CHECK OUT OUR EXCITING MONTH OF JANUARY!

MANY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE!

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES:

1/6:   District Work Experience Career Conference, SCTC 8:30-11:30

1/8:   ESS Speaker 10:00 Mary Flynn, U of M Extension Service

1/11: ESS Speaker 10:00 Youthbuild Orientation

1/12: ESS Speaker 10:00 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

1/13: ESS Speaker 10:00 Life Choices

1/15: ESS Speaker 10:00 The Price of Independence, MSB

1/15:  End of 1st Semester

1/18: NO SCHOOL - Rev Dr Martin Luther King Day

1/19: ESS Speaker 10:00 Junior Achievement, "Careers With a Purpose"

1/20: ESS Speaker 10:00 Life Choices

1/22: ESS Speaker 10:00 Mary Flynn, U of M Extension Service

1/26: ESS Speaker 10:00 Junior Achievement, "Careers With a Purpose"

1/27: ESS Speaker 10:00 Life Choices

1/28: STEM Tour at SCSU; Science, Technology, Engineering & Math 8-1:30

•      Check this site often to find out about special school happenings               such  as free food, speakers, focus groups

REMINDERS

•      Students, please return all forms as soon as possible!
•      Apply now for our breakfast program!
•      Apply in the office for bus passes
•      See Cyndi or Dave for Work Experience Orientation to receive

               school credit for your job

•      Daycare is now available everyday from 8:00a.m.-2:00p.m.(1:00 Friday)
•      Have you seen your advisor today?
•      Smile!

WELCOME TO THE 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR!

The staff at PACE are excited to begin a new school year with some new faces. Greetings to Amanda Allen, Psychologist; Karla Bertram, Math Teacher; Cathie Domrose, Child Care Professional; Sara Lessman, Health/Phy Ed Teacher; and

our new St. Cloud Area Learning Center Principal, Mr. LaShawn Ray. Check out the great article from the St. Cloud Times on Mr. Ray! Click here

PACE APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Applications for fall PACE enrollment are now available. New and returning students must complete an application for 2009-2010. See your high school counselor for an application or contact us at: (320) 203-8470.

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH IN NOW AVAILABLE AT WEST

Breakfast and lunch is available to all students atttending ALC West. Students may complete an application to qualify for free or reduced lunch. Check with Laine or Robin in the office. Healthy selections are offered each day. Start your day out right!

STUDENT COMMENTS ABOUT PACE

Why do students choose the PACE program? Click here to read their

Comments.

VIEW TOP TEN LIST FOR ATTENDING PACE

Students at St. Cloud Area Learning Center West - PACE Program have named the top ten reasons that ALC West is a great place to be! Call Jay Adams or Jeni Schad at (320) 203-8470 to schedule an appointment and a tour.

STUDENT HONORS/STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Students, set your goals high; aim for student of the month! Every month PACE names students of the month who receive recognition on the Wall of Fame and on the website. Each quarter an ALC PACE Honor Roll is compiled. Students achieving honor roll status may be eligible for reduced insurance premiums. Students of the month and honor students need to meet attendance and production requirements. Check with your advisor for more information!

FREE POST-SECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES

A variety of free post-secondary opportunities are available to students at ALC West. The traditional Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program is where students enroll and take classes on local college campuses.

The Tech Prep program allows students to earn college credit by taking Career nd Technical Education (CTE) classes in their own high school from the high school teachers. The teachers have articulation meetings and signed agreements with the colleges to offer the credit. See the list of Career and Technical Education classes available at ALC West.

A new opportunity for students is the Discovery Academy program. Through a collaborative venture, classes are offered at local high schools and taught by either St. Cloud Technical College teachers or Certified High School Faculty. A Project Lead-the-Way class is now available at ALC West called Introduction to Engineering and Design. Other programs available to our students are Automotive, CISCO, and EMT. Call Jay Adams or Jeni Schad for more information on eligibility requirements and application procedures.

