Yesterday morning, Rochester's Sertoma 700 Club got a real treat—and I’m not talking about the donuts! During the Annual Sertoma and DHH (Deaf and Hard of Hearing) Breakfast, students not only gave a demonstration of the different parts of the ear, but also shared how they’ve been impacted by Sertoma’s support. They shared about the fun and formed relationships at Camp Sertoma—a camp that specifically serves children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. They also talked about how microphones and other classroom improvements have given them opportunities to succeed at school.

Sertoma has been a supporter of Rochester Public School’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing services for over 30 years. Thank you, Sertoma, for helping us support the whole student through your support and partnership!

Learn more about RPS’s DHH services at www.rochesterschools.org/page/deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-program

about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
A student holding a microphone shares about their experience at camp while their peer across the table laughs at the story.
Three men from the Sertoma Club drink coffee and learn about the parts of the ear.
A young student quizzes an athletic director on the parts of the ear at a breakfast event.
A high school senior finished her speech at the Annual Sertoma and DHH Breakfast by signing "thank you."
A woman and a student point to a diagram of the ear.
Students and their teacher smile for the camera.
Churchill students vs. Litter: The students won! Mayor Norton joined Churchill today for a special Earth Day proclamation to mark the 20th anniversary of the Litter Bit Better campaign, but the real work happened outside. The weather was perfect as our students got to see a street sweeper up close, then they worked to clear the property of wrappers, ropes, and—believe it or not—entire sleds! From the smallest scrap to the biggest haul, our students are proving that a Litter Bit Better goes a long way.
about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
Students with a city sweeper
Student showing off trash she found
Mayor Norton reading a proclamation
Student picking up trash
Student showing her trashbag with a paper hat she made worn on her head
Student showing off trash he found
Student posing with Mayor Norton
Student smiling at the camera
Student with sled
The countdown is officially on! We're gearing up for one of our favorite days of the year: celebrating the incredible Class of 2026. From ceremony times to arrival details, we've got you covered. Everything you need to know is right here: https://rochesterschools.org/graduation
about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
Class of 2026 information
The RPS School Board will meet tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in the Edison Board Room (615 7th St SW). On the agenda for tomorrow’s regular meeting is: Finding Focus and Mental Health Literacy, School Resource Officer (SRO) Contract, and Senior Leadership Reductions, Reorganization, and Appointments.

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.
about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
RPS School Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. for a regular school board meeting.
2:06 p.m. update:
With tornado sirens sounding across Rochester, all students will be held at their designated safety spots until we receive the all-clear from the National Weather Service. Dismissal will likely be delayed.
about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
delayed dismissal
Yesterday, our Hoover Early Learning students had a few special visitors! Governor Tim Walz, Commissioner Paul Marquart, and Mayor Kim Norton took time out of their day to visit one of our all day preschool classrooms. From tactile skills with playdough to creative literacy and bookmarking, all three representatives shared how important it is to have strong early childhood options for families like RPS preschools.
about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
Commissioner Paul Marquart, Director of Early Childhood Erica Schumacher, Head Start representatives, Governor Tim Walz, Mayor Kim Norton, Superintendent Pekel, and Principal Emily Pearson outside of Hoover Early Learning School
Governor Tim Walz talking to a preschool student about what type of dinosaur he is working with.
Governor Walz talking with a group of preschool students making story books about dinosaurs while the students look at Walz and smile or laugh with Commissioner Marquart smiling at the other end of the table.
Preschool students working at a table building dinosaurs with parallelogram building blocks as Superintendent Pekel asks them questions about what they are building.
Jefferson Elementary School, under the direction of School Counselor Tony Yang, was recognized by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) as an ASCA Model Program® (RAMP®). Jefferson is the first school in the Rochester Public Schools district and the first school in southeast Minnesota to receive this designation. Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2824860
about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
RPS Header

Summer School Age Child Care (SACC) Registration is almost here! Choose your own schedule that works for your family. Rates are $50 per child and registration opens at 6:00 a.m. sharp on Wednesday, April 15: https://rochester.ce.eleyo.com/child-care/3/school-age-child-care

about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
Summer SACC registration opens on April 15. at 6:00 a.m.
Due to anticipated severe weather, we are canceling all in-person activities after 5 p.m. today, Monday, April 13. This includes:

• Middle school after-school activities
• All secondary activities and games
• Adult Enrichment and community education activities
• Night School

