Rochester Public Schools -

One level of our building blocks in the Strategic Plan is to create community by enhancing belonging and behavior so that all students feel accepted and safe at school. This Student Handbook is designed to assist with inspiring, challenging, and empowering all students. It is closely aligned with RPS’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Model (PBIS), a framework that assists schools in identifying and implementing research-based behavioral interventions in an effort to improve social and academic outcomes for all students. PBIS is based on the idea that students learn appropriate behavior through instruction, practice, feedback, and encouragement. The teachers and the principal at your child’s school will explain the rules for the classroom, playground, lunchroom, and other building spaces. School staff will help by teaching the rules more than once when needed. They will call you if they need you to help your child understand the rules. The handbook explains the rules and what may happen if the rules are not followed. While rules and expectations are not always popular, they help us put into words the types of behaviors that support a positive and inclusive learning climate and those that don't. With learning as our top priority, it's important that our school community agree to follow a set of behaviors most likely to help all members succeed.

Please take some time to read this important document and discuss it with your children. Together we can help our students stay in class and in school so they can take advantage of the many learning opportunities available to them every day. At the back of this Handbook you will find a form to complete, indicating you have read this Handbook. Please complete the acknowledgement form located at the end of the student handbook and return it to your school principal or follow the instructions to acknowledge you’ve read the handbook online through Skyward’s student information verification. If you have questions or concerns about this Handbook or the support we offer, please contact your child’s principal or our Office of School Support at 507.328.4300.

Sincerely,

Kent Pekel, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools 

If you have questions regarding discipline, please contact the Office of School Support.

RPS's approach to student discipline aims to help students learn good behavior and to limit situations in which students are removed from their classroom or from school. To that end, RPS staff address student behavior issues using a two-level approach. Level I issues involve minor infractions that are addressed in the classroom by a teacher, educator support professionals, or other personnel. Level II issues involve more serious infractions that require an office referral and are addressed by a school administrator or district-level administrator. Specific definitions for Level I and Level II offenses are included in the Appendix to this Handbook.

Rochester Public School believes technology can enhance students’ learning experiences by creating opportunities for personalized and relevant learning. Technology can be a tool to amplify student voices and empower them to think critically, communicate, collaborate, solve problems, and become digital citizens.

Please click on the button to complete the form online or through the Skyward family portal by October 1, 2024 in order to ensure that all parents, guardians, and students have received and reviewed a copy of the Rochester Public Schools (“RPS”) Student Handbook (“Handbook”).