Last Wednesday, not one but two of our elementary students, Elliana H. and Jaxon G., were recognized as finalists in the Hormel Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest. The Hormel Foods BLAACK business resource group sponsored the annual essay competition for elementary and middle school students across the United States. Contestants were asked to write an essay with the theme, “What Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Means to Me.” "I want to carry Dr. King's dream forward by using a big, bold voice every day and standing up for those that don't have a voice," shared Elliana as she read her essay aloud for the presentation. Please join us in congratulating Elliana and Jaxon!
RPS will be closed tomorrow, February 18, due to forecasted cold weather conditions.
➡️ School Age Child Care (SACC) will be open 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Northrop Education Center (201 8th St. NW).
➡️ 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 reservations are canceled.
➡️ All Professional Growth Academy classes are canceled.
➡️ Students who are enrolled in Post-Secondary Enrollment Options ( PSEO) should check with the higher education institution for inclement weather information.
➡️ All high school, after school athletic and activities practices, performances, and games will continue as planned. We will communicate any changes via our website, social media channels, and an email to high school families.
➡️ 21st-century High school after school programs are canceled.
➡️ No supper meals will be provided.
Students will not report to school on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents Day. Staff will participate in a districtwide professional development day. Students will return to school on Tuesday, February 18.
Our JM students have been serving up sweet notes of joy and kindness for the Rochester Community this week leading up to Valentine's Day. For this month's rocket boost, students took the time during their lunch period to send a message for local nursing home residents.
As we continue through the cold winter months and fully enter the second semester of the school year, we would like to ensure that you have information about the many resources that RPS has available to support your student’s mental wellbeing. Research has shown time and again that students’ mental wellness can influence their ability to achieve their full academic potential. Rochester Public Schools wants to ensure that you, as caregivers, know how to access the resources available to assist your student in coping with whatever challenges might arise.
Please read the full list of resources RPS has on offer for RPS students and their families. https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2024879
These second graders are HISTORY MAKERS in the making! We visited Ms. Ruff's class, where they take a moment each day this month to learn about Black American history makers. Each student picks a "history maker of the day" lanyard in the morning, and at the end of the day, shares what they've learned with their classmates. From amazing baseball pitches to kindness to others and standing up for what they believe in, each student walked away inspired. #CelebrateHistory #BHM #RPS
Mr. Tony Yang, school counselor, and Ms. Rachel Light-Diede, music teacher, played a violin, piano duet for our 5th graders recently. As the 5th graders prepare to make musical choices for middle school, this duo really showed them the beauty that can happen when you put your mind to accomplishing something. What amazing things RPS staff do for our students! We are lucky indeed to be surrounded by beautiful, talented people!
Submited by Diana D.
Read the most recent #CelebrateRPS here: https://bit.ly/419BCBW
Know someone who knows how to #CelebrateRPS? Submit them to be in the next newsletter here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/o/rps/page/celebrate
The Elton Hills Heritage Night was amazing! Take a look at just SOME of the things our students showed the Elton Hills community. Go Eagles! #CelebrateRPS
This morning, students across the District participated in Winter Walk to School Day. At Gibbs Elementary, Mayor Kim Norton, the Rochester Police Department, community members, and family members joined us in our walk and effort to thank our neighbors for keeping students safe as they walk to and from school. #walk2schoolday #mnwalks #rochmn #saferoutes2school
Parents and caregivers, did you know your child's school supplies could mean more money back in your pocket next tax season? 📚✨ Save those receipts and discover how the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction can boost your refund: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/k-12-education-subtraction-and-credit
Is your family considering public school for your student's high school experience? Join us for our non-public information night, where we will share information about Rochester Public Schools, specifically for families transitioning from non-public schools. Your family can learn about the steps to enroll in RPS, how to register for 9th-grade classes, and what your child's transition to 9th grade will look like.
RSVP online: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3mLdnwlny8ud1cVpZT52-YDcljDW1qfAJwcVnuDP8edrbSQ/viewform
We'll see you on:
📅 Monday, February 10
⏰ 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
📍 Edison Building (615 7th Street SW, Rochester)
Are you interested in Science and looking for a way to give back to our community? Consider volunteering for the Rochester Regional STEM Fair. Choose the role that best fits you and fill out our volunteer form today: bit.ly/helpstemfair
Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students to earn both high school and college credit while still in high school through enrollment in and successful completion of college courses. PSEO students are not charged tuition, books, or fees for items required to participate in a course.
If you are interested in learning more about PSEO at RPS, join us for an information night on February 20 at 6:30 p.m. at RCTC, or scan the QR code to join virtually. If you have questions, contact your building's counseling office.
Life lately at Rochester Public Schools! Academic success, art, and experiments - field trips, friends, and extracurricular engagement, these are just a few of the things our students have been up to.
"Dear Rochester Public Schools community, In recent days, I've received many questions about whether or not RPS is going to change course on our efforts to create schools and a system in which all students, staff, and families are welcomed, affirmed, and supported. The answer is no; we will not change course. RPS will continue this work, and the reason is that these efforts are critical to achieving our mission of helping all of our students thrive in school and in life.
We are monitoring discussions and developments at the national level, and we will respond to issues that impact Rochester Public Schools in a common-sense way that supports the academic success and positive development of all of our students."
- Kent Pekel, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Rochester Public Schools uses data to improve our ability to increase students' capacity to learn. We collect a variety of data about our students through surveys, assessments, in class, and after they graduate. In an effort to better share information with our current families, potential families, staff, and community, we are excited to announce the launch of our District and Student Data Dashboard: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/district-and-school-data.
"Longfellow was lucky to interact with teachers from Pinewood, and one standout is 4th-grade teacher Mr. Priebe. From day one, he’s been a beacon of positivity—high-fiving and fist-bumping in the hallways, guiding kids, and leading the way with enthusiasm. It’s inspiring to see how he brings people together, fostering collaboration between schools and integrating students. If we all had half his energy and dedication to others, the world would undoubtedly be a better place."
Submitted by Kerri S.
If you want to see someone featured in #CelebrateRPS, submit them using the link below:
https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/celebrate
Read this week's #CelebrateRPS: https://bit.ly/3PSjXbj
Join us for our non-public information night, where we will share information about Rochester Public Schools, specifically for families transitioning from non-public schools. Your family can learn about the steps to enroll in RPS, how to register for 9th-grade classes, and what your child's transition to 9th grade will look like.
RSVP online: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3mLdnwlny8ud1cVpZT52-YDcljDW1qfAJwcVnuDP8edrbSQ/viewform
We'll see you on:
📅 Monday, February 10
⏰ 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
📍 Edison Building (615 7th Street SW, Rochester)
All schools except Longfellow Elementary will be closed on Friday, January 24. Students, enjoy your day off. RPS staff will be participating in a PD/grading day. We'll see you back on Monday, January 27!
RPS will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21, due to forecasted extreme cold weather conditions.
➡️ School Age Child Care (SACC) will be open 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Northrop Education Center (201 8th St. NW).
➡️ 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 reservations are canceled.
➡️ All Professional Growth Academy classes are canceled.
➡️ No supper meals will be provided.
➡️ After-school activities will continue as normal for high schools. No after-school buses will be running from the middle schools to high schools today. Middle school students, please plan accordingly.
