
All Rochester Public School District and Community Education programs and buildings will be closed Wednesday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. All programs, summer meal locations, and buildings will resume standard operating hours on Thursday, June 20.


Happy Father's Day to all the fathers, stepfathers, grandpas, foster dads, late fathers, future dads, bereaved fathers, hopeful dads, those with estranged relationships with their dads, and fatherly figures. Thank you for your contributions to our students, families, and communities.


According to VA.gov, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.


Happy Shavuot to those who celebrate.


Thank you to all of our 2023-2024 retirees for your years of dedication to the students of Rochester Public Schools. You have made a difference in their lives! Wishing you a happy retirement.


Happy last day of school, Longfellow! You did it! We hope you have a great summer. We'll see you in July!


Summer meals are back! Starting next Monday, June 10, free meals will be available for children ages 1-18. Meals for adults are also available at a small cost ($3 for breakfast and $5.25 for lunch). For locations, dates, and operating hours, visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LKdY6RFqNy9Mf4fLmIzKrksSv6eaTLVf/view


As we near the end of the school year, read a year in review memo from Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel. He writes about:
➡️ The Academic Agenda
➡️ Supports for Learning
➡️ Family Engagement
➡️ Improving the Organization
➡️ School Start Times and Transportation
➡️ Referendums and Reductions
➡️ What’s Ahead
Read the full memo at: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1624433


The RPS School Board voted unanimously to put forward an investment plan to Ignite Student Learning through a referendum. Voters will decide on November 5. View this Q&A to learn more about the Referendum: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1621656


On Memorial Day, we celebrate, honor, and remember those who gave their lives for our country. Thank you for your service!


Reminder: There is no school on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. Enjoy your three-day weekend!
All District buildings will be closed on Monday, May 27, and will reopen under normal operating hours on Tuesday, May 28!


Though the debate is still ongoing on whether pineapple belongs on pizza, Rochester Public Schools (RPS) students had the opportunity to explore pineapple, learn about where it comes from and how it grows, and consider its nutritional impact. Of course, they had to taste-test the pineapple, too!
Learn more about our partnership with the Mayo Clinic Dietetic program: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1613708




Happy Vesak Day to those who celebrate.


At last night's School Board meeting, the Board voted to place a referendum on the November 5 ballot seeking $19.4 million annually to protect and enhance educational programs and student services. The referendum would support the district’s new investment plan to “Ignite Student Learning.” Guided by feedback from residents, this plan was developed to stabilize our operating budget, strengthen our curriculum, and support the programs that will ensure our students are ready for life after graduation. Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1611885


Due to predicted severe weather, RPS is canceling all after-school practices and games.
Here's what this means:
- All sporting events and practices are canceled.
- All activity buses are canceled.
- All Middle School After School classes and clubs offered through Community Education are canceled. All other Community Education programs are on as scheduled unless you receive a direct message from Community Education to the contrary.
Please check with your schools about their plans for PTSA meetings, concerts, and other events. The School Board meeting will still occur at the Edison Building starting at 5:30 p.m. If you cannot attend in person, you can livestream the board meeting at https://www.youtube.com/@ISD535.


The race is on to the end of the school year! Yesterday, our 5th-grade students came together for our Annual All City Track Meet, where they raced, jumped, threw, punted, & sprinted to the finish line! A big shout out to our physical educators who made this day possible for our students!

Longfellow 45-15 Elementary School has spots available in their kindergarten through fifth-grade classrooms for the 2024-2025 school year!
Longfellow 45-15 boasts a diverse learning environment that follows a balanced 45-15 instructional calendar that has students attend school starting at the end of July for 45 days, followed by a 15-day intersession break. There are three intersession breaks in the school year. There’s a 15-day fall break, a 15-day winter break, and a 15-day spring break, with a six-week summer break at the end of the school year. Through this calendar, students have shown above-average academic progress and a strong sense of belonging.
During the breaks, free childcare is available through the Boys and Girls Club. For one week of each break, Longfellow offers additional academic support in math and reading for students in grades 2-5 who qualify. (Students who attend these sessions receive free School Age Child Care for that week.) These academic support classes are all taught by Longfellow staff and typically have low student-to-teacher ratios, which allows for greater chances for direct individualized instruction.
If you want to learn more about Longfellow or tour the school, please call their office at 507.328.3600 to connect. To enroll, go to https://rochesterschools.schoolmint.com/login.


With the end of the year around the corner, you might be looking for a creative way to thank an RPS Staff member for the impact they've made on your family. Consider honoring a staff member by donating to the Rochester Public School Foundation: http://www.rpsf.org/HonorStaff.
Learn more about honoring a staff member: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1597578

School Age Child Care (SACC) registration for the 2024/2025 school year opens at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. If you are curious about what SACC is and how it may benefit your family, or know someone who may be interested in SACC, consider reading our article: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1555003

Set your alarms! School Age Child Care (SACC) registration for the 2024/2025 school year opens tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. RPS offers an opportunity to ensure your student is in the best care where they can learn, grow, and have fun through School Age Child Care Program (SACC) at all RPS elementary schools. SACC provides a safe, nurturing environment for before and after-school care where students can feel valued and have a sense of belonging. If you would like to learn more about how to register your student(s), check out our SACC webpage: https://rochesterce.org/sacc
