
You see them opening milk cartons in the lunchrooms, reading with students in the libraries, helping out on playgrounds, chaperoning field trips, and helping office staff stuff envelopes -- public school volunteers are a force, and we are happy to celebrate them this week!


Congratulations to our speech team! At a competition in Northfield this week, 21 of the 28 students on our team made it to the finals. Of that 21, 10 are going to the 1AA State Speech Tournament. Mayo High School also earned the 1AA Section Championship for the second year in a row. One category, called “Original Oratory,” had a ‘Mayo Sweep,’ as all three State advancers were from Mayo High School (and fourth and fifth places as well, of seven). Congratulations, Spartans!


A reminder that districtwide ACT testing will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, April 10! Only 11th-grade students and 12th-grade students taking the ACTs should report to school. 9th and 10th-grade students do not report to school. If you have a 12th-grade student not taking the ACT tomorrow, that student does not have to report to school.
Please read the poster for more details.


Join us for an FAFSA information session for all families and students next week on April 11, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. We hope to see you there!



We know it's spring break week and students aren't in session, but we're celebrating National Assistant Principal's Week! Our APs play a huge role in helping our buildings run smoothly, supporting our teachers and staff, and helping our students achieve their best! Thank you, APs!


Happy Easter to those who celebrate.


Wishing a blessed Good Friday to those who celebrate.


Wishing a Happy Holi to those who celebrate.


Happy Palm Sunday to those who celebrate.


Happy Purim to those who celebrate.


Happy Naw-Rúz to those who celebrate.


According to History.com, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of Saint Patrick's death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years and have been observing the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick since around the ninth or 10th century.


Ramadan Mubarak to all who participate.


It's almost time to "spring forward!" Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 2:00 A.M. Don't forget, our clocks need to “spring forward” one hour.


Today, March 8, is International Women's Day. At Rochester Public Schools, we are proud of the women and girls who contribute to our school district as staff, students, parents, and community members and celebrate the women who have positively impacted our lives.


Happy Maha Shivaratri to those who celebrate.


As you're replenishing school supplies for the last few months of school, remember to save your receipts. The Minnesota Department of Revenue offers two valuable tax benefits for parents who purchase school supplies for their K-12 students: the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction. These benefits can reduce parents’ taxes to increase their refund, but is only available for those who keep their receipts. Purchases for most school supplies, field trips, and musical instruments for school band are eligible.
Most Minnesota parents qualify for the K-12 subtraction, which reduces their taxable income. Parents under certain income limits may also qualify for the K-12 credit, which can refund up to 75% of their costs – even for parents who do not owe any taxes. More details here: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/press-release/2022-08-03/save-those-back-school-shopping-receipts-valuable-tax-benefits


Rochester Public Schools is surveying families and community members to engage in conversation and seek feedback about a 2024 Referendum. We invite you to participate because your opinion is important to us!
The survey will remain open for responses until 11:59 p.m. on March 8, 2024.
Take the survey at this link: https://rochesterpsd.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4HI6PWOEKbcIFpA


Last Friday, RPS hosted its third annual Special Olympics Unified Bowling event. This event was created to strengthen the relationships between RPS students with and without special needs. Our students had a great time bowling and playing arcade games!


This week, we’re celebrating National Public Schools Week and highlighting various roles that help our schools run smoothly and efficiently. Today, we’re spotlighting Yahye, an equity specialist at Mayo High School: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1474698
