Looking for a quick and nutritious summer meal? Visit one of our summer meal locations for breakfast or lunch! Meals are FREE for children 18 or younger and a small fee for adults. Check out our menus, locations, and meal times online: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/summer-meals
Please note that meals must be consumed on location and that all summer meal locations will be closed for Juneteenth and reopen on June 20 at locations that operate Monday through Friday.
What an incredible 2024-2025 school year! As we close the books on another year, we want to thank our amazing students, staff, and families for making it so special. Your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm made this year truly memorable.
We've loved every moment of learning, growing, and achieving together. While we're sad to see it end, we're already looking forward to continuing the adventure with all of you next school year!
We forgot to mention a big accomplishment from this school year: the passing of the 2024 Ignite Student Learning Referendum! Watch this brief video from Superintendent Pekel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQK9P5NxpZU
Big milestones, big smiles! Riverside kindergarteners and 5th graders celebrated the end of an amazing year as they prepare to take their next steps. From first school days to moving on to middle school -- we're so proud of all they've accomplished!
As the 2024–2025 school year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the highlights from the past ten months. This list doesn’t capture everything great that happened in our schools, but I hope it gives you a sense of the extraordinary work we’ve done together. Everyone connected to Rochester Public Schools (RPS) should feel proud of what we’ve accomplished—and even more excited about what lies ahead. Read Superintendent Pekel's End Of Year Review: https://bit.ly/end-of-year-review-2025
Get Ready, because free summer meals are back! Starting June 9, summer meals will be offered at Elton Hills, Gage, Franklin, Longfellow, Overland, Riverside, Washington, Willow Creek, and John Marshall High School.
Breakfast and lunch served daily. All meals for children 18 years of age or younger are FREE. Adult meals can also be purchased for $3.10 for breakfast and $5.50 for lunch.
See the flyer for a full list, dates, and times, or visit www.rochesterschools.org/summermeals for more information.
🍏 June Menu: https://5il.co/3gpjn
🍏 Flyers: https://www.rochesterschools.org/documents/school-meals-and-menus/summer-meals/805175
What a night! Riverside Elementary wrapped up the final Family Night of the year with Spanish Immersion dance performances, a stunning K–5 Art Showcase, street painting with Slatterly Park neighbors, and more. Art, culture, and family—what a way to end the year!
There will be no school on Monday, May 26, and RPS offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 27.
At Riverside, our Hammock Forest is a calm, nature-filled space for quiet reading, drawing, studying, and mindfulness. With the sound of the river and bustling trees, Ms. Lenz has helped students AND staff learn to slow down, notice their surroundings, and engage all their senses. These moments build focus, calm, and self-awareness - tools that support learning and well-being.
Riverside Otters got moving during a high-energy break-dancing residency with artist Mona Lisa. Through guided instruction and creative exploration, 2nd graders built coordination, confidence, and self-expression -- all while learning the art of breaking. Families were invited to see what children learned on the final day.
Don't forget, School Year SACC Registration opens at 6 a.m. this morning! Get logged in to register: https://rochester.ce.eleyo.com/child-care/3/school-age-child-care
Yoga isn't just for grown-ups -- it helps kids build strength, focus, confidence, and can even help manage big emotions. Instructor, Jess Faunce made special connections to nature during this residency with Riverside 1st Graders.
Riverside Kindergarteners had an unforgettable visit to Red Barn Learning Center - for some, it was their very first time seeing farm animals up close! This hands-on experience opened their eyes to where our food comes from and the hard work behind it.
The 2nd Grade classes had an unforgettable day releasing butterflies as part of their science curriculum! Watching the butterflies take flight was a magical way to wrap up their lessons on life cycles and metamorphosis.
Our Spanish Immersion classes had a blast celebrating Día de los Niños with a festive piñata and cascarones! A joyful day filled with culture, laughter, and community as we honored the children at the heart of our school.
We're halfway through Teacher Appreciation Week, and it's been full of joy! We have loved seeing all the celebrations, from a giant chicken outside a building to chalk art, treats, high fives, and hugs! RPS schools are showing huge love for our teachers! Thank you for everything you do for our students! We appreciate you!
Heads up, students! There will be no school on Wednesday, May 7. Staff will be engaged in a Curriculum Adjustment Day. See you back on Thursday, May 8.
We're excited to see you all in TWO days! Join us for Kick Off 2 Kindergarten, a fun and informative fair designed just for incoming kindergarteners and their families. It's the perfect way to explore all that RPS has to offer and get excited for the school journey ahead!
🎒 When: Thursday, May 8, 4–7 p.m.
🎒 Where: Century High School, 2525 Viola Rd NE, Rochester, MN 55906
🎒 Admission: Free and open to the public!
At the fair, families can:
🎒 Meet the friendly faces from Transportation, Student Nutrition, SACC, and more.
🎒 Connect with community partners to learn more about their services.
🎒 Ask questions, gather info, and feel ready for Day One.
🎒 Capture the moment in our super-fun photo booth.
We will also have multilingual interpreters ready to help! Discover what makes RPS a great place to learn and grow, because every big dream starts with a strong foundation. Play, learn, and get inspired with us!
Due to impending inclement weather this evening, ⚡ Middle school after-school activities are canceled. ⚡ All night school classes are canceled. ⚡ All activities at school sites must conclude by 6 p.m. Please make necessary arrangements and stay safe.
Riverside Elementary had an amazing drumming residency with Mike Arturi, drummer for The Lovin’ Spoonful! Our kindergarteners learned about rhythm, teamwork, and self-control. Families joined us on the final day to discover how they can make music at home with everyday objects! Big thanks to Mike for bringing the rhythm to our school! 🙌🎵
