Rochester Alternative Learning Center

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!

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.

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.

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.

What a fun filled week welcoming incoming 9th grade students to RALC. Our Bridge staff, Mrs. Rojas and Mrs. Pencille, led our students through activities of team building challenges, cooking, ROCA rock climbing as well as many educational classroom activities. They also brought in community partners from University of Minnesota Extension office to lead nail art, dissecting owl pellets, and making catapults/slingshots, thank you Megan and Paige, as well as Carla from WorkForce Development Inc. to lead an activity on learning skills to prepare for success in high school. Another shout out to Hollandberry Pannekoeken for providing muffins for breakfast on Friday since our student nutrition services work Monday-Thursday during the summer. This was a huge hit and greatly appreciated.

Students taking summer school Drivers Education class at the RALC were able to connect with Officer Condon (School Resource Officer) to learn more about driving laws, distracted driving, and get time to ask questions. Thank you Officer Condon for you insight and time with our emerging drivers.

In need of FREE eye exam, Free optical car or FREE glasses? Check out this eye care clinic on Saturday June 21st 1-4 at Christ United Methodist Church

"By challenge, I mean doing things that aren’t easy. Challenge means being pushed, stretched, and sometimes uncomfortable. By support, I mean having people around you who help you complete tasks and achieve goals. Support means feeling like you matter, that you're not alone, and that someone believes in you." Watch Superintendent Pekel's speech to the graduating classes of 2025 at last week's ceremonies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDb5DvfTktg&t=1s

Walk-in vaccines are available this summer with Public Health! Dates: August 14, 19, 20, 25, and 26. Location : 2100 Campus Drive SE. Appointments can be made at any time throughout the summer by calling public health at 507-328-7500

This semester, we partnered with Crossfit Credence and Forging Youth Resilience (FYR) to bring fitness and mentorship to our students each week. Each summer, the most dedicated teens from local clubs attend a weeklong summer FYR leadership camp in Boulder, Colorado - all expenses paid! We are SO excited for Tristin and Yusuf for being selected for this opportunity! They'll experience workouts, workshops, and team-building exercises, and work on grit, self-talk, goal setting, and nutrition.

We are continually blown away by our community's kindness! @WeBikeRochester donated 15 refurbished bikes for our students/families! @PataDePerro helps teach youth and adults how to maintain and repair bikes as lifelong skills.

We are SO grateful for our partnership with The Reading Center. They led intensive small group reading instruction multiple times a week. These students averaged two years of reading growth! Thank you to our instructional coach, Julie Doschadis, for leading ALC staff in strengthening our reading/writing foundation for all of our students this year.

Let's take a moment to congratulate these scholarship recipients! Addison Cassidy and Kai’Rena Harper-Hairiston were awarded a $500 scholarship to further their education from the American Business Women’s Association. Addison will be attending Winona State University to become come a social worker and Kai’Rena will be attending MN State College Southeast in Winona working toward her cosmetology degree. This spring, Mia was selected to be part of the DREAM internship program at Mayo Clinic! She's pictured below with her cohort. 11 students graduated from the STRIVE program - 7 students with perfect attendance awards! This program connects students with community mentors to support and guide them through their senior year. Students connect with another adult to learn different perspectives, learn valuable adulting skills, connect as a group, and have opportunities to receive scholarships to support their furthering education goals.

ALC Staff Celebration 2025! Thank you to every member of the ALC team for the part you play in our students' well-being. When our students are asked what they appreciate the most about the ALC, the answer is usually "the teachers." Special shout out to Isabell's family for providing fresh egg rolls and sushi for the occasion! (You can look for their stall at the local Farmer's Market this summer - the food was DELICIOUS!)

We enjoyed celebrating our final mentoring session with Ben Franklin students! Thank you, Flapdoodles, for donating ice cream treats!

Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Our social worker, Jasmine, says it best: "With each name called, there is an unspoken story. All the tattered ribbons come together in the end to make a perfect bow to tie up all their stories into one big happy ending. Yet at the same time, their stories are just beginning, full of excitement, hope, and potential as they enter adulthood!" ALC students - you did it!

Thank you to the University of Minnesota-Extension for making a 9th grade overnight camping trip happen (3 nights!). Students have been learning about nature/conservation all year and had a chance to apply their learning in Chippewa Falls. A big shoutout to Mrs. Pencille and Mrs. Rojas (and Nicole with UMN) for guiding the students.

Congratulations to our Students of the Month from Spring Semester! We were able to individually recognize each student's strengths, and award them with a certificate and a 3D printed medal! We SEE you and we're so proud of your growth.