Today, May 8 is National School Nurse Day. In Rochester Public Schools, our students and families are served by two different school nurse roles -- Health Office Nurses & Licensed School Nurses. A Health Office Nurse offers daily support within our schools to students who aren't feeling well, have an injury, need to take medications, need support with a medical device, or who need other types of medical support to remain as healthy as possible and participate fully in school. A Health Office Nurse must hold one of these certifications: Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, or Registered Nurse.
A Licensed School Nurse (LSN) works closely with the processes of evaluation for special needs from the health perspective and care management of more complex health conditions. They advise Health Office Nurses when needed and work closely with families to establish plans to support students with complex medical needs. Licensed School nurses have earned licenses beyond those listed above in both Public Health Nursing and Licensed School Nursing.
The RPS Health Services team of approximately 50 nurses is led by Health Services Coordinator Chris Bjerke, RN; Licensed School Nurse Lead Emberlee Bremseth, MSN, RN, LSN, NCSN; and Health Office Nurse Lead Marni Shelley, RN.
Our school nurses serve a vital role, working not only to address students' needs but also as advocates and liaisons to families and healthcare providers, improving health outcomes for both students and families. Thank you, school nurses!
Tomorrow is National Bike and Roll to School Day! Strap on your helmet and get ready to roll with some of these helpful bike safety tips:
• Always wear a helmet
• Give your student visibility
• Follow the rules of the road
• Do an "ABC" Bike Check - Check your air, brakes, and bike chain!
Today, we're kicking off one of our favorite weeks: Teacher Appreciation Week! We could not do what we do without them, and we're thankful for all that they do for our students day in and day out. Thank you, RPS teachers!
Happy Orthodox Easter to those who celebrate.
Wishing a happy and festive Cinco de Mayo to those who celebrate!
Sunday, May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls #MMIWG. We ask that you wear red to help raise awareness of these acts of violence against Indigenous women.
"Approximately 1,500 American Indian and Alaska Native missing persons have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) throughout the U.S., and approximately 2,700 cases of Murder and Nonnegligent Homicide Offenses have been reported to the Federal Government’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. In total, BIA estimates there are approximately 4,200 missing and murdered cases that have gone unsolved." - U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Affairs.
To learn more about the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, please visit: https://www.niwrc.org/resources?field_resource_topic_target_id=576 or https://www.bia.gov/service/mmu/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people-crisis
Our Student Nutrition team is celebrating over 800 years of service! And today is School Lunch Hero Day! Thank you for your dedication and all you do for our district and the students of Rochester Public Schools.
National PE and Sport Week is each year from May 1 to May 7!
This week celebrates the importance of including healthy habits such as staying active in your everyday life. Including physical education in our curriculum is vital to a well-rounded education. It helps students recognize and value the contributions of sound physical conditioning and experience activities that help maintain physical fitness.
Our principals are integral to the growth and education of our students and staff and show amazing leadership in their buildings. We are grateful for each of them. Celebrate your principal today for School Principals' Day!
Our principals are integral to the growth and education of our students and staff and show amazing leadership in their buildings. We are grateful for each of them. Celebrate your principal today for School Principals' Day!
Our principals are integral to the growth and education of our students and staff and show amazing leadership in their buildings. We are grateful for each of them. Celebrate your principal today for School Principals' Day!
During May, we're celebrating Speech-Language-Hearing Month to raise awareness of communication disorders in children through adults. Learn more about this by watching this video from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhp83mZ6bLI
In honor of its 50th Anniversary this year, RPS Community Education is seeking submissions of artwork by our community members about our community to reinforce the lifelong learning mission of Community Education through our publications, event wear, items for sale, and other ways. Submissions are due April 30. Learn more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1544243
Today, April 26, is Arbor Day! Celebrate today by:
• Hiking through the woods on a nearby trail. (Information on Rochester area trails can be found at rochestermn.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation/parks-trails-recreation-facilities/park-trail-system-maps)
• Planting or donating a tree.
• Reading a book about trees
• Making a plan to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Student Leadership comes in many forms: athletic teams, students of academic excellence, student councils, clubs, music, plays, and so much more. At Rochester Public Schools, we also offer our secondary students a unique opportunity to participate in our Student School Board program.
Read More: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1568759
The beat was strong, and the energy was high at Dakota Middle School's first drumline performance today, where students showed their peers what they have been working on behind the band room walls!
They're often the first faces you see when you walk into a building, and they're always ready and willing to help. Our schools and buildings wouldn't be the way they are without them. Thank you to all of our administrative professionals!
Happy Earth Day! We can't wait to hear about all the earth day activities throughout our schools.
Looking for ideas? Try one of the fun earth-friendly activities 🌎 below:
• Bring a trash bag on your family walk and fill it with any trash you find.
• Try "earth painting" by using mud as paint on sidewalks or paper or use non-toxic watercolors to paint river rocks.
• Create a Recycle, Reuse, Reduce collage: Use "trash" (paper scraps, labels, junk mail, and other found items) and glue to create a multimedia masterpiece.
• Learn more about what you can recycle as a family with a tour by Olmsted County Environmental Resources this Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their Waste-to-Energy Facility. More information: https://bit.ly/49Hd5VO
Let's grow together!
Wishing a happy Passover to those who celebrate.
Happy Mahavir Jayanti to those who celebrate.
