Rochester Alternative Learning Center

RPS families; Due to a traffic accident on Highway 52 and the ensuing backup, many buses may be running late this afternoon. We appreciate your patience.

University of Minnesota-Rochester students presented their findings today after a 6-week collaboration with Mrs. Zaccariello and her art students. The college students specifically looked for connections between positive mental health and creativity. We are so lucky to have this partnership where our students can work so closely with such positive role models. The collaboration resulted in a final exhibition of student artwork.

Happy Bodhi Day to those who celebrate!

Do you have a degree in general education? Have you ever considered looking into special education but are concerned about the training to enter that field? Did you know you can be a special education teacher on a variance? Join us at our Walk-In Hiring Event tomorrow, December 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, go to www.rochesterschools.org/apply Check out this video to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oClYbOa2q1U

Wishing a Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate!

To the ALC Community - Thank you to everyone who attended the Chipotle fundraiser (or at least attempted to) or helped spread the word about it. Unfortunately, they weren't able to keep up with the demand with staff shortage. They closed in-store dining down to focus on online orders, but when they still couldn't keep up, they shut down completely around 7pm. We had stopped by twice in-person last week to double-check they would be able to meet demand, but the day of, they just weren't able to but tried. There's a nationwide shortage of employees in the food service industry, and we definitely felt it last night. We've reached out to Chipotle's corporate office to see if they can help make things right for our school. Whatever dollar amount we receive will be added to our student-centered learning funds. (We appreciate their generous fundraiser program and how they have employed many of our students in the past.) As in typical ALC fashion, our first-attempt didn't go the best, but hope to try another school fundraiser again in the spring! Thank you!

For those who are in need of food, here are some immediate and long-term food support resources. Thanks to Channel One Regional Food Bank for helping to put together this resource.

How early do you think students wake up to study? Well, last week, Superintendent Kent Pekel went to Mayo High School to investigate and ran into the students of Mr. Johnson's AP Calculus class. Check it out: https://youtu.be/W3bBRTUDv0M

You can view the Attendance Options Redesign Boundary Locator page on our website to see where the proposed boundaries would be: https://rochesterschools.org/aor-boundary-locator. Please read through the content on the page before using the boundary locator, as it explains how to best utilize the map. Once you’ve viewed the proposed boundary, you can estimate which Transportation Zone you are in by following the instructions on our website. For reference: Walk Zone -> 1.25 miles from elementary school -> 1.5 miles from middle school -> 2 miles from high school RPS Transportation Zone -> Beyond the walk zone listed above to the edge of the school's boundary. Self Transportation Zone -> If you live anywhere outside of the school's boundary. Disclaimer: Once boundaries are confirmed, we will accurately identify walk and transport zones within each attendance area and communicate that with families in the spring. You can tune in to the Study Session live tomorrow at 5 p.m. via our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ISD535.

Did you know that you can be a teacher if you have a 4-year degree? Or that you can be a teacher even if you don't have a degree in education? Check out this video to learn more about teaching opportunities in Special Education for Rochester Public Schools here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbyVDNYcZ9o

Each week, Ms. Pencille and Ms. Holmes take students rock climbing and hiking. At the ALC, we're trying to grow students' interest and passion for active lifestyles, including the outdoors.

On Student-Centered Learning (SCL) Wednesdays, we bring extra-curricular type of experiences into the school day. This quarter, we have Stock Martial Arts teaching self-defense, a USA licensed boxing coaching running boxing lessons, University of Minnesota Extension teaching sewing and cooking, Mayo Clinic departments sharing about entry level medical careers, and the STRIVE Rotary Club offering a mentorship program for our seniors (with a Bowlocity team-building event). These are just a few of our community partnerships and offerings. Thankful to be a community school!

Tonight's Board Meeting is an informational meeting where Superintendent Pekel will present the proposal. The Board will not vote on this proposal until January 23, 2024. There will be several opportunities for analysis, information, and feedback between today and the vote in January. A survey will be available next week. If you have feedback in the meantime, please email redesign@rochesterschools.org. More information about the timeline can be found at www.rochesterschools.org/attendance-options-redesign. If you would like to watch tonight's meeting, it will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@ISD535. Note: If you would like to speak at a future regular session school board meeting during the Comments to the Board portion of the meeting, you must submit a written request by email to the Assistant School Board Clerk at the following email address: asb@rochesterschools.org before 5:00 p.m. on the day before the School Board meeting. The written request must state: (1) the individual’s name, (2) whether the individual has a child attending school in the School District, (3) whether the individual is employed by the School District, (4) whether the individual is a student in the School District, and (5) whether the individual is a local property taxpayer to Rochester Public Schools. The assistant school board clerk will follow up. If you would like to watch tonight's meeting, it will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/@ISD535. The regular session starts at 6 p.m.

Tonight's Board Meeting is an informational meeting where Superintendent Pekel will present the proposal. The Board will not vote on this proposal until January 23, 2024. There will be several opportunities for analysis, information, and feedback between today and the vote in January. A survey will be available next week. If you have feedback in the meantime, please email redesign@rochesterschools.org. More information about the timeline can be found at www.rochesterschools.org/attendance-options-redesign. If you would like to watch tonight's meeting, it will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@ISD535. Note: If you would like to speak at a future regular session school board meeting during the Comments to the Board portion of the meeting, you must submit a written request by email to the Assistant School Board Clerk at the following email address: asb@rochesterschools.org before 5:00 p.m. on the day before the School Board meeting. The written request must state: (1) the individual’s name, (2) whether the individual has a child attending school in the School District, (3) whether the individual is employed by the School District, (4) whether the individual is a student in the School District, and (5) whether the individual is a local property taxpayer to Rochester Public Schools. The assistant school board clerk will follow up.

On Tuesday, 12/5, 4-8pm, swing by Chipotle on Broadway and mention the ALC. 33% of each sale will go back to the ALC to help towards student-centered learning materials/experiences, like art materials, music equipment, equine therapy, park fees, and more. For online ordering for pick up, use the code: MFB83G3 We appreciate your support!

At tomorrow's School Board meeting, Superintendent Pekel will be speaking in detail on the Attendance Options Redesign proposal, a comprehensive strategy for changing school attendance options, attendance boundaries, and the transportation system in RPS. The proposal includes 10 points: 1. Redesign School Attendance Areas 2. Discontinue Districtwide Transportation for Districtwide Option Schools (DWOs) 3. Expand the School Age Child Care (SACC) Program 4. Expand the Newcomer Program for Multilingual Students 5. Close Schools to Adjust to Declining Enrollment 6. Reconfigure Churchill and Hoover Early Learning and Elementary Schools 7. Move Lincoln K-8 School to a New Location and Expand Enrollment 8. Adopt a Traditional Calendar at Longfellow Elementary and Expand the School to Grades K-8 9. Create a Middle School ALC 10. Maintain Support for Students with Disabilities You can view more information about each point as well as opportunities for analysis and input on our website: https://www.rochesterschools.org/attendance-options-redesign

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate. Wishing you a restful and Joyful Holiday!

Ms. Klees' and Ms. Sloan's Foods/English Class hosted an Indigenous Foods Feast open to all. Students researched, planned, and created a beautiful menu! Special thank you to Tucker Quetone for opening the celebration with Native American traditions.

Rochester Public Schools offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24 in observance of Thanksgiving. Regular hours resume Monday, November 27, 2023.

Thankful for the partnership between Rochester Pubic Schools, Hyvee, and Salvation Army for providing the Rochester ALC 60 holiday meal bags for our students/families.