Happy Apple Crunch Day! RPS students were treated to fresh apples from Howling Moon Orchard, which are grown right here in southeastern Minnesota. Washington Elementary students found them delicious (and nutritious)!
about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
Washington students enjoy apples for Minnesota's Apple Crunch Day
Washington students enjoy apples for Minnesota's Apple Crunch Day
Washington students enjoy apples for Minnesota's Apple Crunch Day
Washington students enjoy apples for Minnesota's Apple Crunch Day
It's HOMECOMING WEEK, and our high schoolers brought the homecoming celebration to Lincoln K-8! Drums, Kickline, and Touchdowns made Lincoln's lunchtime celebration even sweeter.
about 1 year ago, Lincoln K-8 Elementary School
Lincoln students posing for a photo
Lincoln students learning how to play the drum
Century cheerleaders showing students cheers
Three girls huddled for a photo as they watch the Century cheerleaders
Lincoln plays football with Mayo football team
Students watch the drumline play
Lincoln students ask questions about playing the drums
Century cheerleaders performing for students on the blacktop
Did you know our early childhood screenings are on the go? This week, our team will be out at SPARK on Thursday, October 9. Appointments are required: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScv0wWUoEAsTkg4KqchvagTln-EucDpsSHdn4-soyujLx6foA/viewform. All children are required to be screened before starting kindergarten, but can be screened as early as three years old to provide you with insight into your child's learning development. Join us at SPARK and make your screening part of the fun!
about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
Bobbi Tweed in front of the Early Childhood Screening Van at Northrop Community Education Center
Join us on Monday, October 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Dakota Middle School to share, learn, and celebrate with our community. We plan to host a vibrant gathering featuring delicious food, cultural dances, and meaningful conversations that honor the resilience, culture, and history of Indigenous people. We hope to see you there!
about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
Join us on Monday, October 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Dakota Middle School to share, learn, and celebrate with our community.  We plan to host a vibrant gathering featuring delicious food, cultural dances, and meaningful conversations that honor the resilience, culture, and history of Indigenous people. We hope to see you there!
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: Enrollment Update, Newcomers Programming Update, Superintendent Evaluation for 2024-25: Outcomes Component Report, Language Access Plan, Approval of Mission, Vision, and Values, Authorization to Close and Sell Friedell, Mighty Oaks, and Skyline.

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.
about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
School Board Meeting template (7)
This school year is off to a great start with higher-than-expected student enrollment numbers! Superintendent Kent Pekel shared the preliminary data during his monthly radio appearance with KROC. For more details on what this means for our district, listen here: https://krocnews.com/rochester-public-schools-higher-enrollment/
about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
75 years and counting! Jefferson hosted its 75th anniversary celebration on Saturday with all the festivities to be expected! Congratulations on the historic milestone Jaguars, and here's to all the years to come.
about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
Jefferson jaguar high fives a child
students got to throw baseballs at the dunk tank
Jefferson was decorated with historical documents, balloons, and other trinkets.
Jefferson principal Dana DeWitz gets dunked in the dunk tank
School board member Justin Cook speaks with a student about the RPS robotics program.
Hans Hollander and his family post for the picture sporting their Jefferson t-shirts!
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: MCA Data Review & Initiative Update, Elementary Science Curriculum Implementation Update, Approval of Vision, Mission, Values, Authorization to close and sell Friedell, Mighty Oaks, and Skyline, Certification of Proposed District Property Tax Levy Payable 2026, Board Meeting Schedule for 2026, and Approval of the 2025-2027 REA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

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.
about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
School Board Meeting template (6)

Friday is bringing in the final celebrations of Mayo High School’s homecoming week! Check out the scenes from Franklin Elementary School's ribbon cutting event, Willow Creek Middle School's spirit day, and the Mayo High School Homecoming Parade. RPS is so happy to have kids back in class and celebrate the amazing community in Rochester.

about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
Mayo student sees some familiar faces in the parade crowd and gives them a hug
Franklin students got to cut the ribbon for their new playground
Willow Creek's EBD,  Mr. Hartman hypes up students before their assembly
Willow Creek students welcomed the Mayo Spartan to their school for spirit day
School board member Jean Marvin hands candy to parade watchers
MHS Nurse Becky and Nurse Caitlin ride in a convertable
Willow Creek Principal Fogarty and Assistant Principal Trapp throw candy to some of their students
Franklin students go over their speeches with Principal Pearson and Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel
Mayo Girls Soccer throws candy to some spectators
Mayo High School Band members chants with their classmates

We are launching our strategic planning process to guide the district through 2030, and your voice is essential. We invite community members to provide insight and direction by participating in design committees, focus groups, or our online feedback form. Help define our priorities for the years to come. Learn more and get involved at https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2406444.

about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
help shape RPS' new strategic plan

Get ready to play! The ribbon is officially cut on the brand new Franklin Elementary Community Schoolyard!

This isn't just any green space; it's a vibrant, adventure-packed wonderland designed by our outstanding students, for our school and our entire neighborhood!

