
Today is the first day of summer meals! Summer meals are free to kids ages 18 and under. Adult meals are available for a small fee: $3 for breakfast and $5.25 for lunch.


Summer meals are back! Starting next Monday, June 10, free meals will be available for children ages 1-18. Meals for adults are also available at a small cost ($3 for breakfast and $5.25 for lunch). For locations, dates, and operating hours, visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LKdY6RFqNy9Mf4fLmIzKrksSv6eaTLVf/view


We loved celebrating our grads this weekend! If you missed it, our graduation ceremonies are now available online.
• Century High School: https://www.youtube.com/live/eUiQt8pPaCI?si=1ihczSwjtQ8Jozgd
• John Marshall High School: https://youtu.be/WmPIJDshDJ0?si=YbaJ9TvXaLG_Ldj6
• Mayo High School: https://www.youtube.com/live/a5403BkV0_8?si=O9QhSItA8moAZqcZ
• MNSync Online: https://www.youtube.com/live/-YuO42NDDwI?si=UsZtyDLGTAl9vfbV


Congratulations, Mayo Class of 2024!

#Classof2024: Graduation Day is finally here! First up, Rochester Mayo High School!
Mayo High School Graduation streams live today at 11:00 a.m.
Watch live on our youtube channel: http://youtube.com/isd535


Yesterday, Rochester Alternative Learning Center held graduation ceremonies for their Day and Night School Graduates of 2024, respectively.
Congratulations, class of 2024! 🎓











As we near the end of the school year, read a year in review memo from Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel. He writes about:
➡️ The Academic Agenda
➡️ Supports for Learning
➡️ Family Engagement
➡️ Improving the Organization
➡️ School Start Times and Transportation
➡️ Referendums and Reductions
➡️ What’s Ahead
Read the full memo at: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1624433


The RPS School Board voted unanimously to put forward an investment plan to Ignite Student Learning through a referendum. Voters will decide on November 5. View this Q&A to learn more about the Referendum: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1621656


Last week, our Launching Emerging Adults Program (LEAP) held their graduation ceremony. Lots of happy tears were shed as we celebrated these hardworking students. We are very proud of all the work they've put in and the strength and resiliency they display each day!
Congratulations LEAP class of 2024!🎓











Rochester Academy for Independent Living (RAIL) held its graduation ceremony on Friday morning. During the ceremony, each graduate was individually highlighted, and then they celebrated with cake and lemonade afterward.
Congratulations, RAIL class of 2024!🎓

Graduation is an accomplishment for all of our seniors, but for our Indigenous students, their celebration began at our annual American Indian Education Powwow on May 4th, 2024. At the powwow, seniors received an eagle feather to recognize their education milestone and to reflect the honor the graduate brings to their family, community, and tribal nations.
Learn more about the eagle feather ceremony: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1614534







Reminder: There is no school on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. Enjoy your three-day weekend!
All District buildings will be closed on Monday, May 27, and will reopen under normal operating hours on Tuesday, May 28!


Congratulations seniors on your last day of school! We are proud of you, and can't wait to see what you do next! #classof2024


At last night's School Board meeting, the Board voted to place a referendum on the November 5 ballot seeking $19.4 million annually to protect and enhance educational programs and student services. The referendum would support the district’s new investment plan to “Ignite Student Learning.” Guided by feedback from residents, this plan was developed to stabilize our operating budget, strengthen our curriculum, and support the programs that will ensure our students are ready for life after graduation. Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1611885


Due to predicted severe weather, RPS is canceling all after-school practices and games.
Here's what this means:
- All sporting events and practices are canceled.
- All activity buses are canceled.
- All Middle School After School classes and clubs offered through Community Education are canceled. All other Community Education programs are on as scheduled unless you receive a direct message from Community Education to the contrary.
Please check with your schools about their plans for PTSA meetings, concerts, and other events. The School Board meeting will still occur at the Edison Building starting at 5:30 p.m. If you cannot attend in person, you can livestream the board meeting at https://www.youtube.com/@ISD535.


With the end of the year around the corner, you might be looking for a creative way to thank an RPS Staff member for the impact they've made on your family. Consider honoring a staff member by donating to the Rochester Public School Foundation: http://www.rpsf.org/HonorStaff.
Learn more about honoring a staff member: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1597578

Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2024 is the largest international pre-college STEM competition in the world and is currently taking place in Los Angeles, California, this week (May 11-17). Each year, Regeneron ISEF awards approximately $9 million in prizes. Four of our students, who are State Science Fair finalists this year, are currently in Los Angeles competing at Regeneron ISEF!
Ezra Weldegabriel from Mayo High School, Erik Hill from Century, and Ardashir Kocer from Century did a project where they made and applied a new type of high-capacity anode and an aluminum xerogel within a Lithium-Ion battery with the goal of making significant cost reductions and improved sustainability within Lithium-Ion batteries.
Dean Wang from Century strives to combat the drug epidemic that causes over 100,000 deaths in the US alone. He developed a framework that predicts interactions with certain drugs, such as methamphetamine, and their outcomes. He plans to implement a practical portal in all settings, streamlining prescriptions and improving drug safety to limit drug overdoses.
Good luck, you four! All of Rochester is rooting for you!

If you did not pick up your yearbook from last year, please email Mr. Parker at daparker@rochesterschools.org


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!


Last weekend, our community came together for our powwow celebration in honor of our RPS Graduates. Thank you to our American Indian Liaisons, Amelia and Tucker, who represent our American Indian Education program, and all of the AIPAC members who also helped make this celebration possible. Thank you to all the dancers, singers, drummers, volunteers, and community members who helped make this event a memorable celebration for our graduates!