Mental Health Month at the PRLC
For Mental Health Month this year, Mental Health America is encouraging individuals to look around and look within. Students at Peoria Regional Learning Center will focus on their mental health by developing their own coping skills toolbox which includes yoga activities, deep breathing exercises, regulation techniques, writing and art opportunities, as well as gratitude journaling, and positive affirmations.
According to Mental Health America, everyone is encouraged to consider how the world around them affects their mental health. While many parts of your environment may be out of your control, there are steps you can take to change your space and protect your well-being.
- Work toward securing safe and stable housing: Reach out to state/local agencies to secure housing, remove safety hazards in the home, or find another space (such as a community center or friend’s home) where you can get the comfort you are missing at home.
- Focus on your home: Consider keeping your space tidy, sleep-friendly, and well-ventilated to help you feel calm and positive.
- Create bonds with your neighborhood and community: Get to know the people living around you, join or start neighbors helping-neighbors groups, and support local businesses to challenge gentrification.
- Connect with nature: Hike in a forest, sit in a city park, bring a plant inside, or keep the shades open to absorb natural light.
At Peoria Regional Learning Center, social emotional awareness and learning and academics go hand-in-hand. By providing small class sizes, alternative learning styles, small counselor and teacher/student ratio, emphasis on career exploration, encouragement and development of social skills, and service learning, PRLC is able to improve our student's academic performance, self-concepts, and enhance their post high school options. The unique combination of individualized academic instruction and the development of strong interpersonal relationships between students and staff make PRLC a unique educational environment that promotes and supports academic learning and the social and emotional growth of all students through a family-like atmosphere.
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Go to mhanational.org/may to learn more. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
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License Renewal for 2023 is now open in ELIS. You need to complete the steps to renew your license by June 30, 2023 |
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All Short-Term Sub Licenses expire on June 30, 2023, and they are not renewable. However, there is legislation pending that may extend this license. Check our website regularly for updates.
Click on each link below to view Instructions for renewing each type of license:
Contact the ROE with any questions at (309) 672-6906.
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GMB Spring Celebration 2023 Comes to a Successful End!
May 15, 2023, marked the end of the 38th Annual Gerald M Brookhart Arts in Education Spring Celebration with Peace Plays in Peoria. Many thanks go to Katrina Fitzpatrick and Mary Jo Papich for organizing so many diverse talents as we gather to show peace can and does play in Peoria.
Since April 20th, each weekday has featured the talents of local students across the arts from schools in central Illinois, providing a showcase of bands, choruses, choirs, performances, dance, and jazz at the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza. This event heightens the community's awareness that the arts are an important component of our young people's development.
A huge thank you to so many who came together during this season. Beth Crider and the entire ROE 48 staff hosted each and every day as the accomplishments of students were celebrated. The directors of every band, chorus, art, and drama group are true heroes! Thank you for all you do! Thank you administrators and parents for all your support!
Our sound crew Bill Keister and Rich are amazing and every day support two stages with everything they need...and more!
Mary Ellen Ulrich is a force of nature with her knowledge of the arts! Thank you to the original Gerald M. Brookhart for being here so many days and what you started. Thanks Sally Weber for your knowledge of what it all takes!
Thank you to Mobile Maxx for their storage sponsorship and to Cook Rentals for chairs. Thank you to our other sponsors including Caterpillar, Peoria County Bar Association, Kidder Music, Peoria Riverfront Museum, and the Community Foundation of Central Illinois.
Thank you to the vendors who showed up to add to the experience including Jane's Sweet Addictions, The Station, Grill 'Em All, The Cookie Shack, and The Popcorn Shoppe.
Please continue to support our students and the arts. We'll see you in the Spring of 2024!
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Peoria Regional Learning Center |
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"Alice in Wonderland" Prom
The Peoria Regional Learning Center held its annual prom on April 22, 2023, with over 30 participants attending. The theme was “Alice in Wonderland”, with several students dressing the part. Students enjoyed an evening of food, dance, and friendship. Thank you to the students who served on the Prom Committee, parents who volunteered, and PRLC staff for their support and guidance.
