There is help. Students and staff can always use 988 to call, text, or chat with a lifeline counselor 24/7/365. RPS also offers resources for students and staff with our confidential screener (http://mentalhealthscreeningtools.com/), or if you want to talk with a provider, schedule a free consultation with a mental health professional (https://ffcstaffconsults.as.me/). There is hope.
Installation began this week for the John Marshall mural! If you have an opportunity to see it in person, stop by to see the incredible work that is happening. The JM Mural is only possible through the financial support of many local non-profits, businesses, and individuals. Thank you to all who are supporting this.
Listen to Superintendent Pekel explain what's at stake for RPS this election when voters consider an operating levy increase that would stabilize our budget, allowing RPS to avoid school closures, protect class sizes, and maintain student programs and services: bit.ly/3MRUWLR
Does your student ride a school bus? Families using transportation can download the First View app to see where their student's buses are. The district code for the app is M6QE. Check it out!
Century High School sophomore, Mandy Yu represented Team USA at the 2024 Pan American Junior Championship in Peru from August 31 - September 7. Mandy competed with 164 table tennis players from around the world. After battling for four days, the USA Team U15 girls were crowned the champions, which makes Team USA qualified to attend the 2024 World Junior Championship in November in Sweden.
Congratulations on your success, Mandy. And good luck in Sweden next month!
Submit your #CelebrateRPS moments to be highlighted at www.rochesterschools.org/celebrateRPS
In case you missed it! Read the recent op-ed by RPS School Board Chair Cathy Nathan, which explains why we put forward the Ignite Student Learning referendum to stabilize our finances and continue helping all students reach their full potential. ➡️ bit.ly/3XCaF6X
Students may have the day off, but RPS teachers and staff got great insights from Dr. Gholdy Muhammad on how we're working toward culturally and historically responsive education. Thank you Dr. Muhammad for presenting this morning! This opportunity is made possible from an Anti-Bias/Trauma-Informed grant we received from the state of Minnesota.
A reminder that there is no school tomorrow, Wednesday, September 25, for all students. Your teachers and administrators will be participating in professional development, reviewing assessment data, and planning instruction. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!
If your student is struggling with their mental health, often the best thing they can do is to share their feelings with someone. Many people suffering from mental illness stay silent, which only makes their symptoms worse. There is help available, and even just sharing your student's worries, thoughts, and feelings may help them feel better. The first step you can take right now is to complete the mental health screener (http://mentalhealthscreeningtools.com/). If the screener indicates a concern, share the results with a trusted adult or schedule an appointment with someone on the Emotional and Mental Well-being Team.
September is School Board Recognition Month! Join us in recognizing our school board for all the great work they do for our district! Thank you, Justin, Don, Cathy, Jean, Julie, Karen, and Jess!
Shout out to RPS Computer Science and Information Technology Teacher Matt Frazier and all of the CTECH AP Computer Science students for this #CelebrateRPS moment:
Through a combination of increased volunteer support, 1:1 student assessment reflection, feedback, and correction, and student-to-student exam preparation presentations, the mean AP Computer Science A exam score increased from 2.8 in 2023 (slightly below state average) to 3.54 in 2024 (significantly above state average).
Congrats, Matt and students!
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Submit your #CelebrateRPS moment for us to highlight at www.rochesterschools.org/celebrateRPS
Thank you for your patience as we restored our phone lines this morning. All main phone lines are working; you can contact the school office using the main office numbers.
The main phone lines at some of our schools are currently not working. Parents and caregivers should have received an email and a text message with alternative ways to contact the school if necessary. We are working to resolve the issue and will provide an update as soon as we have more information.
Thank you to everyone who could attend the Century High School Homecoming Parade! Go Panthers!
This week kicked off Homecoming for Century and John Marshall, consider sharing your school spirit! In partnership with Altra Federal Credit Union, families and students can now get a debit card that showcases your school.
Get yours today online: https://www.altra.org/personal/checking/visa-debit-card/high-school-spirit-debit-card/
Early voting begins TODAY! This election, voters will decide whether to approve an operating levy increase to stabilize the RPS budget, protect class sizes, strengthen academic and career programs and more.
Explore RochesterSchools.org/referendum for more information.
The dust is off the mic! Mayo student gov sounds off their thoughts on the new cell phone policy in the upcoming Supt. in the Halls.
Shout out to the Sunset Terrace kindergarten team for this #CelebrateRPS submission:
The Sunset Terrace Elementary School Kindergarten team consisting of Bri Johnson, Sarah (Taraba) Gooley, and Nate Ketchum -- along with their amazing custodian Tony (Jose) Mozqueda quickly prepared a kindergarten classroom for their newly hired teacher Mary Bell on their day off right before Step Into Learning this year so Mary could come into a room set up and ready to go to be able to meet her new students and help families feel welcome!
Going above and beyond for our families is just one of the many fabulous characteristics of our great teachers!
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Submit your #CelebrateRPS moments to be highlighted at www.rochesterschools.org/celebrateRPS
Mark your calendars: Early voting for the "Ignite Student Learning" referendum starts this Friday, September 20.
You can vote early via absentee ballot or in person at the Olmsted County Elections Office.
Visit RochesterSchool.org/referendum to learn more about early voting.
September is National Recovery Month. Apex Recovery School, an RPS High School, is an academic community providing hope and support for students in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Apex represents the desire for students to achieve Academic & Personal EXcellence. Read more about this school: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1251127
