Our learning labs have been hard at work! In the first unit for our STEAM Lab, Problem Solving, students have been practicing how to solve problems using the Engineering Design Process. The final project challenged students to work individually or in a group and design a unique game or marble maze. Numerous problems/challenges occurred during the project that required students to apply real world problem solving skills. The results were super creative and so impressive! Giving students the opportunity to choose a project, explore and develop their own learning styles and interests helped make this project a success.
On Wednesday students in the RAS Career Readiness program volunteered time at the Western Ave. Center in Bloomington. Students helped move and organize furniture and athletic equipment in the gymnasium. They were also given a chance to discuss with staff what type of events and activities they would like to see offered to young people at the community center. Mr. Rudicil even got the chance to play a little table tennis. We look forward to working with the Western Ave. Center again soon!
This week the RAS Career and College Center featured plumbing as it's Career of the Week. Students learned more about what plumbers do and the skills required to be one. They also completed a job simulation using our Career Labs Virtual Reality software.
FREE BUS RIDES WITH YOUR LIBRARY CARD!
Throughout the month of September, show a library card from Bloomington Public Library or Normal Public Library to ride Connect Transit for FREE!
📸⭐️First-ish Day of School pics: RAS Edition ⭐️📸 Life is GOOD! (Check us out on Facebook or Instagram for more pics!)
If you tried calling the school or emailing any of the staff today, please accept our apologies. We were outdoors to kick off this epic school year because...Life is good! We shared, we listened, we reflected, we hiked, we ate, we laughed, and we did it all with love and intentionality. We thoroughly enjoy being alternative, even for the opening day in-service!
Anyways, what did you do at school today?
#LifeIsGood #TeacherInservice #BackToSchool
If you tried calling the school or emailing any of the staff today, please accept our apologies. We were outdoors to kick off this epic school year because...Life is good! We shared, we listened, we reflected, we hiked, we ate, we laughed, and we did it all with love and intentionality. We thoroughly enjoy being alternative, even for the opening day in-service!
Anyways, what did you do at school today?
#LifeIsGood #TeacherInservice #BackToSchool
Staff from RAS attended the ROE 17 Annual Administrators Back to School Breakfast today. Listening to State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders inspired our fearless leader, Mr. Kendall, to change into his NASA shirt as a reminder that anything new and different is hard and challenging, but can and MUST be done to progress into something BETTER no matter how long it takes! We are excited to continue to do all of the new, different, hard, and challenging "stuff" this year to meet the needs of our students and to ensure true learning and active engagement are taking place.
August 3rd, 16 RAS Staff gathered to Reflect, Challenge, and Grow while working to develop a comprehensive school improvement plan. The commitment by this talented and dedicated staff is inspiring as they are evidence that "Many Hands Together Make for Light Work."
RAS staff and students had the opportunity to help a local church over the past two days. St. Mary's was in need of assistance with landscaping and our kids came through to help with pulling weeds, digging out a tree, replanting the tree, and other outside clean-up tasks. We appreciate the opportunity to provide our students with the task of helping others AND learning valuable life skills. Another great community partnership!
We are thrilled that TWO of our teachers were awarded grants through the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation (IPCF) Annual Campaign Fund! Mr. Thornton will use his $3,009 to purchase iPads and Apple Pencils to create digital art with students and enhance creativity in our art program. Mrs. Quick will use her $2,000 to encourage sustainability through the purchase of sewing machines, which will be utilized to teach life skills through fixing and repurposing clothing instead of throwing it out. RAS is thankful for community agencies such as IPCF who provide financial resources to help us work towards achieving our mission and vision. ⭐️📱🪄🪡🧵⭐️
It truly does take a village! Many hands came together this week to partner in celebrating our dedicated Staff. Thank you: ML/MJ/KQ/SW for tasty treats, Eastview, and ROE 17 for bringing additional sunlight to our days!
💈It was great having Bloomington Normal Barber College students and owner, Cassius C., back on our campus for the second year in a row. Cassius spoke with some students about the barber college program, while others received free haircuts and hair lining from Gage and Alan. Thank you, Mr. Eddins, for setting up this experience for our students. We appreciate this community partnership with BNBC and Cassius! We encourage all who are interested in learning how to become a licensed barber to contact Cassius at 309-828-1234. www.bnbarbercollege.com 💈
Students and Staff had fun making masks in Art with Mr. Thornton! Can you guess the Masked Staff under Mrs. Potato Head, the purple elephant, and the giraffe? 🥔💜🐘🦒
A great communal partnership was on display Monday, April 17th at RAS. We owe a special THANK YOU to our friends LaToya Carter and Diamond Stewart for leading a Natural Hair Workshop . Participants learned about caring for natural hair and were provided with a personal hair care kit.
📣Reminder📣
Wednesday, April 12th: SAT @ 7:45
*Remote day for non-test takers!*
Thursday, April 13th: PSAT @ 7:45
*Remote day for non-test takers!*
Emails have been sent to students who are testing and their parents. Robo calls have also been made. Please call the school if you have any questions 308-828-5807.
Science is alive all around us.
As we've investigated different kinds of animal behavior in our zoology unit, students had the opportunity to discuss interactions between zookeepers and their animals. Our guest speaker from Pathful Connect, Carie, was a zookeeper for many years. She gave the students insight on how animals are raised, bred, and enriched. Students saw examples of enriching Giraffes, Red Pandas, Tigers, and Deer. Towards the end, students got to ask Carie about animal stories and job opportunities within Zoology and even at our local zoo: Miller Park Zoo!
RAS was pleased to meet with Chad Kahl from the Voter Services Committee of the League of Women Voters of McLean County. Mr. Kahl assisted students who turned eighteen years old during the school year to become registered voters online. It is always a great day when students begin to exercise their right to vote!
Monday evening March 6th RAS hosted IWU's Project LEAD (Leaders in Education Advocating for Diversity). Project LEAD was able to tour RAS, have a Q &A with staff as well as have discussion on pedagogical practices within an alternative learning environment.
Reminder: Friday (2/17) and Monday (2/20) are non-attendance days for students! If you have a student-led conference set for tonight or tomorrow, please bring your child with you to the meeting. Enjoy the long weekend!
