During May, we're celebrating Speech-Language-Hearing Month to raise awareness of communication disorders in children through adults. Learn more about this by watching this video from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhp83mZ6bLI
April is Autism Awareness Month. This month plays a crucial role in fostering a more inclusive and supportive community for individuals with autism, and it is important to increase understanding and reduce stigma. The more awareness we have, the closer we are to acceptance.
Jefferson Elementary is home to five of the district's intensive autism classrooms. On Friday, April 26th, each grade level wore a particular rainbow color. Rainbows are a common association with autism because they represent the scope of abilities and diagnoses on the autism spectrum.
On Thursday, April 25, 2024, Sunset Terrace had their Family Identity Night. To understand the event's theme, we will take you back to last year, when Sunset Terrace decided to do a school-wide, year-long project centered around the children's book Where Are You From? Written by Yamile Saied Mendez. Yamile's story aims to have kids answer a simple but powerful question: "Where are you from?" The story concludes with the understanding that while we are all from somewhere, where we are really from is our heart and the love of all those before us.
During the Family Identity Night, students, staff, and some community members showcased where they are from, displaying ethnic and cultural outfits, class projects, and performances. There were many activities for families to enjoy, from getting henna tattoos, trying delicious food from around the world, watching students and community members perform, to even getting to meet Yamile Saied Mendez herself and receiving a signed book from her.
In honor of its 50th Anniversary this year, RPS Community Education is seeking submissions of artwork by our community members about our community to reinforce the lifelong learning mission of Community Education through our publications, event wear, items for sale, and other ways. Submissions are due April 30. Learn more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1544243
Today, April 26, is Arbor Day! Celebrate today by:
• Hiking through the woods on a nearby trail. (Information on Rochester area trails can be found at rochestermn.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation/parks-trails-recreation-facilities/park-trail-system-maps)
• Planting or donating a tree.
• Reading a book about trees
• Making a plan to reduce, reuse and recycle.
"If you want a child’s mind to grow, you must first plant a seed."
Last night, students and families came together to help Riverside Elementary "bloom" within Rochester. To prepare for this celebration, students, families, and staff have been expanding Riverside's outdoor classroom with new benches and hammock stands, which have helped to prepare Riverside's garden. Our community partners, Master Gardeners of Rochester, WSU, and Mike Arturi of The Lovin Spoonful, helped our families experience the outdoors through integrated, hands-on learning experiences within Riverside's DNR-certified School Forest and garden. These Deeper Learning experiences allowed families to enrich their lives, unite as one community, and plant ideas for future learning experiences for Riverside students.
Student Leadership comes in many forms: athletic teams, students of academic excellence, student councils, clubs, music, plays, and so much more. At Rochester Public Schools, we also offer our secondary students a unique opportunity to participate in our Student School Board program.
Read More: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1568759
They're often the first faces you see when you walk into a building, and they're always ready and willing to help. Our schools and buildings wouldn't be the way they are without them. Thank you to all of our administrative professionals!
The beat was strong, and the energy was high at Dakota Middle School's first drumline performance today, where students showed their peers what they have been working on behind the band room walls!
Are you interested in running for the RPS School Board this fall or learning more about how our school board runs? School Board Academy is an important opportunity to learn about the responsibilities, requirements, resources, policies, and practices related to being a member of the Rochester ISD #535 School Board. This event will take place at the Edison Board Room (615 7th St SW). It will be very informative to individuals considering running for the Rochester School Board or community members looking for a deeper understanding of the work of the school board. Chair Cathy Nathan and Vice Chair Julie Workman will teach the classes.
Please sign up for one of the two dates - the content will be identical on both days. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczs9EoouSVpCvzS-6ePsBIF9pSzAs_C8ffRW-KxPjOWebt1g/viewform
Hey future RPS kindergarten families, you've had a chance to tour your school and meet your principal, now join us for an information fair! Meet with RPS departments like transportation, Student Nutrition Services, School Age Child Care, and more, and our partner community organizations like United Way of Olmsted County, Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center, Cradle2Career. The Kindergarten Information Fair is on Thursday, May 2, from 4:30- 7 p.m. at Mayo High School.
Wishing a happy Passover to those who celebrate.
Happy Earth Day! We can't wait to hear about all the earth day activities throughout our schools.
Looking for ideas? Try one of the fun earth-friendly activities 🌎 below:
• Bring a trash bag on your family walk and fill it with any trash you find.
• Try "earth painting" by using mud as paint on sidewalks or paper or use non-toxic watercolors to paint river rocks.
• Create a Recycle, Reuse, Reduce collage: Use "trash" (paper scraps, labels, junk mail, and other found items) and glue to create a multimedia masterpiece.
• Learn more about what you can recycle as a family with a tour by Olmsted County Environmental Resources this Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their Waste-to-Energy Facility. More information: https://bit.ly/49Hd5VO
Let's grow together!
Happy Mahavir Jayanti to those who celebrate.
Happy First Day of Ridván to those who celebrate.
Hey RPS students, as the weather warms, we wanted to remind you of the importance of safety, especially as you walk or ride your bike or scooter to school. We made a video with the Rochester Police Department with a few reminders: https://youtu.be/x1kYWW081ng?si=K7MJQdDL3Jz_ybxv
Franklin Elementary School has enriched and engaged students and families throughout the school year. Catch up on some of the fantastic opportunities our students have had and are currently experiencing:
• Free after-school enrichment program
• Collaborative Community Mural
• Youth bench building project
• Strategies for Success Parent Education Series
• Swimming Program
Learn more about these experiences: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1557797
In our efforts to bridge the communication gap and further engage families in their student's education, RPS partners with TalkingPoints to introduce two-way communication into our school communities. Currently, our families are utilizing TalkingPoints in over 40 languages, helping families remove language barriers.
This school year, our staff and families have exchanged over two million messages through TalkingPoints. We hope to continue the conversation with you!
April is National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month and a time to celebrate the linguistic diversity that bilingual and multilingual students and families bring to our school community. As a school district, we support our multilingual families with the help of multilingual and bilingual specialists who help break language barriers and strengthen communication between our staff, students, and school communities.
Meet our Bilingual Specialists :
Wishing a happy Rama Navami to those who celebrate.