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Graduation is May 17, 2023
Peoria Regional Learning Center will hold its first graduation ceremony in our new facility at Franciscan Recreation Center in West Peoria. We will have nine graduates from four of our Peoria County high schools participating in graduation commencement on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. These students have been with PRLC for just a semester or for several years. Their hard work, teacher’s dedication and their home school’s willingness to give them a chance in our program has led them to their success. Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
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Taking Student Applications for 2023-2024
Peoria Regional Learning Center (PRLC) is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 fall semester. We are an optional, alternative high school program for all Peoria County high schools. PRLC offers a small environment which allows a focus on alternative learning styles, college and career exploration, and encouragement and development of social emotional skills. Our unique combination of individualized academic instruction and the development of strong interpersonal relationships between students and staff make PRLC a unique educational environment.
If you are interested in becoming a part of the PRLC family, please contact your home high school counselor. A letter of recommendation from your high school and a completed application is required for an interview. You can check out our website at peoriaregional.com or from the Peoria County ROE #48 webpage under Alternative High School tab.
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Teacher Appreciation Basket Winner: Ashley Renick |
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Congratulations to Ashley Renick from Richwoods High School for being drawn as the winner of the Peoria ROE48 Teacher Appreciation Basket Giveaway.
Thank you, Ashley, for all you do for students and their learning!
And thank you to all educators in our area! We see the amazing work you are doing to support our learners and to support each other.
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Educator Spotlight for April: Lyn Bergman
The Peoria ROE48 Spotlight Educator is Lyn Bergman from Illinois Valley Central SD #321!
Lyn was nominated by a community member that explained how Lynn is incredibly patient and kind, but also pushes IVC students to do the best they can with such grace and understanding. Congratulations, Lyn!
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Shanna Shipman Joins ROE Team |
Shanna Shipman is joining our team as the Adult Education Coordinator. Shanna is passionate about service through education and has been a teacher, administrator, professional learning provider, and technical assistance consultant (but says she will always be a teacher at heart). She has focused her work in recent years on promoting practices that promote equity, alleviate the effects of trauma, and effectively integrate academic, social, and emotional learning. Her approach and philosophy are impacted by early work experiences in journalism, politics, and international refugee services (in Kenya and Bosnia). Shanna loves to travel and enjoy the outdoors whenever she gets the chance. She is a proud mom of four incredible kids, aged 20, 17, 13, and 8. |
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ROE 48 Professional Learning |
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Peoria County ROE 48 offers high quality in-person and online professional learning opportunities to educators in central Illinois. We are committed to developing and supporting a community of mindful, knowledgeable, and empowered learners.
We have added many opportunities for the remainder of the school year and this summer. Please look at offerings by clicking our newsletter or catalog links below:
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Community Events and More Educational Opportunities |
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ICC’s College for Kids registration is officially open!
Does your child enjoy balloon artistry, cooking, or board games? Would they benefit from "Surviving Middle School" or a "Health Careers Camp?" Pique your child's interest with College for Kids.
College for Kids is an enrichment program for students entering grades 4-12. Courses are designed to stimulate creativity, promote curiosity, and encourage engagement. Check out this year's classes in our new digital catalog.
All classes are held at the ICC Peoria campus at 5407 N. University Street in Peoria. Course times and costs vary.
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The Peoria Park District is hosting a large community weekend called Park-A-Palooza on the Peoria RiverFront from June 8-10.
To make this happen, they are in need of a lot of VOLUNTEERS! Join the fun and sign up today!
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Help your students avoid the summer slide! 4-H has fun and educational summer programs for students, families and YOU! |
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You can still sign up for the Horticulture Core Education Training from the University of Illinois Extension – Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit. |
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Education offers educational materials and programs for teachers. Topics include:
- Wildlife Basics: Illinois Wild Mammals
- Illinois Urban Wildlife
- Introducing Early Childhood Students to the Nature of Summer
- Illinois Birds for Junior High and High School Teachers
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