
Mrs. Fritcher, Advanced Learning Teacher, is in collaboration with the MN Zoo and their Naturalist's in developing enrichment projects for some of their animals at the zoo!




Lots happening with Mrs. Fritcher, Advanced Learning Teacher, and our 4th and 5th grade students. They learned what the Honor Flight program is and how we can help make their special day even more memorable!





It is exciting to have the opportunity to introduce you to Washington Elementary! The Tours are scheduled for:
January 6, 2025 4:30p.m.-5:30pm;
February 6, 2025 4:30p.m.-5:30pm;
March 6, 2025 4:30p.m.-5:30pm.
Tours will start with an information session geared to adults which includes an opportunity for parents to ask questions and will wrap up the session with a tour of Washington school.
There is no need to RSVP. Please call Washington Elementary School at 507-328-3800 if you have any questions.


All schools except Longfellow Elementary will be closed on Friday, January 24. Students, enjoy your day off. RPS staff will be participating in a PD/grading day. We'll see you back on Monday, January 27!



RPS will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21, due to forecasted extreme cold weather conditions.
➡️ School Age Child Care (SACC) will be open 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Northrop Education Center (201 8th St. NW).
➡️ All PAIIR, Preschool Age Child Care (PACC), Preschool, and Community Education daytime and evening classes, for early childhood, youth, adults, and adults with exceptional abilities are canceled.
➡️ Hawthorne Education Center is closed.
➡️ All community building reservations are canceled.
➡️ All Professional Growth Academy classes are canceled.
➡️ No supper meals will be provided.
➡️ After-school activities will continue as normal for high schools. No after-school buses will be running from the middle schools to high schools today. Middle school students, please plan accordingly.


There will be no school on Monday, January 20, and RPS offices will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 21.


What a great Washington PTA Bingo night! Lots of prizes, silent auction, raffle and laughter with families. Thank you PTA for such a successful evening!





It’s FREE tree time! Safe Routes to Schools is partnering with Neighborhood Forest to provide free trees for kids to plant during Earth Week 2025. 🌎🌲 Parents/guardians, sign your child up for a free tree by March 15th! Sign up using this link: https://www.neighborhoodforest.org/parent-registration/?school=98154
Trees are set to arrive in time for Earth Day 2025. We will be in touch with you regarding when you can come and pick up your tree! 💚 #EarthDay2025

Washington PTA BINGO Fundraiser: Thursday, January 9 from 5-7 at John Marshall Cafeteria. Enter through the gym doors. BINGO is FREE. Pizza, spirit wear, raffle tickets and a silent auction available for purchase. We will accept all payment types, but prefer cash or check. Card payments will have a processing fee. You can preorder pizza through this link by 8:00 PM tonight. https://washingtonelem.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true. Email WashingtonElemPTA@gmail.com with questions.

Welcome back, students! We hope you had a restful break. We're excited to see all the growth and learning that will happen in the remainder of the school year!


RPS offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, in observance of New Year's Day. We will resume normal business hours on Thursday, January 2.


RPS offices will be closed from Monday, December 23, through Wednesday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. We will resume normal business hours on Thursday, December 26.


Winter break is here! There is no school from December 23 through January 3 (Longfellow students, your break is through January 10). We hope you have a great winter break and we will see you students in the New Year!


Dolphins of the Week!
Callalina, Wonjoon, Vedant, Jackson, Hannah, Bruce, Isla, Shrish, Gunther, Henry, Cambry, Eleanor, Olivia, Ryyan, Adeline, Maryama, Yaser, Catherine, Adeline, and Landon



Thank you to the Rotarians for their continued support of Rochester 3rd grade students. Each student received their own student almanac today!



Washington students participating in the IBM's Robotics competition. We had two teams that scored 1st and 3rd place! Way to go Washington!



Chilly temps are here to stay. We're sharing four quick tips to help keep students who walk to school in winter weather safe!


Grizzlies Game on December 13 at 7:05 at the Rec Center. Purchase tickets here and use promo code DOLPHIN. $5 for every ticket sold goes back to Washington. tickets.rochestergrizz.com/events/31792-wisconsin-woodsmen-vs-rochester-grizzlies There is also a Teddy Bear Toss Game. Fans are encouraged to bring a new or gently used teddy bear. After the Grizzlies score their first goal, fans can throw those bears onto the ice. The bears are then donated to the Salvation Army.

Dolphins of the Week!
Ethan, Rynn, Savannah, Jinan, Eric, Asher, Sophia, Nolan, Addy, Kade, Aldon, Olivia, Ethan, Gannon, Simon, Keren, Madison, Mackenzie, and James. A group of 5th graders were recognized for helping 3rd graders navigate Google Slides for a zoo project.



Future RPS kindergarten students and families, are you ready? Enrollment for kindergarten at Rochester Public Schools for the 2025-2026 school year is open! Learn about your neighborhood school, DWO school/program option, and how to enroll: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/1910873
