The school calendar for the 2023-24 school year was approved by the Board of Education on March 23 and is available on the District website here.

Families of students in grades K – 8, make this summer one your child will remember. Enroll them in free, fun, engaging activities and programs in July and August at our Summer Expo on Saturday, April 15, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at John Williams School No. 5, 555 North Plymouth Avenue.

Families can learn about and register for summer programs across the city centered around enrichment, exploration, play, and creativity at schools, R-Centers, and community agencies. We hope to see you there!

Beginning in April, the District will administer the New York State ELA, mathematics, and science assessments to students in grades 3 - 8. A letter was mailed home to the families of these students with additional information and a detailed schedule, which can be found here.

The Rochester Board of Education is hosting a public hearing to discuss proposed changes to the District’s Code of Conduct Policy (Policy 1400) on Thursday, April 27, at 5:30 pm, at Central Office, 131 West Broad Street, Conference Room 3A/B.

Interested persons may sign up to speak or submit written comments by noon on the day of the public hearing by emailing publichearing@rcsdk12.org or calling the Rochester Board of Education at 585-262-8525. Anyone wishing to sign up to speak on the Code of Conduct must provide the following information: Name, Telephone Number, and Affiliation. Any interested persons who want to sign up to speak AND need a translator should sign up by April 19, 2023.

Speakers who would like to address the Board virtually must state this when they sign up in order to receive Zoom accommodation. Prior to the meeting, an email will be sent with a Zoom link to those participating virtually.

All materials related to this public hearing will be accessible on the District’s BoardDocs page. Viewers may access a live stream of the public hearing on the District’s YouTube and Facebook accounts and on the website at www.rcsdk12.org/rcsdtv. More information can be found at www.rcsdk12.org/cocpublichearing.

If you need help preparing your child for college and beyond, then look no further – visit www.rcsdk12.org/collegeready today! This website is a one-stop shop designed to help support students with the whole college process, with information on community events, college applications, scholarships, and more. Check back regularly, as this information is continually updated.

Consider applying to a Historically Black College and University (HBCU)! They consistently outperform non-HBCUs in student experience, affordability, and after-college preparedness for Black students. Many HBCUs use the Common Black College Application, which allows students to apply to many schools using a single application – it saves time and reduces the need to fill out multiple forms!

Also, if you haven’t checked out Naviance with your child, ask them about it! There are many great college and career-readiness activities to help prepare students in grades 7 -12 for the next step in their educational journey. As always, students should reach out to their school counselor for assistance. For a complete list of school counselors by school, click here.

There are many scholarships available to help students and families pay for college, and now is the time to apply! Visit www.rcsdk12.org/collegeready for a list of scholarship opportunities, resources, and how-to videos to help with the application process. As always, students can also connect with their school counselors for assistance.

Parent University is proud to offer many courses throughout April around parent resources for supporting their scholars with disabilities, strategies for unlocking your child’s hidden potential, and exploration and play with your family.

Parent University is a series of free programs and events meant to educate and empower parents within our District and the Rochester community. RTS bus passes, childcare, and interpretation services are available for participating families for any session with advanced notice via phone (324-9999) or online registration.

Visit www.rcsdk12.org/parentuniversity today to learn more about each session and enroll in one or more events happening now through June.

Our Academic Habits of Families that Support Student Success Series kicks off on Tuesday, April 11, beginning at 11:00 am, at the Fredrick Douglass R-Center, 999 South Avenue.

Register Now | Learn more about Parent University

Parent Leadership Advisory Council (PLAC)

Attention all parents and caregivers of RCSD students – we want you to become a member of PLAC – join today here. While the general membership meetings occur quarterly, with the next one on May 17, you are also invited to attend the next monthly leadership team meeting on Wednesday, April 12, at 6:00 pm.

The PLAC general membership meeting on May 17 at 6:00 pm will be in person. Vote for where you think it should be held here!

Visit www.rcsdk12.org/plac for more information and email plac@rdsdk12.org with any questions you may have. Help expand the parent voice at the District level!

Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)

All parents and caregivers of RCSD students with an IEP or 504 plan are invited to join SEPAC. Monthly meetings provide an opportunity for parents to meet other parents, RCSD staff, and community partners. Additionally, if you would like to be more involved, you can apply to be a SEPAC Parent Representative. The next meeting is Monday, April 17, at 6:00 pm. Email rcsdsepac@gmail.com for the Zoom link, meeting information, and additional information about SEPAC.

Bilingual Education Council (BEC)

BEC is made up of parents, community organizations, students, teachers, and administrators of the RCSD who have demonstrated their concern for the development of bilingual education. This group advises the Superintendent on matters related to bilingual education, including curriculum, instructional materials, and cultural issues. The next meeting is Tuesday, April 11, at 5:00 pm, at the Trenton and Pamela Jackson R-Center, 485 North Clinton Avenue, 14605. For more information, email bec@rcsdk12.org.

Multilingual Parent Advisory Council (MPAC)

All parents and guardians of students who are learning English as a new language are encouraged to attend a monthly MPAC meeting. The purpose of MPAC is to encourage and support parental involvement and participation in English Language Learners’ programming and academic achievement. The next meeting is Monday, April 17, at 3:30 pm, at the Office of Adult and Career Education Services (OACES), 30 Hart Street, 14605. Email mpac@rcsdk12.org for more information.

Did you know that if you are a custodial caregiver of a student in the RCSD then you could be receiving text messages from us? All you need is a mobile number on file to opt in to this feature. If you do not have a mobile number on file, simply reach out to your child’s school to update your contact information. For more information about SMS texting or how to opt in or out of receiving messages, visit www.rcsdk12.org/text.