Sarah Taraba is a kindergarten teacher at Sunset Terrace Elementary. Sarah is a former RPS student who attended Sunset Terrace Elementary, John Adams Middle School, and John Marshall High School. Read her story here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1904309
Today, Jeff Kappers officially retires from RPS after 33 and 1/2 years of working in the transportation department. Jeff has been integral to how the transportation department functioned, planning bus routes, helping families determine if they were eligible for bussing, communicating between the district and First Student buses and vans, and on days when we are trying to determine if we would call a snow day, Jeff was out driving the roads at 4 a.m. to make sure busses could safely transport our students to and from school. Thank you, Jeff, for your many years of service to RPS, and we wish you the best in your retirement!
Chilly temps are here to stay. We're sharing four quick tips to help keep students who walk to school in winter weather safe!
Oh, what fun! Our preschoolers are feeling festive! From a sensory table made from candy cane lane to gingerbread-scented play-doh, our students had a blast learning today!
Erin Vasquez is the Community School Coordinator at John Marshall High School. Erin is a former RPS student who attended Lincoln, Lincoln at Mann, Willow Creek Middle School, and Mayo High School. Read her story here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1904267
Bishop Elementary students participated in an experiential learning opportunity using the artwork of Minnesota Indigenous People as inspiration. This project started with a grant from The Minneapolis Foundation to use different texts to discuss the importance of Ojiwbe culture and art. Bishop then expanded students' learning experience to learn about the Ojibwe Shoulder Bag from the Minnesota Historical Society, which gave students an experience relating to the Ojibwe people by creating our very own bag in media class. Bishop celebrated the project with an all-school parade where the Ojibwe-inspired bags were hung on the lockers for all to enjoy!
Congratulations also to one of our students, Madison, for receiving the Mayor's Medal of Honor for the Youth Serving Community Award! We've shared before about Madison's participation in the Adopt-a-Drain program and her desire to improve her neighborhood and the environment. Thanks for what you're doing to improve our community, Madison. Congrats!
Ending this week on a fantastic note: We want to congratulate one of our dedicated staff members, Deb Las, on receiving the Mayor's Medal of Honor for Educational Excellence! Deb has been teaching for 33 years and currently teaches science at John Adams Middle School.
"Deb has been the backbone of the STEM Mentoring Labs at John Adams, an after-school STEM research program for middle school students underrepresented in STEM run by local non-profit Oraculi. Due to her efforts, Las was recently awarded a STEM Research Grant from the Society for Science as one of 41 educators throughout the United States."
Congratulations, Deb! We are so proud to have you as one of our educators.
Future RPS kindergarten students and families, are you ready? Enrollment for kindergarten at Rochester Public Schools for the 2025-2026 school year is open! Learn about your neighborhood school, DWO school/program option, and how to enroll: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1910873
Kelly Kranz is the Office Manager at Franklin Elementary. Kelly is a former RPS student who attended Franklin Elementary, Willow Creek Middle School, and Mayo High School. Read her story here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1903296
It's not too late! Ski Club registration will close soon and you still have time to register. Students in Grades 5-12 can hit the slopes with our upcoming Ski trips. Register today: https://rochester.ce.eleyo.com/course/24226/2025-winter-spring-youth/2025-welch-ski-club-coach-bus-optional-rental-gr-5-12#5600-century
Brandon Macrafic is the Principal of Student Centered Learning Models at CTECH, MNSync Online, and P-TECH. Brandon is a former RPS student who attended Lincoln Elementary, Kellogg Middle School, and John Marshall High School. Read his story at https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1900996
We're here to #CelebrateRPS with Jenny Shopp! Jenny's a para at Franklin and Montessori at Franklin. She is taking classes to become a full time teacher. Because several of our staff are pregnant or out on leave, Jenny has been called and asked to take over their classroom. She is patient with students and is a huge asset to Franklin school. She will make a great teacher.
Do you know someone who's #CelebrateRPS material? Submit their name in the link (https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/celebrate) and they'll be featured in our next newsletter (https://bit.ly/3VcWhBI).
Project SEARCH is hosting an information night for the 2025-2026 school year. Join the meeting to find out details about the nine-month internship program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This program is designed for individuals whose goal is competitive employment. Project SEARCH takes place at Mayo Clinic working within departments to learn valuable work skills.
Register here: https://bit.ly/3Orm459
Read our feature on Project SEARCH here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1837908
Future kindergarten students: Come to our Kindergarten Open Houses next week to learn about what it's like to be a kindergarten student at our schools. You’ll meet your principal, see a kindergarten classroom, learn about your schedule, and more! We're excited for you to join us!
RPS offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, December 2.
Future kindergarten students: Come to our Kindergarten Open Houses next week to learn about what it's like to be a kindergarten student at our schools. You’ll meet your principal, see a kindergarten classroom, learn about your schedule, and more! We're excited for you to join us!
Learn more about kindergarten at RPS at www.rochesterschools.org/onmyway2k
Reminder: there is no school from Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29. Enjoy your fall break! We will see students back on Monday, December 2.
The IT pathway students at P-TECH are wrapping up November's Career Development Month by sharing their advice with the incoming P-TECH first-year students. What do they wish they knew? What words of encouragement would they tell their 8th-grade selves? Read the perspectives of each grade level and learn how P-TECH is setting students up for a successful career in IT.
https://bit.ly/498of7p
Future kindergarten students: Come to our Kindergarten Open Houses next week to learn about what it's like to be a kindergarten student at our schools. You’ll meet your principal, see a kindergarten classroom, learn about your schedule, and more! We're excited for you to join us!
Learn more about kindergarten at RPS at www.rochesterschools.org/onmyway2k
