Want to learn more about Indigenous cultures? The National Education Association – NEA – suggests several titles to help learn about the diverse and rich history of many Indigenous cultures.
Check out their resources: https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/native-american-alaska-native-and-first-nations-booklists
Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate. Wishing you a restful and Joyful Holiday!
Want to learn more about Indigenous cultures? The National Education Association – NEA – suggests several titles to help learn about the diverse and rich history of the many Indigenous cultures.
Check out their resources: https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/native-american-alaska-native-and-first-nations-booklists
Please watch this Thanksgiving message from Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel here: https://youtube.com/shorts/gg6cDCojMlo?feature=share
Xello... What is it? Read the story here:
https://www.rochesterschools.org/o/rps/article/1350288
Rochester Public Schools offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24 in observance of Thanksgiving. Regular hours resume Monday, November 27, 2023.
We want to give a shout-out to Debra Las, a science teacher at John Adams Middle School, for receiving the 2023 Minnesota Science Teachers Association (MnSTA) Science Teaching Award for secondary schools. Congratulations, Deb!
Next week, multi award winning artist, Keith Secola will be working with students during the school day to share his story and teach music. He will also be performing publicly at Dakota Middle School at 7PM on the 28th.
Reminder: There is no school Wednesday, November 22, to accommodate a Professional Development day for our Secondary staff and allow for an End of Trimester work day for Elementary staff. Longfellow Elementary students also have no school due to a Flexible Conference Day.
Edison Administration Building and Northrup Education Center will still operate under normal business hours.
Step right up and get ready to get your hands dirty with artist Mary Beth Magyar in her fabulous glazing class! In this class, you'll be able to add your own unique designs to a piece of pottery of your choosing. After the class, Mary Beth will fire up her trusty kiln to cure your creations, and your finished pottery will be available for pickup at Northrop. So what are you waiting for? Sign up now and let's see your creativity!
Register here:
https://rochester.ce.eleyo.com/
The next film, Screenagers Under The Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age, delves into how the tech revolution has reshaped adolescence and its effects on substance use.
The film will show on Monday, November 27, from 7-8:30 p.m. at John Marshall High School. It will be followed by a facilitated discussion with School Linked Mental Health Practitioner Ashley Johnson.
Open to everyone, ages 10 and up.
RPS has partnered with the Salvation Army and Hy-Vee to provide our schools and families 376 holiday meal bags so that they have a meal over the holiday break.
We currently have over 300+ students in transition and these bags will help ensure they have a meal over the long break. Thank you to the Salvation Army and Hy-Vee for their partnership!
Did you know that Dakota Middle School has a medicine garden? We wrote an article about this garden where we explain why this is important. Read the article here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1346089.
School Board Vice Chair Julie Workman, gives a short summary of some of the highlights from the November 14 School Board Meeting. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BD_hhAEB4Q
Our substitute educators are educational bridges for our students when teachers need to be out of the classroom for any reason. We're grateful for their willingness to step in and help with continuity in the classroom. Thank you to all of our substitute educators!
Today, November 16th, is National Parent Involvement Day. We celebrate all that parents/caregivers do to team with Rochester Public Schools in support of student success. Thank you parents and caregivers for all you do to support students!
Did someone say pie? Last week, students and Home Living staff at Rochester Academy for Independent Living (RAIL) had their annual feast of pies! Students were able to participate in the whole process, from making and preparing the pies to choosing what flavor they wanted and enjoying them together, family-style.
It was a beautiful morning for the ribbon-cutting of Longfellow's new solar panels! After the brief ceremony, some of our students, faculty, and community members in attendance got to go onto the roof to view the new panels. Thank you to all those who attended and to Ideal Energies for the installations!
These solar panels were made possible by grants from the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
P-TECH 535 is a pioneering education reform initiative created to prepare young people with the academic, technical, and professional skills required for high-wage, high-skills, and high-need regional careers. This public-private partnership allows students to take high school and college coursework simultaneously while engaging in industry-guided workforce development in one of two pathways. Learn more about PTECH on our website: https://www.rochesterschools.org/ptech
At last night's School Board meeting, Superintendent Pekel shared his remarks about the failed referendum and the next steps for RPS. You can view the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfm596Qjf-Q
You can also read the statement in full on our website: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1339319