Did you know that the population of Monarch Butterflies are threatened in Minnesota? Riverside students learned how they can create a healthy environment for butterflies from Project GO. They even learned how to tag butterflies for important research.
The most recent Riverside Family Night included Wilderness Inquiry and their massive canoes. Families were invited down to our neighborhood river to learn how to paddle. We are making memories during these beautiful autumn days.
Our students took a bite out of the day for Apple Crunch day! This month, all of our students have been receiving local apples for lunch from ApplesRUs as part of #MNFarmtoSchool month! We can tell you that our students are loving these fresh, fragrant, and juicy apples!
Belonging to our school community is an integral part of Riverside's culture and community. We celebrate students and the amazing diversity they bring to Riverside. This year, we welcomed new students and teachers as our Spanish Immersion program relocated to Riverside. One of the many beautiful aspects of our school is the sounds of multiple languages spoken throughout. Our Spanish Immersion program adds additional layers of learning, diversity, and fun to our school.
Learn more about the Spanish Immersion program for students in grades K-8: https://5il.co/2yiq5
At the School Board meeting on Tuesday, October 8, the School Board voted unanimously to direct Superintendent Pekel to develop a 2025-2026 general fund budget recommendation that includes reductions if the Ignite Student Learning referendum plan is not passed by voters on November 5, 2024. Read more about what this budget recommendation would include: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1811261
Grab your kicks and get ready for Walk to School Day! Tomorrow, October 9, students and families across Rochester will be walking to school to promote healthy exercise and safe routes to school.
How can you help? Remember to keep your eyes out for our walkers and drive cautiously around school zones.
Trout Unlimited has partnered with Riverside 5th Grade classes for years. They came again last week to teach students about water quality and organisms in their neighborhood river.
This month, Loury Trader's 1st grade Spanish Immersion class collaborated to create and design their Hispanic Heritage Month Banner. This exercise allows students to practice their fine motor skills while learning about the celebration and background of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Listen to RPS students explain the Ignite Student Learning referendum that is on the November ballot!
The video shows how the proposed levy increase would stabilize district finances and support the programs and services that help students thrive: https://youtu.be/2-Y2VWb-wA8
Listen to Superintendent Pekel explain what's at stake for RPS this election when voters consider an operating levy increase that would stabilize our budget, allowing RPS to avoid school closures, protect class sizes, and maintain student programs and services: bit.ly/3MRUWLR
Today -- A LIVE, one-day donation drive!
Riverside Elementary is grateful for ABC 6 - KAAL TV, United Way, and the Rochester community for your help in restocking our Community School Resource Rooms! These rooms help families access basic necessities in six schools across our city.
You can drop hygiene donations off at United Way (903 West Center St.) from 6am-7pm today, Thursday, 9/26!
The following is a list of some of the items needed to restock the Resource Rooms:
Full-Size Shampoo & Conditioner (for textured hair types as well)
Lotion
Body Wash
Toothpaste & Toothbrushes
Chapstick
Deodorant
Hair Brushes
Laundry Detergent
Hand Soap
Kleenex Boxes
Toilet Paper
Learn more here!
https://www.kaaltv.com/stuff-the-resource-room/
Does your student ride a school bus? Families using transportation can download the First View app to see where their student's buses are. The district code for the app is M6QE. Check it out!
In case you missed it! Read the recent op-ed by RPS School Board Chair Cathy Nathan, which explains why we put forward the Ignite Student Learning referendum to stabilize our finances and continue helping all students reach their full potential. ➡️ bit.ly/3XCaF6X
A reminder that there is no school tomorrow, Wednesday, September 25, for all students. Your teachers and administrators will be participating in professional development, reviewing assessment data, and planning instruction. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!
Thank you to Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria for providing a large donation to our Community Schools in Rochester. Our families appreciate this delicious, quality food.
Riverside Central, Franklin, and Gage Elementary School were stocked with thousands of apples during the first two weeks of school. This generous gift came from a team of people mentioned here. Thank you to everyone who provided these scrumptious apples for our students.
Early voting begins TODAY! This election, voters will decide whether to approve an operating levy increase to stabilize the RPS budget, protect class sizes, strengthen academic and career programs and more.
Explore RochesterSchools.org/referendum for more information.
Mark your calendars: Early voting for the "Ignite Student Learning" referendum starts this Friday, September 20.
You can vote early via absentee ballot or in person at the Olmsted County Elections Office.
Visit RochesterSchool.org/referendum to learn more about early voting.
Why is RPS facing a budget deficit?
➡️ State funding hasn’t kept up with inflation or the rising cost of staff salaries, utilities, and school equipment.
➡️ Of the 15 MN districts with 10,000+ students, RPS ranks last in voter-approved local funding.
Visit RochesterSchools.org/referendum to learn more.
Join us tonight to hear what the three psychological needs are that need to be met to enable a young person to learn, develop, and achieve their full potential. In his first State of the School District Address, RPS Superintendent Kent Pekel will answer that question and provide an engaging overview of how Rochester Public Schools is working to meet those three essential psychological needs for more than 17,000 young people in our community. The event will also feature performances and observations from RPS students on the state of our schools, our school system, and our city. Thanks to a generous donation, the evening will conclude with frozen treats from La Michoacana Purepecha.
Whether you are a parent or caregiver who seeks to help your children succeed or a member of the Rochester community who wants to help all children succeed or both, please join us for what promises to be an important and enjoyable evening. See you at 7 p.m. at the John Marshall High School auditorium (1510 14th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901).