AREA LEARNING CENTER STUDENTS LOBBY AT THE STATE CAPITOL

On Wednesday, February 11 a group of nine students and two teachers represented District 742 alternative programs at the State Capitol for MAAP STARS Legislative Day. The week of February 9-13 was declared Alternative Education Week in Minnesota by Governor Tim Pawlenty.

The students, representing programs at ALC Wilson and ALC West, were able to visit with five area legislators to advocate for alternative educational programs. The students from Wilson were Brady Edmond, Eddie Rakke, Chelsie Pratt, Sydney Meyer, and Anita Fagel, while the students from ALC West PACE were Brittany Sherer, Jameco Johnson, Cole Williamson Reeves, and Samantha Williamson Reeves. Mike Myers-Schleif and Dave Masters, teachers at Wilson and McKinley, accompanied the students to the Capitol. During their day in St. Paul, the group visited with Senator Tarryl Clark, and Representatives Larry Haws, Larry Hosch, Dan Severson, and Steve Gottwalt.

THE GIFT OF HATS

In December, 10 students from ALC West participated in the Hat Focus. The focus took place over a two-week period where they learned how to sew and make fleece hats to donate to the local community. Each student made about 50 hats with a total hat count of 475 hats. The hats were then donated to Anna Marie's Shelter, Place of Hope, Catholic Charities, and Clearwater-Clear Lake Shelter. The students that participated in the focus include: Alisha Hight, Ashley Butterfield, Ashley Mullen, Brandon Clare, Britany Sluss, Deana Rojas, Dena Reek, Ellys Zulaf, Micayla Wallace, and Tyler Richter. Along with the many beautiful hats, the students also made a very special reversible hat for Superintendent Jordahl. The students presented the hat to Superintendent Jordahl on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 when Dr. Jordahl affectionately named it the “AT” Hat; for him to wear when he is going to be at either Apollo (red & blue side) or Tech (orange & black side). The students had a great time learning about sewing, themselves, and each other. Thanks for a great focus Dan Hugo & Anna Willhite!

ALC WEST STUDENTS ACCEPT CHALLENGE

National Learn and Serve week is October 6th- 12th. Abbie and Brittany kicked off the National Learn and Serve Challenge by presenting the governor's proclamation to ALC WEST Director Mark Lindquist.  Click here to view the picture. ALC West is implementing Kids Voting USA, a service-learning project that is designed to motivate and inform young adult voters. Get informed on the up coming election with the following events: listen to WJON- 1240 am while Abbie and Brittany talk about planned activities at ALC WEST; voter registration drive; Political Rally on October 28, 2008 with speeches given by student representatives at 10:30 am in the social room; and  a Mock Election on October 29, 2008 with voting from 8am-2pm.

ALC CELEBRATES THEIR 4000th GRADUATION

The St. Cloud Area Learning Center (ALC) recently celebrated their 4000th graduation at the McKinley Education Center's Celebration of Excellence event on Sept. 25. ALC Director Mark Lindquist presented an Apollo High School Diploma to Ryan Blommer who finished his high school graduation requirements this summer through the ALC Pace Program and Youthbuild. Read the full story

YOUTHBUILD GOES GREEN

This summer the Youthbuild program assisted in building a "Green" house in St. Cloud. See the news release and picture.

OPEN HOUSE FOR ALC WEST SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT

Area Learning Center (ALC) West PACE Program hosted an Open House elebration for the Quarry Park Poetry Trails Service Learning Project on May 22 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at McKinley Education Center. Part of the project involved two SCSU Professors working with ALC West PACE students on a weekly basis, focusing on different styles of poetry written about scenic views the youth took from Quarry Park. The idea of a poetry trail evolved when students wanted to give something back to the community and the editing and selection process of the final ten writings began and were made into plaques.

The plaques, along with greeting cards created by the students will be on display for the public during the open house. View the press release and photo. View the Quarry Park Poetry Trail Video.

BOOKS ARRIVE AT ALC

New books at ALC West PACE Program generates enthusiasm for reading! Thank yous go out to area residents for supporting the educational levy which brought in $15,075 for Area Learning Center to purchase books. View a slide show of students reading at ALC!