Last week, we celebrated our high school seniors who will be pursuing a teaching license in the fall with a Future Teacher Signing Day. All these students have completed the Intro to Teaching course taught by Anne Eldredge at CTECH. By completing both Intro to Teaching 1 & 2, students can earn up to five college credits from the University of Minnesota. In addition, they far exceed their required observation hours by participating in this course, as they spend time in classrooms twice a week to "student teach" and observe. The students' college choices include RCTC, Winona, Saint Mary’s, Augsburg, Gustavus Adolphus, and the College of Saint Benedict.
This event is meant to celebrate these students' decision to pursue a career in education and their dedication to improving the lives of future generations. Congratulations, students and all the best as you graduate!
Rochester Public Schools (RPS) today announced that the four-year graduation rate for the Class of 2024 reached 86%, according to data released by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). This marks a 2.0 percentage point increase from the Class of 2023 (84%) and represents the highest graduation rate the district has achieved in the past six years. Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2196956
And so begins our graduation celebrations! This past Saturday, we celebrated our American Indian seniors at the annual Celebration Powwow! 🎓🎉 It was genuinely moving to witness their journey and celebrate this significant milestone with them, their families, and the entire community. We're incredibly proud and excited to see all the wonderful things they will achieve. Congratulations, graduates!
Lincoln K-8 Elementary will be celebrating 50 years of education! If you're a Lynx alumni, you are welcome to join the festivities at Lincoln K-8 Elementary School on May 22 at 5:00.
Additionally, if you have any photos, articles, stories, and anything that we could include in our photo archive display, please submit material to Amy Krahn at amkrahn@rochesterschools.org.
The RPS School Board will meet tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in the Edison Board Room (615 7th St SW). On the agenda for tomorrow’s regular session is: FY26 Budget Development Process Update, Approval of the 2026-2027 District Calendar, Mindsets, Behaviors and Experiences for Student Success, SRO Contract, Performance Measures & SCIP 2.0 Process, and Approval of Start Times for 2025-2026.
If you cannot attend in person, you can livestream the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/isd535.
You can view all full meeting agendas at https://rochesterschools.org/simbli
"Heidi at Early Childhood and Special Education goes above and beyond in her role, always stepping up when needed and never hesitating to lend a hand to colleagues and children. Heidi is so positive and always has a smile on her face and a kind word to say. Thank you, Heidi, for being such a valuable part of our team. Your work ethic and attitude inspire those around you, and we’re grateful to have you with us." Submitted by Jamie, Malissa, Sarah and Cassidy.
Read this month's #CelebrateRPS: https://rochesterpsmn.edurooms.com/engage/celebraterps/newsletters/celebraterps-may-5-2025
Do you know someone like, Heidi? Submit them to be featured, and help us #CelebrateRPS staff, students, and community members!
https://www.rochesterschools.org/o/rps/page/celebrate
Wow, April really flew by! Between catching up with amazing friends, celebrating some special moments, diving into all things Earth Month 🌎, and tackling some seriously rewarding physical and academic challenges 💪📚, it was a month packed to the brim! But you know what? We're buzzing with excitement for May and all the adventures it holds!
You're invited to our 2025 Celebration Powwow at Mayo High School this Saturday, May 3. Enjoy captivating dancing, drumming, delicious food, and beautiful Native American artistry. It's an excellent opportunity to support our students and learn more about our community's heritage. All are welcome! #RochesterMN #Classof2025
Learning about budgeting, saving, understanding credit, and investing isn't just for adults. Starting early gives students a head start in building a secure future. That's exactly what our students experience as they played the game of life through our personal finance course. At Rochester Public Schools, personal finance is a requirement for all graduating students. Thanks to our partners at Think Bank, Altra Federal Credit Union, First Alliance Credit Union, McDonald's, and the Rochester Public School Board for volunteering your time and making this event a memorable learning experience for our students.
Ansh S, an 8th grader at Kellogg Middle School, finished 3rd in the 2025 state MathCounts competition! Ansh is the only student from Rochester and the only student outside the Twin Cities to place in the top four. Ansh will join the other students from the top four in representing Minnesota at the National MathCounts competition in Washington, D.C. next month.
Congrats, Ansh! And good luck at Nationals!
