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Today is the first day of school for elementary students, and we expect some delays in bus transportation, especially as our bus drivers learn the new route structure with the changeover from transporting elementary students home and turning around to pick up our secondary students. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we navigate this and continuously work to improve our processes. 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.

If the "Ignite Student Learning" referendum fails, class sizes will increase, school closures will be unavoidable, and RPS will need to make major cuts to student programs, support services, and teachers and staff. Find out more details at RochesterSchools.org/referendum.

8/26/24: Due to an excessive heat warning issued for this afternoon and evening, all outdoor athletic sports and activities are canceled. However, some coaches may still have indoor practice plans. Please check in with them for this information.

Beginning in Fall 2024, elementary school students across Rochester Public Schools will use Xello, a new online platform, to: - Encourage Self-Discovery - Create Career Awareness - Build Future-Readiness Skills In elementary school, this program will be led by school counselors in classrooms. 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

The Ignite Student Learning referendum seeks voter approval of an operating levy increase to stabilize our budget and protect the programs & services that help our students thrive. 🏫 To find out how the proposed levy would impact your property taxes, use our tax calculator https://www.ehlers-inc.com/microsite/rochester2024/ 👈

What's for lunch? Plan ahead for the start of the school year by downloading this month's meal menu. August and September meal menus are available for download. Download here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/documents/school-meals-and-menus/493023

"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.

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

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.

RPS faces a $19.4 million budget deficit that could force school closures, larger classes, and major cuts. This Nov., voters will consider a levy increase on the ballot to stabilize our budget and “Ignite Student Learning.” Visit RochesterSchools.org/referendum to learn more.

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

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.

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

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.

Are you ready for the school year? Mark your calendars with important dates, breaks, and more. Print your school calendar and special calendars online: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OjDjRZSj_Ywx1dCr809H6_pH4tTaIH7W?usp=drive_link

Join us tomorrow, August 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Edison Board Room (615 7th St SW) for our Hiring Event! Open positions include: - Special Education Teachers - Education Support Professionals - Health Office Staff (Nurses) - Substitute Teachers & Staff - Secondary Math Teachers - Secondary Science Teachers - Speech Language Pathologists - Occupational Therapists and more! Walk-ins are welcome! Join us at the Edison Board Room, 615 7th St SW, Rochester, MN.