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.
8 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Early voting begins today
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.
8 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Vote!
Shout out to the Sunset Terrace kindergarten team for this #CelebrateRPS submission: The Sunset Terrace Elementary School Kindergarten team consisting of Bri Johnson, Sarah (Taraba) Gooley, and Nate Ketchum -- along with their amazing custodian Tony (Jose) Mozqueda quickly prepared a kindergarten classroom for their newly hired teacher Mary Bell on their day off right before Step Into Learning this year so Mary could come into a room set up and ready to go to be able to meet her new students and help families feel welcome! Going above and beyond for our families is just one of the many fabulous characteristics of our great teachers! -- Submit your #CelebrateRPS moments to be highlighted at www.rochesterschools.org/celebrateRPS
8 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Sunset Terrace kindergarten team
September is National Recovery Month. Apex Recovery School, an RPS High School, is an academic community providing hope and support for students in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Apex represents the desire for students to achieve Academic & Personal EXcellence. Read more about this school: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1251127
8 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Apex Recovery School logo
Sometimes, it can be hard to know what steps to take when you are worried that your student's emotional or mental well-being might be impacted. RPS families have access to a confidential screener online at http://mentalhealthscreeningtools.com/. If the screener results indicate that there is a reason for concern, or if you want to talk with a provider, schedule a free consultation with a mental health professional (https://ffcstaffconsults.as.me/).
8 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
988 logo text: In 2021 and 2022 suicide was the second-leading cause of death for people aged 10–14 and 25–34 years
“There have always been lots of education options for Rochester parents. My parents chose to send me here, and now I’m choosing to send my kids here.” Founder of Rochester Local and RPS graduate, Becky Montpetit, sends her two kids to RPS for the opportunity to sharpen the skills she learned at her alma mater. Read more about how her RPS education prepped her for her career: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1761463
8 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
BeckyInNZ
RochesterLocalLogo
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).
8 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
State of the district is tonight
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.
8 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Financial Stability is critical to our progress
Make your voice heard about the referendum to support RPS. Early voting starts on Friday, Sept. 20! You can learn more about the "Ignite Student Learning" plan to provide financial stability that will support our students by visiting RochesterSchools.org/referendum.
9 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Vote on or before Tuesday, November 5
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
9 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Sia Sood headshot
Samuel Kaspar headshot
If approved by voters this Nov., funding from the school referendum will eliminate our budget deficit and provide the financial stability we need to continue inspiring, challenging, and empowering all students to reach their full potential. Find out more: RochesterSchools.org/referendum
9 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
"Funding from the operating levy would: ⭐Support core academics ⭐Protect access to career-focused education ⭐Strengthen mental and emotional health services for students "
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay At Rochester Public Schools, we recognize the importance of prioritizing mental health and well-being. Let's take this opportunity to break the stigma around mental health and support each other. Whether it's checking in on a friend, practicing self-care, or seeking professional help, every action counts. Let's work together to create a community that values mental health and provides support to those who need it. Find Resources Below: ➡️ 988 Suicide & Lifeline Call or Text 988 (24/7) ➡️ Crisis Response for Southeast Minnesota (CREST) Call 844.274.7472 ➡️ National Sexual Assault Line: 1.866.656.4673 (24/7) ➡️ RPS Staff and Student Mental Health Sessions: https://ffcstaffconsults.as.me/schedule/d07eafa8
9 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Suicide Prevention Month: Let's work together to create a community that values mental health and provides support to those who need it. There is hope. There is help. Rochester public Schools
Why is RPS presenting voters with a referendum to increase the school operating levy this Nov.? We are facing a $19.4 M budget deficit that, if not addressed, will lead to: ❌School closures ❌Cuts to teachers and staff ❌Increased class sizes Learn more: RochesterSchools.org/referendum
9 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
We can’t build on our progress, or continue to provide a quality education, if we face budget cuts year after year.
To avoid school closures and $19.4 million in cuts, we are asking voters to consider an operating levy increase on the ballot this Nov. that would allow us to build on our progress in helping every student reach their full potential. Learn more: RochesterSchools.org/referendum
9 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
No school district can cut its way to long-term success
RPS Alumni/Current RPS Staff Spotlight: Kara Merrill is an assistant principal at Dakota Middle School. She is a former RPS student who attended Gage Elementary, John Adams Middle School, and Century High School. Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1747260
9 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
RPS staff/student higlight
What are the three psychological needs 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.
9 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
State of the District 2024
There will be no school on Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day. Additionally, all RPS offices will be closed. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, September 3.
9 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
RPS is closed for Labor Day on September 2, 2024
RPS families: This is a reminder that except for Longfellow Elementary, there is no school tomorrow, Friday, August 30. RPS is also closed on Monday, September 2, in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the long weekend, and we will see you next Tuesday!
9 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
No School Friday, August 30 (except Longfellow)
Results on the 2024 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) indicate that RPS has reversed a multi-year decline in the percentage of students who score at the proficient level or above in math, science, and reading. Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1736885
9 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
RPS reverses downward trend in proficiency rates in math, science, and reading
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.
9 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
"If approved by voters, the referendum will support: 1. Positions dedicated to supporting struggling students 2. Programs that challenge academically advanced students 3. Services for students that promote mental health and well-being 4. Classes that prepare students for vocational and technical careers"