Calling all future kindergarten students! Save the date: we're hosting our annual Kick Off 2 Kindergarten Fair on Thursday, May 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Century High School (2525 Viola Rd NE, Rochester, MN 55906).
Stop by to learn more about Kindergarten at RPS and visit our departments, such as Transportation, Student Nutrition, School Aged Child Care, Registration, and more, as well as community partner organizations. You can also take photos in our photo booth!
Tell your friends and join us!
Set your clocks! School Age Child Care (SACC) summer registration opens April 14, 2025, at 6:00 a.m. for Summer SACC. If you're considering summer care for your K-5 students, consider making it a summer of fun with our educational and enriching summer school age child care! Learn more at www.rochesterschools.org/sacc.
RPS is canceling school tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in anticipation of the blizzard warning issued by the National Weather Service.
Here’s what this means:
➡️ This is a complete District building closure due to the anticipated severity of the storm. We will not be clearing parking lots until the storm has passed.
➡️ High school MCA testing is rescheduled for next week. Families will receive further communication from their respective schools about the rescheduled date.
➡️ School Age Child Care (SACC) will be closed.
➡️ All PAIIR, Preschool Age Child Care (PACC), Preschool, and Community Education daytime and evening classes for early childhood, youth, adults, and adults with exceptional abilities are canceled.
➡️ Hawthorne Education Center is closed.
➡️ All community building rentals are canceled.
➡️ All Professional Growth Academy classes are canceled.
➡️ All after-school activities and athletics are canceled.
School supplies adding up? Don't toss those receipts just yet! Did you know most purchases qualify for the valuable K-12 Education Credit or Subtraction? Learn how to claim your savings next tax season: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/k-12-education-subtraction-and-credit
Join us for our hiring event on Friday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.!
Open positions include:
Licensed School Counselors
Speech Language Pathologist Assistants
Education Support Professionals
Special Education Teachers
Math Teachers
Science Teachers
Maintenance workers
Occupational Therapists
Health Office Nurses/Licensed School Nurses
Student Nutrition Services
and more!
Join us at the Edison Board Room, 615 7th St SW. Walk-ins are welcome, and virtual interviews are available! Sign up for a virtual interview at https://bit.ly/march29hiringevent. Join the RPS team and make a direct impact on your community!
Students will not report to school on Wednesday, March 12. Staff will be participating in a curriculum adjustment day. We will see students back on Thursday, March 13.
Students will not report to school on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents Day. Staff will participate in a districtwide professional development day. Students will return to school on Tuesday, February 18.
Students will not report to school on Monday, February 17 in observance of Presidents Day. Staff will participate in a districtwide professional development day. Students will return to school on Tuesday, February 18.
Parents and caregivers, did you know your child's school supplies could mean more money back in your pocket next tax season? 📚✨ Save those receipts and discover how the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction can boost your refund: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/k-12-education-subtraction-and-credit
All schools except Longfellow Elementary will be closed on Friday, January 24. Students, enjoy your day off. RPS staff will be participating in a PD/grading day. We'll see you back on Monday, January 27!
RPS will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21, due to forecasted extreme cold weather conditions.
➡️ School Age Child Care (SACC) will be open 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Northrop Education Center (201 8th St. NW).
➡️ All PAIIR, Preschool Age Child Care (PACC), Preschool, and Community Education daytime and evening classes, for early childhood, youth, adults, and adults with exceptional abilities are canceled.
➡️ Hawthorne Education Center is closed.
➡️ All community building reservations are canceled.
➡️ All Professional Growth Academy classes are canceled.
➡️ No supper meals will be provided.
➡️ After-school activities will continue as normal for high schools. No after-school buses will be running from the middle schools to high schools today. Middle school students, please plan accordingly.
There will be no school on Monday, January 20, and RPS offices will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 21.
Our Jaguars are starting the year strong by working hard to achieve their New Year's resolutions/goals!!! From setting academic goals to personal growth, we are proud to see everyone's dedication and enthusiasm. Let's continue to support and grow!
#GoalSetting #StudentSuccess #PositiveVibes
Welcome back, students! We hope you had a restful break. We're excited to see all the growth and learning that will happen in the remainder of the school year!
It's not too late! Ski Club registration will close soon and you still have time to register. Students in Grades 5-12 can hit the slopes with our upcoming Ski trips. Register today: https://rochester.ce.eleyo.com/course/24226/2025-winter-spring-youth/2025-welch-ski-club-coach-bus-optional-rental-gr-5-12#5600-century
“The community’s approval of the Ignite Student Learning Referendum will enable Rochester Public Schools (RPS) to avoid closing schools, raising class sizes, and making major cuts to positions and programs that serve our students. It will provide RPS with the financial stability we need to continue implementing our ambitious strategic plan and to remain focused on our academic mission. Most importantly, it is an investment in our students that will pay off in the skilled workforce that Rochester needs to thrive in the decades ahead. We look forward to providing regular updates to the community on how the referendum funds are being used, and we will work hard to continue earning and strengthening the trust that the community has placed in us through its approval of the referendum on November 5, 2024.”
Tomorrow is Election Day! Today is the last day for early voting. You can vote today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2122 Campus Drive SE, Suite 300, Rochester, MN, or 201 4th St. SE in Rochester, (Conference Room 104), Rochester, MN.
Don't forget to vote on the Ignite Student Learning referendum to increase the operating levy and allow RPS to continue helping every student reach their full potential.
Learn how to make your voice heard: https://referendum.rochesterschools.org/voting-information
"Prior to Advanced Learning classes, my kids didn't enjoy school and were bored. Now, they are both thriving and have found their place. They love the faster pace and challenge to think differently and explore topics a bit further than the traditional classroom," Connie said.
Learn more about how Advanced Learning classes have made a difference for our students - https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1850420
Where does Rochester rank in the funding we receive? In this short video, Superintendent Pekel shares a fact about funding for RPS that has surprised people across our community. Check it out: https://youtu.be/b7edFAoSosU
As the weather gets colder and it remains darker during morning commutes, a reminder to go slow around school zones and pay attention to school buses. Always be prepared to stop for school buses.
🛑 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 retracted and the red lights are turned off.
