Meet Sonya! She's here to pull back the curtain and help you lead the way in your students’ learning journey. Through our Caregiver and Parent Empowerment (CAPE) virtual courses, Sonya provides the roadmap you need to support your elementary student and master the "ins and outs" of our District.

Don't do it alone—join an online session in March and get the inside scoop! Save your spot here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SriIzGC_CNlScaRNM0hOWHRlbTy-5s6Wf_a9NZVBbUU/viewform?edit_requested=true
4 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Sonya Chives, Family Engagement specialist leading a Caregiver and Parent Empowerment online session for elementary schools on her work computer while looking at the camera and smiling.

Thank you to our amazing otter community who stopped by last night to support our students as they showed off their work at the Power of Words event! We're so proud to share how students have discovered the power of words in prose, poetry, and crafts. Check out some of the fun our families had and bookmark our next family engagement night on your calendar!

4 months ago, Riverside Central Elementary School
Caregiver points out a page to her student on the word net
Families doing crafts at the Power of Words family night
Families reading with their students at the Power of Words family night
A Riverside student shares her poem to an audience
Riverside student poses for a quick photo
Poets perform at the power of words family night
A teacher reads with a student
A family poses while crafting their family portrait
Riverside assistant principal Brandt reads a booklet on the word net
Registration for Middle School Band for the 2026-2027 school year is open!
Current 5th grade students who want to participate in band must complete the linked form before Friday, March 6. Additionally, families should wait to complete the form until after the scheduled in-person visit or Google Meet between the middle school music teachers and their student's current 5th grade classroom.
https://forms.gle/XvjRLvCwcno1JaD26
Classroom visit information can be found at the website below.
https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/music-registration
4 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Middle School Band Registration Graphic

RPS families: This is a reminder that except for Longfellow Elementary, there is no school on, Friday, January 23. Enjoy the long weekend, and we will see you on Monday!

5 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
No school reminder for January 23

RPS families: This is a reminder that there is no school on Monday, January 19, 2026, and RPS offices will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

5 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
No school for MLK on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026
Before we officially begin winter break, we want to take a moment to celebrate the amazing students we have at RPS! During their annual fundraising competitions, our high school students raised a combined $123,077.95 for local organizations! Thank you, students, for all your hard work and effort to invest back into our community.
6 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Mayo High School Give One For All 2025 fundraiser
John Marshall High School JM Gives 2025 fundraiser
Century High School Bear Creek at Century 2025 fundraiser
Riverside extends our sincere thanks to our partners for supporting our families during winter break. Your steadfast support means so much to our community.
6 months ago, Lisa Becker
logos

Thank you to Operation One More, and to everyone who organized, donated, and volunteered to deliver. Your generosity made a meaningful difference for several local schools, including Riverside.
6 months ago, Lisa Becker
blue bags of food

Nature came indoors for Kindergarten! Sara Holger from Project GO helped students create sound maps, using instruments that echoed animal calls like the loon and the elk, along with photos of the animals themselves.
6 months ago, Lisa Becker
Naturalist blowing through a horn that makes sounds. Kids drawing

This is a reminder that there are no classes from Monday, December 22 through Friday, January 2. RPS classes will resume Monday, January 5 (Longfellow will resume Monday, January 12). Enjoy your Winter Break!

6 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
large_Reminder_No_School_-_social__2_

Winter is officially here, which means some of us are thinking about the potential of snow days! Learn more about how we determine snow days and what to expect with school closings in the event of inclement weather: http://www.rochesterschools.org/inclement-weather

6 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
info on inclement weather

This is a reminder that there is no school on, Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28, for Thanksgiving Break. RPS will resume normal operations and hours on Monday, December 1. Enjoy the long weekend!

7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
No School Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29

We’re grateful to HyVee and Pasquale’s for donating such delicious, quality food to our Community School Resource Rooms. Your support means so much to our families!

7 months ago, Lisa Becker
Adults standing behind boxes
Dear Riverside Community, thank you for stepping up when food security felt uncertain. Your generosity filled our shelves—and our hearts. 💚 Our food shelf has never looked so good.
A huge shout-out to Emily Soderberg for spearheading this effort and making such a meaningful impact.
7 months ago, Lisa Becker
woman sitting on floor with supplies
A powerful morning at Riverside. 💜 Brass Etc. joined our Walk for Ruby Bridges, and the president of the Rochester NAACP spoke about Ruby’s legacy of courage and inclusion.
7 months ago, Lisa Becker
Band marching in step with the kids
People marching
Line of people with purple banner in front
Man talking on microphone
What a fun STEM Night at Riverside! We’re so grateful to our partners—Winona State University, the Rochester Public Library, and First Alliance Bank—for bringing hands-on learning to our students.
7 months ago, Lisa Becker
Teacher helping student
Teachers helping students
Teachers helping students
Teacher near table with children
Honoring all who served. Thank you, Veterans.
7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Veterans Day
Riverside families made waves at Family Canoe Night! Big thanks to Wilderness Inquiry and RPS Family Engagement for helping our Otters paddle into adventure together.
8 months ago, Lisa Becker
Families in a canoe
Two kids in a canoe
Families in a canoe
This month, our 4th–6th graders had an amazing day at Silver Lake with Wilderness Inquiry’s giant Canoemobiles! They learned to paddle, explore nature, and connect with our local environment thanks to awesome partners from Oxbow Park and Project GO.
8 months ago, Lisa Becker
Canoe on the water with kids
Kids putting hands together
Two canoes on the water
As part of our Attendance Matters initiative, we are sending all families an attendance update today. This message will provide a current snapshot of your student’s attendance record for the year so far. Our goal is to keep you informed and partner with you to support your student's learning. You can always view up-to-the-minute attendance data in Skyward. Learn more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/attendance-matters
8 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Every day counts. Every student matters. Attendance is the first step to success!