Welcome, new RPS teachers! We are thrilled to have you on board and hope you enjoyed your onboard training, speakers, and Superintendent Pekel's address. Thank you in advance for fostering inclusion, teaching topics close to your heart, and inspiring the young minds of our students!






Don't miss a bell! Set your clocks with a reminder of the 2025-2026 School Bell Times. Check out your school's times here: www.rochesterschools.org/belltimes
Important Update for Elementary Families:
Please note that release times for select elementary schools have changed by 5 minutes. Make sure to double-check your student's specific school schedule!

Attendance matters, all day, every school day! Plan ahead by downloading the 2025-2026 calendar to sync your schedules for the upcoming school year. Download the calendar today: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xrFqCZIbB6lkqDN40P_UVOcFxWJSgS_J?usp=drive_link

We're preparing for the 2025–2026 school year, and we need your help to plan safe, efficient bus routes. Update your student’s transportation info now!
If your student is in grades 10–12, a district‑wide option student, or a non‑public student needing after‑school busing, complete an RPS Registered Rider Form. Address change, foster care, joint custody, and alternate site forms are also on our website. Whether your student is returning, new, or has updated needs, let us know: www.rochesterschools.org/transportation

Congratulations to a John Adams Middle School 6th grade eCYBERMISSION team, The Exploding Turtles, for winning state, the eleven-state region, and advancing to national competition! The team of Vivek Kudva, Vincent Slivinski, Arihant Kanwar, and Vikram Kudva each won $4,000 bonds and an all expenses paid trip to a five-day judging and educational event just outside of Washington DC. (Yes. They stayed in a luxury hotel!)
In addition to presenting to a panel of judges, the team presented in a VIP event and a national live feed. The week was also filled with STEM challenges and educational activities.
eCYBERMISSION is sponsored by AEOP, Army Educational Outreach Program and supported by NSTA, the National Science Teachers Association.
In addition to presenting to a panel of judges, the team presented in a VIP event and a national live feed. The week was also filled with STEM challenges and educational activities.
eCYBERMISSION is sponsored by AEOP, Army Educational Outreach Program and supported by NSTA, the National Science Teachers Association.




All summer meal locations are now open and operating under their normal hours. Come and join us for a FREE meal for children 18 years of age or younger. Adult meals are also offered for a small fee. Check out our menus, locations, and meal times online: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/summer-meals

All RPS buildings and programs, including summer meal locations and summer school-aged child care (SACC), will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. We will resume normal operations on Monday, July 7, 2025. We wish you and your families a safe and happy Fourth of July!

All RPS buildings and programs, including summer meal locations and summer school-aged child care (SACC), will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2024, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. We will resume normal operations on Monday, July 7, 2024. We wish you and your families a safe and happy Fourth of July!

We're in the heart of summer, soaking up the sun! But just like your favorite ice cream cone, summer eventually has to end. And that means getting ready for a new school year! While it might feel early to trade in your swimsuits for notebooks, consider getting a head start on your back-to-school supplies. Get your list here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/schoolsupplies

SPECIAL HOURS: Our summer meal program will only operate out of three locations from June 30 to July 3, and all locations will be closed on July 4. Visit Franklin, Overland, or Washington Elementary for summer meals this week! For more information, visit www.rochesterschools.org/summermeals.

The Exploding Turtles e-cybermission team from John Adams is headed to the national competition. The 6th grade team of Vikram Kudva, Vivek Kudva, Vincent Slivinski, and Arihant Kanwar collaborated to code and engineer a device that controls plant moisture levels, serving as the foundation for other potential applications.
You can support your favorite team from home on by watching the livestream and voting for the People's Choice Award on JUNE 26 at this link http://bit.ly/3HSmz8y. You can watch on YouTube @eCYBERMISSIONTeam.

Looking for a quick and nutritious summer meal? Visit one of our summer meal locations for breakfast or lunch! Meals are FREE for children 18 or younger and a small fee for adults. Check out our menus, locations, and meal times online: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/summer-meals
Please note that meals must be consumed on location and that all summer meal locations will be closed for Juneteenth and reopen on June 20 at locations that operate Monday through Friday.

What an incredible 2024-2025 school year! As we close the books on another year, we want to thank our amazing students, staff, and families for making it so special. Your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm made this year truly memorable.
We've loved every moment of learning, growing, and achieving together. While we're sad to see it end, we're already looking forward to continuing the adventure with all of you next school year!










We forgot to mention a big accomplishment from this school year: the passing of the 2024 Ignite Student Learning Referendum! Watch this brief video from Superintendent Pekel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQK9P5NxpZU
As the 2024–2025 school year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the highlights from the past ten months. This list doesn’t capture everything great that happened in our schools, but I hope it gives you a sense of the extraordinary work we’ve done together. Everyone connected to Rochester Public Schools (RPS) should feel proud of what we’ve accomplished—and even more excited about what lies ahead. Read Superintendent Pekel's End Of Year Review: https://bit.ly/end-of-year-review-2025

Get Ready, because free summer meals are back! Starting June 9, summer meals will be offered at Elton Hills, Gage, Franklin, Longfellow, Overland, Riverside, Washington, Willow Creek, and John Marshall High School.
Breakfast and lunch served daily. All meals for children 18 years of age or younger are FREE. Adult meals can also be purchased for $3.10 for breakfast and $5.50 for lunch.
See the flyer for a full list, dates, and times, or visit www.rochesterschools.org/summermeals for more information.
🍏 June Menu: https://5il.co/3gpjn
🍏 Flyers: https://www.rochesterschools.org/documents/school-meals-and-menus/summer-meals/805175

Friendly reminder: No school on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day)! RPS offices will also be closed. We'll resume regular hours on Tuesday, May 27.

We're halfway through Teacher Appreciation Week, and it's been full of joy! We have loved seeing all the celebrations, from a giant chicken outside a building to chalk art, treats, high fives, and hugs! RPS schools are showing huge love for our teachers! Thank you for everything you do for our students! We appreciate you!

JA staff focused on MTSS literacy during the May 7th CAD Day.




Heads up, students! There will be no school on Wednesday, May 7. Staff will be engaged in a Curriculum Adjustment Day. See you back on Thursday, May 8.

