Our first graduate of 2021, is Veronica Merchant! We are so excited to celebrate this accomplishment with Veronica!

Veronica has been working on earning her diploma since September of 2014. Veronica came to us needing 10.75 credits. A busy mom of three, Veronica started her credit earning journey slowly, completing just one class each year in 2015 and 2016, and four classes each in 2017 and 2018. Veronica completed two classes in 2019 and in a strong push to graduation, 9.5 classes in 2020.

Earning her diploma and completing this goal makes Veronica feel happy, proud, and motivated! She is interested in Early Childhood Development and plans to attend college in a year or so. She also plans to be a life-long learner!

To the RAE staff, Veronica says Kelly Fischer, one of our RAE teachers, " . . .has been very supportive to me overall. She's very kind, helpful, caring, and motivated to help in any way. I felt most comfortable working with Kelly." When asked what RAE did well, she replied, "Staying in constant contact."

For Veronica, her children made the work worth it. To adult students coming back to school to get their degree, as she has done, Veronica says, "Stay committed, don't give up, ask questions, work hard like it's nobody's business!"

Veronica's journey is reflected in her answer to the question, "Has coming back to school made changes in your life so far?", she said, "It has given me confidence and reassures me that with hard work and dedication I can do anything." She began tentatively, not sure she could do the work and persevere. Once she realized her goal was in reach, she fully committed and earned that diploma!

This is certainly true, Veronica! With hard work and dedication, you can do anything! We can't wait to see what good things you will accomplish!

2021 is here! What a great time to work toward earning that diploma and improving opportunities for you and your family!

Classes run Mondays through Thursdays from 5-8:30. Can't make it? Join us virtually from 6-7! (You can find the zoom link below!)

Let's make 2021 your year to graduate!! We are here to help you do it!

If you want to graduate in May, NOW is the time to put in the work! Schedule the time into your day, to make sure you get it done! What time of day is best for you to work on your classes? Which in person classes can you attend?

You can achieve what you set your mind and your time to doing! It is all about time and effort! We are here to support you and to cheer you on to the finish line at Graduation!

When coming in to class, please ring the doorbell to the right of the double doors. A teacher will open the door for you. Next, please complete the health screener on the desk, and sign-in to class.

Understanding the pandemic we are in, there may be times when you are unable to attend class due to Covid 19. To accommodate our students working from home, we will be holding Zoom office hours every class night from 6:00 PM -7:00 PM. It is very important that if you are not in class, you are checking in regularly with teachers. We are required to document attendance for the state of Michigan.

You can click on this Zoom link to join. Your teacher will let you in, and then you should be able to see your teacher! If you are having trouble, please reach out! Our contact information is at the end of this newsletter.

Need help with zoom? Here is a how to tutorial.

1. Please complete the RAE Request for Information form.

2. Sarah will send the official form to enroll to the email you listed on the form. Please complete the official enrollment form.

3. Please take the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) Locator pre-test. Sarah, our secretary, will send you the link.

4. Please come in to class to take the TABE Survey test.

Testing is required by the State of Michigan when you enroll, and then again when you graduate or at the end of the school year.

Once these steps have been completed, we can get you started in classes and on your way to that diploma!

Developing Healthy Kids put together a panel of mental health experts to address questions from Rockford families regarding the stress and anxiety caused by Covid 19. View it here!

Ele's Place is a community based organization with the mission to create awareness of and support for grieving children and their families. Please find a very helpful guide for parents - how to support teens, as well as a handout titled, How to Help Yourself: For Teens below.