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 "Mission")
To provide a quality education in a caring atmosphere for students to attain the necessary skills and knowledge to become lifelong learners and contribute to a diverse, interdependent and changing world.
 "Points of Pride")
Ensuring a world-class education by focusing resources on developing and enhancing assets which include people, innovative partnerships, state-of-the-art technology and facilities.
 "Points of Pride")
Challenging students through dynamic cultural experiences to be empowered global stewards, and inspiring them to have a positive impact on their community, country, and world.
 "Points of Pride")
Developing innovative, self-directed learners who think critically, communicate effectively, and persevere to positively impact the world.
Superintendent's Spotlight
Rochester Community Schools has designated Wednesday, February 13, as Food Service Staff Recognition Day.
Please join us in thanking these professionals who provide nourishment, service, and kindness to our students every day in the lunch room. We are thankful for their contributions and commitment to promoting student wellness.
NEWS & EVENTS
 "Genius Hour spurs passion projects")
 "Sixth-grade choir performs Oliver Twist")
 "RCS awarded district accreditation")
 "Stoney Creeky wins cheer title")
 "Board of Education Appreciation Month")
 "Childcare enrollment open to nonresidents")
 "Acts of kindness continue")
 "Ensemble concert combines musicians")
 "Adams robotics team wins award")
 "RCS receives positive financial audit")
 "Grandparents and guests love to read")
 "Robotics teams compete")
 "RCS visits China")
 "Ribbon Cutting & Dedication Ceremony")
 "RCS students Paint the Plows")
 "High school bands join forces")
 "Van Hoosen and Hart host Chinese visitors")
 "Walk and Bike to School Day")
 "RCS honors 29 National Merit Scholars")
 "ArtPrize features student work")
 "RCS offers Orchestra to students")
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Open Enrollment
Families residing in the Rochester Community Schools attendance area and non-district employees are afforded the opportunity to apply for open enrollment. The Open Enrollment time period is February 4 - 22, 2019. Please click here to access the open enrollment application for the 2019-2020 school year.
2019-20 Kindergarten Informational Evening
We invite new RCS 2019-20 kindergarten parents to Stoney Creek High School on Wednesday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m. for an informational evening. Please mark your calendar and check the following link for further information. https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/pages/79371/kindergarten
2018-19 RCS School Calendar
For the convenience of our community members and staff, the revised complete 2018-19 Community Date List (school calendar) is attached below. Please note the changes are in red. Community Date List, revised August 6, 2018
RCS Caring Steps Children's Center
NOW ENROLLING! For more information, please visit the Caring Steps webpage by clicking here or call 248-726-4800.
Inclement Weather School Closing Information
Many families ask about the criteria for determining weather-related school closings, delays or early releases. The foremost factor in the decision to cancel school is student safety. Influencers can include snow accumulations, weather forecasts, road conditions, and wind chill temperatures.The district uses weather information from the AccuWeather Forecast at www.accuweather.com.
RCS consults with grounds and maintenance crews, transportation, the National Weather Service and other area superintendents when considering altering schedules. District officials check road conditions by driving throughout the community, often at 3-4:00 a.m. Please keep in mind that the District is 66 square miles and has many subdivisions north of Dutton with dirt roads. These subdivisions send children to eight of our twenty-one schools. If road conditions are such that the district determines driving to be hazardous for buses and student or parent drivers, the district will be closed. We will also close school if temperatures are deemed to be dangerous for student walkers.
One of the alternatives to closing school for the entire day is a two-hour delay, which would allow time for conditions to improve. The benefit of a delayed opening is that the students would not miss a day of school. On the other hand, a negative aspect would be that if conditions do not improve within the two-hour period, the district may have to cancel for the entire day anyway.
Other alternatives to school closings have been suggested; however, at this time the district has not determined that these recommendations will be in the best interest for all students. One suggested alternative includes providing bus pick-up only at main roads, so buses would not have to travel icy or snow covered back roads. The concern here, though, is that students may have to walk further along snow covered roads to reach the bus where there may, or may not, be bike or walking paths. Student drivers and parents may also be forced to drive on roads that are considered too dangerous for buses. Another alternative is to keep school open without providing transportation if the roads are treacherous. This option would create a disproportionate attendance issue for those students who rely on bus service.
The State of Michigan allows public schools a six-day grace period, which can be used when the building cannot be opened for various reasons (weather, power outages, water, etc.) The district understands that for many parents, the cancellation of school causes scheduling and work problems. However, our decisions will keep student safety at the forefront. The district notifies parents of schedule changes through its School Messenger email services and places an automated phone call to parents using its emergency cancellation services. In addition, school cancellations are published on the district website at www.rochester.k12.mi.us, on local radio and television stations, and on our district social media site.
