🗣️Attention RAS Students and Families! 🗣️
Please check your emails for important information regarding Skyward Family Access + Parent Academy videos.
Thank you!
Exciting News from the RAS Art Department!
We are thrilled to announce our September Artists of the Month! A huge shoutout to three incredible students who have exceled in the classroom: Middle school student Malinah Davis, PBL Student Aiden Juarez, and Digital Student Nate Bradford!
These talented individuals not only exemplify excellent attendance but have also completed all their assignments with a perfect 100%! Their willingness to explore new ideas and techniques in the art room has inspired their classmates, creating a vibrant and positive atmosphere in our learning environment.
Join us in congratulating these amazing students for their hard work, creativity, and dedication! We can’t wait to see what they’ll create next! Keep shining bright!
#RASPride
Learning in Action!
Our PBL students have been diving deep into the Principles of Design using iPads purchased with grants from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation and Cornbelt Energy! They’ve been exploring, creating, and collaborating to understand how balance, emphasis, movement, pattern, unity, scale, and variety come together in art and design.
It's amazing to see them harness technology to enhance their learning and creativity. From virtual brainstorming sessions to digital mockups, they are truly embracing the future of education!
Stay tuned to see how our middle school students have used their coloring skills to recreate master works of art.
#RASArt
Reminder! There is no school for students tomorrow, Friday 9/27. Stay safe and enjoy the long weekend!
The RAS Career & College Center would like to thank Anja Schrag from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for joining students this morning at our Bloomington campus! Students took part in the "Claim Your Future" budgeting activity and had great discussion about college, finances, careers, and making good choices as adults.
The RAS Career and College Center would like to congratulate a few of our students who who worked hard to finish certification courses this morning. Trace earned his 10 Hour OSHA Workplace Safety Certification, and Kadence successfully completed the ServSafe Food Handler program. Great job!!
***Exciting News from the RAS Art Department! ***
We're thrilled to share that our art program is off to a fantastic start this year! Our talented students are diving deep into the artistic process, exploring every stage of creation—from the spark of an idea to the final masterpiece.
This year, our focus is on the journey of art-making: brainstorming unique concepts, devising thoughtful plans, bringing their visions to life, and proudly sharing their creations with the world. Watching their creativity unfold is truly inspiring, and we can't wait to see where their imaginations take them!
Here’s to a year filled with color, innovation, and artistic growth. Keep an eye out for their amazing work—it’s going to be a spectacular show of talent and hard work!
#RASArt
RAS would like to welcome Jordan Griffin as our Student Worker for the 2024-2025 school year! Jordan, a new addition through our Career Readiness program, will be tackling various cleaning and maintenance tasks around RAS. He is earning pay and incentives for his performance, but even before starting as a paid team member, Jordan generously volunteered his time to help us improve our building over the summer. Let’s give Jordan a warm welcome!
RAS had the privilege of hosting over 50 Unit5 Future Educators program from NCW and NCHS. Future Educators were given a facility tour, reviewed programming options for students, and engaged in Q and A sessions with staff. The future is bright for these caring and capable Future Educators!
It was great to see members of the Illinois Army National Guard at RAS today. Thank you so much for stopping by and dropping off the awesome gift basket! Our students look forward to working with you again throughout the 2024-2025 school year.
✨GOOD VIBES ONLY✨ We're ready for the 2024-25 school year!
RAS Staff returned today for the 2024-25 school year and lived up to our theme: Good vibes only...positive energy + positive people = positive results. We had the opportunity to be outdoors and in nature at Moraine View, while getting to know our new staff and working together as teams. It was a fantastic way to kick off the new school year and it was hard to be anything but POSITIVE with fresh air and hands-on fun!
Please read the flyer for information regarding Chestnut's Wellness Fair on Wednesday, August 7th from 1-5pm @ 702 W Chestnut in Bloomington.
🎓📢 Calling all recent graduates of RAS-Bloomington! 📢🎓
We want to hear from YOU! Your experiences and suggestions are invaluable to us, and we invite you to participate in our alumni survey. This is your chance to share what you've been up to since leaving the Regional Alternative School and help shape the future of RAS-Bloomington.
💬 Your feedback will be shared with our faculty, staff, and decision makers to improve our programs and support future students.
📅 It only takes a few minutes, but your impact will be lasting. Ready to make a difference? Click the link to start the survey now! https://forms.gle/5r9pRAwq2LqwKGVe7
This spring, RAS students worked hard to upgrade our community garden plot. They added fresh mulch, new raised planter beds, a custom-built bench, and even a "bug hotel" (feel free to Google it)!
When students return in the fall, we hope to have an abundance of fresh produce. The fall harvest from the garden will be used to help teach students about cooking, nutrition, and the science behind agriculture. Not only does it provide fresh food for our school community, but it also serves as a hands-on learning experience for the students.
RAS has a strong appreciation for the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation (IPCF) and their Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) group. In recent years, IPCF and YEP have helped fund a number of projects for our Bloomington campus. From the mural in our parking lot (done in partnership with the one and only Joel Bergner), to first aid training and an AED machine, to vocational and art opportunities for our students, the contributions are far-reaching and recognized by RAS staff, students, and families on a daily basis.
Through YEP grant funds received last year for FCS opportunities, we were able to purchase $2,000 worth of equipment and supplies to help students become more sustainable and creative. We are excited to kick off some fun sewing and Cricut projects during the coming school years!
Do you know what are the best kinds of dessert? Besides "All of them!", SURPRISE desserts are a huge win! We have been the beneficiary of a multiple year partnership with a small group from Eastview that is very intentional in encouraging our staff with support and tasty treats.
Today, they surprised us with ice cream 🍨, brownies 🍫, chocolate chip cookies 🍪, and small tokens of appreciation in the form of a card and gift card to Orange Leaf! Thank you for your continued partnership and support of RAS!
We were excited to have Cassius and his students from the 💈Bloomington Normal Barber College💈 back in the building yesterday. Our students enjoyed the fresh cuts to get ready for the warmer weather! Thank you, Cassius, for continuing this awesome partnership!
RAS was happy to host Specialist Devyn Nicholas from the Illinois National Guard on Tuesday. He led an activity in which students created gourmet meals using Military Meals Ready-to-Eat (MRE's). Students had a great time and it was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about what the National Guard does.
Nate from the Boys and Girls Club spends Tuesdays with our middle school students. Each week, he plans fun and engaging activities to help build their teamwork and critical thinking skills. We are grateful for this community partnership and the outreach services the BGCBN provides for RAS students. A group of high school students spend time with Nate in the after-school program at First Christian Church. We are excited for continued opportunities with the BGCBN!
