Elton Hills celebrated World Kindness Day by sporting their red "Be Kind" T-shirts! Enjoy some photos over the first-grade lunch break.
Over the last two days, our secondary students have been gaining insight into postsecondary pathways. 50 colleges from around the country attended college fairs at Century, John Marshall, and Mayo High Schools to help students learn more about college and career opportunities.
Winter will be here soon, and we want to share our procedures with you should we have an unexpected school closing. Because these closures are unexpected, all families should have a contingency plan for their children in the event of school closings. Read more on what to expect: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1859223
Eligible seniors across the district have received a personalized Direct Admissions email that will list all the participating Minnesota colleges and universities offering them proactive admission. Qualifying students can follow the instructions in their RPS email, or learn more on the Student Center webpage: https://www.myhighered.mn.gov/direct-admissions-student-center
Honoring all who served. Thank you, Veterans.
Amelia Cordell and Tucker Quetone presented at the Ethnic Studies Conference in St. Paul. Their knowledge and expertise impacted educators at the state and national levels. Thanks for showing great representation of RPS Amelia and Tucker!
If you know anyone in the RPS community who is going above and beyond for their students, colleagues, or neighbors, submit them to be mentioned in our #CelebrateRPS newsletter!
https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/celebrate
“The community’s approval of the Ignite Student Learning Referendum will enable Rochester Public Schools (RPS) to avoid closing schools, raising class sizes, and making major cuts to positions and programs that serve our students. It will provide RPS with the financial stability we need to continue implementing our ambitious strategic plan and to remain focused on our academic mission. Most importantly, it is an investment in our students that will pay off in the skilled workforce that Rochester needs to thrive in the decades ahead. We look forward to providing regular updates to the community on how the referendum funds are being used, and we will work hard to continue earning and strengthening the trust that the community has placed in us through its approval of the referendum on November 5, 2024.”
As the polls close and we await results, we want to thank everyone who participated in this important community decision about Rochester Public Schools.
It’s Election Day! Eligible voters have until 8 p.m. to vote on the Ignite Student Learning referendum seeking a levy increase for RPS to avoid school closures, protect class sizes, and continue helping every student succeed.
Visit RochesterSchools.org/Referendum to learn more.
Take a walk through the Career and Technical Education Center at Heintz (CTECH) halls and see a career that's available to any RPS student.
Veterinary Studies, introduces students to the veterinary field through hands-on laboratory work, student-centered research, and job shadow opportunities.
Certified Nursing, gets students into the environment of professional hospitals. Upon completion of this course, students are eligible to take the Certification Exam for Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aid.
In Robotics, students build and program small robots and learn the essentials of gears, mechanical advantage, pneumatics, programming, and sensors.
Culinary Studies gives students the opportunity to gain industry-standard culinary skills while working in the commercial kitchen lab.
The Manufacturing pathway includes welding and machine technology. Students work with professional tools to construct practical structures such as hinges, chains, and frames—and complete creative projects such as sculpting.
Read more about these programs in the link below.
https://bit.ly/40zW7aW
What's at stake for RPS in this referendum?
If the Ignite Student Learning referendum is approved, additional funding will support academic programs and student services, maintain class sizes and vocational training, and protect faculty and staff positions.
If rejected, major budget cuts will lead to the closure of three schools, increased class sizes, reduced staffing, and diminished programs for academic growth and vocational training.
Learn more at https://referendum.rochesterschools.org/the-plan.
A reminder that there is no school on Tuesday, November 5. Teachers and administrators will participate in a Curriculum Planning Day, planning instruction and participating in professional development. We will see students back in school on Wednesday, November 6.
Tomorrow is Election Day! Today is the last day for early voting. You can vote today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2122 Campus Drive SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN, or 201 4th St. SE in Rochester, (Conference Room 104), Rochester, MN.
Don't forget to vote on the Ignite Student Learning referendum to increase the operating levy and allow RPS to continue helping every student reach their full potential.
Learn how to make your voice heard: https://referendum.rochesterschools.org/voting-information
It's almost time to "fall back!" Daylight Saving Time concludes on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 2 a.m. Don't forget, our clocks need to "fall back" one hour.
Elton Hills music teacher, Mr. Manansala, had his tinikling lesson yesterday! Special guests superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel and Elton Hills principal Steve Willman learned with students about traditional Filipino dance and instrument rhythms.
Jacque Peterson is the district wide Chief of Schools. She attended Ben Franklin Elementary, Central Junior High School (now the site of the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center), and Mayo High School. Read her story at https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1837874
This weekend, you can vote early in person on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Olmsted County Elections Office at 2122 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN 55904.
Learn more: https://referendum.rochesterschools.org/voting-information
"Prior to Advanced Learning classes, my kids didn't enjoy school and were bored. Now, they are both thriving and have found their place. They love the faster pace and challenge to think differently and explore topics a bit further than the traditional classroom," Connie said.
Learn more about how Advanced Learning classes have made a difference for our students - https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1850420
November is Career Development Month. Project SEARCH is a program for students ages 18 – 22 years old with intellectual and developmental cognitive disabilities. Students participate in internships while receiving systematic instruction in order to learn competitive, marketable employment skills. With the help of RPS Opportunity Services, some of them will go onto work at Mayo Clinic, and other employers, after their graduation.
In the link below, read current Project SEARCH student perspectives and learn about the program that prepares them for a successful future.
https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1837908
Calling all elementary parents and caregivers! In partnership with the City of Rochester, we are seeking your feedback on a Safe Routes to School Plan for our Elementary Schools.
Please share your thoughts in this 2-minute survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SRTS_eng.
Or add your voice to our interactive map: https://mnsaferoutes.altaplanning.cloud/
