Rochester Public Schools -

Life lately at Rochester Public Schools! Academic success, art, and experiments - field trips, friends, and extracurricular engagement, these are just a few of the things our students have been up to.

Rochester Public Schools uses data to improve our ability to increase students' capacity to learn. We collect a variety of data about our students through surveys, assessments, in class, and after they graduate. In an effort to better share information with our current families, potential families, staff, and community, we are excited to announce the launch of our District and Student Data Dashboard: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/district-and-school-data.

"Dear Rochester Public Schools community, In recent days, I've received many questions about whether or not RPS is going to change course on our efforts to create schools and a system in which all students, staff, and families are welcomed, affirmed, and supported. The answer is no; we will not change course. RPS will continue this work, and the reason is that these efforts are critical to achieving our mission of helping all of our students thrive in school and in life. We are monitoring discussions and developments at the national level, and we will respond to issues that impact Rochester Public Schools in a common-sense way that supports the academic success and positive development of all of our students." - Kent Pekel, Ed.D. Superintendent

"Longfellow was lucky to interact with teachers from Pinewood, and one standout is 4th-grade teacher Mr. Priebe. From day one, he’s been a beacon of positivity—high-fiving and fist-bumping in the hallways, guiding kids, and leading the way with enthusiasm. It’s inspiring to see how he brings people together, fostering collaboration between schools and integrating students. If we all had half his energy and dedication to others, the world would undoubtedly be a better place." Submitted by Kerri S. If you want to see someone featured in #CelebrateRPS, submit them using the link below: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/celebrate Read this week's #CelebrateRPS: https://bit.ly/3PSjXbj

Join us for our non-public information night, where we will share information about Rochester Public Schools, specifically for families transitioning from non-public schools. Your family can learn about the steps to enroll in RPS, how to register for 9th-grade classes, and what your child's transition to 9th grade will look like. RSVP online: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3mLdnwlny8ud1cVpZT52-YDcljDW1qfAJwcVnuDP8edrbSQ/viewform We'll see you on: 📅 Monday, February 10 ⏰ 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. 📍 Edison Building (615 7th Street SW, Rochester)

All schools except Longfellow Elementary will be closed on Friday, January 24. Students, enjoy your day off. RPS staff will be participating in a PD/grading day. We'll see you back on Monday, January 27!

RPS will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21, due to forecasted extreme cold weather conditions. ➡️ School Age Child Care (SACC) will be open 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Northrop Education Center (201 8th St. NW). ➡️ 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 reservations are canceled. ➡️ All Professional Growth Academy classes are canceled. ➡️ No supper meals will be provided. ➡️ After-school activities will continue as normal for high schools. No after-school buses will be running from the middle schools to high schools today. Middle school students, please plan accordingly.

Join us for our virtual Preschool Open House tomorrow, January 16, from 12 to 1 p.m. to ask questions, learn about our curriculum, and find out if RPS Preschool is the right fit for your family. See you online: https://meet.google.com/vkj-sote-frw

Earn your Bilingual Seal! 10th - 12th grade students can sign up to take the Biliteracy Seal assessment this April. Graduating high school students in Minnesota who have a multilingual background and/or are studying a language other than English, are eligible to earn a bilingual seal after their graduation. Fill out the application at tinyurl.com/RPSSeals2025 and register for an exam time.

Ready to jumpstart your healthcare career? The Fast Forward to Work: Phlebotomy Training Program is FREE for high school seniors passionate about laboratory sciences and healthcare! This program offers clinical experience and hands-on training at Mayo Clinic's downtown campus, running from late August through early June. Transportation is provided from Mayo, John Marshall, and Century High Schools! 🎓 Thanks to a partnership between Rochester Public Schools and the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, this opportunity comes at NO cost to students! 💡 Information Sessions for the Fast Forward to Work Phlebotomy Training Program: 🔹 In-Person Session: Jan 16 at 6:30 p.m. Edison Building, 615 7th Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902 This is your chance to take the first step toward a rewarding career in phlebotomy! 🔗 REGISTER NOW for the info session! https://airtable.com/appdynln57F04Nqyp/shraFUgT5YbTiyKlL #FastForwardToWork #PhlebotomyProgram #HealthcareCareers #HighSchoolSeniors #FreeProgram #MayoClinic #RPS #RochesterPublicSchools #FutureHealthLeaders

