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
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
Thank you @Jessica On The Radio and @Townsquare Media Rochester for spotlighting the ALC and our Resource Room & Food Pantry! We appreciate the radio time and write-up to help our community learn about our school and needs. https://y105fm.com/where-donate-rochester-alc-community-room/
ALC Families - One of our priorities is to help our students make reading and math growth. All students will be taking the FastBridge Reading/Math tests in the coming weeks:
* Day School (9/4 Reading, 9/11 Math)
* Night School (9/16-9/19)
* Success Lab (first week of school)
* APEX Recovery School (week of 9/2)
Please encourage your student to take their time so their score best represents their skills, to get rest the night before, and to eat breakfast the day of. We'll be asking students to take the assessment again in Winter and Spring so we can track student growth. Thank you for your support!
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.
The ALC school garden is THRIVING under our ESP Natalie Kocer's green thumb! With the help of our science teachers last school year, students grew a variety of flower and veggie plants under growing lights. When the ground was ready, students helped to shovel and transplant them in the school garden. This year, 350 pounds of food have been harvested! This includes potatoes, beets, radishes, tomatoes, 5 types of peppers, red onions, basil, and squash. The students even elected to plant raspberries that will be ready to pick later this year!
September's meal menus are ready! Download your copy to plan for next month:
https://www.rochesterschools.org/documents/school-meals-and-menus/493023
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.
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!
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
Today is the first day of school for elementary students, and we expect some delays in bus transportation, especially as our bus drivers learn the new route structure with the changeover from transporting elementary students home and turning around to pick up our secondary students.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we navigate this and continuously work to improve our processes.
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.
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.
We offer ALC students a Food Pantry and Resource Room on-site. Having access to clothing, basic hygiene items, and shelf-stable food items helps keep students in school. We could use help re-stocking our shelves for the start of the school year. If you'd like to donate items, please see the attached flyer for our ongoing needs. You can drop off items any day school is in session from 8:30-4pm.
The ALC flu clinic will take place AT SCHOOL on Thursday, September 26. The flu shot and nasal spray (FluMist®) will be offered as available. Registration is required by September 11. To register online, go to https://www.semnic.org/schoolfluclinics.html. Click "Sign Up Here."
8/26/24: Due to an excessive heat warning issued for this afternoon and evening, all outdoor athletic sports and activities are canceled. However, some coaches may still have indoor practice plans. Please check in with them for this information.
Please our first newsletter of the school year - a back-to-school edition!
https://secure.smore.com/n/auq6h-august-rochester-alc-newsletter
The Ignite Student Learning referendum seeks voter approval of an operating levy increase to stabilize our budget and protect the programs & services that help our students thrive. 🏫
To find out how the proposed levy would impact your property taxes, use our tax calculator https://www.ehlers-inc.com/microsite/rochester2024/ 👈
Our staff has spent the last week getting ready for you, double check your calendar so you are ready too!
Monday, August 26:
• Step into Learning for all elementary schools
• Meet me in the Middle for incoming 6th grade students
• First day of 9th Grade for all 9th grade students
Tuesday, August 27:
• Step into Learning for all elementary schools
• First Day of School for all secondary students
Wednesday, August 28:
• First Day of School for all elementary students
Thursday, August 29:
• Regular school day
Friday, August 30:
• No school for all schools and programs that follow the traditional school year calendar. Longfellow Elementary is still in session.
What's for lunch? Plan ahead for the start of the school year by downloading this month's meal menu. August and September meal menus are available for download.
Download here:
https://www.rochesterschools.org/documents/school-meals-and-menus/493023
"Dear RPS community, I hope you had a great summer and that you are as excited as I am for the school year that is about to begin. One of the most important events for our school district this year is the referendum to increase local funding for Rochester Public Schools (RPS) that will be on the ballot on November 5."
Read Superintendent Pekel's full letter: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1724172
