RPS School Board Chair, Cathy Nathan, visited ECFS programming on Friday 11/17. She spent the morning in our ECFE classrooms at Northrop and the afternoon visiting preschoolers at Hoover Early Learning School. We were excited to welcome her into our classrooms and share our early childhood programming!
At tomorrow's School Board meeting, Superintendent Pekel will be speaking in detail on the Attendance Options Redesign proposal, a comprehensive strategy for changing school attendance options, attendance boundaries, and the transportation system in RPS. The proposal includes 10 points:
1. Redesign School Attendance Areas
2. Discontinue Districtwide Transportation for Districtwide Option Schools (DWOs)
3. Expand the School Age Child Care (SACC) Program
4. Expand the Newcomer Program for Multilingual Students
5. Close Schools to Adjust to Declining Enrollment
6. Reconfigure Churchill and Hoover Early Learning and Elementary Schools
7. Move Lincoln K-8 School to a New Location and Expand Enrollment
8. Adopt a Traditional Calendar at Longfellow Elementary and Expand the School to Grades K-8
9. Create a Middle School ALC
10. Maintain Support for Students with Disabilities
You can view more information about each point as well as opportunities for analysis and input on our website: https://www.rochesterschools.org/attendance-options-redesign
Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate. Wishing you a restful and Joyful Holiday!
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.
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.
State Representative Andy Smith stopped by Mighty Oaks this week. We thank him for dedicating time to visiting us and gaining insight into our local early childhood programs!
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!
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!
Wishing a happy Diwali to those to celebrate!
Honoring all who served. Thank you, Veterans.
Along with Northrop, Hawthorne also got a brand new playground this Fall! The ribbon cutting was on 11/2, and many families came by and took the new equipment for a spin!
Rochester Public Schools invites you to come and enjoy our fall plays starting this weekend!
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, presented by the Panther Playhouse of Century High School, opens tomorrow night, November 9, and runs through November 11, with play times from 7 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday.
High School Musical, presented by Mayo Stage Door Backstage Pass of Mayo High School, opens November 16 and runs through November 19, with evening showings at 7 p.m. and a 1:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday.
Mama Mia! presented by John Marshall Theater of John Marshall High school, opens November 16 and runs through November 18 with evening showings at 6 p.m. and a 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or through the Hometown Fan app on your phone. To purchase tickets through the app, simply download the Hometown Fan app and search for Rochester High School hosting the play of your choice.
We hope to see you there!
Today is National S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. Day! The day inspires kids to explore and pursue their interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.
It's Election Day! Polls are now open until 8 p.m. Find your voting location at https://pollfinder.sos.mn.gov.
Still have questions about the referendum? Join Supt. Pekel TONIGHT at the In-Person Referendum Forum from 7-8 p.m. at the Edison Board Room, 615 7th St SW, Rochester, MN 55902.
Ready to make your voice heard, Rochester?
TODAY is your last chance for early voting! Head over to 2122 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN 55904, or 151 4th St SE, Conference Room 2, Rochester, MN. Voting's open today until 5 p.m. Don't miss this opportunity to have your say!
Can't make it today? No problem! ELECTION DAY is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 7! Polls open bright and early at 7 a.m. and stay open until 8 p.m.
Find your voting location for tomorrow at https://pollfinder.sos.mn.gov.
How will improved Technology help RPS? Watch this brief video to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DynHcULSVUY
Be engaged, be informed, and please vote on or before November 7!
Attention, Rochester! Here's what you need to know about the 2023 Capital Projects Technology Levy Referendum!
🏠 For the average $325,000 homeowner, it's $11 a month.
📊 We're rising from the bottom of the pack among 11 comparable districts in operating and technology levies.
⏰ This fresh 10-year levy spells a new era for our schools—building a brighter future, one innovative step at a time.
💻 From a $3 million tech infusion to redirecting $7 million from the general fund, we're maintaining class sizes.
Please make your voice heard by voting on or before November 7.
🍿 It's movie night, Rochester! 🎬 Grab your popcorn and tune in to our videos highlighting the 2023 Capital Projects Technology Levy Referendum for Rochester Public Schools!
📽️ RPS Capital Projects Referendum: Unveil the transformative plans for our school's future - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4vE0jCxbPI&feature=youtu.be
🌐 How can technology help RPS? Discover the power of tech in shaping our students' education. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DynHcULSVUY
💸 How will the Referendum finances be used? Dive into the smart allocation of funds for our schools. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LrhhqA0RMo
🎯 What will the Referendum help us accomplish? Learn how your support paves the way for a brighter future! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmLren2hee8
🗳️ Get informed and vote on November 7! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hqZ2Wj6pJM
It's almost time to "fall back!" Daylight Saving Time concludes on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 2:00 A.M. Don't forget, our clocks need to "fall back" one hour.