Dan Kuhlman took on the Washington Elementary School's music and props closet — the results may shock you. Great work, Dan! Submit someone to help us #CelebrateRPS: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/celebrate Read this week's #CelebrateRPS: https://bit.ly/3Ps7CKW

Fifth grade music registration is now open! Review the school visit dates before registering your fifth grader for band. Registration is due March 7, 2025. https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1943928

At last night's School Board meeting, we welcomed Stephanie Whitehorn, who took the oath of office along with re-elected incumbent board members Don Barlow and Karen MacLaughlin. Congratulations to our school board members!

Calling all preschool parents! Are you looking for a school experience that grows with your family? RPS Preschool is hosting open houses where your family can ask questions and learn about our classes, high-quality licensed teachers, and three school locations. Find out more about the opportunities RPS Preschool has to offer your family by saving the date or signing up for a virtual open house today: https://preschool.rochesterschools.org/o/pre/page/open-house Upcoming Open Houses: • Virtual: Monday, January 13, from 6-7 p.m. • In-Person at Hoover Early Learning School: Tuesday, January 14, from 4-7 p.m. • Virtual: Thursday, January 16, from 12-1 p.m.

Welcome back, students! We hope you had a restful break. We're excited to see all the growth and learning that will happen in the remainder of the school year!

Ready to jumpstart your healthcare career? The Fast Forward to Work: Phlebotomy Training Program is FREE for high school seniors passionate about laboratory sciences and healthcare! This program offers clinical experience and hands-on training at Mayo Clinic's downtown campus, running from late August through early June. Transportation is provided from Mayo, John Marshall, and Century High Schools! 🎓 Thanks to a partnership between Rochester Public Schools and the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, this opportunity comes at NO cost to students! 💡 Information Sessions for the Fast Forward to Work Phlebotomy Training Program: 🔹 Virtual Session: Jan 7 at 6:30 p.m. 🔹 In-Person Session: Jan 16 at 6:30 p.m. Edison Building, 615 7th Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902 This is your chance to take the first step toward a rewarding career in phlebotomy! 🔗 REGISTER NOW for the info session! https://airtable.com/appdynln57F04Nqyp/shraFUgT5YbTiyKlL #FastForwardToWork #PhlebotomyProgram #HealthcareCareers #HighSchoolSeniors #FreeProgram #MayoClinic #RPS #RochesterPublicSchools #FutureHealthLeaders

RPS offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, in observance of New Year's Day. We will resume normal business hours on Thursday, January 2.

We're ending the year on this high note: We are so proud of our high school students who raised a combined $121,826.18 for local organizations through their end-of-year fundraisers! Congratulations to our students, who are doing amazing things day in and day out. #CelebrateRPS

The RPS Department of Equity and Engagement is hosting a Xello Course Planner Information Night for high school course registration and future planning. Parents and caregivers are invited to join this virtual information session to learn how Xello can aid the class selection process for 8th - 11th grade students. Scan the QR code to join the virtual session on January 7, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

The final iteration of the best of series is dedicated to RPS students. Congratulations to a great 2024, and we can’t wait to see what you do in the years to come. Here are just some of the best student moments of 2024: Students across the RPS district participated in the Minnestoa State Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Minnesota. https://www.facebook.com/ISD535/posts/pfbid02EnaCcQ3Yeq7VGQVMf7tbAJjHf3qypu8GLJRCqNckDa9jUrxGkPr47eU8a33ocq8rl Elliot McPike made it to Honolulu where he competed in the 2024 Pokemon World Championship. https://www.facebook.com/ISD535/posts/pfbid02B3gXo8nEkcsCRWWy3BdhDsQ3MprbVmzSTY5ccFrpbAHeWux7YBdFK9cmge9Pjqpyl Dr. Kent Pekel finds out what students really think about the cell phone ban. In the first Supt in the Halls of the 2024-2025 School Year. https://www.facebook.com/ISD535/posts/pfbid07vBB3XJyEMKcP9ESppDb7VWK7BUEeoKKSWTS79dyEuwuWCA2v35EjSXNA225c4SVl