Rochester Parks & Rec - Winter Festival, previously scheduled for Saturday, January 24th has been postponed due to the forecast cold weather. Rec staff and event partners agree that the low temperature will pose a danger to both participants and volunteers. A new date will be announced shortly. We hope everyone stays warm this weekend and we look forward to seeing everyone on the rescheduled date.
Information about Recreation and Arena programs can be found at Rec.RochesterNH.gov or by calling 603-332-4120.”
📢 School Bus Safety Reminders for Families
School mornings can be busy—especially on cold, winter days ❄️. Thank you for partnering with us to help keep our students safe, calm, and on time.
Please remember:
Be ready and waiting on time at your child’s assigned bus stop
Stay at the designated stop so routes can run smoothly
Make sure students are out of cars and homes and standing at the stop when the bus arrives
Keep eyes on the road and surroundings while waiting
Listen to and follow directions from bus drivers and school staff
While we understand the temptation on cold mornings, please do not flag down buses or ask drivers to make extra stops. Sticking to assigned stops helps keep everyone safe and buses on schedule.
📞 Questions? Contact the Bus Transportation Manager at 603-509-2904
🌐 Bus schedules: https://www.rochesterschools.com/page/bus-schedules
Thank you for helping us keep transportation safe for all students!
Have a day with the children - here are some ideas to fill this year's MLK Day (or any day) with messages and lessons on kindness, sharing, fairness and dreams!
Kindness Jar
Write acts of kindness on slips of paper (help a neighbor, include someone, say thank you). Pick one to do together on MLK Day.
“Fair or Unfair?” Conversations
Share everyday scenarios (taking turns, sharing supplies, playground rules) and talk about what’s fair, unfair, and why fairness matters.
Read & Reflect Together
Read a short, age-appropriate book about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or kindness. Ask: How can we show these values every day?
Compliment Challenge
Each family member gives at least three genuine compliments to others during the day—focusing on effort, kindness, and character.
Service at Home
Do a small service project together: donate clothes, make thank-you cards for community helpers, or help a neighbor.
Kindness Walk
Take a walk and look for ways to help—holding doors, picking up litter, smiling at others, or saying hello.
“I Have a Dream” Family Talk
Ask children to share their own dreams for a kinder, fairer school or community. Write or draw them together.
Inclusion Check-In
Talk about what it means to include others. Ask: How can we help someone feel welcome at school or on a team?
Acts of Kindness Plan
Create a simple plan for one kind action to do each week after MLK Day—turning learning into action.
Gratitude & Growth Reflection
End the day by sharing one way each person showed kindness and one way they want to do better moving forward.
Families are invited to honor Dr. King by spending a few minutes talking together about kindness, fairness, and helping others. You might consider:
- Reading a short book or article about Dr. King together
- Talking about ways you and your child can help someone at school or in their community through kindness, respect, and outreach
- Doing a simple act of service, such as writing a thank-you note or helping a neighbor
Small actions and conversations can help students understand the importance of caring for others and contributing positively to their school and city community.
Our district urgently needs families to complete the Free & Reduced Meal Application. Even if you believe you may not qualify, every application helps support funding for the 2026–2027 school year.
📅 Online deadline for giveaway: January 14
🎁 Apply online by January 14 to be entered into a donated gift card giveaway plus it goes into our 2026-27 school year state funding points!!
🔗 Apply here: https://www.myschoolapps.com/
Thank you for supporting our students and schools.
📌 Reminder to Rochester Families
Our district urgently needs families to complete the Free & Reduced Meal Application. Even if you believe you may not qualify, every application helps support state funding for the 2026–2027 school year.
📅 Online deadline: January 14
📄 Paper deadline: January 13
🎁 Apply online by January 14 to be entered into a gift card giveaway!
🔗 Apply here: https://www.myschoolapps.com/
Thank you for supporting our students and schools.
The weatherman is predicting snowy and icy conditions for tomorrow morning, Wednesday, January 7th. Therefore in order to give our facility team time to get things cleaned up and to ensure the roads are safe for travel, there will be a 2 hour delay for the Rochester Schools Wednesday Jan 7th.
Have a good night.
