It's almost time to "fall back!" Daylight Saving Time concludes on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 2 a.m. Don't forget, our clocks need to "fall back" one hour.
This weekend, you can vote early in person on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Olmsted County Elections Office at 2122 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN 55904.
Learn more: https://referendum.rochesterschools.org/voting-information
ALC Students & Families - Just a reminder that starting Wednesday, November 6, our daily time schedule will be changing. The *NEW* Day School end time will be 3:05pm.
How will the School District Question show up on your ballot? See below:
"The board of Independent School District No. 535 (Rochester Public Schools), Minnesota has proposed to increase the School District's general education revenue by $1,133 per pupil, subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation. The proposed new referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2024 for taxes payable in 2025 and applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the new referendum authorization proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 535 (Rochester Public Schools), Minnesota be approved?"
Voters will then select "yes" or "no."
If you're eligible, have you made a plan to vote? Learn about how to vote early: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote
Meet Amy Petersilie, the Seniors Transitions Specialist. She helps seniors plan their next steps after high school and organizes off-site career exploration trips. Recently, students attended a Mayo Clinic Career Festival and a hands-on Construction/Building Trades Fair at RCTC. ALC students can schedule a meeting with Amy to explore options and see upcoming events here: https://alc.rochesterschools.org/o/ralc/page/ralc-senior-information
Where does Rochester rank in the funding we receive? In this short video, Superintendent Pekel shares a fact about funding for RPS that has surprised people across our community. Check it out: https://youtu.be/b7edFAoSosU
As the weather gets colder and it remains darker during morning commutes, a reminder to go slow around school zones and pay attention to school buses. Always be prepared to stop for school buses.
🛑 Stop for a school bus with its flashing red lights activated and the stop-arm extended.
🛑 Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus.
🛑 Remain stopped until the stop-arm is retracted and the red lights are turned off.
Do you have any questions about the referendum? Want to learn more before you head to the polls? Join us tonight for our final virtual referendum information session at 7 p.m.
Thank you to the Mayo Clinic Bloodmobile and nurses for coming out to the ALC. It gives our students an opportunity to donate blood on-site (removing transportation barriers). Many donated for the first time! In total, 8 units were collected. 1 donation can save up to 3 lives - that's potentially 24 people our school was able to help.
We're ⭐one week⭐ away from Election Day! On the ballot, voters will consider the Ignite Student Learning proposal to raise the operating levy, stabilize RPS’ budget, and protect essential student programs and services.
Check out our Straight Answers to 20 Big Referendum Questions webpage to learn more: https://referendum.rochesterschools.org/straight-answers.
RPS serves more students in our community than all other schools combined. The Ignite Student Learning referendum asks voters to consider funding to protect the resources that help these students thrive.
Learn about this important decision: RochesterSchools.org/Referendum
This week, with the help of TRBHI, a company owned by an RPS parent, we launched a new AI Chatbot to help answer questions about the referendum. You can view the Chatbot and ask your specific questions at https://thedecision.ai/.
Listen to students and staff explain what’s at risk this election with the Ignite Student Learning referendum. If voters reject the levy increase, RPS will face major cuts, including to counseling and programs that promote student health and well-being: youtu.be/qDSmxDIqbAQ
Earlier this month, United Way and KAAL hosted a LIVE one-day hygiene donation drive for the community schools in Rochester Public Schools. In total, 1,700 items were collected, weighing in at over 775 pounds! Today, United Way volunteers dropped off items to the ALC, including oral care items, hair accessories, shampoos/conditioners, soap, deodorant, and laundry detergent. THANK YOU!
RPS is the 7th largest district in MN but ranks last in voter-approved school funding among districts with 10,000 or more students. The Ignite Student Learning referendum asks voters to consider an operating levy increase to help students thrive. Learn more: https://referendum.rochesterschools.org/the-plan
You can vote early now through November 4, and you can vote early in person on Saturday, October 26, 2024, and November 2, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Tuesday, October 29, 2024, hours are extended from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Learn more: https://referendum.rochesterschools.org/voting-information
ALC students have been busy preparing for the INDOOR Trunk or Treat event (open to the community). We've loved watching their creativity as they design their carnival games. The event is this Sunday, Oct 27, 3-4:30pm, at the Rochester ALC (37 Woodlake Dr., near Target South).
Have you ever wondered what MEA is and why students don't have school in the middle of October? Check out this article from the Star Tribune explaining this two-day break: https://www.startribune.com/mea-weekend-minnesota-educators-academy-explained-third-week-october/600313386
A reminder that there is no school for students on Thursday, October 17, and Friday, October 18, for MEA (Minnesota Educators Academy). We will see students back in school on Monday, October 21.
Doug Ondler was a long-time Science teacher in the district and later, a substitute teacher at the ALC. When he passed away last year, his family and friends donated money to the ALC to help support outdoor learning experiences. Last week, we were able to take our students to Chester Woods for a canoeing and team-building experience. (Wilderness Inquiry hosted us.) Thank you to everyone who helped make this trip happen.
