ALHS Tiger Update: November 2024

And just like that... it appears the summer heat is gone! It is always an awakening experience when the first frosts appear and the fall coats and jackets come out of storage. This time on year is a great time to reflect on the start of the school year and look ahead at what the end of the first semester will bring and any new highlights to look forward to in the second half of the year.

As I mentioned above, the cooler temps are beginning to show up again as we move towards another Minnesota winter. At this time, many students have not signed up for a locker. If your student would like a locker to store fall and winter coats, they can speak with Katie in the back office and have one assigned. If the coat will fit in a backpack or bag, that will be allowable as well. Coats are not allowed to be worn during the school day.

Make sure to check the newsletter below for some changes with Parent-Teacher Conferences and the Cell Phone Acceptable Use Protocol. We are making small changes to enhance the learning and accessibility that both students and families see in the school. We are also going to include monthly updates to keep families updated on the work of the ALHS Parent Advisory Committee.

Finally, I encourage all students to join a sport or activity for the winter season. We have a wide variety of offerings that are available to all students, all of which can be joined over the next few weeks. A list of all clubs, sports and activities can be found in the student handbook. Any questions can be asked in the front office.

I hope you have a fantastic November and an enjoyable Thanksgiving break. 203 days to graduation!

Chris Dibble, ALHS Principal

Albert Lea High School will be welcoming parents to Parent-Teacher Conferences for Semester 1 on Monday, November 4 from 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Teachers will be housed in their classrooms. It is strongly recommended that you bring your student along with you to show you the way and have meaningful conversations with teachers. Families should plan on parking in the main parking lot and entering through Door 3, which is more commonly known as the Pool Door.

Upon arrival, parents/guardians will be able to stop in the office to pick up a class schedule and MCA scores if needed. Grades are currently updated within the ParentVue and StudenteVue apps and can be available for printing in the office if needed.

Support staff will be available to guide families from room to room throughout the session. Any families in need of translation services can either pre-schedule a conference time with Success Coaches or look for the Success Coach table that will be setup near the Tiger at the main entrance.

Families are asked to limit conversations to 15 minutes or less with each teacher to allow time for other students and families to access teachers. Teachers are also available via email or the Tigers Unite app for those with follow-up questions or a need to check in with teachers.

Any questions can be addressed to Katie Cords (katie.cords@alschools.org) or Principal Chris Dibble (chris.dibble@alschools.org) at any time. We look forward to seeing our families on Monday, November 5.

The staff of ALHS would like to thank all students and families for their cooperation and collaboration in the now 18-month old Cell Phone Protocol that started with the 2023-2024 school year. Students have been much more engaged in the classroom setting and teachers have noticed the improvements. Again--thank you!

With that acknowledgement made, there is still room for even more improvement. Research continues to show the detrimental effect that cell phones have on students in terms of learning and social-emotional health. In following the lead of many districts around Albert Lea, we will be moving forward very soon with a test of further restrictions in student cell phone use through the use of Cell Phone Wall Pouches in many classrooms. The English Language Arts Department and a few other classes will be the first to test this enhancement. This enhancement will not include study halls.

The plan will work like this: Students will be assigned a designated, numbered phone holder that hangs on the wall in each classroom. Students will be asked to place the phone in the pouch at the start of the period. As long as the teacher has the red or yellow light on, the phones will remain in the pouch in the classroom. Each student will be required to put the phone in the pouch prior to the start of class. Any student choosing to not put the device in the pouch will be sent to the office for an administrative conference.

We know there are a few students who require devices to remain on their person for medical reasons or translation services. This will be documented with school health staff or success coaches and communicated to teachers. Any parent or family member needing to contact their student during the day should call the main high school switchboard at (507)379-5340. This number will bounce to numerous people who will answer the call and pass on a message to your student.

We again thank students and families in advance for their continued work on making learning happen at ALHS. Phones and devices have become a part of everyday life, and being able to manage use is a skill that students need to be successful both during and after their high school years. As always, please reach out to any member of our team with any questions.

The ALHS Parent Advisory Committee had a meeting at the Hammer Fieldhouse on Tuesday, October 29. We discussed a variety of topics including 9/11 curriculum, emergency drills, the standard response protocol, the Cell Phone Acceptable Use Protocol, parent-teacher conferences, and went over data from the October student, parent and staff surveys.

In the near future, look for action items from this committee to be launched through email and the high school website. Anyone wishing to join the committee can contact principal Chris Dibble by email.

The Albert Lea High School chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 38 members on Monday, October 28. Congratulations to all new inductees!

Do you have a student who needs to make up credits for graduation? We will be offering a Saturday work session from 8 a.m.- noon on Saturday, November 9. For more information, please click on THIS LINK to see the letter from Jen Henschel.

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

• Monday, November 4: No Classes for Students
• Monday, November 4, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.: Parent-Teacher Conferences (PreK-12)
• Tuesday, November 5: Election Day and ALHS Mock Elections
• Friday, November 8: Grade 9 Careers Field Trip
• Saturday, November 9, 8:00 a.m. - noon: Credit Recovery
• Thursday, November 14: ASVAB Testing
• November 21-23: Fall Musical "Mean Girls"
• Monday, November 25: ALHS Dental Clinic
• Wednesday, November 27-Friday, November 29: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
• Monday, December 2: Classes Resume

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 507-320-1772

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

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

X (Formerly Twitter): @AlbertLeaHS