Rochester Alternative Learning Center

To help our students flourish, we focus on our value of supporting the whole student. This includes their physical well-being, which is why our nutrition team serves over 16,000 meals every single day. Meeting these basic needs is essential to our mission: to equip every student with the resilience to pursue a fulfilling path. Learn more about our Student Nutrition Services Department at https://www.rochesterschools.org/student-nutrition.

#PublicSchoolsWeek #PSW26

We are proud of our vibrant school communities! Building belonging and connection is a key RPS Value. With 87 languages spoken by our students, we have much to celebrate. Embracing these perspectives creates an environment where every student feels at home and ready to learn. Learn more about our values at www.rochesterschools.org/about.

#PublicSchoolsWeek

Rochester ALC student ,Jayla, won United Way's "Imagination Library" sticker contest! The program provides free monthly books to children across Olmsted County. Jayla's sticker will be included in a program mailer to county residents, be featured on the United Way website and social media, and showcased at their Imagination Fest event! We're so proud an ALC student was chosen to represent such an important book program. Congratulations!

Community volunteers helped our students learn how to file their taxes this month! In total, they helped students get a refund of $3,660 in federal taxes withheld and $4,708 in state state taxes withheld... for a grand total of nearly $8,500!  We appreciate the one-on-one help our volunteers provided in teaching students a lifelong skill.

Each week, students go off-site to Northrop to experience preschool teaching! Grateful for this partnership with Early Childhood Education.

For our February Monthly Wellness activity, students created matchbox cards to give to friends and loved ones. So many beautiful creations!

Nature Rx students practiced their ice skating skills at Soldiers Field! In this Public Health partnership, students experience time in nature as a "prescription" for well-being. Winter fun and learning!

Night School students learned new skills in our quarterly Student-Centered Learning (SCL) night! They chose from a variety of seminar options, including team sports at Rush World, pie-making with Black Dog Bakery, egg roll making, and diamond dots art/mindfulness!

At its scheduled meeting on February 3, the Rochester Public Schools (RPS) Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a resolution ratifying the district’s continued commitment to providing a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students, regardless of immigration status.

Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2683660

At its scheduled meeting on February 3, the Rochester Public Schools (RPS) Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a resolution ratifying the district’s continued commitment to providing a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students, regardless of immigration status.

Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2683660

Students learned to use sewing machines! They experimented with stuffies with great attention to detail. (We were able to purchase the machines through a Minnesota Department of Education grant to make the arts accessible to all students - thank you!)

We love engaging with our families: Parents/Caregivers and their students spent time together over food and art in a Watercolor Family Art Night!

We loved engaging with families during our ALC Scholarships Informational Night! Everyone walked with a HUGE list of scholarships (many local!) that they can click into and apply for. If you missed the session and would like a copy, please reach out to Mrs. Amy Petersilie, our Seniors Transitions Coordinator.

Students are busy crafting original creations in a fashion design unit!

We rely on community individuals and organizations to help keep our Resource Room and Food Pantry shelves stocked. Thank you to Mayo Clinic's Division of Nursing Research as well as the American Business Women's Association for hosting recent drives for us. The ALC appreciates your support!

ALC Families - Please use the RSVP form if you can join these events!

*** ALC Family Art Class - Friday, January 30, 6-8pm, ALC Art Room - RSVP form: https://tinyurl.com/artralc
*** ALC Family Cooking Class - (come all 3 dates) - Fridays, February 13, 20, 27, 5:30-7:30pm - RSVP form: https://tinyurl.com/ralccook1

Thank you to Minnesota Treads for donating to our ALC Resource Room! We rely on the kindness and generosity of community individuals, businesses, and organizations to help keep our shelves filled. Access to basic hygiene supplies and clothing helps our students to stay in school. Minnesota Treads - Thank you for thinking of our school!

ALC students did some ice fishing this week! Thank you to Public Health for organizing this Nature Rx experience!