Dear parents and caregivers of our future kindergarteners,
As the weather changes, we are starting to think about other changes that are coming up. We will continue to provide information for you on preparing your family for the transition to kindergarten.
When they start school, many children transition to riding the bus to school. This Big Yellow change can be exciting and raise some questions. Below is helpful information from the Rochester Public Schools Transportation Department.
Transportation
The Minnesota state statute requires transportation for students who live 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 2025.
Regional Transportation for Districtwide Option Schools/Programs 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 our Regional Transportation 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
School-aged Child Care (SACC) offers a summer program of care for students filled with many developmentally appropriate activities and all the fun of summer. The summer program also offers an option to add on field trip opportunities to enrich your student's summer experience. Summer SACC is available to students 5 years old by June 9, 2025, and entering kindergarten to students entering 6th grade.
Parents and caregivers with Summer SACC contracts can drop off their students at Summer SACC any time between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Students will receive a free breakfast, lunch, and a snack at Summer SACC.
Students can register for field trips at an additional cost. However, they must be enrolled and scheduled for care on the day of the field trip in order to go on the field trip.
The daily rate is $45/day. The drop-in rate is $50/day.
Registration for Summer SACC begins at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16. You must complete all registrations online. Summer SACC has three locations for 2025:
Ben Franklin Elementary (1801 9th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904)
Overland Elementary (2300 Overland Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901)
Washington Elementary (1200 11th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901)
More information, including how to register and the associated fees, is available at www.rochesterce.org/sacc.