March is Social Work Month, a time to celebrate social workers and their incredible work within their profession. Last year, Rochester Public Schools received a $1.9 million U.S. Department of Education Grant. This grant has allowed RPS to provide up to 30 Master’s level Social Work scholarships and internship placements at RPS with necessary supervision and support while increasing our social work staffing by at least 10% in the next five years. This month, we will highlight four of our School Based Mental Health Scholars and see how they have been doing after their first semester! Our second highlight is Samuel Thys. Samuel has been in the district for seven years as a special education teacher at LEAP. Learn more about Samuel: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1507333
Ramadan Mubarak to all who participate.
It's almost time to "spring forward!" Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 2:00 A.M. Don't forget, our clocks need to “spring forward” one hour.
Today, March 8, is International Women's Day. At Rochester Public Schools, we are proud of the women and girls who contribute to our school district as staff, students, parents, and community members and celebrate the women who have positively impacted our lives.
Happy Maha Shivaratri to those who celebrate.
As you're replenishing school supplies for the last few months of school, remember to save your receipts. The Minnesota Department of Revenue offers two valuable tax benefits for parents who purchase school supplies for their K-12 students: the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction. These benefits can reduce parents’ taxes to increase their refund, but is only available for those who keep their receipts. Purchases for most school supplies, field trips, and musical instruments for school band are eligible.
Most Minnesota parents qualify for the K-12 subtraction, which reduces their taxable income. Parents under certain income limits may also qualify for the K-12 credit, which can refund up to 75% of their costs – even for parents who do not owe any taxes. More details here: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/press-release/2022-08-03/save-those-back-school-shopping-receipts-valuable-tax-benefits
Rochester Public Schools is surveying families and community members to engage in conversation and seek feedback about a 2024 Referendum. We invite you to participate because your opinion is important to us!
The survey will remain open for responses until 11:59 p.m. on March 8, 2024.
Take the survey at this link: https://rochesterpsd.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4HI6PWOEKbcIFpA
Today, we're kicking off Public Schools Week, a celebration of the heart of our communities - our public schools! Public schools are the backbone of our society, nurturing future leaders. Let's celebrate the achievements and dedication of our educators and education advocates!
Through First Student and Kids on the GO, RPS has around 160 active bus drivers and 136 a.m. & p.m. routes, as well as 63 van drivers who are dedicated to providing service to the District. We recognize the importance of every one of our drivers and appreciate their dedication to our students. #schoolbusdriverappreciationday #thankabusdriver
There will be no school Monday, February 19th in observance of Presidents Day. Enjoy your three day weekend!
February 16, 2024, is National Caregivers Day. Today we honor individuals who selflessly provide personal care and physical- and emotional support to those who need it most. #thankacaregiver #nationalcaregiversday
The GATEway Science Fair for grades 3-6 will take place on Saturday, April 20. All interested students are invited to participate. The science fair is a non-competitive. Student scientists can conduct an experiment for their science project at home, and then bring the project board to the science fair. Learn more and register at www.rochestergateway.com.
Spread some appreciation this Valentine's day and kick off Random Acts of Kindness week by sharing with someone how much they mean to you!
Did you know: Minnesotans can now claim the Child Tax Credit, with no limit on the number of children claimed. You must file a 2023 individual income tax return in order to claim the credit. Most taxpayers who are eligible to claim the new Child Tax Credit are also eligible for free tax preparation assistance. Learn more about income requirements and qualifications on the Child Tax Credit webpage: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/child-tax-credit
The tax credit of up to $1750 per child is estimated to cut child poverty by up to one-third in Minnesota. Nearly 300,000 households, including 513,000 children, are estimated to qualify for the credit.
Welcoming the lunar new year and the year of the dragon! Happy Lunar New Year!
This week is National School Counseling Week. Our counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by helping students apply academic achievement strategies, manage emotions, build interpersonal skills, support mental health needs, and plan for post-secondary options. No counselor’s job is the same because they adapt so well to what is needed from our students and schools as a whole. Thank you, counselors, for all you do in Rochester Public Schools!
Open Gym for secondary students on Saturday, February 3, will be at Sunset Terrace Elementary (1707 19th Ave NW). Middle School students are welcome from 2-3:15 p.m.. High School students are welcome from 3:15-4:30 p.m. The Longfellow gym will not be open this Saturday.
Today is Groundhog Day! Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow, or is spring just around the corner?
According to Excelsior University, National Freedom Day is a United States observance on February 1 honoring the signing by President Abraham Lincoln of a joint House and Senate resolution that later was ratified as the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. President Lincoln signed the Amendment abolishing slavery on February 1, 1865, although it was not ratified by the states until later.
Are you looking for plans for your kids to run off energy this weekend? Check out our Open Gyms for pre-K through secondary students!
