
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!


Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed the week of January 21–27, 2024, as Education Support Professionals (formerly known as paraprofessionals at RPS) Recognition Week. Our ESPs support our teachers in the classroom, help with SACC, transportation, in the lunch rooms, and more! We are grateful for their commitment to meeting the needs of our students. Thank you, ESPs! We appreciate you!


RPS families - It's the end of the quarter, which means there is no school tomorrow, Friday, January 19 for most schools. Longfellow Elementary is still in session. Staff will be participating in a PD day. Stay warm, and we'll see the rest of you students on Monday!


Hey, students in 3rd-6th grade, the Gateway Science Fair is coming up in April. Not sure how to put a science project together? Need some ideas? Join the Gateway Science Fair team on Saturday, February 3, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Century High School cafeteria to learn more. Pre-registration is required at www.rochestergateway.com.


Today we celebrate, remember, and reflect on the incredible life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - "Life's most persistent question is: What are you doing to serve others?"


Happy Makar Sankranti to those who celebrate!


Happy Orthodox New Year to those who celebrate!


Activities, games, programs, and practices on Saturday, January 13, will continue as scheduled. Please allow extra time for travel. Reach out to your coach or activities director with additional questions.


Reminder, there is no school on Monday, January 15, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.


1 p.m. update: All activities and practices for this afternoon and evening are canceled.

RPS will be closed today, January 12, 2024, due to inclement weather.
➡️ School Age Child Care (SACC) will be open 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Northrop Education Center (201 8th St. NW).
➡️ All PAIIR, Preschool Age Child Care (PACC), Preschool, and Community Education daytime and evening classes, for early childhood, youth, adults, and adults with exceptional abilities are canceled.
➡️ Hawthorne Education Center is closed.
➡️ All community building reservations are canceled.
➡️ All Professional Growth Academy classes are canceled.
➡️ All high school, after school athletic and activities practices, performances, and games will continue to be evaluated and a final decision will be made by 3 p.m. We will communicate these decisions via our website, social media channels, and an email to high school families.
➡️ No supper meals will be provided.


Wishing a happy Orthodox Christmas to those who celebrate!


Welcome back, everyone! We hope you had a wonderful winter break and have a fantastic start to the year!


Wishing you a safe and happy New Year!


Happy Kwanzaa to those who celebrate! Wishing you light, happiness, and peace in the coming year!
