RCSD News

Dear Rochester City School District Families,

Thank you for helping us get off to a fantastic start this school year! Your support, enthusiasm, and partnership have been instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition for our students as we embark on another exciting journey together.

Our vision, Activating Dreams and Unlocking Potential, is more than just words—it reflects our unwavering commitment to every child in our District. We believe that each student holds unique potential, and it is our mission to nurture their talents, ignite their passions, and provide them with the tools they need to succeed, not just in school but in life.

I am so proud that I get to lead our District, as this year will be one of unprecedented growth for the RCSD. From new academic programs to innovative approaches in the classroom, we are focused on creating opportunities that help every child thrive, empowering them to dream bigger, achieve more, and shape a brighter future for themselves and our community.

Thank you again for your continued support, and I look forward to all the incredible milestones we will achieve together this year.

Warm regards,
Demario Strickland
Interim Superintendent of Schools

• Indigenous Peoples' Day: October 14 (All facilities closed)
• Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conferences: October 15
• Secondary School Parent-Teacher Conferences: October 17
• Early Dismissal Day for All Students: October 25 (check dismissal times here)

SIGN UP TODAY! 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, visit www.rcsdk12.org/parentportal.

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. We want to make sure you are receiving communications from your child's school, teachers, and the District.

If you are a custodial caregiver of an RCSD student and you have a mobile number on file with your child’s school, you can opt in to receive text messages from us. Simply text Y to short code 67587 to begin receiving text messages. For more information about text messaging, visit www.rcsdk12.org/text.

Once again, RCSD is offering free PSAT and SAT exams, and both exams have moved to a digital platform this year. Students in grades 9 – 12 will have an opportunity to take the exam at their school between Tuesday, October 1, and Thursday, October 31.

These exams help open scholarship opportunities for students and prepare them for their next steps toward college. Together with high school grades, the SAT can show a student’s potential to succeed in college or career.

We encourage students to prepare for these exams by taking advantage of the FREE personalized practice tests on Khan Academy or by using the Bluebook app downloaded on their Chromebooks. For more information, including specific testing dates at your school, please contact your child’s school counselor.

Attention high school seniors!

Save money and apply to up to five SUNY schools with no application fee from October 21 - November 3. You can find more information on the SUNY application website.

Amira Learning is an online digital reading tutor that can read with your child in English and Spanish. Students in grades K – 5 are given reading practice for use at home or in after-school programs. Amira is available to students by logging on to ROConnect using a computer or tablet. Amira helps facilitate meaningful data that teachers can share with parents.

We hope you will take advantage of this valuable resource to support your children’s reading! Families can learn more at www.rcsdk12.org/amira.

Each year, we observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. During this time, our students are learning about literature, arts, music, culture, and food, as we honor the contributions of the Latino community.

The District’s culminating event honors students for their academic achievement, community service, and leadership and community members for their contributions to the Rochester community. Please join us at our celebration on Thursday, October 10, with a reception at 5:00 pm, and the program beginning at 5:30 pm, at the District’s Central Office, 131 West Broad Main Street.

The RCSD Board of Education and Office of Parent Engagement invite you to the Annual Family and Community Engagement Forum on Saturday, November 2, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at School of the Arts, 45 Prince Street. This year’s event has much to offer, including lunch, a community resource fair, entertainment, and family fun. More information will be shared in the coming weeks!

Consider joining one of our parent groups this school year! By becoming an active member of a parent group, you will play a vital role in helping to shape the educational experience of your children and others in our school communities. Parent groups serve as a platform for collaboration, fostering a strong sense of unity and creating a positive learning environment for students. Your ideas, experiences, and contributions are invaluable. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our students!

Parent Leadership Advisory Council (PLAC)

All RCSD parents are welcome at all PLAC meetings! The next general membership meeting is a virtual meeting on Wednesday, November 20. Email plac@rcsdk12.org for the Microsoft Teams link,

meeting information, and additional information about PLAC.

Bilingual Education Council (BEC)

BEC is made up of parents, community organizations, students, teachers, and administrators of the RCSD who have demonstrated their concern for the development of bilingual education. The next meeting is Wednesday, October 16, at 5:00 pm, at the Trent and Pamela Jackson R-Center, located at 485 North Clinton Avenue. For more information, email bec@rcsdk12.org.

Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)

All parents and caregivers of RCSD students with an IEP or 504 plan are invited to join SEPAC. The next meeting is Monday, October 21, at 6:00 pm via Microsoft Teams. Email rcsdsepac@gmail.com for the Microsoft Teams link, meeting information, and additional information about SEPAC.

Multilingual Parent Advisory Council (MPAC)

MPAC supports parental involvement and participation in the English Language Learners’ programming and academic achievement. All parents and guardians of international and multilingual students are encouraged to attend the monthly MPAC meetings. The next meeting is Monday, October 7, at 11:30 am, at OACES, located at 30 Hart Street, Room 208. For more information, email mpac@rcsdk12.org.

The Board of Education invites RCSD parents and students to serve as advisory members of the Board's committees. The Board recognizes the role that parents and students play in our school communities and requests that parents and students play an active part in the fiscal oversight and accountability functions of the Board.

Depending on your interests and experience, Board Committees offer many opportunities to represent the best interests of parents and students while serving the Rochester community. To apply, visit https://www.rcsdk12.org/boerep.

Explore the official RCSD Flickr account, where you will find photos capturing the vibrant experiences within our District. We love showcasing the successes of our students, educators, and families!

Interim Superintendent Demario Strickland and Mayor Malik Evans welcomed more than one hundred volunteers to the 2024 – 25 season of the City’s Pillars of Hope Program. Read more

Click here for more Bright Spots!

Check out the October breakfast and lunch menus for elementary, middle, and high school students here!

The complete list of RCSD schools and programs, including bell times, building addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and administrators, is posted on the District website.

The safety of students and staff is a top priority of the District, and we want to make visits to school buildings pleasant and welcoming experiences in a safe environment for everyone.

Upon arriving at school, visitors should report to the main office, sign in, and obtain a visitor’s badge to wear while in the school. Visitors will need to show identification and be screened through the Raptor Visitor Management System, which is an online tool that enhances school security by screening and registering every campus visitor. The system works by reading a visitor’s driver’s license (or other approved government-issued ID) and comparing it to a database that contains registered sex offenders in all 50 states. Once cleared through the system, a visitor badge is produced that includes a photo, name of the visitor, date, time, and destination in the building. This system replaces the traditional paper sign-in and is especially useful during emergencies to know exactly who is on campus.

Click here for the 2024–2025 RCSD school calendar and one-page At-A-Glance calendar. Printed school calendars were mailed to families’ homes earlier this month.

The athletic event schedules for all RCSD schools can be found on the Rochester City Athletic Conference webpage.

Attention Students! In order to attend RCSD-hosted games, student spectators from the home and away teams must show a valid school ID. Students from any other schools must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 25 years old with a valid ID. Minors must be accompanied at all times.

www.rcsdk12.org
131 West Broad Street, Rochester, NY 14614, USA
585-262-8100

communications@rcsdk12.org