Our Franklin scholars were the lead architects, pouring their brilliant ideas into every corner. Through hands-on design workshops, they brought their dreams to life, creating:
🌳 An awesome nature play area
☀️ An outdoor classroom for learning under the sky
🏀 New recreation spaces for endless fun
🦋 A beautiful pollinator garden to help our buzzing buddies!

Thank you to our incredible partners, Trust for Public Land, for helping us turn this vision into a reality!

about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
Franklin students got to cut the ribbon for their new playground
Franklin students got to cut the ribbon for their new playground
MN state senator Carla Nelson talks to Franklin students
Franklin student speaks in front of her classmates and media about how the new playground will help her and her classmates grow
Franklin Student poses on the new playground
Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel watches students enjoy the new park
MN state senator Carla Nelson talks with a Franklin student
Franklin Principal Pearson talks to media about the new playground
Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel watches students enjoy the new park
Community members discuss future plans for the playground
Calling all past, present, and future Jefferson Elementary families! Save the date to join us for our 75th anniversary celebration on Saturday, September 27 from 3-6 p.m.

Want to share your Jefferson memories with us or volunteer at the event? Learn more at https://jefferson75th.org!
about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
Jefferson 75th anniversary celebration
Sometimes, knowing what steps to take can be hard when you are worried that your student's emotional or mental well-being might be impacted. RPS families have access to a confidential screener online at http://mentalhealthscreeningtools.com/. If the screener results indicate a reason for concern, or if you want to talk with a provider, schedule a free consultation with a mental health professional (https://ffcstaffconsults.as.me/).

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is also available for people experiencing emotional distress, mental health crises, or thoughts of suicide. You can call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org to connect with trained counselors anytime, 24/7.
about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
call or text 988
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: public hearings for proposal to close Mighty Oaks Early Learning School, Skyline, and Friedell, 2026-2030 Strategic Plan Update, Resolutions for MSBA Delegate Assembly, and Certification of Proposed School District Property Tax Levy Payable 2025.

If you cannot attend in person, you can watch the playback of the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/isd535.

You can view all full meeting agendas at https://rochesterschools.org/simbli.
about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
School Board Meeting template (5)
The first day of preschool is a big milestone, and a little rain didn't stop our families from celebrating! We had so much fun welcoming our newest and youngest learners to the classroom today. We're so excited to see all the amazing things our students will learn and do this year!
about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
Preschool parent with child posing with a first day of preschool sign
Dad and daughter posing outside of Mighty Oaks on the first day of school
Preschool teacher smiling while helping a student get to the door for class
Preschool student wearing their backpack outside of their classroom
Family posing for the first day of preschool outside of Hoover.
Mom taking a photo of their student on the first day of school
Student reading a book before class.
Teacher helping two students to the door for the first day of school.
Family of five posing for photo as they drop off their preschooler.

Rochester Public Schools uses the Standard Response Protocol in response to emergencies that may occur in our school buildings. Students and staff will train, practice, and drill the protocol throughout the year. Learn more about what "hold," "secure," "lockdown," "evacuate," and "shelter" mean: https://www.rochesterschools.org/standard-response-protocol

about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
Standard response protocol list
And just like that, the first day of school is in the books for our elementary schools! It was a day filled with reuniting with friends, meeting new teachers, and settling into the familiar learning rhythm.

Our deepest gratitude to our incredible teachers and staff who worked so hard to ensure our students felt welcomed and supported today. We are honored to be a part of this community and look forward to a positive year ahead.
about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
Group of students smiling at the camera while sitting in a stairwell
Two students smiling at the camera outside the bus
a parent and their child smilng at the camera
Three friends smiling at the camera
Siblings dropping off their youngest sibling at school
A teacher reading to her class
twins wearing matching red bows in their hair on their first day
A parent and their child

It was a rush as our secondary students came through the halls this morning, as the bells rang for the first day of secondary school! The sounds of the lockers closing and laughter made the hallways come alive, and we're so happy you're here!

about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
Student at RALC trying not to laugh while posing for a photo.
Student opening their locker on the first day of school at John Adams Middle School.
Students at Kellogg giving the camera a thumbs up as they get ready for class at their desks.
Student and parent posing for a photo at Century High.
A large group of students posing in front of the school before the first bell rings.
Three students at JA posing for a photo outside of the front doors.
Students smiling at the teacher as they begin class.
Parent and a student posing for a photo at the RALC.
Student at Century ready for class in their desk.
Tune in for Superintendent Pekel's podcast appearance on KROC. This month's important topic is "Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in Rochester Public Schools." Listen to the conversation to learn more about RPS' strategies and goals.

Listen here: https://krocnews.com/rochester-public-schools-superintendent-radio-show/

about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools

Folwell Elementary families: Due to construction on 2nd Street, there will be increased traffic flow to 6th Street, one of the most common routes to Folwell. But there's a better way! Check out this map with our advised route for the Load & Go line at bit.ly/folwellroute. (Approaching from the south is the key!)

about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
Folwell Traffic Route Map
Folwell preferred map