For those who are in need of food, here are some immediate and long-term food support resources. Thanks to Channel One Regional Food Bank for helping to put together this resource.
You can view the Attendance Options Redesign Boundary Locator page on our website to see where the proposed boundaries would be: https://rochesterschools.org/aor-boundary-locator. Please read through the content on the page before using the boundary locator, as it explains how to best utilize the map.
Once you’ve viewed the proposed boundary, you can estimate which Transportation Zone you are in by following the instructions on our website. For reference:
Walk Zone
-> 1.25 miles from elementary school
-> 1.5 miles from middle school
-> 2 miles from high school
RPS Transportation Zone
-> Beyond the walk zone listed above to the edge of the school's boundary.
Self Transportation Zone
-> If you live anywhere outside of the school's boundary.
Disclaimer: Once boundaries are confirmed, we will accurately identify walk and transport zones within each attendance area and communicate that with families in the spring.
You can tune in to the Study Session live tomorrow at 5 p.m. via our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ISD535.
Tonight's Board Meeting is an informational meeting where Superintendent Pekel will present the proposal. The Board will not vote on this proposal until January 23, 2024. There will be several opportunities for analysis, information, and feedback between today and the vote in January. A survey will be available next week. If you have feedback in the meantime, please email redesign@rochesterschools.org. More information about the timeline can be found at www.rochesterschools.org/attendance-options-redesign. If you would like to watch tonight's meeting, it will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@ISD535. Note: If you would like to speak at a future regular session school board meeting during the Comments to the Board portion of the meeting, you must submit a written request by email to the Assistant School Board Clerk at the following email address: asb@rochesterschools.org before 5:00 p.m. on the day before the School Board meeting. The written request must state: (1) the individual’s name, (2) whether the individual has a child attending school in the School District, (3) whether the individual is employed by the School District, (4) whether the individual is a student in the School District, and (5) whether the individual is a local property taxpayer to Rochester Public Schools. The assistant school board clerk will follow up.
If you would like to watch tonight's meeting, it will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/@ISD535. The regular session starts at 6 p.m.
Tonight's Board Meeting is an informational meeting where Superintendent Pekel will present the proposal. The Board will not vote on this proposal until January 23, 2024.
There will be several opportunities for analysis, information, and feedback between today and the vote in January. A survey will be available next week. If you have feedback in the meantime, please email redesign@rochesterschools.org. More information about the timeline can be found at www.rochesterschools.org/attendance-options-redesign.
If you would like to watch tonight's meeting, it will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@ISD535.
Note: If you would like to speak at a future regular session school board meeting during the Comments to the Board portion of the meeting, you must submit a written request by email to the Assistant School Board Clerk at the following email address: asb@rochesterschools.org before 5:00 p.m. on the day before the School Board meeting. The written request must state: (1) the individual’s name, (2) whether the individual has a child attending school in the School District, (3) whether the individual is employed by the School District, (4) whether the individual is a student in the School District, and (5) whether the individual is a local property taxpayer to Rochester Public Schools. The assistant school board clerk will follow up.
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.
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.
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!
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.
