomplished in our district: https://rochesterpsmn.edurooms.com/engage/rochester-public-schools/newsletters/superintendent-pekel-s-end-of-year-update.

It was Service Day at the ALC! 💙
Students signed up to support local organizations throughout Rochester, giving their time and talents back to the community.

Service projects included:
➤ Volunteering at a horse farm
➤ Making holiday treats to deliver to area businesses
➤ Random acts of kindness (rock painting and card making)
➤ Creating homemade dog toys and delivering them to Paws & Claws
➤ Creating winter decorations and interacting with children at the Jeremiah Program
➤ Mentoring elementary students at Ben Franklin Elementary and creating string art gifts
➤ Spreading positivity by making holiday cards for the Ronald McDonald House
➤ Creating birthday cake kits for the school food pantry
➤ Baking cookies to donate to 12-step meetings around Rochester

We are proud of our students for making a meaningful impact and showing the true spirit of service! 🌟

Students enjoyed kick sledding with Nature Rx! The class is taught in partnership with Public Health, where students experience time in nature for well-being.

Thank you to our ALC Health Clinic RN, Megan, for hosting December's monthly wellness event! Students created DIY cold/heat packs out of socks and rice. As a reminder, students can access the Health Clinic on Mondays/Wednesdays (1-4:30pm) and Tuesdays/Thursdays (8-11:30am). (Insurance will be billed, but students and families will not be charged for services completed on site.)

We are so thankful for the community support that allowed ALC staff to pack 70 family holiday bags this winter! Every item was donated and packed specifically for that family.

At the ALC, one of our priorities is building reading skills and growth in our students. Teachers have been using a tool called Diffit to help provide reading material at each student's individual reading level. This year, our Diffit stats show that students have spent 68, 751 minutes reading!

Thank you to Winona State University Social Work student, Catharine Rose, for leading a project that culminated in a donation of 17 diaper boxes! These went straight to the ALC daycare, into the hands of our students/families.

ALC students have been working on their ice skating skills each week at the Rec Center! We're thankful for this partnership and opportunity for our students to stay active and learn something new. Their teachers have observed students supporting one another, growing, and having fun along the way.

Each month, ALC staff select students they feel have demonstrated a high level of engagement and leadership. Congratulations to our December Students of the Month!

Thank you, Lauren and Planned Parenthood, for hosting an education table for World Aids Day this week!

Monica Eggert - ALC ESP - Official Education Minnesota ESP of the Year! Education Minnesota presented her with a check and iPad gift and Rochester Public Schools recognized her achievement during yesterday's School Board meeting. Congratulations!

FREE eye exams, optical care, and glasses! Saturday, December 6, 12:30-3:30pm, Christ United Methodist Church - 400 5th Ave SW, Rochester, MN 55902

Each week, students have been going over to Coach Corey's gym for boxing lessons! They're gaining confidence, learning new skills, and benefitting from Corey's mentorship. Appreciate this partnership!

ALC students signed up to volunteer to help set up for the Festival of Trees! Working hard and giving back... We're proud of this group!