RCSD News
December 2023
Dear Rochester City School District Families,
At last evening’s Board of Education meeting, I launched Invest in Tomorrow, the District’s vision for the future as it begins implementing the comprehensive school reconfiguration plan. The heart of Invest in Tomorrow is an unwavering commitment to providing better opportunities for students. I encourage you to watch the video below that was unveiled at the meeting.
This vision includes middle schools (7-8) focused on preparing students academically and emotionally for high school, promoting athletics through physical fitness, sportsmanship, and personal growth, and providing programs and nurturing spaces so every student can thrive. To bring this vision to life, the District will implement a new grade structure for elementary (PreK-6) and high schools (9-12).
Invest in Tomorrow will provide better learning opportunities through high-quality instruction and ensure students have highly qualified staff and programming in modernized facilities that meet their diverse interests. It will align the number of buildings with student enrollment and provide access to extracurricular activities and resources for social and emotional well-being at all schools. Moreover, it will strengthen relationships with students and families.
The District is holding a special lottery for the students impacted by the comprehensive school reconfiguration plan, which will be held from December 1, 2023, through January 5, 2024. Families participating in the special lottery need to know which school zone they live in before completing the online application. More information on the special lottery can be found in this newsletter and at www.RCSDK12.org/SpecialLottery.
It is also time for current PreK, 6th-grade, and 8th-grade students to choose a new school for the 2024-25 school year. The School Choice process begins on December 8, 2023, and runs through January 19, 2024. If you have a child entering Kindergarten, 7th, or 9th grade next school year, please visit www.RCSDK12.org/schoolchoice to explore school options and begin the online application process. Students can talk to their school counselor for more information about school choices.
As we head into the last three weeks of school before the winter recess, please take note of the section in this newsletter that lists the days students do not have school, beginning with a half-day next week on December 8.
Sincerely,
Dr. Carmine Peluso
Superintendent of Schools
K-5 Students in Closing Schools
Students currently in grades K-5 at closing schools (Clara Barton No. 2, Dr. Walter Cooper Academy No. 10, Adlai E. Stevenson No. 29, Andrew J. Townson No. 39, RISE Community No. 106, and Wilson Foundation Academy) will participate in the special lottery to select a school in their zone. Students can rank one citywide school and then up to four schools in their zone.
Current 7th-grade Students in Impacted Schools
All 7th-graders, except those who attend East Lower School, Northwest Junior High, School of the Arts, and World of Inquiry, will participate in the special lottery to select a middle school in their zone. Students who live in the Northeast and Northwest zones will rank all schools in their zone. Students who live in the South zone only have one middle school option.
Current 9-11 Students at Franklin Upper and Northeast College Prep
Students will participate in the special lottery to select a new high school. High school offerings are open to all families. Students can rank their top five schools.
Exceptions will be made for students in highly specialized education programs in all zones and Bilingual programs in the south zone. Those families will be contacted separately.
A PowerSchool Parent Portal account is required to participate in the special lottery. Visit www.rcsdk12.org/speciallottery to explore school options, view a list of open houses, and apply online!
December Days Off
- Early Dismissal Day for Students: Friday, Dec. 8 (check dismissal times here)
- Holiday/All Facilities Closed: Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 25-26
- Winter Recess Day/No School for Students: Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 – Monday, Jan. 1, 2024
Scholarship Opportunities
The Rochester Area Community Foundation common scholarship application is now open! Students can apply for several local scholarships using one application. Click here for more information.
FAFSA Opens in December!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form will be available sometime in December. While the process began in October in past years, this year the form has been simplified with fewer questions, making it much easier for families to complete. Families can stay informed about the changes and release date here.
The FAFSA helps students determine what types of funding they may qualify for to help them pay for college or career school such as federal grants, work-study funds, and loans. Any high school senior interested in applying to college or has already applied must complete this process.
Additionally, many states and colleges use FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private aid providers may also use FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid. Students and caretakers will need an FSA ID to grant them access to their specific FAFSA forms. RCSD high schools will be hosting FAFSA events to help scholars and caretakers complete the process – stay tuned for more information!
Support Our Athletes!
Athletic schedules for RCSD schools are on the Rochester City Athletic Conference webpage. Student spectators from the home and away teams must show a valid school ID to attend RCSD-hosted games. Students from any other school must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 25 years old with a valid ID.
December Parent Group Meetings
Parent Leadership Advisory Council (PLAC)
- Leadership Team Meeting: Tuesday, December 5, 6:00 pm
- Email plac@rcsdk12.org for the Zoom link
- PLAC website
Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
- Monday, December 11, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
- Email rcsdsepac@gmail.com for the Zoom link
- SEPAC website
Bilingual Education Council (BEC)
- Tuesday, December 12, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
- Trent and Pamela Jackson R-Center, 485 North Clinton Avenue
- Interpretation, dinner, and childcare provided
- Email bec@rcsdk12.org or visit the BEC website for more information
Multilingual Parent Advisory Council (MPAC)
- Tuesday, December 19, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
- 30 Hart Street, room 208
- Interpretation and lunch provided
- Email mpac@rcsdk12.org or visit the MPAC website for more information
Feeling Sick? Stay Home!
Staying home when sick helps to lower the risk of spreading infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Students with respiratory or gastrointestinal infection symptoms, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home.
Here are some good reminders for everyone:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.
- When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands), and then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Stay up to date on the seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
School Closings for Inclement Weather
In the event of a school closure or delayed opening due to inclement weather or other emergency condition, the District notifies all families via robocall and email. Announcements are also shared with local television and radio stations and posted on the District’s website and social media pages.
PowerSchool Parent Portal gives real-time access to class schedules, attendance, assignments, grades, and contact information for teachers. High school parents can also monitor their child's progress toward meeting graduation requirements. For more information on downloading the app and creating an account, including a how-to video, visit www.rcsdk12.org/parentportal.
Custodial caregivers of RCSD students can opt in to receive text messages from us. All you need is a mobile number on file with your child’s school. Simply text Y to short code 67587 to begin receiving text messages. For more information about text messaging, visit www.rcsdk12.org/text.
What's on the Menu?
The December breakfast and lunch menus for
elementary, middle, and high school students
can be found here!
School Directory and Bell Times
The complete list of RCSD schools and programs, including bell times, building addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and administrators, is posted here on the District website.
Stay Connected
If you move or change your phone number, please notify your child's school. It is very important that we have current email addresses, mailing addresses, and phone numbers (home/mobile) on file for your family to ensure you are receiving communications from your child's school, teachers, and the District.