SACC will still be available until 6 p.m.
about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
Rochester Public Schools after school activities are canceled due to inclement weather, rps logo and picture of thunderstorm in background.
At Dakota Middle School, our students do more than just eat—they innovate. Once a month, our student focus group teams up with Chef Travis to taste-test the future school lunch options. Today’s menu? A Mac & Cheese Bar showdown: Buffalo vs. BBQ Chicken. The students have the opportunity to provide feedback and even discuss toppings and side pairings for menu items. We believe that giving students a seat at the table builds belonging, connection, and a menu they actually love.
about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
Students talking with Chef Travis about the lunch menus including what they like and dislike.
Barbaque Chicken Mac and Cheese in a bowl with a side of broccoli and mandarin oranges in a try with a TruMoo Milk.
Students serving up their side dishes and grabbing milk from the food line.
Students eating and listening to Chef Travis sitting at a table in the Dakota Test Kitchen.
Two students sitting together with their food at the table smiling at the camera.
We want to celebrate and stand behind our students’ accomplishments, and this week, Andy Zheng of Century High School took 10th place in the Cadet Men’s Epee 2026 Junior & Cadet Fencing World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In a field of 138, Andy had a strong result in one of the tournament’s most competitive events. Congratulations to Andy and Team USA!
about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Andy Zheng featured on right with two other teammates locked in arms looking at the camera.
Team USA Epee team with their coaches posing for a photo in two rows.
Team USA Men's Epee linked with arms behind the shoulders smiling at the camera.
Not only will we be together for a celebration at our powwow, but you'll also have the opportunity to shop from local community vendors and purchase native made beadwork and crafts.

Join us Saturday, May 16, from 1 to 5 p.m. for this free community event! Learn more about our upcoming powwow: https://www.facebook.com/events/2158314524916380
about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
A Community vendor at our American Indian Education powwow set up behind a table filled with handmade clothing, beads, bracelets, and purses, while customers look at her products.

Under our new strategic plan, Superintendent Pekel is ensuring that Rochester Public Schools prioritizes middle school initiatives that broaden students' perspectives on postsecondary life. We’re not just preparing students for graduation; we’re preparing them for what comes next. Listen in as Dr. Pekel talks with Andy Brownell: https://krocnews.com/middle-school-career-exploration-rochester-schools/

about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
The RPS School Board will meet tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in the Edison Board Room (615 7th St SW). On the agenda for tomorrow’s regular meeting is: RPS Strategic Plan High School Options, Authorization of Issuance and Sale of $33,800,000 General Obligation Facilities Maintenance Bonds and General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Approval of Purchase Agreement for the Sale of the former Mighty Oaks Schoolhouse and School Board Response to AIPAC.

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.
about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
RPS School Board Meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 5:30pm, Regular Meeting

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) today released graduation rate data for the Class of 2025, including data for Rochester Public Schools (RPS) students. Results for RPS show sustained improvement over the past three years in the district’s overall graduation rate and significant progress for students from multiple demographic subgroups. From 2023 to 2025, the district's four-year graduation rate increased from 83.99% to 86.20%, a gain of 2.21 percentage points. Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2802986

about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Rochester Public Schools Media Release

This is a reminder that there is no school on Monday, March 30, through Friday, April 3, for Spring Break.

2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
No School March 30 - April 3
With all this warmer weather, does your family have summer on the mind? Keep your students busy with our youth enrichment classes. Browse our summer catalog to find a class that fits their interests, your budget, and keeps you both happy! https://simplebooklet.com/youthsummer2026
2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Willow Creek student lifting a watering can while working in their garden outside.
Tired of the infinite scroll? Swap your screen for a compass and rediscover your focus. This isn't your average art class—it’s a guided deep-breath for your brain.

Using the simplest tools (just paper, a straight edge, and a pen), we’re diving into the geometry of mandalas. It’s rhythmic, grounding, and the ultimate hack for quieting mental noise. Join us on Wednesday, March 25: https://rochester.ce.eleyo.com/course/26084/2026-adult-winter-spring-catalog/mindful-mandalas-cultivating-calm-through-creativity#7032-232
2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
A group of women of all ages gathered at a table drawing mandalas.
White and Black Mandala
Black mandala

Our students at Gibbs are celebrating the end of the week with this amazing weather! Playing outside in the sunshine, in class celebrating their hard work and accomplishments, students building carnival games, and even some good reading to end the day.

2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Group of seven students decked out in snow gear arm in arm on the black top for a photo
All the class siting at their desks with their hands in the air celebrating the photo and smiling at the camera.
Two students building carnival games out of cardboard at their desks.
Student talking to the staff member about their book while also sitting next to to other students reading.

Join us in celebrating the amazing people who make our schools a place where every student thrives in school and in life. As a small gesture of gratitude, we're continuing our annual tradition by inviting you to share a few words of encouragement with a staff member who has made a positive impact on you or your student. Your message can go a long way in brightening someone's day and reminding them just how appreciated they are. This year's cards are a nod to Rochester landmarks.

Visit www.rochesterschools.org/staff-appreciation and choose a card (or two) to send a brief, heartfelt message. We'll make sure your words are delivered to staff members during the week of May 11-15. Submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 10.

2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Send a message of thanks