Principal’s Corner by Johanna Thomas

 

It may only be the first week of March, but program planning is well underway for the Albert Lea Area Learning Center summer programs.Targeted services and credit recovery are two programs the ALC coordinates in the summer. This year, these programs will be June 1 through July 2, Monday through Thursday.

Summer target is developed for students in grades first through eighth. This program is available to students who would benefit from additional academic support to meet grade level standards, are an English language learner or meet criteria as recommended by their classroom teacher. Summer target also provides additional experiences that students participate in such as  experiential education programming. Students will have ongoing opportunities at the rock wall and boat house with experiential education staff throughout their time with targeted services. These opportunities address academic achievement gaps by providing additional time for academic development, but also increases out of the classroom experiences that build social, emotional and confidence skills. 

Credit recovery is a strategy that allows high school students from ALHS and neighboring communities to retake courses that are required for graduation after an unsuccessful attempt at their high school. Students attend class with licensed teachers and recover required courses in order to maintain progress toward high school graduation. Students do not simply retake the entire course, but are assessed in the course content to show what they have already learned and what they still need to work on to earn the credit. Students who complete summer credit recovery successfully are better prepared to move forward with their next year of high school, knowing that they have completed courses that will put them back on track to high school graduation.

Summer target and credit recovery  programs are taught by district licensed teachers who extend their experience to summer learning. Students are also provided  breakfast and lunch at no cost to families through the summer lunch program. Through the efforts and coordination of district teachers, staff and community organizations, learning opportunities certainly do not stop on May 21.

Johanna Thomas is the principal of the Albert Lea Area Learning Center.