As the weather shifts, we are starting to think about other upcoming changes. We will continue to provide information to you on preparing your family for the transition to kindergarten. A transition for many children is riding the bus to school. This Big Yellow change can be exciting and bring about some questions. Below is information from the Rochester Public Schools Transportation Department.
Transportation
The Minnesota state statute requires transportation for students residing two miles or more from their neighborhood school. However, Rochester Public Schools transports students in grades K-5 who reside 1.25 miles from their neighborhood school. You will receive an enrollment letter that will state whether or not you are eligible for transportation. If you qualify, you will receive bus routing information by mail in late August 2024.
Districtwide Option Schools Transportation
With the approval of the Attendance Options Redesign, transportation to Districtwide Option (DWO) schools is now provided within regions of the school district rather than from any location within the school district boundaries. The drop-off sites for DWO regional transportation can be found on this page.
Transportation to a childcare site
RPS will provide transportation to and or from your childcare location if the following circumstances exist:
Your childcare is in the attendance area of the school your child attends.
Your childcare address is more than 1.25 miles from your child's school.
You must complete and sign a child care request form in its entirety.
RPS Transportation will carry forward requests for transportation from child care each year through 5th grade. Parents must notify the Transportation Office if they wish to cancel. Alternate Site Transportation Request forms are available at the Transportation Office, Room 122 at the Edison Administration Building (615 7th St SW) or online at www.rochesterschools.org/transportation.
Note for Longfellow Elementary Transportation
Please note that on days when only Longfellow is in session due to their schedule, students living within the Longfellow boundary (and more than 1.25 miles away) will be bussed. Students utilizing the regional transportation option (with stops in hubs) will not have bussing on those days. Parents/caregivers must find alternative transportation to and from school.
Summer SACC Registration
Mark your calendars! Registration for Summer SACC begins at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17. You must complete all registrations online. Sunset Terrace Elementary, Overland Elementary, and Riverside Elementary will be our Summer SACC host sites. View more information, including how to register and the associated fees, at www.rochesterce.org/sacc.
Enroll
If you haven’t done so, enroll your future kindergartener at Rochester Public Schools!
We look forward to meeting all of our new students this fall!