Referendum

We're in the heart of summer, soaking up the sun! But just like your favorite ice cream cone, summer eventually has to end. And that means getting ready for a new school year! While it might feel early to trade in your swimsuits for notebooks, consider getting a head start on your back-to-school supplies. Get your list here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/schoolsupplies

What an incredible 2024-2025 school year! As we close the books on another year, we want to thank our amazing students, staff, and families for making it so special. Your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm made this year truly memorable. We've loved every moment of learning, growing, and achieving together. While we're sad to see it end, we're already looking forward to continuing the adventure with all of you next school year!

We forgot to mention a big accomplishment from this school year: the passing of the 2024 Ignite Student Learning Referendum! Watch this brief video from Superintendent Pekel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQK9P5NxpZU

Get Ready, because free summer meals are back! Starting June 9, summer meals will be offered at Elton Hills, Gage, Franklin, Longfellow, Overland, Riverside, Washington, Willow Creek, and John Marshall High School. Breakfast and lunch served daily. All meals for children 18 years of age or younger are FREE. Adult meals can also be purchased for $3.10 for breakfast and $5.50 for lunch. See the flyer for a full list, dates, and times, or visit www.rochesterschools.org/summermeals for more information. 🍏 June Menu: https://5il.co/3gpjn 🍏 Flyers: https://www.rochesterschools.org/documents/school-meals-and-menus/summer-meals/805175

There will be no school on Monday, May 26, and RPS offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 27.

The RPS School Board will meet today at 5:30 p.m. in the Edison Board Room (615 7th St SW). On the agenda for tonight's study session is the SCIP 2.0 Success Measures and Process Recommendation. If you cannot attend in person, you can livestream the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/isd535. You can view tonight's and other meeting's full agendas at https://rochesterschools.org/simbli.

Rochester Public Schools wouldn't be the same without the dedicated, compassionate, and hardworking individuals who make a difference every day, whether they're teaching in classrooms, supporting students, or keeping our schools running smoothly behind the scenes. As a small gesture of gratitude, we invite you to share a few words of encouragement with a staff member who has made a positive impact on you or your student(s). Your message can go a long way in brightening someone's day and reminding them just how appreciated they are. Send a thank you card: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2149885

There is no school from Monday, March 31, to Friday, April 4. Students, enjoy your spring break vacation. See you back on Monday, April 7!

RPS is canceling school tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in anticipation of the blizzard warning issued by the National Weather Service. Here’s what this means: ➡️ This is a complete District building closure due to the anticipated severity of the storm. We will not be clearing parking lots until the storm has passed. ➡️ High school MCA testing is rescheduled for next week. Families will receive further communication from their respective schools about the rescheduled date. ➡️ School Age Child Care (SACC) will be closed. ➡️ All PAIIR, Preschool Age Child Care (PACC), Preschool, and Community Education daytime and evening classes for early childhood, youth, adults, and adults with exceptional abilities are canceled. ➡️ Hawthorne Education Center is closed. ➡️ All community building rentals are canceled. ➡️ All Professional Growth Academy classes are canceled. ➡️ All after-school activities and athletics are canceled.

School supplies adding up? Don't toss those receipts just yet! Did you know most purchases qualify for the valuable K-12 Education Credit or Subtraction? Learn how to claim your savings next tax season: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/k-12-education-subtraction-and-credit

Join us for our hiring event on Friday, March 28 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!

Students will not report to school on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents Day. Staff will participate in a districtwide professional development day. Students will return to school on Tuesday, February 18.

Students will not report to school on Monday, February 17 in observance of Presidents Day. Staff will participate in a districtwide professional development day. Students will return to school on Tuesday, February 18.

Parents and caregivers, did you know your child's school supplies could mean more money back in your pocket next tax season? 📚✨ Save those receipts and discover how the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction can boost your refund: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/k-12-education-subtraction-and-credit

"Dear Rochester Public Schools community, In recent days, I've received many questions about whether or not RPS is going to change course on our efforts to create schools and a system in which all students, staff, and families are welcomed, affirmed, and supported. The answer is no; we will not change course. RPS will continue this work, and the reason is that these efforts are critical to achieving our mission of helping all of our students thrive in school and in life. We are monitoring discussions and developments at the national level, and we will respond to issues that impact Rochester Public Schools in a common-sense way that supports the academic success and positive development of all of our students." - Kent Pekel, Ed.D. Superintendent

All schools except Longfellow Elementary will be closed on Friday, January 24. Students, enjoy your day off. RPS staff will be participating in a PD/grading day. We'll see you back on Monday, January 27!

RPS will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21, due to forecasted extreme cold weather conditions. ➡️ School Age Child Care (SACC) will be open 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Northrop Education Center (201 8th St. NW). ➡️ All PAIIR, Preschool Age Child Care (PACC), Preschool, and Community Education daytime and evening classes, for early childhood, youth, adults, and adults with exceptional abilities are canceled. ➡️ Hawthorne Education Center is closed. ➡️ All community building reservations are canceled. ➡️ All Professional Growth Academy classes are canceled. ➡️ No supper meals will be provided. ➡️ After-school activities will continue as normal for high schools. No after-school buses will be running from the middle schools to high schools today. Middle school students, please plan accordingly.

There will be no school on Monday, January 20, and RPS offices will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 21.

“The community’s approval of the Ignite Student Learning Referendum will enable Rochester Public Schools (RPS) to avoid closing schools, raising class sizes, and making major cuts to positions and programs that serve our students. It will provide RPS with the financial stability we need to continue implementing our ambitious strategic plan and to remain focused on our academic mission. Most importantly, it is an investment in our students that will pay off in the skilled workforce that Rochester needs to thrive in the decades ahead. We look forward to providing regular updates to the community on how the referendum funds are being used, and we will work hard to continue earning and strengthening the trust that the community has placed in us through its approval of the referendum on November 5, 2024.”

Tomorrow is Election Day! Today is the last day for early voting. You can vote today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2122 Campus Drive SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN, or 201 4th St. SE in Rochester, (Conference Room 104), Rochester, MN. Don't forget to vote on the Ignite Student Learning referendum to increase the operating levy and allow RPS to continue helping every student reach their full potential. Learn how to make your voice heard: https://referendum.rochesterschools.org/voting-information