ALHS Tiger Update: January 2025

Happy New Year to all ALHS student, staff and families! I hope you have an amazing 2025 and that ALHS can play a role in that fantastic year. As I take time to look back at 2024, there were many successes and challenges alike that allowed us to grow as a school and community. I am proud of all students and staff in making the past year memorable in so many ways.

As we look to the start of the second half of the school year, the new cell phone protocol enhancements will be launched in a number of classrooms. As I mentioned in the November Update, this addition will help students remain engaged in class and take away some of the constant social media pull that students feel when devices are in hand. Look for more classrooms to be added to the list once the plan plays out for a few weeks. This is not a punishment for students! This is another step to help students learn as much as possible when in attendance. Any parent or family member needing to reach a student in an emergency should call the main high school line at (507)379-5340. You can click HERE for the video that students will see in classrooms on Monday, January 6.

As we enter into out colder and snowier season, be sure to check the website, social media and listen for calls and texts about potential weather closures. We will utilize e-learning for closures up to five times. E-learning procedures can be found in the ALHS Student Handbook on page 15.

Hey seniors and families of seniors... only 141 days to Commencement!

Chris Dibble, ALHS Principal

The ALHS Parent Advisory Committee met the Hammer Complex Fieldhouse on December 12. Here is a synopsis of the meeting.

• "Body Boxing" has been a trend for younger male students. This type of behavior and other physical contact is not safe or allowed in school.
• Discussed student interviews and search procedures
• Discussed procedures for finding vapes and illegal substances in the building
• Parents relayed the importance of themes that were in the musical "Mean Girls" and were happy the themes were allowed to be addressed in a school play.
• Concerns about gym lighting and other district facilities were passed on
• Shared the process of Marzano HRS Level 2 Certification
• Is there any more discussion of the 8th grade being removed from ALHS?
• Should there be plans to bring volunteers into the high school for more support?

The committee will meet again in early February--or earlier if needed.

On Friday, November 29, Albert Lea High School received Level 2 Certification in the Marzano High Reliability Schools (HRS) network. Level 2 HRS schools demonstrate Effective Teaching in Every Classroom and is measured using the following indicators:

• The school leader communicates a clear vision as to how instruction should be addressed in the school.
• Support is provided to teachers to continually enhance their pedagogical skills through reflection and professional growth plans.
• Predominant instructional practices throughout the school are known and monitored.
  
• Teachers are provided with clear, ongoing evaluations of their pedagogical strengths and weaknesses that are based on multiple sources of data and are consistent with student achievement data.
• Teachers are provided with job-embedded professional development that is directly related to their instructional growth goals.
• Teachers have opportunities to observe and discuss effective teaching.

The certification process includes collecting and analyzing data and then planning and acting using that data. The entirety of the submission can be viewed using this link.

Congratulations to the staff and students at ALHS on this achievement and continued growth.

With Semester 1 grades posting soon, it is time for students who were not able to pass classes to make up those credits in Credit Recovery. The Credit Recovery program meets Mondays and Tuesdays after school. Students and parents will be contacted by school counselors to get signed up. We have also added some opportunities to meet on selected Saturdays during the school year.

There will be another Credit Recovery Saturday School on January 18 from 8:00 AM-12:00 noon. Students should enter through the pool doors. This is available for all students in grades 9-12 who have failed a required class needed for graduation. Your student's counselor will provide the enrollment information for students in need of Credit Recovery.

Do you have an idea to share with the leadership team at ALHS? The Electronic Fishbowl is way for anyone to share ideas and connect students, families and school staff. Please use THIS LINK to share your thoughts.

Ideas submitted: 20

• January 1-3: No Classes, Winter Break
• Monday, January 6: Classes Resume
• Wednesday, January 8: Semester 1 Grades Posted
• Thursday, January 9: CIS Registration during 4th Period
• Friday, January 17: ALHS/AL Tribune Standout Student
• Saturday, January 18: Music Solo and Ensemble Contest
• Saturday, January 18, 8:00am-12:00pm: Credit Recovery
• January 20-24: Paraeducator Appreciation Week
• Monday, January 20: No Classes, Staff Development Day
• January 21-22: Dental Clinic
• Friday, January 31: ALHS/AL Tribune Standout Student

Chris Dibble, Principal, chris.dibble@alschools.org, 379-5341

Sean Gaston, Assistant Principal, sean.gaston@alschools.org, 379-5351

Johanna Thomas, Principal on Special Assignment, johanna.thomas@alschools.org, 379-5365

Sa Taw, Dean of Students, sa.taw@alschools.org, 379-5850

See Something??? Say Something!!! Text to 507-320-9416

Email: welisten@alschools.org
Website: www.alschools.org
Location: 2000 Tiger Lane, Albert Lea, MN, USA
Main Phone Line: (507)379-5340
Facebook:

• District: https://www.facebook.com/AlbertLeaAreaSchoolDIstrict
• High School: https://www.facebook.com/AlbertLeaHighSchool

X (Formerly Twitter): @AlbertLeaHS

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@albertleahighschool