We're here to #CelebrateRPS with Jenny Shopp! Jenny's a para at Franklin and Montessori at Franklin. She is taking classes to become a full time teacher. Because several of our staff are pregnant or out on leave, Jenny has been called and asked to take over their classroom. She is patient with students and is a huge asset to Franklin school. She will make a great teacher.
Do you know someone who's #CelebrateRPS material? Submit their name in the link (https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/celebrate) and they'll be featured in our next newsletter (https://bit.ly/3VcWhBI).
Project SEARCH is hosting an information night for the 2025-2026 school year. Join the meeting to find out details about the nine-month internship program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This program is designed for individuals whose goal is competitive employment. Project SEARCH takes place at Mayo Clinic working within departments to learn valuable work skills.
Register here: https://bit.ly/3Orm459
Read our feature on Project SEARCH here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1837908
Future kindergarten students: Come to our Kindergarten Open Houses next week to learn about what it's like to be a kindergarten student at our schools. You’ll meet your principal, see a kindergarten classroom, learn about your schedule, and more! We're excited for you to join us!
RPS offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, December 2.
Future kindergarten students: Come to our Kindergarten Open Houses next week to learn about what it's like to be a kindergarten student at our schools. You’ll meet your principal, see a kindergarten classroom, learn about your schedule, and more! We're excited for you to join us!
Learn more about kindergarten at RPS at www.rochesterschools.org/onmyway2k
Reminder: there is no school from Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29. Enjoy your fall break! We will see students back on Monday, December 2.
The IT pathway students at P-TECH are wrapping up November's Career Development Month by sharing their advice with the incoming P-TECH first-year students. What do they wish they knew? What words of encouragement would they tell their 8th-grade selves? Read the perspectives of each grade level and learn how P-TECH is setting students up for a successful career in IT.
https://bit.ly/498of7p
Future kindergarten students: Come to our Kindergarten Open Houses next week to learn about what it's like to be a kindergarten student at our schools. You’ll meet your principal, see a kindergarten classroom, learn about your schedule, and more! We're excited for you to join us!
Learn more about kindergarten at RPS at www.rochesterschools.org/onmyway2k
Every student is “college material.” This core belief is the driving idea behind the Minnesota Office of Higher Education's new program called Direct Admissions.
RPS high schools are participating in this exciting new program, allowing seniors to apply to college with confidence, knowing that the "will I get in?" question has already been answered with a "YES!"
Watch the Direct Admissions intro video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sNb7vIxzAI&t=66s
November is Native American Heritage Month, and Rochester Public Schools staff are making an effort to reclaim Indigenous knowledge that has historically been overlooked. The Office of Equity and Engagement and the Office of Academics are currently developing an inclusive and indigenous course that will allow students to join and explore the Dakota language and culture.
Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1890815
Mayo High School hosted its Entrepreneurship Fair yesterday. Mrs. Priebe and her business students put on a great event for student start up businesses!
Franklin & Montessori hosted its Glow Run this morning! With the help of the Franklin & Montessori PTSA, students got to run through their gym with a glowing track and DJs playing their favorite songs.
The Franklin & Montessori PTSA raised $21,000 for their students ahead of today's event.
Remember to RSVP at https://bit.ly/cciac-rsvp to join us tomorrow night for dinner and a discussion on how students can earn college credit in high school!
Become a Mental Health Scholar at a Rochester Public School. RPS is awarding grant scholarships to individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences with a bachelor’s degree looking to respecialize to a mental health career. Attend our virtual information session on Nov. 25 at 4:30 p.m. to see how to apply for the scholarship. Get the link and RSVP by emailing Lindsey Lawler (lilawler@rochesterschools.org).
P-TECH is graduating its first cohort of students who have completed all four years of the program. The P-TECH Nursing Pathway is focused on getting RPS students ready for their professional careers as Licensed Practical Nurses.
Read the beginning-to-end experiences of first-year students and graduating seniors of the program.
https://bit.ly/3VlK4uH
Be sure to also attend the P-TECH information Night at the RCTC Hill Theater on Wednesday!
Nov. 20 @ 6 - 7 p.m.
RCTC Hill Theatre
851 30th Ave SE
Rochester, MN 55904
P-TECH is hosting an Information Night for all RPS 8th grade students and their parents/caregivers. P-TECH is a partnership program between RPS, RCTC, Mayo Clinic, and IBM. Designed to get RPS students a two-year certification at their RPS graduation, 8th grade students can enroll in a nursing or IT pathway to start their career development in high school.
Nov. 20 @ 6 - 7 p.m.
RCTC Hill Theatre
851 30th Ave SE
Rochester, MN 55904
"This is an opportunity for students to use what they've learned in school in a career-like setting. It's a unique experience that can truly shape their future paths." Sarah Michet is an Advanced Learning Specialist who runs the Mentorship Program at Century and Mayo High Schools. Read more about her work in the link below.
https://bit.ly/48TO5Md
At a ceremony in Minneapolis last night, Rochester Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel was among 13 recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).
Elton Hills celebrated World Kindness Day by sporting their red "Be Kind" T-shirts! Enjoy some photos over the first-grade lunch break.
Over the last two days, our secondary students have been gaining insight into postsecondary pathways. 50 colleges from around the country attended college fairs at Century, John Marshall, and Mayo High Schools to help students learn more about college and career opportunities.
