Have you ever wondered what MEA is and why students don't have school in the middle of October? Check out this article from the Star Tribune explaining this two-day break: https://www.startribune.com/mea-weekend-minnesota-educators-academy-explained-third-week-october/600313386
In education, part of our job is to meet students where they are. Every student has a unique relationship with learning. From their learning preferences to how their brain explores concepts, education isn't a "one size fits all" experience. At Rochester Public Schools, our Advanced Learning program helps meet the needs of students who are ready for more challenging content and require experiences beyond the traditional classroom setting.
https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1792714
A reminder that there is no school for students on Thursday, October 17, and Friday, October 18, for MEA (Minnesota Educators Academy). We will see students back in school on Monday, October 21.
If the Ignite Student Learning referendum is approved in November, the operating levy increase will protect essential teaching positions, classes, and programs that empower all students. Learn more about our proposed plan: RochesterSchools.org/referendum
At the School Board meeting on Tuesday, October 8, the School Board voted unanimously to direct Superintendent Pekel to develop a 2025-2026 general fund budget recommendation that includes reductions if the Ignite Student Learning referendum plan is not passed by voters on November 5, 2024. Read more about what this budget recommendation would include: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1811261
Our October Champion Speaker for Breakfast of Champions is, Megan Magnuson. She is a Coach at Century High School and we cannot wait to hear her Champion message for students and families. FREE Breakfast is served at 7:30 am with the speaker to follow. We cannot wait to see you Tuesday morning, October 29.
Listen to RPS students explain the Ignite Student Learning referendum that is on the November ballot!
The video shows how the proposed levy increase would stabilize district finances and support the programs and services that help students thrive: https://youtu.be/2-Y2VWb-wA8
During the month of December, John Adams Middle School has a Pop Up Giving Shop for students to shop at so that they have an opportunity to give a a gift to someone special in their lives. They shop with their Paw Points that they have earned throughout the first part of the school year. No actual money is needed to purchase items for giving.
What do we need from you?
If you have something that you would like to donate please see PTSA or drop them off at John Adams Main Office. Please also see the attachment for more details.
We will continue to send out reminders over the next couple of months. Thank you families for being a part of our school.
Go Jaguars!
John Marshall High School and Mayo High School will be at John Adams Monday and Tuesday next week to sell spirit wear for whichever school your student will be attending. This will be happening over the lunch period for those that are interested. Have a great weekend Jaguar Families!
Listen to Superintendent Pekel explain what's at stake for RPS this election when voters consider an operating levy increase that would stabilize our budget, allowing RPS to avoid school closures, protect class sizes, and maintain student programs and services: bit.ly/3MRUWLR
Does your student ride a school bus? 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. Check it out!
In case you missed it! Read the recent op-ed by RPS School Board Chair Cathy Nathan, which explains why we put forward the Ignite Student Learning referendum to stabilize our finances and continue helping all students reach their full potential. ➡️ bit.ly/3XCaF6X
A reminder that there is no school tomorrow, Wednesday, September 25, for all students. Your teachers and administrators will be participating in professional development, reviewing assessment data, and planning instruction. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!
Last Reminder! First Breakfast of Champions of the Year! September 24 @ 7:30am is our first Breakfast of Champions! Awesome monthly event. Breakfast, Coffee, Juice and a Champion message. Mikala Hora is our Champion Speaker this month on Mental Fitness. Please Come!
We cannot wait to see you tomorrow!
Early voting begins TODAY! This election, voters will decide whether to approve an operating levy increase to stabilize the RPS budget, protect class sizes, strengthen academic and career programs and more.
Explore RochesterSchools.org/referendum for more information.
Another Friendly Reminder!! First one of the Year! September 24 @ 7:30am is our first Breakfast of Champions! Awesome monthly event for you to come with your student or just drop your student off for breakfast and a Champion message.
Mikala Hora is our Champion Speaker this month on Mental Fitness.
Please Come!
Mark your calendars: Early voting for the "Ignite Student Learning" referendum starts this Friday, September 20.
You can vote early via absentee ballot or in person at the Olmsted County Elections Office.
Visit RochesterSchool.org/referendum to learn more about early voting.
Why is RPS facing a budget deficit?
➡️ State funding hasn’t kept up with inflation or the rising cost of staff salaries, utilities, and school equipment.
➡️ Of the 15 MN districts with 10,000+ students, RPS ranks last in voter-approved local funding.
Visit RochesterSchools.org/referendum to learn more.
Join us tonight to hear what the three psychological needs are that need to be met to enable a young person to learn, develop, and achieve their full potential. In his first State of the School District Address, RPS Superintendent Kent Pekel will answer that question and provide an engaging overview of how Rochester Public Schools is working to meet those three essential psychological needs for more than 17,000 young people in our community. The event will also feature performances and observations from RPS students on the state of our schools, our school system, and our city. Thanks to a generous donation, the evening will conclude with frozen treats from La Michoacana Purepecha.
Whether you are a parent or caregiver who seeks to help your children succeed or a member of the Rochester community who wants to help all children succeed or both, please join us for what promises to be an important and enjoyable evening. See you at 7 p.m. at the John Marshall High School auditorium (1510 14th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901).
Two RPS students have been named to the list of the Top 300 Junior Innovators in the national 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC), a program of the Society for Science. Local middle school students become eligible for the competition through participation in the Rochester Regional STEM Fair.
➡️ Sia Sood is an 8th grader at John Adams Middle School. Her project was "Does High Technology Use Correlate With Stress in Middle School Students?"
➡️ Samuel Kaspar, formerly a John Adams student who is now a freshman at John Marshall, became eligible with his project entitled "Transforming Radiology and Patient Experiences Using Cloud and Machine Learning."
Congratulations, Sia and Samuel!
Submit your #CelebrateRPS moments to www.rochesterschools.org/celebrateRPS