-Mr. Fulgoni
New Elementary Permanent Bus Route Changes – Beginning January 5, 2026
Dear Elementary School District Families,
We are writing to share some important updates regarding bus transportation for elementary students. These changes are being made to help improve safety and manage bus capacity more effectively. The changes only impact students on the R19 and the soon-to-be restored R4 routes as detailed below. All other routes will remain the same.
New Elementary Permanent Bus Route Changes – Beginning January 5, 2026
Starting Monday, January 5, bus routes will be adjusted as follows:
R19 will be split into two routes.
R4 will serve students in the Pine Street area only.
R19 will continue to serve elementary students on Charles Street.
Riders from the Pine Street bus stop will move to Route R4.
Pine Street bus stop will move to the Duvall Park stop (near North Main Street see map below).
A new Cove Court bus stop will be added so students will not need to cross Main Street.
Bus Route information has been updated on the District's website at https://www.rochesterschools.com/o/rsd/page/bus-schedules
If you have any additional questions, please reach out to the bus company at 603-509-2904.
Holiday break offers families a chance to reconnect and reflect together. The Rochester School District has created “7 Days of Little Moments, Big Learning”, a one-page family resource designed to spark meaningful conversations between parents and children during the break.
Each day includes a simple discussion prompt or activity that helps build important skills such as communication, empathy, creativity, critical thinking, and goal-setting — all without worksheets or added pressure.
These family chats are meant to fit naturally into your day and support learning beyond the classroom.
Free Family Fun During Holiday Break
Explore Seacoast NH, Rochester NH & Southern Maine 🌲❄️
Holiday break is a wonderful time to slow down, reconnect, and make memories as a family—and the good news is, you don’t have to spend money to have fun. Our region is full of free activities that let families explore nature, be creative, and enjoy time together.
Here are some free things to do with your family during holiday break right here in the Seacoast, Rochester, and Southern Maine areas.
🌳 Get Outside & Explore Nature
Bundle up and enjoy the fresh air!
Local walking trails and parks – Explore trails in Rochester, Dover, Somersworth, and surrounding towns. Winter walks are perfect for spotting animal tracks and enjoying quiet scenery.
Beach walks – Seacoast NH and Southern Maine beaches are beautiful in winter. Collect shells, watch the waves, and enjoy wide-open space to run and explore.
Nature scavenger hunts – Challenge kids to find pinecones, animal tracks, frozen puddles, or different types of trees.
📚 Visit Your Local Library
Libraries are a holiday break hidden gem!
Free books, movies, and audiobooks
Children’s programs, story times, and craft activities
Cozy reading spaces for all ages
Check your town library’s calendar for special holiday-week events.
🎨 Create Together at Home
Turn time at home into something special:
Winter crafts using recycled materials
Family art challenges (draw your dream snow day, create a comic, design a board game)
Game nights with board games, cards, or puzzles
Family movie night using free library DVDs or streaming services
❄️ Winter Fun (Weather Permitting!)
When there’s snow:
Sledding at local hills and parks
Snowman or snow-fort building
Snow art using food coloring and spray bottles
All you need is warm clothing and imagination!
🏛️ Explore Local History & Community
Take a self-guided walking tour of your town
Visit historic downtown areas
Look for murals, landmarks, and community bulletin boards
Talk with kids about how your town has changed over time
❤️ Give Back as a Family
The holidays are a great time to help others:
Write thank-you notes to community helpers
Create cards for seniors or neighbors
Donate gently used toys or books if you’re able
Make It Simple, Make It Meaningful
Holiday break doesn’t need to be busy or expensive. A walk, a book, a craft, or a shared laugh can become a lasting memory.
We hope your family enjoys a safe, restful, and joyful holiday break, filled with connection, curiosity, and fun—right here in our community.
Join us for the Chamberlain Street School Holiday Concert and enjoy a festive evening of music performed by our talented students!
📅 Wednesday, December 17, 2025
⏰ 6:30–7:30 PM
📍 Rochester Middle School
47 Brock St., Rochester, NH 03867
This joyful concert is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and support our students as they share what they’ve been working so hard on. Hope to see you there!
For more information, please contact Chamberlain Street School at 603-332-5258.
