Rochester Public Schools -

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

Bamber Valley sent its students off to Spring Break in style by bringing in America's Got Talent Golden Buzzer winner, Mandy Harvey! Mandy, who became deaf when she was 18, shares a commonality with Bamber Valley's deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Thus, Bamber Valley students got an in-person example of overcoming challenges and accomplishing goals. Thank you for sharing your journey with Bamber Valley students, Mandy! Congratulations on being the inaugural Bamber Buzzer winner!

There is no school from Monday, March 31, to Friday, April 4. Students, enjoy your spring break vacation. See you back on Monday, April 7!

Calling all future kindergarten students! Save the date: we're hosting our annual Kick Off 2 Kindergarten Fair on Thursday, May 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Century High School (2525 Viola Rd NE, Rochester, MN 55906). 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! Tell your friends and join us!

Looking for a way to get involved with RPS? Join our CCIAC group. We need a diverse group of parents, community members, business leaders, and students to share their voices about the education of all Rochester Public Schools learners. The role of the CCIAC is to provide input and feedback on curriculum, instruction, and learning across RPS schools. The next meeting is Thursday, April 17, at the Edison Building, 615 7th ST SW. The group will meet for 90 minutes and dinner will be provided. Please RSVP at: https://bit.ly/cciac-rsvp

Join us for our hiring event tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Open positions include: Licensed School Counselors Speech Language Pathologist Assistants Education Support Professionals Special Education Teachers Math Teachers Science Teachers Maintenance workers Occupational Therapists Health Office Nurses/Licensed School Nurses Student Nutrition Services and more! Join us at the Edison Board Room, 615 7th St SW. Walk-ins are welcome, and virtual interviews are available! Sign up for a virtual interview at https://bit.ly/march29hiringevent. Join the RPS team and make a direct impact on your community!

Beyond the office, Principal Schroeder is building connections! On Tuesday, he rolled up his sleeves and served lunch to support our amazing Washington Elementary staff and students. Meeting students where they are means stepping in and making a difference, one lunch tray at a time.

Let's give a round of applause to Longfellow! 👏 They faced the wild! Longfellow students conquered the MN Zoo's ZOOMS Design Challenge, winning the Conservation Award. 🐯 The ZOOMS STEM Design Challenge presented by Flint Hills Resources offers students a chance to develop a solution to a ‘real’ problem faced by Zookeepers and staff at the Minnesota Zoo. From designing an enrichment to building a model of a renovated animal exhibit, the problem will challenge students to use their science and math knowledge, creativity, problem-solving, and research skills during the engineering design process to best solve the problem and present a solution.

Who have you celebrated during Women's History Month? Sabrina Mayol, Lincoln and Folwell Elementary's equity specialist, spoke to students about Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient who advocates for women's education. See some of the photos from Ms. Mayol's readings of Malala's book, Malala's Magic Pencil. #CelebrateRPS

Stay connected with Rochester Public Schools! 📱 Did you know we have a FREE app packed with features to keep you in the loop? Get instant weather alerts, school updates, lunch menus, and easily add school events to your phone's calendar! Share events with family and friends in a tap. Don't miss out – download the RPS app today and simplify your school life! Android: https://bit.ly/3q4YKls | iPhone: https://apple.co/456qdlD

Set your clocks! School Age Child Care (SACC) summer registration opens April 14, 2025, at 6:00 a.m. for Summer SACC. If you're considering summer care for your K-5 students, consider making it a summer of fun with our educational and enriching summer school age child care! Learn more at www.rochesterschools.org/sacc.

Over the last few weeks, groups of eleventh-grade Economics students at John Marshall High School have worked together to understand the community's needs and Rochesster's downtown local economy and create a business to support both. These future entrepreneurs need your support as they Pitch their final ideas. Come help us celebrate their hard work on Friday, March 21, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Historic Chateau Theatre.

RPS is canceling school tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in anticipation of the blizzard warning issued by the National Weather Service. Here’s what this means: ➡️ This is a complete District building closure due to the anticipated severity of the storm. We will not be clearing parking lots until the storm has passed. ➡️ High school MCA testing is rescheduled for next week. Families will receive further communication from their respective schools about the rescheduled date. ➡️ School Age Child Care (SACC) will be closed. ➡️ All PAIIR, Preschool Age Child Care (PACC), Preschool, and Community Education daytime and evening classes for early childhood, youth, adults, and adults with exceptional abilities are canceled. ➡️ Hawthorne Education Center is closed. ➡️ All community building rentals are canceled. ➡️ All Professional Growth Academy classes are canceled. ➡️ All after-school activities and athletics are canceled.

Earn your Bilingual Seal! Graduating high school students in Minnesota who have a multilingual background and/or are studying a language other than English, are eligible to earn a bilingual seal after their graduation. Fill out the survey at tinyurl.com/RPSSeals2025 and register for an exam time.

Join us for our hiring event on Friday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Open positions include: Licensed School Counselors Speech Language Pathologist Assistants Education Support Professionals Special Education Teachers Math Teachers Science Teachers Maintenance workers Occupational Therapists Health Office Nurses/Licensed School Nurses Student Nutrition Services and more! Join us at the Edison Board Room, 615 7th St SW. Walk-ins are welcome, and virtual interviews are available! Sign up for a virtual interview at https://bit.ly/march29hiringevent. Join the RPS team and make a direct impact on your community!

🍀 Leprechaun Reveal! Ms. Mammel Takes the Gold! 🌈 Last week, Willow Creek students showed their amazing generosity by collecting "gold coins" through donations to vote for their very own Leprechaun! These donations will help support the school's end-of-the-year celebration for students and staff. Willow Creek kicked off its last day of fundraising with a special appearance by its Cheer Team, who showed their skills!

Our schools are gearing up for the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs)! 📝💻These tests cover reading, mathematics, and science and are based on the Minnesota Academic Standards. Schools use the results to fine tune their instruction and better support all students' learning. Want to learn more about the MCAs? Visit: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/tests/