Did you know that early childhood screening is required before kindergarten? Learn about how your child is developing with a free screening for children ages 3 to 5.
We'll be talking about :
• Steps to enroll in RPS
• How to register for 9th grade classes
• What entering 9th grade will look like
Save your spot: https://forms.gle/WuxiZ8JqpRxRgePe7
Yesterday, Superintendent Pekel was invited to speak at a press conference convened by the Minnesota Legislature's House and Senate Education Committees. In his remarks, he provides an update on absenteeism rates in Rochester Public Schools amidst the current increase in actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota. We are sharing this information as an update to our community about the large number of Rochester students who are currently not attending school and the potential impact this has on their educational progress. Read his full statement here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2663181
"Over the past several weeks, I have issued several statements regarding the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Rochester and throughout Minnesota. Each of those statements has reiterated our school district's commitment to ensure that our schools are safe and inclusive spaces for all of our students to learn. We have also expressed deep concern for the RPS students, families, and staff who have been directly or indirectly impacted by the crisis that is taking place across our state..." Read more from Superintendent Pekel's message: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2660577
2026, prepare to be Inconceivable. We can't wait to see these students apply their learning through this amazing club.
Current 5th grade students who want to participate in band must complete the linked form before Friday, March 6. Additionally, families should wait to complete the form until after the scheduled in-person visit or Google Meet between the middle school music teachers and their student's current 5th grade classroom.
https://forms.gle/XvjRLvCwcno1JaD26
Classroom visit information can be found at the website below.
https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/music-registration
✨ Explore our STEM, Trailblazers, and Explorers programs for play-based learning that builds real-world skills. ✨ Financial aid and scholarships available!
Learn more about our classes or enroll today! https://rochester.ce.eleyo.com/child-care/5/rps-preschool
If you need to go outside and touch grass—erm—I mean snow, join us in celebrating Minnesota Winter Walk Day on February 4. Will the air hurt your face? Maybe. But we promise you absolutely zero mosquitoes! RPS's Winter Walk Celebration highlights the importance of active routes to school and promotes physical activity that supports student health and well-being. So grab your warmest gloves and join us for a winter walk!
Due to anticipated extreme cold weather, RPS will be closed on Friday, January 23 (not Thursday, January 22).
Here’s what this means:
Longfellow Elementary students will not report to school.
The Non-School Day School Aged Child Care (SACC) at Bamber and Jefferson is canceled.
Inclement Weather SACC will be open 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Northrop Education Center (201 8th St. NW).
To attend, families must be registered as a SACC participant, but do not need to have been previously signed up for the planned non-school day.
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.
Students enrolled in Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) should check with the higher education institution for inclement weather information.
All high school, after-school athletic and activities practices, performances, and games are canceled.
Register today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dAn076cPm0uPjnkU9WHj4q3Qiy99qVEfZysBhhOtNxA/viewform?edit_requested=true
If you cannot attend in person, you can livestream the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/isd535.
You can view all full meeting agendas at https://rochesterschools.org/simbli.
Looking for a way to help your middle schooler succeed? Dig deeper into your student's experience by joining our caregiver and parent empowerment sessions. This virtual mini-series is tailored for the middle school experience, where you'll learn about middle school academics, social growth, and relationships while also preparing your student for high school. Sessions start next week, from January 20 to February 24, from 12 to 1 p.m. Drop in for one session or attend them all; we can't wait to start the conversation!
Register today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_GfuYOUxMpuXgUQYhR6LeSGGEaS3NIZlS_FuoWjyfCE/
RPS families: This is a reminder that there is no school on Monday, January 19, 2026, and RPS offices will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Learn more at bit.ly/3N0e1iy
We hope you'll join us to learn all about RPS Preschool, where every day is a discovery!
• Virtual Open House - Monday, January 12 at 12 p.m. - https://bit.ly/preschoolopenhouse12
• Virtual Open House - Monday, January 12 at 6 p.m. - https://bit.ly/preschoolopenhouse6
Real-world learning takes shape in our schools. Our Kellogg students traded their normal physical education gear for firefighter training equipment thanks to the Rochester Fire Department. Working together to roll tires, lift a training dummy, and handle real tools, students dug deep—pushing their physical limits while gaining a deeper understanding of the strength, teamwork, and preparation required in this vital career.
Join us for a night of discovery at our upcoming preschool open houses at Hoover and Mighty Oaks Early Learning Schools on January 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. Discover our schools, classrooms, and spaces that foster curiosity in your child. All families that participate will be entered to win a preschool swag basket.
