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
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/).
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).
“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
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
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.
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
#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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
And we're off to a great start with the 2024-2025 school year! Today, we welcomed our incoming 6th grade and 9th grade students to our secondary schools. You could feel the excitement around the new school year. Welcome back!
It’s a new school year and that means new teachers joining the Rochester Public High Schools! Help us give them a warm welcome to Rochester Public Schools.
Marjory Ball-Williams: Century High School, Emotional Behavioral Behavior Disorder Teacher
"I have a passion for history (and the social sciences), and I want to bring that to those who will be in charge making decisions in our country."
Chelsey Ferguson: John Marshall High School, Learning Disabilities Teacher
I was a paraprofessional for the last seven years at RPS, so I knew once I got my teaching degree, I wanted to work here.
Chelsey Ferguson: John Marshall High School, Learning Disabilities Teacher
"I was a paraprofessional for the last seven years at RPS, so I knew once I got my teaching degree, I wanted to work here. "
Will Oliphant: Century High School, French Teacher
"My journalism teacher in high school was a guy named Mr. Smrha, and he was unafraid of being different and grandiose. He helped me through an incredibly difficult time by never letting slack off and making me live up to my potential."
Kristin Rodgers: Mayo High School, Learning Disabilities Teacher
"I want to support kids the way my teachers supported me."
Heather Robinson: Century High School, Social Worker
"I love to support and advocate for people and have always had a passion for this. I like variety in my job and wanted to have the opportunity to help people of all ages/abilities/backgrounds/etc."
A #CelebrateRPS submission from Tali McPike:
Elliot McPike is a student at Kellogg. He is autistic, and his transition to Middle School was difficult. He ended up in Prairie Care's PHP program for a month, which was also difficult. Despite these difficulties contributing to not focusing on esports competition the way he did in elementary school, he successfully qualified for the 2024 Pokemon World Championship.
Read more of Elliot's story in this Star Tribune story: https://www.startribune.com/this-rochester-pre-teen-works-to-be-the-very-best-pokemon-player-in-the-world/600387122
