Rochester Alternative Learning Center

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/

Check out the RALC summer newsletter to learn about how to pick up your diplomas, fun activities that have gone on during summer school, back to school information, and helping prepare incoming seniors for their senior year.
Enjoy the read

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

These motivated Mayo athletes aren't afraid of a little sweat! They're getting stronger! Coach-led summer training sessions are boosting strength, flexibility, and team spirit—prepping students to bring their best in the upcoming seasons and stay injury-free. Whether it’s hockey or volleyball, these Spartans are putting in the work!

All summer meal locations are now open and operating under their normal hours. Come and join us for a FREE meal for children 18 years of age or younger. Adult meals are also offered for a small fee. Check out our menus, locations, and meal times online: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/summer-meals

All RPS buildings and programs, including summer meal locations and summer school-aged child care (SACC), will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. We will resume normal operations on Monday, July 7, 2025. We wish you and your families a safe and happy Fourth of July!

All RPS buildings and programs, including summer meal locations and summer school-aged child care (SACC), will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2024, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. We will resume normal operations on Monday, July 7, 2024. We wish you and your families a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Our RALC Resource Room and Food Pantry do not take the summer off. Dr. Levi Curran, D.C., and Abbey Putnam from Thrive Wellness Center helped run a drive to keep our shelves stacked and ready for when families are in need. We are grateful for our continued community support even when most students are enjoying a break.

We're in the heart of summer, soaking up the sun! But just like your favorite ice cream cone, summer eventually has to end. And that means getting ready for a new school year! While it might feel early to trade in your swimsuits for notebooks, consider getting a head start on your back-to-school supplies. Get your list here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/schoolsupplies

SPECIAL HOURS: Our summer meal program will only operate out of three locations from June 30 to July 3, and all locations will be closed on July 4. Visit Franklin, Overland, or Washington Elementary for summer meals this week! For more information, visit www.rochesterschools.org/summermeals.

Mrs. Stasko and Mr. Buzzard helped students take a heartfelt look at how modern films bring real-life historical events and natural disasters to life in their "History Through Film" summer school class. Students were examining scientific accuracy, historical context and the profound impact films can have on how we see the world. Students were challenged to examine the video through different perspectives throughout the three week class.

RALC students partnered with Forging Youth Resilience (FYR) and CrossFit Credence 2nd semester during their Student Centered Learning Wednesdays. These two dedicated students, Tristin and Yusuf, have been invited to an all expense paid trip to Camp FYR in Boulder Colorado. These two young men have been chosen to further develop their leadership skills, fitness levels, mental toughness, goal setting, nutrition, and overcoming challenges. To learn more about this amazing program check out this link. https://forgingyouthresilience.org/camp-fyr/

"How to safely drive around schools buses" was the topic Kevin, First Student bus driver, presented on during drivers education class at RALC summer school. Thank you Kevin for the great information and helping students be better prepared to drive the roads and parking lots when a school bus is present.

Looking for a quick and nutritious summer meal? Visit one of our summer meal locations for breakfast or lunch! Meals are FREE for children 18 or younger and a small fee for adults. Check out our menus, locations, and meal times online: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/summer-meals Please note that meals must be consumed on location and that all summer meal locations will be closed for Juneteenth and reopen on June 20 at locations that operate Monday through Friday.

Graduating students had an opportunity to work with a professional photographer, Sejal, who volunteered her time to take photos of our students preparing for graduation in 2025-2026. Thank you Sejal for all the work you put into these pictures and helping our students celebrate their graduation this coming school year. Graduating students- if you missed out on this round, keep updates on our Graduating Senior Google Classroom posts as we will have another round in the fall.