Welcome Back, Lepoards! Longfellow Elementary kicked off our back-to-school season with an amazing first day of school! Each year, the first day is full of excitement for students, staff, and families, and we can't wait to see what you do this year!
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 Special Session is Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan and the agenda for the study session is Facilities Strategy and School Board Goal Development 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.
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.
We're preparing for the 2025–2026 school year, and we need your help to plan safe, efficient bus routes. Update your student’s transportation info now!
If your student is in grades 10–12, a district‑wide option student, or a non‑public student needing after‑school busing, complete an RPS Registered Rider Form. Address change, foster care, joint custody, and alternate site forms are also on our website. Whether your student is returning, new, or has updated needs, let us know: www.rochesterschools.org/transportation
We're here to partner with your family. Rochester Public Schools is looking to increase communication between schools and families about student attendance. In case you missed it, 🔍 look for an email on Why Coming to School Matters and what to expect in the new school year.
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 study session is Prep for Action: Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan and Action: 5 Year Budget Reduction Strategy.
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.
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.
These motivated Mayo athletes aren't afraid of a little sweat! They're getting stronger! Coach-led summer training sessions are boosting strength, flexibility, and team spirit—prepping students to bring their best in the upcoming seasons and stay injury-free. Whether it’s hockey or volleyball, these Spartans are putting in the work!
We're looking for you! RPS is actively recruiting staff for various roles for the 2025-2026 school year, including Education Support Professionals (ESPs), Transportation ESPs, Special Education Teachers, Science Teachers, Maintenance staff, and more! Wages start at $20 per hour and include a state-sponsored retirement account. Join us at our next hiring event on Tuesday, July 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Edison Administration Building (615 7th Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902).
All summer meal locations are now open and operating under their normal hours. Come and join us for a FREE meal for children 18 years of age or younger. Adult meals are also offered for a small fee. Check out our menus, locations, and meal times online: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/summer-meals
All RPS buildings and programs, including summer meal locations and summer school-aged child care (SACC), will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. We will resume normal operations on Monday, July 7, 2025. We wish you and your families a safe and happy Fourth of July!
We're in the heart of summer, soaking up the sun! But just like your favorite ice cream cone, summer eventually has to end. And that means getting ready for a new school year! While it might feel early to trade in your swimsuits for notebooks, consider getting a head start on your back-to-school supplies. Get your list here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/schoolsupplies
SPECIAL HOURS: Our summer meal program will only operate out of three locations from June 30 to July 3, and all locations will be closed on July 4. Visit Franklin, Overland, or Washington Elementary for summer meals this week! For more information, visit www.rochesterschools.org/summermeals.
It’s not every day you get up close and personal with a bird of prey — but Dakota Middle School students did just that!
Earlier this year, Dakota Middle School students teamed up with Quarry Hill Nature Center and the Mayo Clinic Peregrine Falcon Program to learn about wildlife conservation by building a bird box right behind their school! They’ve been able to watch parent American kestrels hunt and nest for months, and now a few students and their science teachers got up close and personal with the kestrel chicks.
A Quarry Hill staff member came by to weigh the five new kestrels in an ice cream bucket and add leg bands for tracking. He’ll share this data with the U.S. Geological Survey to help researchers better understand kestrels and the challenges their population faces.
Holiday Reminder: All Rochester Public Schools buildings and offices, including summer meal and SACC locations, will be closed this Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. All district operations will resume during normal business hours on Friday, June 20, 2025.
Ever wish you could glimpse into the future? Middle schoolers from Rochester Public Schools — alongside students from surrounding districts — got that chance at the Middle School Career Academy! During this four-day summer experience, students explore a variety of careers by choosing from eight pathways: Agriculture, Health Scientist Careers, Culinary/Hospitality, Public Safety/Emergency Response, Manufacturing, Construction, Information Technology, and Transportation. Industry partners, including the Rochester Fire Department, Mayo Clinic, and Hormel Institute, team up with classroom teachers to provide hands-on, real-world experiences that help illuminate potential futures.
Looking for a quick and nutritious summer meal? Visit one of our summer meal locations for breakfast or lunch! Meals are FREE for children 18 or younger and a small fee for adults. Check out our menus, locations, and meal times online: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/summer-meals
Please note that meals must be consumed on location and that all summer meal locations will be closed for Juneteenth and reopen on June 20 at locations that operate Monday through Friday.
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 meeting is: Retiree Recognition, Long-Term Budget Strategy, Policy Committee Recommendations, Math Curriculum Purchase and 2025-2026 Budget Proposal
At the end of the school year, Deeper Learning teams from across the district came together for the RPS Deeper Learning Summit to share stories, reflect on two years of learning and growth, and envision what's next. From classroom innovation to systemwide change, deeper learning is becoming how we do school in RPS.
Join us in congratulating Carrie Mosby, Danielle Lyons, Megan Peterson, and Veronica Holton—four incredible individuals in our RPS SpEd Pipeline Scholarship Program! 👏 Thanks to funding from the Minnesota Department of Education, the Rochester Public Schools (RPS) SpEd Pipeline is helping passionate educators on their journey to becoming licensed Special Education teachers. We commend Carrie, Megan, Veronica, and Danielle for their unwavering commitment to serving and supporting students with diverse learning needs. Your dedication inspires us all!
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 study session is: Community Budget Advisory Council Conversation
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.
"By challenge, I mean doing things that aren’t easy. Challenge means being pushed, stretched, and sometimes uncomfortable. By support, I mean having people around you who help you complete tasks and achieve goals. Support means feeling like you matter, that you're not alone, and that someone believes in you." Watch Superintendent Pekel's speech to the graduating classes of 2025 at last week's ceremonies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDb5DvfTktg&t=1s