🎄🎵 We hope to see you there!
Rochester Middle School proudly presents our Winter Band Concert! Join us for an evening of festive music performed by our talented student musicians.
📅 Monday, December 15, 2025
⏰ 7:00–8:30 PM
📍 Rochester Middle School
47 Brock Street, Rochester, NH
This free community event is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and support our students’ hard work. ❄️🎺🎷
📞 For more information, please contact the school office at 603-332-4090.
We hope to see you there!
Join us for the Annual Winter Concert & Village, presented by the Spaulding High School Music Department!
🗓 Concert Dates & Times
• December 13 – 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
• December 14 – 2:00 PM
🎄 Enjoy beautiful music, cozy vibes, and a festive village atmosphere perfect for the whole family.
🎟 Ticket Information
• $7 Adults
• $5 Students & Seniors
• $20 Family Deal – Four or more immediate family members from the same household
❤️ Giving Back
Donations will be collected for the Pope Memorial Humane Society and the SHS Raider Food Pantry.
📍 Enter up to 1 hour prior at the Richard W. Creteau Tech Center next to Spaulding.
👉 Get tickets & learn more:
https://sites.google.com/sau54.org/spauldingmusic/village
Come warm your heart with music, community, and holiday cheer! 🎶🔥
Cold weather is here—make sure your little ones stay safe, warm, and healthy as temperatures drop.
Here are a few quick tips:
🧥 Layer up. Several thin layers work better than one heavy coat.
🧣 Protect extremities. Hats, gloves, and warm boots are essential.
⏱️ Limit time outdoors in extreme cold or wind chills.
🚗 Car seat safety: Avoid bulky coats under harnesses—use blankets over the straps instead.
💧 Stay hydrated. Kids need fluids even in cold weather!
Learn more winter weather safety tips for children:
👉 CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter
👉 American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm.html
👉 Save the Children: https://www.savethechildren.org/us/charity-stories/cold-weather-tips
Stay warm, stay safe, and help protect the little ones in your life! ❄️💙
Join us for a festive evening of music presented by the Rochester Middle School Chorus!
📅 Wednesday, December 10th
🕖 7:00–8:30 PM
📍 Rochester Middle School (RMS), 47 Brock Street, Rochester, NH
💚 Admission is FREE!
Enjoy classic carols, festive favorites, and a warm community spirit. Hope to see you there!
#RochesterNH #RochesterMiddleSchool #HolidayConcert #ChoirConcert #CommunityEvent
The Chamberlain St School PTA invites families to our Snowflake Social on December 6th from 9:00–11:00 AM.
At Chamberlain Street School, 65 Chamberlain St, Rochester, NH 03867
Come enjoy games, raffles, winter crafts, a waffle station, and more!
📸 FREE photos with Santa (during the first hour only) — Santa’s extra busy this time of year!
📚 It’s also the LAST DAY of the Scholastic Book Fair, so be sure to stop by.
🎟️ Raffle: We’ll be raffling off a big outdoor inflatable — $1 per ticket or $5 for 6 tickets.
✅ Stamp your passport at the event to earn an extra raffle ticket!
Holiday Elementary Band Concert
Join us for the Rochester School District’s annual Holiday Elementary Band Concert!
Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Time: 7:00–8:00 PM
Location: Rochester Middle School, 47 Brock St, Rochester, NH 03867
All before and after school activities are cancelled. Stay safe- Superintendent Fulgoni
Rochester School District Winter Bus Safety Reminders
As winter weather arrives, the Rochester School District would like to remind families of a few important safety tips for students at their bus stops:
✔ Wait for the bus’s red lights and open door before approaching.
✔ If students need to cross the street, remind them to wait for the driver’s hand signal.
✔ With icy sidewalks, students should never run to or from the bus.
✔ If the bus ever passes your stop, students should never chase it. Please contact the Transportation Department for help.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep all students safe this winter! Stay warm and stay safe! ❄️🧣
Through collaboration, trust, and a shared belief in every student’s potential, they’re building a culture of excellence that shines in academics, the arts, and athletics.
Thank you for inspiring our students to dream big, work hard, and lead the way forward.
