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ALC move to provide more space
Additional access to resources also a benefit for students
Published Tuesday, May 1, 2007
The Area Learning Center would benefit greatly by a positive outcome of the upcoming Fergus Falls School District bond referendum vote May 8, by having more access to facilities and services unavailable in its current location.
Most important to the center is space. By moving from its Washington Avenue location, the ALC would be relocated to the media center at the high school.
“More space would give our students and teachers access to a wider range of resources,” said ALC Program Coordinator Kristin Tuel.
The ALC currently operates with minimal media and technology assets, as well as having limited cafeteria options and no physical education space.
The center typically uses community space for physical education, like local recreation areas and parks.
Moving to campus is the key component to the referendum.
“By being part of the campus, yet having a separate entrance and entity, we will become a bigger part of the school community,” Tuel said. “We are part of the larger community now, but not the school community.”
The ability to expand will also allow the center to meet the needs of more diverse alternative learners. The definition of an alternative learner has changed over the years.
The ALC is not just made up of troubled students or kids with problems with authority figures as is the going stereotype, Tuel said. Common assumptions center around chemically dependent students and those with conduct disorders.
Accoring to Tuel, the change would help make the program more attractive to these new alternative learners.
“Many of our students need individualized attention, due to their need to adapt to specific curriculum pace or kids with mental health issues,” Tuel said.
Tuel advocates a choice philosphy at ALC by making students accountable for their actions and decisions, which ties in to the philosophy of the program, namely, that the recognition of the dignity and worth of all learners is basic to the learning process .
“Failing is a choice. As painful as that is, growth can come from that choice,” she said.
Voters will be asked to vote May 8 on a $32.5 million proposal that will use local funds to:
n Add eight classrooms and a gym at Cleveland Elementary to serve grades three through five ($2.8 million).
n Build and addition and remodel the middle school to serve grades six through eight in the lower level and nine through 12 in the upper level ($24.5 million).
n Remodel the high school for the district office, community education, adult basic education and the alternative learning center (ALC). The senior high vocational wing and gym will continue to be used by students ($5.2 million).
n Complete needed maintenance projects at existing buildings.
On May 8, the community has a choice on how the school district will grow. The ALC is certainly a place looking forward to the possibilities of upgraded services and expansion.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by skeezix (anonymous) on May 1, 2007 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this is idiotic. i know many of you probably don't find anything wrong about helping the kids that need the help the most. something you may not realize is that Fergus already had a great alternative center in place. Twin Oaks.
however, our money hungery HS admin decided that they needed to shut the place down in order for the students' money to flow into their own pocketbooks. they tried to keep students from earning credits at this private organization and created their own. now they are trying to do even more. the media center is very crowded already.
this is not the first time the admin's greed has shown.
-charging for a parking permit for a public school
-not allowing credits to transfer (in some of the stupidest classes) for the PSEO program.
-not buying any type of sound barrier for the skatepark after countless calls to the police (average 7 a day) from Mrs. Morsted, the woman across the street.
-trying to cut great school activities, like day of caring, where the students go out and help our community in various ways.
-trying to get our town to approve the construction of a new school, even though it would be payed out of land tax, further hurting one of our community's largest businesses: FARMING.
and countless others. now, instead of allowing a great small business prosper (twin oaks), they are stuffing the students into a school that is supposed to be unsafe and outdated. maybe they should spend that money on a new admin.
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