"Dear RPS community, I hope you had a great summer and that you are as excited as I am for the school year that is about to begin. One of the most important events for our school district this year is the referendum to increase local funding for Rochester Public Schools (RPS) that will be on the ballot on November 5."
Read Superintendent Pekel's full letter: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1724172
Our staff has spent the last week getting ready for you, double check your calendar so you are ready too!
Monday, August 26:
• Step into Learning for all elementary schools
• Meet me in the Middle for incoming 6th grade students
• First day of 9th Grade for all 9th grade students
Tuesday, August 27:
• Step into Learning for all elementary schools
• First Day of School for all secondary students
Wednesday, August 28:
• First Day of School for all elementary students
Thursday, August 29:
• Regular school day
Friday, August 30:
• No school for all schools and programs that follow the traditional school year calendar. Longfellow Elementary is still in session.
#CelebrateRPS: Our community never shies away from joining us in celebrating the accomplishments of our students. With over 10 graduation ceremonies across our schools and programs, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate our Class of 2024 one last time as they start this fall headed forward to a year of new beginnings in college, careers, service, exploration, and adventure!
A #CelebrateRPS submission from Lucy B:
"Lisa Levi works at Sunset Terrace and has created an incredible program called Book Boggy. It's been wonderful seeing our students benefit from it! She's teamed up with Brenda Shamblin from Mayo, who's equally dedicated to community support. Together, they're sharing books with various families. Brenda's work in the community is invaluable, and both she and Lisa have such infectious enthusiasm. We're fortunate to have them as RPS Staff & I am grateful for the connection I made between them."
Do you have a #CelebrateRPS moment to share? Submit it at www.rochesterschools.org/celebrateRPS
If approved by voters this November, the additional funding from the Ignite Student Learning plan will protect critical resources such as:
⭐Reading specialist positions
⭐School counselors
⭐Advanced learning teachers
⭐Career and technical education classes
Learn more ➡️ RochesterSchools.org/referendum
#RPSinfo New year, New bell times! At the start of the school year, we’ll transition to our new school bell time schedule.
• RPS Preschool - Morning session: 8:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
• RPS Preschool - Afternoon session 12:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
• Elementary schools: 7:55 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.
• Middle schools: 8:35 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
• High schools: 8:50 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• Phoenix Academy, RAIL, and Right Fit: 8:20 a.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Visit https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/school-bell-times or print our 2024-2025 School Directory and Bell Times document.
Did you see an RPS student overcome a challenge? Has an RPS staff person gone above and beyond to help you? Do you want to acknowledge an RPS colleague for their work? We're kicking off an initiative to #CelebrateRPS! Share your stories with us so we can share them with the RPS community. Share your positive stories at https://www.rochesterschools.org/celebraterps and we'll highlight them!
Mark your calendars and save the date for our inaugural State of the District on Monday, September 16. Superintendent Pekel will be joined by voices and performances from RPS students. Stay tuned—more information will come!
As the school year approaches and we see big yellow buses around town, here are some reminders for our motorists to help keep our students safe. Always be prepared to stop for school buses, especially during pick-up and drop-off hours.
Drivers must:
🛑 Stop for a school bus with its flashing red lights activated and the stop-arm extended.
🛑 Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus.
🛑 Remain stopped until the stop-arm is retrated and the red lights turned off.
There is a minimum $500 fine for stop-arm violations, and the buses RPS uses are armed with cameras.
Do you have a nurse’s license and are looking for a more predictable schedule? Apply to be a health office nurse with RPS!
Health Office Nurses coordinate healthcare for students by applying the nursing process, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. They will also train, delegate, monitor, and supervise healthcare services provided by Health Services personnel and other school staff. The goal is to enhance the educational process by addressing and eliminating health-related obstacles to learning for students.
Learn more and apply at https://www.applitrack.com/rochester/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?Category=Health+Services&AppliTrackJobId=18164&AppliTrackLayoutMode=detail&AppliTrackViewPosting=1
Beginning in Fall 2024, high school students across Rochester Public Schools will use Xello, a new online platform, to:
- Match Careers with Personal Strengths and Interests
- Build Future-Readiness Skills
- Take Steps to Achieve Life and Career Goals
In high school, this program will be led by school counselors and will serve as a tool to support every student in developing a plan for after high school, including scholarships and college applications. Caregivers can expect to receive information about Xello Family Account Access in September.
To learn more about supporting your student’s Xello experience at home, visit https://help.xello.world/en-us/Content/Get-Started/Xello-Families/GS_Families.htm
Free meals will continue for our students in Kindergarten through 12th grade, but it's important to share that funding for the MN Free Meal Program was only allocated for two school years. You can help show the need for this program by completing an Application for Educational Benefits: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/application-for-benefits
#CelebrateRPS: The first day of school is always a favorite for our followers, staff, and students! It’s a time to come together and celebrate the start of a new year, reconnect with old friends and mentors, and encourage belonging and community for all of our schools!
It’s SACC’s limited care week, and we’re making the most of our mini-session of SACC! We’ve packed this week full of fun as we enjoy the final days of summer. We may be sailing into the school year, but we’re here to enjoy every last moment of the summer.
Have you visited www.RochesterSchools.org/referendum yet? Come learn about why our district is proposing a referendum to voters this November, how the "Ignite Student Learning" plan would support students, and how you can make your voice heard on Election Day.
Meet Me in the Middle is a program designed to help ensure a calm and supportive orientation experience for all students new to RPS middle schools.
• Students new to middle school will meet teachers, learn the lunch and locker routines, and navigate the building and transportation with fewer peers in attendance.
• Meet me in the Middle is August 26, 2024.
• The first day of school is August 27, 2024.
Step Into Learning is an altered start to the traditional start of the school year. All of our elementary schools will use the first two days of school, August 26 and 27, as student conference days.
• Parents and guardians will make an individual 30-minute appointment in August (be watching for communication from your individual school soon).
• SACC will not be available on August 26 and 27.
• The first full day of school for students grades K-5 will be August 28.
Beginning in Fall 2024, middle school students across Rochester Public Schools will use Xello, a new online platform, to:
- Match Careers with Personal Strengths and Interests
- Build Future-Readiness Skills
- Take Steps to Achieve Life and Career Goals
In our middle schools, this program will be led collaboratively by school counselors and 7th/8th grade Integrated Technology and Careers (ITC) teachers. Caregivers can expect to receive information about Xello Family Account Access in September.
To learn more about supporting your student’s Xello experience at home visit https://help.xello.world/en-us/Content/Get-Started/Xello-Families/GS_Families.htm
That's a wrap on Summer SACC! We can't believe what a fun summer it has been, full of learning, laughs, and so much sun! Thanks for sharing your students with us over the summer!
Join Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel on Monday, August 12, from 7 to 7:45 p.m. in the Rochester Public Library Auditorium to hear more about Rochester Public Schools' 2024 referendum.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and parking is free after 4. p.m. The event will also be livestreamed and recorded by the Rochester Public Library on the library’s YouTube channel. That link will be available on the LWV Rochester website lwvrochester.org.
In-person audience questions will be taken. Questions can also be submitted up to 24 hours in advance by emailing them to LWVRochester@lwvmn.org, or by leaving a voice or text message at 507.722.0615.
