Join us at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo! 🦉🌲
Catch the bus or meet us there! Bring the family along for a fun-filled day of exploring nature, meeting wildlife, and creating unforgettable memories! This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the beauty of Oxbow Park and see the animals up close at Zollman Zoo—all at no cost!
📅 Date: Saturday, October 12
🕙 Time: 10 AM-12 PM
📍 Location: Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo
Don't miss out—space is limited if you want to join us on the bus, so sign up soon! 🐻🐢 Registration is only required if you are riding the bus, https://rochester.ce.eleyo.com/course/ecfe/23360/2024-fall-ecfe/outing-at-oxbow#0710-120
Thank you to everyone who came out to our 1st Annual Rochester ECFE 5K & Family Fun Run! 🏃♀️🎉
We had an incredible turnout and couldn’t be more grateful for your support. It was a joy to see so many families, runners, and community members enjoying the event together. Your participation helps us continue supporting families in the Rochester community.
Listen to RPS students explain the Ignite Student Learning referendum that is on the November ballot!
The video shows how the proposed levy increase would stabilize district finances and support the programs and services that help students thrive: https://youtu.be/2-Y2VWb-wA8
Listen to Superintendent Pekel explain what's at stake for RPS this election when voters consider an operating levy increase that would stabilize our budget, allowing RPS to avoid school closures, protect class sizes, and maintain student programs and services: bit.ly/3MRUWLR
Does your student ride a school bus? Families using transportation can download the First View app to see where their student's buses are. The district code for the app is M6QE. Check it out!
Creative ways to prepare your little one(s) for the school year are here! Check out this handy daily calendar for ideas to keep them moving and thinking.
The October edition of the EC Parents newsletter is also available. Follow the link to view this material, https://bit.ly/ECFEparents
In case you missed it! Read the recent op-ed by RPS School Board Chair Cathy Nathan, which explains why we put forward the Ignite Student Learning referendum to stabilize our finances and continue helping all students reach their full potential. ➡️ bit.ly/3XCaF6X
Last Chance! Our 1st Annual 5K and Family Fun Run is happening this Saturday! If you plan to run in the 5K, make sure to register today at bit.ly/ECFE-Run.
The Family Fun Run will take place after the 5K, around 10:30 AM. See you Saturday!
A reminder that there is no school tomorrow, Wednesday, September 25, for all students. Your teachers and administrators will be participating in professional development, reviewing assessment data, and planning instruction. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!
Early voting begins TODAY! This election, voters will decide whether to approve an operating levy increase to stabilize the RPS budget, protect class sizes, strengthen academic and career programs and more.
Explore RochesterSchools.org/referendum for more information.
Mark your calendars: Early voting for the "Ignite Student Learning" referendum starts this Friday, September 20.
You can vote early via absentee ballot or in person at the Olmsted County Elections Office.
Visit RochesterSchool.org/referendum to learn more about early voting.
Why is RPS facing a budget deficit?
➡️ State funding hasn’t kept up with inflation or the rising cost of staff salaries, utilities, and school equipment.
➡️ Of the 15 MN districts with 10,000+ students, RPS ranks last in voter-approved local funding.
Visit RochesterSchools.org/referendum to learn more.
Join us tonight to hear what the three psychological needs are that need to be met to enable a young person to learn, develop, and achieve their full potential. In his first State of the School District Address, RPS Superintendent Kent Pekel will answer that question and provide an engaging overview of how Rochester Public Schools is working to meet those three essential psychological needs for more than 17,000 young people in our community. The event will also feature performances and observations from RPS students on the state of our schools, our school system, and our city. Thanks to a generous donation, the evening will conclude with frozen treats from La Michoacana Purepecha.
Whether you are a parent or caregiver who seeks to help your children succeed or a member of the Rochester community who wants to help all children succeed or both, please join us for what promises to be an important and enjoyable evening. See you at 7 p.m. at the John Marshall High School auditorium (1510 14th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901).
Two RPS students have been named to the list of the Top 300 Junior Innovators in the national 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC), a program of the Society for Science. Local middle school students become eligible for the competition through participation in the Rochester Regional STEM Fair.
➡️ Sia Sood is an 8th grader at John Adams Middle School. Her project was "Does High Technology Use Correlate With Stress in Middle School Students?"
➡️ Samuel Kaspar, formerly a John Adams student who is now a freshman at John Marshall, became eligible with his project entitled "Transforming Radiology and Patient Experiences Using Cloud and Machine Learning."
Congratulations, Sia and Samuel!
Submit your #CelebrateRPS moments to www.rochesterschools.org/celebrateRPS
Make your voice heard about the referendum to support RPS. Early voting starts on Friday, Sept. 20! You can learn more about the "Ignite Student Learning" plan to provide financial stability that will support our students by visiting RochesterSchools.org/referendum.
If approved by voters this Nov., funding from the school referendum will eliminate our budget deficit and provide the financial stability we need to continue inspiring, challenging, and empowering all students to reach their full potential. Find out more: RochesterSchools.org/referendum
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay At Rochester Public Schools, we recognize the importance of prioritizing mental health and well-being. Let's take this opportunity to break the stigma around mental health and support each other. Whether it's checking in on a friend, practicing self-care, or seeking professional help, every action counts. Let's work together to create a community that values mental health and provides support to those who need it.
Find Resources Below:
➡️ 988 Suicide & Lifeline Call or Text 988 (24/7)
➡️ Crisis Response for Southeast Minnesota (CREST) Call 844.274.7472
➡️ National Sexual Assault Line: 1.866.656.4673 (24/7)
➡️ RPS Staff and Student Mental Health Sessions: https://ffcstaffconsults.as.me/schedule/d07eafa8
Why is RPS presenting voters with a referendum to increase the school operating levy this Nov.? We are facing a $19.4 M budget deficit that, if not addressed, will lead to:
❌School closures
❌Cuts to teachers and staff
❌Increased class sizes
Learn more: RochesterSchools.org/referendum
To avoid school closures and $19.4 million in cuts, we are asking voters to consider an operating levy increase on the ballot this Nov. that would allow us to build on our progress in helping every student reach their full potential. Learn more: RochesterSchools.org/referendum
What are the three psychological needs that need to be met to enable a young person to learn, develop, and achieve their full potential? In his first State of the School District Address, RPS Superintendent Kent Pekel will answer that question and provide an engaging overview of how Rochester Public Schools is working to meet those three essential psychological needs for more than 17,000 young people in our community. The event will also feature performances and observations from RPS students on the state of our schools, our school system, and our city. Thanks to a generous donation, the evening will conclude with frozen treats from La Michoacana Purepecha. Whether you are a parent or caregiver who seeks to help your children succeed or a member of the Rochester community who wants to help all children succeed or both, please join us for what promises to be an important and enjoyable evening.
