These kids are on the ball! Washington Elementary's PTA-led T-ball league practiced throws, ball retrieval, and teamwork. Kids and parents alike enjoyed the fresh air and community.
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Riverside families! Cara Felderman will be joining Riverside as our next Assistant Principal. Ms. Felderman is currently the instructional coach at Gage and brings 18 years of experience as a classroom teacher and instructional coach. She taught here at Riverside for six years, so this is a bit of a homecoming! Please join us in welcoming Ms. Felderman to the Otter family

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
The RPS School Board will meet tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. in Room #26 (615 7th St SW). On the agenda for tomorrow’s regular meeting is: School Board Self-Evaluation and School Board Goal Development.

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.
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Taking home the gold! Mayo High School Spartans bring home two gold medals and national champion titles!

Mayo High School junior Kai Joyner took 1st place in the 400m at the Speedo Junior National Championships this week! Kai’s incredible momentum continues to build after a record-breaking sophomore season—setting 16 regional pool records, breaking Big Nine and Section 1AA meet records in the 200 & 500 free, earning two state titles, and anchoring multiple Mayo relay and individual records.

On the national level, Kai represented Team USA on the London All-Star Team, placed 2nd at the Toyota USA Swimming National Championships, and now heads to Vancouver for the Junior Pan Pacific Championships. Good luck, Kai!

We also want to shout out another Rochester Public Schools student and soon-to-be Spartan, Elliot Leasure, who took 1st place in the 100m backstroke to become a National Champion!
We are so proud of both of our champions!
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Hey parents! We have seats available at Hoover and Mighty Oaks Early Learning Schools for students who live in Elton Hills, Franklin, Gage, and Riverside boundaries. Children must be 4 years old by September 1, 2026. Full scholarships are available for qualifying kids. Find out more and register at https://preschool.rochesterschools.org/o/pre.

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
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 Regular Meeting is: Summer Academy 2026, Major Agenda Items for 2026-2027 ABCD, School Program Relocations and Changes, and Approval of 2026-2027 Student Handbook.

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.
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Congratulations to our Rochester Public Schools Special Education (SpEd) Pipeline graduates! Through the RPS SpEd Pipeline program, funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), these dedicated educators have completed the training required to earn their special education teaching licenses. We are proud of their commitment to students and grateful for the positive impact they will make in our schools.
4 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
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 regular meeting is: Policy Committee Recommendations, School and Program Relocations and Changes, and Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan.

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.
4 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Are you ready to lift off for the new school year? We're so excited to see you back in a little over a month, and even sooner for our Longfellow friends (July 20-22 to be exact!). Though we know you're still enjoying the summer, we want to make sure you have the information you need to prep for the back-to-school season, including school supply lists! Just know we can't wait to see you back soon!

Learn more about Back to School: www.rochesterschools.org/backtoschool
School Supply Lists: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pnP_ywopD8TOiNyTd7CgNokE5WgOnIjE?usp=drive_link
4 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
The summer has been heating up, but our friends at SACC are working on staying cool! Check out these photos of them making a splash!
4 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
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 regular meeting is: Long-Range Technology Plan, Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan, and Policy Committee Recommendations from June 18, 2026 and June 25, 2026.

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.
4 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Rochester Public Schools buildings, offices, and programs, including summer SACC, summer food meal sites, and Summer Academy, will be closed Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day, which falls on a weekend. We will resume regular operating hours on Monday, July 6.

5 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

On June 22, 2026, Representative Brad Finstad sent a letter to Minnesota Commissioner of Education Willie Jett to “express concerns regarding the influence of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Learning for Justice program and related social justice frameworks being integrated into the Rochester Public School District.” Neither Representative Finstad nor any member of his staff contacted Rochester Public Schools (RPS) before sending the letter to ask whether Learning for Justice curriculum, materials, or frameworks are currently being used in RPS or have been used in recent years. Read the full statement here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2594197

5 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Last night we celebrated our Retiring Class of 2026!

With so many years of combined experience in education and at Rochester Public Schools, we are grateful for the time and dedication these wonderful staff members have given to our schools and students. Thank you for your contribution, and we wish you the best of luck in your next chapters!
5 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
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 regular meeting is: Social Studies Curriculum Adoption, Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget, and the 2027-2028 District Calendar.

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.
5 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

ICYMI: Superintendent Pekel's message to our graduating classes: "So graduates, do not be embarrassed if you feel nervous when you step onto this stage. Be proud of it. Your nervousness is proof that you are awake to your own life. And as you accept your diplomas, my challenge to you is this: Keep doing things that make you nervous. Apply for the job. Start the class. Make the call. Ask the question. Stand up for someone. Walk into rooms where you are not yet sure you belong. Because very often, nervousness is the feeling we get right before growth." Catch his full message to the graduating classes of 2026 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Lcm_2I_OSo

5 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Did you hear summer meals are back? Children 18 and younger eat free; breakfast and lunch are available. For locations, dates, and operating hours, visit: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/summer-meals
5 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
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: School and Program Relocations and Changes .

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.
5 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
As the school year and our graduation season is coming to a close, we’re ready to celebrate the Class of 2026 at Century, John Marshall, Mayo, and MNSync Online’s graduation ceremonies today! We want to take a moment to celebrate all you’ve accomplished this year, and all the milestones yet to come!

Can’t make it to the ceremony? Watch online at: https://www.youtube.com/ISD535

#Classof2026 #RPS #Seniors2026 #Century #JohnMarshall #Mayo
5 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Free summer meals are back! Starting Monday, June 8, free meals will be available for children ages 1 to 18. Meals for adults are also available at a small cost. For locations, dates, and operating hours, visit: www.rochesterschools.org/summermeals

5 months ago, Rochester Public Schools