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
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!
We love our community partners! This quarter, students are learning budgeting tips from Altra Federal Credit Union; braiding/entrepreneurship from a local hair studio (All Braids & Hair Car); volunteering at Channel One; and engaging in an Imagination Studio session with University of Minnesota-Rochester.
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.
Students experienced ice fishing at Chester Woods this week! Thank you Nature Rx/Public Health, Mr. Lynch, and Ms. Pencille for organizing these opportunities for our students.
Today is Groundhog Day! Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow, or is spring just around the corner?
Our staff loved celebrating our Students of the Month! We talked about what we appreciate about the ALC and what brought us here. Then, our staff showered the students with well-deserved praise! Congrats to the group! And a special shout out to Ms. Zinnel for 3D printing the medals!
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!
Highlighting some fun learning experiences our students have been engaging in! Here, students are examining jellyfish under microscopes. Our Youth Build group helped construct a bench in collaboration with Ben Franklin Elementary students. Our Night School students worked with Boxing Coach, Corey Kline. And a student dance team choreographed and performed an original dance! Proud of our students in trying new things.
Calling all high school poets and artists! Are you interested in participating in collaborative Art in Our City exhibition at the HIstoric Chateau Theater? Check out the flyer and submit your art by Friday, February 9.
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. Staff will be participating in a PD day. Stay warm, and we'll see students on Monday!
Reflecting on a few of our community partnerships as we wrap up 2nd quarter. Our students:
* learned from 7 different Mayo Clinic departments that offer entry level medical careers
* worked on their rock climbing skills at the Roca Climbing & Fitness
* participated in sewing and cooking classes in collaboration with University of Minnesota Extension
* engaged in conversation with voluntary Greater Rochester Rotary mentors
We're grateful for our Nature Rx / "Wellness in Nature" program that is taught in partnership with Public Health. Students have been learning winter survival skills and just went snowshoeing!
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!
