Ansh S, an 8th grader at Kellogg Middle School, finished 3rd in the 2025 state MathCounts competition! Ansh is the only student from Rochester and the only student outside the Twin Cities to place in the top four. Ansh will join the other students from the top four in representing Minnesota at the National MathCounts competition in Washington, D.C. next month.
Congrats, Ansh! And good luck at Nationals!
The RPS School Board will meet Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Edison Board Room (615 7th St SW). On the agenda for the Regular session is Housing Stability Initiatives Update, Curriculum Review and Revision Process, School Resource Officer Contract Review, Performance Measures & SCIP 2.0 Process, and School Start Times.
If you cannot attend in person, you can livestream the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/isd535.
You can view the full agenda at https://rochesterschools.org/simbli.
We've got even more Kindergartener content for you all! Our Kindergarteners were so good that we couldn't fit them into one video! Watch the second part of Supt in the Halls: Kindergarten Edition (Now with more Kindergarteners!).
Watch here: https://youtu.be/53UbbA8oUDc
Register your student for Kindergarten today: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/incoming-kindergarten-students
Join us for a College Planning Night on April 25, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., for 8th—to 11th-grade students and parents. Learn more about the tools available to students within Xello and how to better prepare for college opportunities. Save the date and link for the session: bit.ly/3DySo3P
Hey, future kindergarten students and families! Mark your calendars and save the date: you're invited to our Kick Off 2 Kindergarten Fair on Thursday, May 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Century High School. 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! We hope you'll join us!
What's a typical day for an RPS kindergartener? Is it exciting? Are teachers friendly? Will there be snacks? In the latest installation of Supt in the Halls, Dr. Kent Pekel sits with RPS Kindergartener students who share their insightful experiences about their expertise in their day to day activities of kindergarten.
Watch the latest episode of Supt in the Halls: Kindergarten Edition, in the link below.
https://youtu.be/hp6Tu1ogQpk
School age child care is open when you need it, Learn about the hours of SACC from one of our staff members: facebook.com/1184148463404076
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!
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
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.
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.
🍀 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!
