Tiger Tales
Albert Lea Area Schools
Stay Connected With Us
A Note from the Superintendent
Dear Parents and Guardians,
It is hard to believe that we are nearing spring break. Our students have celebrated the 100 days of school mark and continue to make each day a great day in Albert Lea Schools.
As we welcome the arrival of spring, I want to express our shared sense of optimism and excitement for the learning experiences that lie ahead for your students. Spring brings with it a renewed sense of energy and possibility, and we are committed to harnessing that momentum to create enriching and engaging educational opportunities for your children. With the support of our dedicated educators and staff, we look forward to fostering a positive and nurturing environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Together, let us embrace the promise of spring and continue to inspire a love for learning in our students.
As our seniors, parents and staff anticipate graduation with increased excitement, we are also excited to welcome our incoming kindergarten students. As a reminder, If you were unable to attend the in-person Kindergarten Registration events in February, you can still submit your completed registration packets, along with the required documents, by dropping them off at Brookside Education Center anytime Monday through Friday, between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm. Online registration is also available through the QR code or by clicking the link in our newsletter below. We look forward to our youngest scholars getting their education started with our amazing teachers.
Finally- Go Tigers- our student-athletes continue to excel in many ways and make us Tiger Proud!
Warm regards,
Ron Wagner
Superintendent
Albert Lea Schools
Kindergarten Registration
Dear Parents/Guardians,
If you were unable to attend the in-person Kindergarten Registration events in February, you can still submit your completed registration packets, along with the required documents, by dropping them off at Brookside Education Center anytime Monday through Friday, between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm. Online registration is also available through the QR code or by clicking the link below.
To be eligible for Kindergarten, students must be five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2024. All incoming Kindergarteners are required to complete Early Childhood Screening. Please call 507-379-5176 to make an appointment, or email Kim.Soost@alschools.org.
The next in-person registration will be held at Brookside Education Center, located at 211 West Richway Drive, Albert Lea, MN 56007 on the following date:
Tuesday, April 30. 7:30am – 6:00pm
To complete the enrollment process, please bring the following documents:
1. Completed registration forms
2. Birth Certificate
3. Immunization records (if vaccinations were done outside of Minnesota)If you have questions regarding Kindergarten Registration, please contact Dani Bryant at 507-379-4806 or dani.bryant@alschools.org We look forward to meeting our Class of 2037 Tigers!
Sincerely,
Kim Larson, Halverson Elementary School Principal
Marie Adams, Hawthorne Elementary School Principal
Zack Kruger, Lakeview Elementary School Principal
Kristi Kenis, Sibley Elementary Interim School Principal
In Case You Missed It
I Love to Read Month
We have been celebrating I Love to Read Month! Throughout February, our student's days were filled with excitement and imagination. From mystery readers keeping us on the edge of our seats to dressing up as beloved characters, every day was a new adventure in the world of books! Snuggle Up with a Book Day was the perfect excuse to cozy up and dive into a story. Thank you to everyone who participated and made this month-long celebration a resounding success! Let's keep the love for reading alive every day!
Pizza and a Story Night
Our elementary families had a blast at 'Pizza and a Story Night'! It was a fun and engaging family night with each sack including pizza ingredients, a book, and a deck of cards. Thanks to our sponsors: Title 1 Family Engagement Funds, American Dairy Association, Hormel, Hyvee, & Master Plumbing!
Health Information
March is National Nutritional Month
During National Nutrition Month®, the U.S Department of Health is focusing on sustainable and healthy eating habits. This year’s theme is “Beyond the Table”, which highlights the farm-to-fork approach to nutrition, from food production to eating habits. Diet and nutrition go hand-in hand with your energy levels and overall health. Include your children by involving them in any of the following activities:
Start your own cookbook: Have your kids help in making a family cookbook with healthy recipe ideas! Decorate a binder or folder with family recipe cards, look online with your kids to find favorite meals- or a new one they would like to try.
Have a family outing and enjoy the improving weather by visiting a farmer’s market: Pick out a vegetable you’ve never tried and have your kids help prepare it for a snack or meal.
Follow a recipe video tutorial: Follow a cooking show or YouTube video.
Make a weekly or monthly meal plan: Sticking to a plan can help cut costs and time with grocery trips and restaurant visits.