The RPS School Board will meet Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Edison Board Room (615 7th St SW). On the agenda for the Regular session is Housing Stability Initiatives Update, Curriculum Review and Revision Process, School Resource Officer Contract Review, Performance Measures & SCIP 2.0 Process, and School Start Times.
If you cannot attend in person, you can livestream the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/isd535.
You can view the full agenda at https://rochesterschools.org/simbli.
We've got even more Kindergartener content for you all! Our Kindergarteners were so good that we couldn't fit them into one video! Watch the second part of Supt in the Halls: Kindergarten Edition (Now with more Kindergarteners!).
Watch here: https://youtu.be/53UbbA8oUDc
Register your student for Kindergarten today: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/incoming-kindergarten-students
Join us for a College Planning Night on April 25, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., for 8th—to 11th-grade students and parents. Learn more about the tools available to students within Xello and how to better prepare for college opportunities. Save the date and link for the session: bit.ly/3DySo3P
Hey, future kindergarten students and families! Mark your calendars and save the date: you're invited to our Kick Off 2 Kindergarten Fair on Thursday, May 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Century High School. Stop by to learn more about Kindergarten at RPS and visit our departments, such as Transportation, Student Nutrition, School Aged Child Care, Registration, and more, as well as community partner organizations. You can also take photos in our photo booth! We hope you'll join us!
What's a typical day for an RPS kindergartener? Is it exciting? Are teachers friendly? Will there be snacks? In the latest installation of Supt in the Halls, Dr. Kent Pekel sits with RPS Kindergartener students who share their insightful experiences about their expertise in their day to day activities of kindergarten.
Watch the latest episode of Supt in the Halls: Kindergarten Edition, in the link below.
https://youtu.be/hp6Tu1ogQpk
School age child care is open when you need it, Learn about the hours of SACC from one of our staff members: facebook.com/1184148463404076
Washington Elementary Social Worker Bonnie Kessen was honored at a school-wide assembly for National School Social Workers Week. Oh! We also gave her a GOAT Award.
Bonnie provides excellent mental health services to students. Bonnie is a consistent leader and role model in our department. She is always willing to volunteer and engage in strengthening services and best practices not only in her practice but also within her school building and the social work department. Bonnie's school social work services are innovative, thoughtful, evidence based, and supportive to students, families, and those she works with.
Bonnie has dedicated over 15 years to RPS, making a profound impact at Washington, Gibbs, and Gage elementary schools, as well as supporting older students at Von Wald. With unwavering dedication, she has been a steadfast advocate for students, families, and colleagues, always championing their needs.
Her commitment to professional growth and excellence as a school social worker has not only strengthened her own expertise but has also uplifted those around her. As a leader on her team, Bonnie has consistently upheld the highest ethical standards, embraced best practices, and shared her invaluable insight to drive meaningful change. Her dedication has left a lasting mark on the schools and the lives she has touched.
We are deeply grateful for all she has done!
Bonnie is such a dedicated elementary school social worker, pours her heart into supporting every child who walks through our doors, but she holds a special place for those who tend to have challenges at school. Whether it’s a student who's battle unsettling feelings, facing challenges outside of school, or stumbling to keep up in class, she is their unwavering advocate, offering a listening ear, a reassuring smile, and the tools they need to succeed.
She works tirelessly to ensure each child feels seen, valued, and capable, collaborating with teachers, families and community outreach to create a nurturing environment where all students can thrive.
Check out her GOAT video on our Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Hxcon4V2x/
Are you wondering what SACC is really like? Learn about the behind the scenes of SACC from one of our team members: facebook.com/1697841957794692
Sierra Lindfors, Instructional Facilitator, would like to celebrate all of the work RPS staff at Quarry Hill Nature Center have done to create and redesign lessons for our students that align to the new Minnesota Science Standards! "They have thought critically about creating engaging lessons that center local phenomena, engage students as scientists, and allow students authentic opportunities to make meaning of the world around them. Their passion for their work is contagious and is such an asset to the RPS community as a whole!"
Read this week's #CelebrateRPS newsletter: https://rochesterpsmn.edurooms.com/engage/celebraterps/newsletters/celebraterps-march-31-2025
Submit someone for the next edition of #CelebrateRPS: https://www.rochesterschools.org/o/rps/page/celebrate
Looking for child care to help with student care before or after school? Learn about RPS's school age childcare program from Nate: facebook.com/1688025258452179
