First Alliance Credit Union employees volunteered to help the ALC solarize an expanded garden space and winterize our current garden. Great teamwork all around. Thank you for the connection, United Way!
Earlier today, law enforcement released the name of the Century High School student who died in a tragic car accident on Saturday, October 7th. As a result, we are now able to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Davin Tukua. I did not have the opportunity to meet or get to know Davin, but over the past two days, I have heard from teachers, coaches, students, and others that he was a wonderful young man. He was unfailingly kind and always ready to help complete a project or assist someone in need. He was a talented athlete who was a valued member of the football and swim teams at Century High School. I have heard from his coaches that he was a hard worker who always came ready to play, never complained, and would play any position or swim any stroke that would help his team compete and win. He also loved skiing and snowboarding and I'm told he was really good at both. I know that all members of the Rochester Public Schools community send our deepest sympathies to Davin's family and friends during this difficult time. We cannot understand or even imagine what you are thinking and feeling right now, but we want you to know that Davin's tragic loss has broken a part of our hearts as well. We will keep you in our thoughts during the time of grief, remembering, and transition that lies ahead.
Sincerely,
Kent Pekel
Superintendent
This week is National School Lunch Week! We’re celebrating with some fast facts about our school lunches. Did you know that…
• Our Student Nutrition Services (SNS) team spends over $1.3 million in produce purchases each year. This includes thousands of pounds of carrots, peppers, cucumbers, and many other vegetables including local corn on the cob.
• Across our 17 elementary schools, when bananas are on the menu, SNS orders 33 cases of petite bananas, which is equivalent to about 1320 pounds. Bananas continue to be a student favorite!
• Last month SNS served close to 11,000 lunches per day districtwide!
This week is National School Lunch Week! We’re celebrating with some fast facts about our school lunches. Did you know that…
• Our Student Nutrition Services (SNS) team spends over $1.3 million in produce purchases each year. This includes thousands of pounds of carrots, peppers, cucumbers, and many other vegetables including local corn on the cob.
• Across our 17 elementary schools, when bananas are on the menu, SNS orders 33 cases of petite bananas, which is equivalent to about 1320 pounds. Bananas continue to be a student favorite!
• Last month SNS served close to 11,000 lunches per day districtwide!
Don't miss our Virtual Referendum Info Session on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.! Learn about the Rochester Public Schools 2023 Capital Projects Technology Levy Referendum. Join us for key insights, and get ready to make an informed decision. Stay tuned for the event link posted on our website on the day of the event. Your participation matters!
Find out more about the referendum here >> https://www.rochesterschools.org/referendum
Make sure to vote on or before November 7. Early voting is happening now!
Find your polling place here: https://pollfinder.sos.mn.gov/
Don't miss our Virtual Referendum Info Session on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.! Learn about the Rochester Public Schools 2023 Capital Projects Technology Levy Referendum. Join us for key insights, and get ready to make an informed decision. Stay tuned for the event link posted on our website on the day of the event. Your participation matters!
Find out more about the referendum here >> https://www.rochesterschools.org/referendum
Make sure to vote on or before November 7. Early voting is happening now!
Find your polling place here: https://pollfinder.sos.mn.gov/
Students participated in an event sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources where they learned about a variety of careers in the outdoors.
Rochester's financial situation becomes even more apparent when placed in context. Among 11 other Minnesota school districts that share a similar size and demographic profile, our district ranks at the bottom in terms of per-pupil revenue from voter-approved levies. These figures underscore the urgent need for the 2023 Capital Projects Technology Levy Referendum.
Find out more about the referendum here >> https://www.rochesterschools.org/referendum
Make sure to vote on or before November 7. Early voting is happening now!
Find your polling place here: https://pollfinder.sos.mn.gov/
Our College Success class is co-taught with RCTC. Students toured the Heintz Center today where RCTC's technical programs are housed, including Criminal Justice, Vet Tech, and Welding.
FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a national test of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET/1:20 p.m. Central today, Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
If your mobile phone is on and within range of an active cell tower from a participating wireless provider, you should receive the national test. Wireless providers will transmit the national test for 30 minutes, but your phone should only receive it once.
View more information at https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/national-test-2023
A Rochester ALC student group is organizing a Trunk or Treat event on Sun, 10/29, 3-4:30pm for the Rochester community. We are asking for donations of new or gently used games during the event (board, card, sports, puzzles) that we can gift to our students during the holidays. There will be face painting, cookie decorating, carnival games, lots of decorated trunks, and a fire truck. Hope to see you there.
Our Resource Room is running low on supplies our students/families rely on. I'm attaching a flier with our ongoing needs. The QR code takes you to our most immediate needs. Thank you for you considering helping! We're especially in need of full-size shampoo/conditioner (including for African American hair type), body wash, deodorant, detergent, and hair brushes.
Meet Sweta Patel! Before becoming a Community School Site Facilitator, she served as an English teacher at the Rochester ALC for 15 years. She’s passionate about finding ways to re-engage youth in school. When she’s not teaching, she’s running from dance practice to soccer practice and watching her kids grow in what they love doing. Sweta is always on the lookout for opportunities that can spark that same kind of joy for something in our ALC students too.
September 17-23, 2023 is Community School Site Facilitator Appreciation Week! We appreciate our Community School facilitators who diligently serve our students and families. So what is a community school?
We're celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! From September 15 to October 15, we come together to honor and celebrate the rich cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities.
As we wrap up this long weekend, we wanted to remind students of the importance of safety, especially as you walk or ride your bike or scooter to school. We made a video with the Rochester Police Department with a few reminders: https://youtu.be/x1kYWW081ng?si=K7MJQdDL3Jz_ybxv
We're thrilled to announce the new app for Rochester Public Schools! It's everything Rochester Public Schools, in your pocket.
Watch this quick introductory video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JViaRlk97s8 (Also available in Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUSfGuH5ksQ and Arabic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnUUuxtqTBw).
Then download our app! You'll see information about dining, staff, news, events, and more!
Download for Android https://bit.ly/3q4YKls
Download for iPhone https://apple.co/456qdlD
RPS HIGH SCHOOL families! We're looking forward to welcoming you back soon! Check out this news article about all you need to know leading up to and during the first week of school: https://bit.ly/3DXOGha
Did you know that many of the school supplies you purchase for your child this year could reduce the taxes you pay and possibly lead to a larger refund next year? Save your receipts for these purchases and find out more information about the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction and how to claim them: https:/www.revenue.state.mn.us/k-12-education-subtraction-and-credit