If you or someone you know needs assistance with obtaining food, this website lists Food Resources in Freeborn County: https://www.unitedwayfc.org/food
Special Services
We are hosting a hiring fair for Special Education positions! Join us on March 13 from 1-6 pm. We are looking for Special Education:
•Teachers
• Paraeducators
• Speech Language Pathologists
• School Psychologists
• Social Workers
Walk-ins are welcome, but you can also sign up for a virtual interview: https://forms.gle/hGSLif8kSbPcs42x8
Apply Now: www.applitrack.com/albertlea
Learning Tips
Caregivers as Partners in Successful Attendance
Parents and caregivers are essential partners for successful school attendance because they play a crucial role in shaping a child's attitude and behavior towards education. Their involvement helps create a supportive home environment that prioritizes attendance and punctuality, reinforcing the importance of regular school attendance. Additionally, parents and caregivers can collaborate with educators to identify and address any underlying issues that may be contributing to absenteeism, fostering a holistic approach to student well-being and academic success.
Prevention Strategies and Practices for Families
- Promptly supply accurate, updated information to the school
- Remain involved with your children from preschool through high school, engaging them in frequent conversation to build a strong parent-child relationship
- Establish rituals and procedures such as bedtime, morning and evening routines
- Ask younger children to select their school clothes the night prior
- Share your child's strengths and what motivates and energizes them with the teacher
- Offer to volunteer at school or school activities
- Attend school-sponsored events
- Attend conferences
- Help your child identify non-academic school activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and sports, that foster connections and motivate them to go to school
- Read teacher, school, and district communication
- Follow teacher, school and district social media platforms
- Become familiar with school/district attendance policies, procedures and state laws
Our school community celebrates and values the daily presence of our students. We are delighted to welcome them each day, recognizing their attendance as a vital contribution to their learning and overall school experience. Their consistent presence fosters a positive and engaging environment where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Safety Tips
SAFETY:
Parents/guardians: Please make sure that your correct contact information is on file with the school district. This will help in the event of an emergency to make sure you are notified.
In response to emergencies that may occur, at the beginning of this school year, the Albert Lea School District adopted the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the I Love You Guys Foundation in collaboration with local law enforcement. The SRP is based on any given situation and not just on an individual scenario and is followed by school districts nationwide. Students and staff are training, practicing and drilling the protocol. For more information please click the link below.
Tiger Alumni Tale
Read more at Tiger Alumni Tale on our website.
If you are an alumnus of Albert Lea Area Schools we would love to hear from you! Please fill out our questionnaire. We are excited to share your story and advice with students, families, and the Albert Lea Community!
Community Education
Community Education's philosophy is to help provide opportunities for all community members to Gather. Discover. Grow.
Spend Spring Break rock climbing, ice skating and swimming! This FREE event requires preregistration. Deadline to register is March 7th. Please register early as spots are filling quickly and space is limited.
Have you been Rock Climbing at the Community Ed Rock Gym?
District students can climb for free! Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays from 6:00-9:00pm.
- Sign up online to attend. Registration link
Current Open Positions within Albert Lea Area Schools
Are you interested in working for Albert Lea Area Schools and impacting students' lives? Click below to view our current openings!
Conferences & No School Dates
March 8: End of Quarter 3
March 11-15: Spring Break (No School)
March 29: Holiday Break (No School)
April 8: HS/ALC Conferences
May 16: ALC Commencement
May 17: ALHS Commencement
May 22: Last Day of School/ End of Quarter 4
School Board Meetings
March 7th - 5:00 pm - Study Session
March 18th - 5:00 pm - Regular Meeting
Board meetings are recorded and can be viewed on our district YouTube channel.
Sibley Elementary
Halverson Elementary
Hawthorne Elementary
Lakeview Elementary
Southwest Middle School
Albert Lea High School
Area Learning Center
2200 Riverland Dr
Community Education
1011 Hammer Rd
Brookside Education Center
211 W Richway Dr
Stay Connected With Us
Website: alschools.org
Location: 211 W Richway, Albert Lea, MN 56007
Phone: (507).379.4800
Facebook: facebook.com/AlbertLeaAreaSchools
Twitter: @AlbertLeaSchool
Email: welisten@alschools.org