SAFETY POLICIES AND SUPPORTS

Rochester Public Schools is committed to the safety and well-being of our students and staff, upholding our mission to equip every student with the knowledge, independence, and resilience to pursue a fulfilling path. We believe that for students to thrive, they must first feel a deep sense of belonging and security. To that end, RPS does not ask for or maintain records regarding the immigration status of students or their families. We are dedicated to ensuring our schools remain places of learning, belonging, and care for everyone. Below, you will find resources regarding school safety and tools to help families create supportive plans for the future.

 

Questions?

Contact the Office of School Leadership and Student Engagement

507.328.4300

Interpretation Services

Our interpretation services can help facilitate communication for families, staff, and students in the following languages. To get interpreter support, please contact by email at miguel.benjamin@rochesterschools.org or by phone at 507.328.4237.

Resources

Forms

Delegation of Parental Authority Form:

DOPA forms must be notarized. RPS maintains its regular notary services, free of charge, at the Edison Building (615 7th St SW, Rochester, MN).

Right to Refuse Data Forms

Return the two forms above in one of the following ways:

Safety at school

Online Learning Option

Families that would prefer a virtual learning option for their students may request a transfer to Rochester Public Schools’ online school, MNSync Online. MNSync Online offers a synchronous-first, online learning environment for elementary, middle, and high school students across the state of Minnesota. Students engage in learning aligned to the Minnesota State Academic Standards taught by Rochester Public School teachers.

Instruction is provided primarily in a live, synchronous model with some offline and/or asynchronous work included. Our courses are designed based on best practice instructional design merged with learning and teaching research.

MNSync Online provides each student with either an iPad (grades K through 4) or a Chromebook (grades 5 through 12), and all MNSync Online students have access to dedicated support staff, including a Social Worker, School Counselors, Multi-Language Learning, and Special Education staff. Families are responsible for providing their own high-speed internet for online learning.

MNSync Online is a comprehensive online education provider.

Learn more and enroll at: www.mnsynconline.org.

Register for MNSync Online

Make sure your information is up to date

Update your contact information

  • Log in to Skyward and verify and update your information, including emergency contacts.

  • Per school district policy, certain student information is public (including name, date of birth, grade, and school). Parents have the right to “opt out” and make this information private using the Right to Refuse Data (Form 515A1) - Notice of right to refuse release of public data, and the

    Right to Refuse Data (Form 515A2) - Notice of right to refuse release of public data to military recruiters and/or post-secondary educational institutions forms.

Updates

Summary of Laws Regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Actions and Schools

Rights of immigrants

ICE Access to data on students and parents

ICE Access to students at school

ICE Access to students on school busses

ICE Access to school property

What is the role of school staff when ICE takes action?

Other questions