Dakota Night at Century Girls Volleyball Game!
Make your voice heard about the referendum to support RPS. Early voting starts on Friday, Sept. 20! You can learn more about the "Ignite Student Learning" plan to provide financial stability that will support our students by visiting RochesterSchools.org/referendum.
Weekly Community Newsletter
https://secure.smore.com/n/7mkq5
If approved by voters this Nov., funding from the school referendum will eliminate our budget deficit and provide the financial stability we need to continue inspiring, challenging, and empowering all students to reach their full potential. Find out more: RochesterSchools.org/referendum
Youth Night at Century!
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay At Rochester Public Schools, we recognize the importance of prioritizing mental health and well-being. Let's take this opportunity to break the stigma around mental health and support each other. Whether it's checking in on a friend, practicing self-care, or seeking professional help, every action counts. Let's work together to create a community that values mental health and provides support to those who need it.
Find Resources Below:
➡️ 988 Suicide & Lifeline Call or Text 988 (24/7)
➡️ Crisis Response for Southeast Minnesota (CREST) Call 844.274.7472
➡️ National Sexual Assault Line: 1.866.656.4673 (24/7)
➡️ RPS Staff and Student Mental Health Sessions: https://ffcstaffconsults.as.me/schedule/d07eafa8
Why is RPS presenting voters with a referendum to increase the school operating levy this Nov.? We are facing a $19.4 M budget deficit that, if not addressed, will lead to:
❌School closures
❌Cuts to teachers and staff
❌Increased class sizes
Learn more: RochesterSchools.org/referendum
RPS Alumni/Current RPS Staff Spotlight: Kara Merrill is an assistant principal at Dakota Middle School. She is a former RPS student who attended Gage Elementary, John Adams Middle School, and Century High School. Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1747260
To avoid school closures and $19.4 million in cuts, we are asking voters to consider an operating levy increase on the ballot this Nov. that would allow us to build on our progress in helping every student reach their full potential. Learn more: RochesterSchools.org/referendum
Dakota Community Newsletter
https://secure.smore.com/n/mgb1w
Please join us this Thursday evening from 5-7pm for an Open House. Take this time to meet your student's teachers and other Dakota staff. We look forward to seeing you!
What are the three psychological needs that need to be met to enable a young person to learn, develop, and achieve their full potential? In his first State of the School District Address, RPS Superintendent Kent Pekel will answer that question and provide an engaging overview of how Rochester Public Schools is working to meet those three essential psychological needs for more than 17,000 young people in our community. The event will also feature performances and observations from RPS students on the state of our schools, our school system, and our city. Thanks to a generous donation, the evening will conclude with frozen treats from La Michoacana Purepecha. Whether you are a parent or caregiver who seeks to help your children succeed or a member of the Rochester community who wants to help all children succeed or both, please join us for what promises to be an important and enjoyable evening.
There will be no school on Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day. Additionally, all RPS offices will be closed. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, September 3.
September's meal menus are ready! Download your copy to plan for next month:
https://www.rochesterschools.org/documents/school-meals-and-menus/493023
Weekly Newsletter
https://secure.smore.com/n/rzq6w
RPS families: This is a reminder that except for Longfellow Elementary, there is no school tomorrow, Friday, August 30. RPS is also closed on Monday, September 2, in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the long weekend, and we will see you next Tuesday!
Results on the 2024 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) indicate that RPS has reversed a multi-year decline in the percentage of students who score at the proficient level or above in math, science, and reading. Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1736885
Today is the first day of school for elementary students, and we expect some delays in bus transportation, especially as our bus drivers learn the new route structure with the changeover from transporting elementary students home and turning around to pick up our secondary students.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we navigate this and continuously work to improve our processes.
Families using Transportation can download the First View app to see where their student's buses are. The district code for the app is M6QE.
If the "Ignite Student Learning" referendum fails, class sizes will increase, school closures will be unavoidable, and RPS will need to make major cuts to student programs, support services, and teachers and staff.
Find out more details at RochesterSchools.org/referendum.
Dakota Middle School is welcoming two wonderful additions to our team! Pleas help us welcome Tess Douty-Amick and Nicole O'Connor.
Tess Douty-Amick: Dakota Middle School, Eighth Grade English and Language Arts Teacher
"In 7th grade I loved to read and my ELA teacher, Mrs. Smith, was incredibly supportive of that. Once, she even hand delivered my scholastic book orders to my house over winter break!"
Nicole O’Connor: Dakota Middle School, Emotional Behavior Disorder Teacher
"When I was in middle school, I did a report on castles from the Middle Ages. My social studies teacher pulled me aside and told me I should go visit them one day when I went to college and studied abroad. It affected me deeply that he saw my potential and wanted me to see the future I could have."
