Rochester Public Schools -

Our students at Gibbs are celebrating the end of the week with this amazing weather! Playing outside in the sunshine, in class celebrating their hard work and accomplishments, students building carnival games, and even some good reading to end the day.

Join us in celebrating the amazing people who make our schools a place where every student thrives in school and in life. As a small gesture of gratitude, we're continuing our annual tradition by inviting you to share a few words of encouragement with a staff member who has made a positive impact on you or your student. Your message can go a long way in brightening someone's day and reminding them just how appreciated they are. This year's cards are a nod to Rochester landmarks.

Visit www.rochesterschools.org/staff-appreciation and choose a card (or two) to send a brief, heartfelt message. We'll make sure your words are delivered to staff members during the week of May 11-15. Submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 10.

RPS is canceling school tomorrow, Monday, March 16, in anticipation of the blizzard warning issued by the National Weather Service.

Here’s what this means:

• Due to the anticipated severity of the storm, this is a complete district building closure. We will not be clearing parking lots until the storm has passed.

• School Age Child Care will be closed.

• All PAIIR, Preschool Age Child Care, 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.

Century students and staff showed resolve of steel as they took the plunge in windy, 42-degree weather. The 103 plungers raised $7,767 for Special Olympics and their Unified School Program. All three high schools braved the Polar Plunge this week. We are so proud of you, students and staff...oh, and Superintendent Kent Pekel too!

Mayo High School families: Power has been restored to the building. After-school activities and sports will run as planned.

Mayo HS families: We are canceling school today, Friday, March 13, 2026. The high winds in our area have caused several power outages in the neighborhood. As a result, the building is currently without the necessary power and systems to operate school as scheduled. We will send a follow-up message by midday today regarding the status of after-school activities and athletics.

During today’s Curriculum and Development Day, staff across the district came together to learn, reflect, and build connections with one another. These dedicated days keep staff informed about upcoming initiatives and expectations while also creating space for meaningful problem-solving. By sharing insights and strategies from their own perspectives, teams work together to strengthen instruction and better support students.