Did you know that Rochester Public Schools has five community schools? Gage, Riverside, Franklin, John Adams, and John Marshall are home to our community schools and supported by our community school site facilitators. Their focus is to bring together academics, health, social services, youth and community development, and community engagement. When all these factors work together, the data shows improved student learning, stronger families, and healthier communities. The work being done within our community schools is just one of the ways that Rochester Public Schools works to ensure each student can flourish in their own path.
7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Lisa Becker standing in the Riverside Community School room.
United Way presenting Rochester Public School representatives with a donation check.
Julie McLaren standing in front of the Gage clothing rack.
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 Special Session is: Field Trip Fees. On the agenda for tomorrow's Regular Meeting is: Attendance Data and Initiatives Update, Philanthropy Strategy, Course Registration Guide, and Policy Committee Recommendations.

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.
7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
School Board Meeting template (9)

Congratulations to Brian Ihrke, John Marshall High School's Activities Director, on being voted the Region 1AA Activities Director of the Year by his peers. A well-deserved honor for his leadership and dedication to the Rockets!

7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Brian Ihrke voted Region 1AA Activities Director of the Year
Yesterday, we gathered to celebrate our urban Native community, enjoying delicious food, cultural dances, and meaningful conversations that honor the resilience, culture, and history of Indigenous people. This event offered our community the opportunity to highlight our American Indian Education program, which provides cultural and academic support to students with Indigenous heritage specifically with state and federally recognized tribes. Minnesota is home to 11 sovereign nations, and Rochester Public Schools are situated on ancestral lands of the Dakota people. We acknowledge and honor the Dakota Nations and the sacred land of all Indigenous peoples.
7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Dakota Boys drums for the opening song
Mayo Clinic Employee Resource Group leaders talking into the microphone.
Individual dancer in movement on the stage
Jingle dancer mid-air
Dancer talking about her style and background of dance.
Aztec Dancers in a circle on stage
Young Aztec dancer learning the practice of dance.
Dakota Boyz speaker talking about the importance of a circle
Aztec dancer watching the floor as they move into the next dance section
Aztec dancer in green and red with her bells in her hand
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: Religious Holidays and 2027-28 RPS Calendar Design and World Languages 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.
7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
School Board Meeting template (8)
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)!
7 months 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.
7 months 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
As part of our Attendance Matters initiative, we are sending all families an attendance update today. This message will provide a current snapshot of your student’s attendance record for the year so far. Our goal is to keep you informed and partner with you to support your student's learning. You can always view up-to-the-minute attendance data in Skyward. Learn more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/attendance-matters
7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Every day counts. Every student matters. Attendance is the first step to success!
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!
7 months 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!
7 months 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.
7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
School Board Meeting template (7)

Your student might qualify for extra benefits! Fill out the Application for Educational Benefits to find out! Bonus: filling out the application will benefit the entire school district. Fill the form at rochesterschools.org/page/application-for-benefits

7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Fill the Form, More Than Meals, MN Department of Education
Fill the Form, More Than Meals, Even though school meals are provided at no cost, the Application for Educational Benefits still matters.
Benefits for your family; Your student may qualify for other benefits such as discounted fees for the following: Activities and athletics through your school or Community Education AP tests College applications Transportation Internet for your home SUN bucks Scholarships for: Early Childhood Family Education classes or RPS Preschool. Benefits for our schools: Educational Funding for the School District: Teachers Education Support Professionals Social workers Math and reading support. Apply onine.
Why apply? Through the MN Free Meals Program, all Rochester Public Schools students can receive one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day at school. Although no application is required to receive the free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important, as your student may qualify for other benefits such as discounted fees. Apply online. For more information connect with Student Nutrition Services studentnutritionservices@rochesterschools.org. Rochester Public Schools

Mighty Oaks Early Learning School officially celebrated its new location, bringing new energy to the former Pinewood Elementary building. This new location brings our early childhood programming to a more centralized location. It features an extra special addition—a brand-new traffic garden where kids can ride scooters and bikes while also learning about pedestrian safety.

Thank you to all who joined us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony! Congratulations to our Mighty Oaks Early Learning students, staff, and families!

7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Erica Schumacher cuts the ribbon to open the new Mighty Oaks Early Learning School with supporters smiling behind her.
Group gathers to celebrate the opening of Mighty Oaks Early Learning School 's new location.
Malissa Nelson speaks at the Mighty Oaks Early Learning School ribbon cutting.
Mighty-Oaks-Ribbon-Cutting_social-square-resize4
One brother helps another ride a scooter at the traffic garden.
A parking lot turning into a traffic garden with scooters and painted roads on the blacktop.
Mighty Oaks Early Learning School front exterior
It was a perfect morning for Walk to School Day! Pinewood Elementary students hopped off the bus at Bear Creek Park, then walked the rest of the way along Marion Road—practicing safe walking skills with friends and crossing guards. Mayor Norton, the Rochester Police Department, the School Board, Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel, and even Slider from the Rochester Honkers joined in as well!
7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Pinewood Elementary students in a large group in Bear Creek Park
Kids chat with their friends after getting off school buses.
Four boys pose for camera. One holds a sign reading, "walk to school with the school board."
A long line of students walk and run in Bear Creek Park.
Rochester Honkers' Slider and Pinewood students safely cross a crosswalk.
Three students walk arm-in-arm.
Students race through arches made of pool noodles and traffic cones.
A long line of students with backpacks on the sidewalk.
Posed picture of Mayor Norton, Rochester Police Department members, School Board members, Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel, Principal Heidi Howe, and Rochester Public School staff.
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/
7 months 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.
7 months 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.
8 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
School Board Meeting template (6)

Overland Elementary School is intentionally building community every school day! By adjusting their schedule, Overland created a 20-minute routine at the beginning of the day to provide time for community-building circles in all classrooms. These community-building circles help students, teachers, and Education Support Professional (ESP) staff get to know each other and strengthen relationships between students and staff. Way to go, Overland Owls!

8 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Teacher and class sit in a discussion circle with a prompt on the smartboard that says, "How you show up at school impacts other people. Share about a time when you positively impacted others at school."
Two students listen to their classmate speak gleefully into the microphone.
Teacher points to a smartboard that says, "Week 2: Our Classroom as a Community; Day 5: What makes you laugh?"
Overland Elementary student shares about what makes her laugh to her classmates during a morning community circle.
Teacher and students sit on the floor and listen to the kid with the plush pencil talk.

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.

8 months 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.

8 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
help shape RPS' new strategic plan