Rochester Alternative Learning Center

Students experimented with mini waffles in a student-centered learning (SCL) Wednesday cooking class! So much creativity!

We love our mentoring partnership with Ben Franklin Elementary! ALC students had a chance to meet their young mentees this week!

Check out this ALC Newsletter for SENIORS and FAMILIES! When is homecoming? When are homeschool yearbook photos due? How can I sign up for a college fair?

This is an amazing resource with all need-to-know dates and flyers in one place!

https://rochesterpsmn.edurooms.com/engage/ralc/newsletters/fall-senior-newsletter

Tomorrow (Thursday, September 11), we'll have a table with FREE ground beef (one pound, frozen) and vegetables from our school garden. This will be available from 2:50-3:30pm, in front of the ALC main entrance. Hope you can stop by and take a bag (while supplies last). Thank you @Autumn Ridge for the meat donation!

Sometimes, knowing what steps to take can be hard when you are worried that your student's emotional or mental well-being might be impacted. RPS families have access to a confidential screener online at http://mentalhealthscreeningtools.com/. If the screener results indicate a reason for concern, or if you want to talk with a provider, schedule a free consultation with a mental health professional (https://ffcstaffconsults.as.me/).

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is also available for people experiencing emotional distress, mental health crises, or thoughts of suicide. You can call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org to connect with trained counselors anytime, 24/7.

ALC Picture Day is coming on Tuesday, September 16, 11am - 5pm! Picture re-takes are Tuesday, October 21st 9am - 11am. You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVT6K9JP8.

Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping! Your child can also bring their completed flyer (flyers are in the main office) with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.

Twice a year, Children's Dental Health Services offers a FREE on-site dental clinic to qualifying students. We appreciate this opportunity for our students to get teeth cleanings, dental hygiene education, sealants, exams, and x-rays!

The 25-26 is off to a strong start! We're loving having students back in the building - meeting classmates again and creating new friendships!

ALC Families - If you would like your student to get their flu shot during school at the ALC on 9/25, please sign them up at this link BY Wednesday, September 10. https://schoolageimmunization.mayoclinic.org/Home/SelectProgram

Students in Ethnic Studies created "personal pinwheels," where each strip reveals something about them. Decorative, informative, and a personal fidget! A great way to start the year and build connection.

Thank you United Way and Western Digital for supplying the ALC with school supplies! From notebooks to folders to reusable water bottles and wired headphones... our students and staff have the supplies they need to start the school year STRONG!

We loved meeting our 9th graders today! Staff and students came together in a closing circle at the end of the day. We look forward to meeting ALL of our students tomorrow, Tuesday, August 26!

Congratulations to ALC student, Yusuf (pictured top-left), for completing Mayo Clinic's DREAM internship this summer! This cohort of students engaged in a 12-week, 20-hour per week program, to gain insight and experience into a future career in health care.

Welcome, new RPS teachers! We are thrilled to have you on board and hope you enjoyed your onboard training, speakers, and Superintendent Pekel's address. Thank you in advance for fostering inclusion, teaching topics close to your heart, and inspiring the young minds of our students!

Please see the ALC Back-to-School Newsletter for important information - https://rochesterpsmn.edurooms.com/engage/ralc/newsletters/august-ralc-newsletter

Don't miss a bell! Set your clocks with a reminder of the 2025-2026 School Bell Times. Check out your school's times here: www.rochesterschools.org/belltimes Important Update for Elementary Families: Please note that release times for select elementary schools have changed by 5 minutes. Make sure to double-check your student's specific school schedule!

Attendance matters, all day, every school day! Plan ahead by downloading the 2025-2026 calendar to sync your schedules for the upcoming school year. Download the calendar today: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xrFqCZIbB6lkqDN40P_UVOcFxWJSgS_J?usp=drive_link

Thank you Forging Youth Resilience for supporting, encouraging, and challenging Tristin and Yusuf this past week. Yusuf said he had a great time, met new people, got to climb a mountain, would love to go back again next year, and had the most fun he has ever had. Tristin shared he loved all the people as they were super nice and supportive. He too would love to go again as he learned and grew so much.
Thank you FYR and CrossFit Credence for making this dream come true.
https://forgingyouthresilience.org/