
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!


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!


It's "H" Day for Riverside Elementary 3rd Graders. H is for Hammocks and Hats.






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!


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


Wishing a happy and festive Cinco de Mayo to those who celebrate!


Happy Orthodox Easter to those who celebrate.


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.








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!


Tomorrow is our Kindergarten Information Fair! Meet with RPS departments like transportation, student nutrition services, School Age Child Care, and more, and our partner community organizations like United Way of Olmsted County, Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center, and Cradle2Career. Join us from 4:30- 7 p.m. at Mayo High School!


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


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!


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.


"If you want a child’s mind to grow, you must first plant a seed."
Last night, students and families came together to help Riverside Elementary "bloom" within Rochester. To prepare for this celebration, students, families, and staff have been expanding Riverside's outdoor classroom with new benches and hammock stands, which have helped to prepare Riverside's garden. Our community partners, Master Gardeners of Rochester, WSU, and Mike Arturi of The Lovin Spoonful, helped our families experience the outdoors through integrated, hands-on learning experiences within Riverside's DNR-certified School Forest and garden. These Deeper Learning experiences allowed families to enrich their lives, unite as one community, and plant ideas for future learning experiences for Riverside students.

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.


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!


Hey future RPS kindergarten families, you've had a chance to tour your school and meet your principal, now join us for an information fair! Meet with RPS departments like transportation, Student Nutrition Services, School Age Child Care, and more, and our partner community organizations like United Way of Olmsted County, Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center, Cradle2Career. The Kindergarten Information Fair is on Thursday, May 2, from 4:30- 7 p.m. at Mayo High School.
