Rochester Public Schools E-News
January 2020
Local Heroes
Our three high schools collectively raised $129,550.16 this month for local charities. This is an annual tradition called Rochester Century High School's Bear Creek Week, John Marshall High School's JM Gives, and Rochester Mayo High School's GOFA.
Funds will go to local charities including:
- Bear Creek Services
- Rochester Flyers - Special Olympics Team
- Dorothy Day Hospitality House - Homeless shelter in Rochester, MN
- Women's Shelter and Support Center, Rochester, MN
- Christmas Anonymous - Rochester
Congratulations to the students, advisors, staff, parents, volunteers, community members, and community partners on this tremendous success. This would not be possible without the generosity and dedication of YOU!
School Calendar Survey
The Meet and Confer Team have put together two different calendar options for the 2020-2021 school year. Complete the online survey to vote on which option you prefer, and provide any feedback that you would like regarding the two calendar options.
The survey will be open until January 10, 2020. The results of the survey will be presented to the Rochester Public School Board on January 28, 2020.
January 20 PD Day
The plans for our Professional Development Day on January 20th have been finalized. This is a PD day for all certified staff and paraprofessionals.
The morning session will be from 8:00-11:00. All staff who are participating have been assigned to a location. The focus during our morning session will be Grading for Learning and Prioritized Standards.
The afternoon session will be from 12:30-3:30, and staff will have the opportunity to choose from sessions that span a variety of topics. Those who access PDExpress to register early will have the most options. We have size limits for each course, so plan to register early for the most choice.
Review the Catalog of Morning and Afternoon Sessions here.
Teacher Heroes
In Mid-December, Minnesota Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker and Peggy Brookins, President and CEO of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, surprised three of our outstanding educators, Lori Ringen, Kelly Stroeing, and Laura Willis, at Friedell Middle School.
Featured left to right: Peggy Brookins, Lori Ringen, Kelly Stroeing, Laura Willis, Mary Cathryn Ricker, and Senator Carla Nelson.
RPS Preschool - Register Soon!
Skills we build in preschool serve us for a lifetime—positive relationships, language and literacy, numbers and thinking skills, and much more. RPS Preschool prepares our young learners for a future of school and life success. We use a play-based approach facilitated by licensed educators with respected curricula and assessments in a positive learning environment. Rochester Public Schools Preschool is a high-quality preschool program that respects the unique needs of each child. Registration for our fee-based preschool options begins on January 21.
Learn more about our amazing preschool programming today.
January District-Wide Dates & Events*
- January 3 - 31 • Kindergarten Registration • Edison Building • 8 AM - 4:30 PM
- January 5 • Students, staff return from Winter Break
- January 7 • School Board Meeting • Edison Board Room • 5:30 PM
- January 9 • STEM Night for EL Families • Willow Creek Middle School • 5:30 - 7 PM
- January 13 • Spartan Night (Incoming 9th Grade Orientation and Open House) • Mayo HS Cafeteria • 6 - 7:30 PM
- January 13 • First selection for District-Wide programming will occur
- January 13 • RPS Racial Advisory Equity Team • Edison Board Room • 6 - 7:30 PM
- January 14 • District Family Engagement Meeting • Northrop Room 201 • 9 - 11 AM
- January 14 • School Board Study Session • Edison Board Room • 5 PM
- January 14 • Panther Night (Incoming 9th Grade Orientation and Open House) • Century HS • 6 - 8 PM
- January 15 • Family Lunch • Gage Elementary Cafeteria • 11 AM - 1 PM
- January 15 • Oak Terrace Family Engagement Night
- January 15 • Willow Creek Culvers Fundraiser Night • Culvers South • 4 - 7 PM
- January 15 • Project SEARCH Open House • John Marshall HS Rocket Center • 6 - 8 PM
- January 20 • MLK Jr Day • Students Do Not Report, District-wide Professional Development Day
- January 20 • Rocket Night (Incoming 9th Grade Orientation and Open House) • JM HS • 6 PM
- January 21 • RPS Preschool Registration Begins
- January 22 • Family Lunch • Bishop Elementary Cafeteria • 11 AM - 1 PM
- January 23 • End of Quarter
- January 23 • Family Engagement Night • Bamber Valley Elementary • 5:30 - 7 PM
- January 23 • Family Movie Night • Franklin and Montessori at Franklin • 6 - 8 PM
- January 23 • Family Night • Riverside Elementary School • 6 - 8 PM
- January 24 • End of Quarter Work Day (Secondary Sites), PD Day (Elementary Sites) • Students Do Not Report
- January 24, 25 • Mayo HS One Act Play • MHS Auditorium • 7 - 8 PM
- January 28 • School Board Meeting • Edison Board Room • 5:30 PM
- January 30 • Dine for Dolphins Fundraiser • Potbelly's Downtown • All Day
- January 31 • Folwell Follies • Folwell Elementary • 6:30 PM
*Events are subject to change. Please check RPS Facebook or website, and/or your staff email for updates to events.
Connect with Us
Email: communications@rochester.k12.mn.us
Website: www.rochesterschools.org
Location: 615 7th Street Southwest, Rochester, MN, USA
Phone: 507-328-4500
Facebook: facebook.com/isd535
Twitter: @RPS535