📊 DID YOU KNOW?
📅 Count deadline: Feb. 14
Free & Reduced Meal applications help Rochester Schools qualify for:
✔️ Additional instructional funding
✔️ Technology and staffing support
✔️ After-school & summer programs
✔️ Fair resource allocation across schools
This funding is based on participation, not just eligibility.
📅 Apply by February 14 so your household is counted.
👉 https://www.myschoolapps.com/
By February 14, Rochester School District must submit its official count of Free & Reduced Meal applications — and that number directly affects state and federal funding for our schools.
Even if:
✔️ You don’t think you qualify
✔️ Your child doesn’t eat school meals
Your application still helps fund:
🏫 Classroom resources
💻 Technology & internet access
📚 Student programs & support
📅 Deadline that counts: February 14
👉 Apply here: https://www.myschoolapps.com/
One form. A lasting impact.
National School Counseling Appreciation Week
Student success is a shared journey. Rochester School District recognizes and thanks our school counseling professionals for their dedication to supporting students through collaboration, care, and consistency.
We appreciate the important role counselors play in helping students problem-solve, build social-emotional skills, and grow into successful learners.
We are grateful for our school counselors who support, guide, and advocate for students every day. Through connection, compassion, and collaboration, they help students navigate challenges and build bright futures.
Thank you for the impact you make across the Rochester School District—your work truly changes lives.
🎉 National School Counseling Appreciation Week 🎉
Rochester School District recognizes and celebrates our dedicated school counseling professionals who positively impact students’ lives every day.
Their commitment to student success, well-being, and growth helps build strong learners and confident futures. Thank you for all you do for our students and school community!
Celebrating National School Counseling Week
This week, we proudly celebrate National School Counseling Week, recognizing the vital role our school counselors play in supporting students every day.
School counselors help students succeed academically, navigate social and emotional challenges, plan for the future, and feel safe, supported, and understood. Whether they are helping a student set goals, manage stress, resolve conflicts, or explore career pathways, their impact reaches far beyond the counseling office.
We are grateful for our counselors’ dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping every student grow, learn, and thrive. Thank you for being trusted listeners, advocates, and champions for our students and school communities.
Please join us in thanking our school counselors for all they do!
A message from the
Rochester School District Health Services
EXTREME COLD WEATHER ALERT
Friday Night through Monday Night
According to the weather report, dangerously cold temperatures are expected all weekend. Wind chills and extreme cold can make it feel even colder and exposed skin can freeze in minutes.
What This Means
Frostbite can occur on exposed skin (face, ears, fingers) in 10–30 minutes
Hypothermia is possible even with short outdoor exposure
Cold is especially dangerous for young children, older adults, and pets
STAY SAFE TIPS
Children
Cover all exposed skin: hats, scarves, gloves, face coverings
Avoid outdoor play unless absolutely necessary
Keep trips outside short and supervised
Pets
Bring pets indoors at all times. Paw pads, ears, and tails can freeze quickly
Do not leave animals in garages or outside shelters
Families
Avoid going out Friday night through Monday unless necessary
Dress in layers if travel is unavoidable
Homes
Protect outdoor faucets and exposed pipes
Let faucets drip slightly to prevent freezing
Check heating systems and space heaters for safety
Vehicle Safety
Never Leave children or pets in cars. Cars lose heat quickly.
Extreme cold can be dangerous if you are stranded or delayed.
Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, especially Friday night–Monday
Make sure your car has a full tank of gas, working heater and keep an emergency kit in your car (blanket, flashlight, snacks, phone charger)
If you get stuck stay in your car, run heater 10 minutes per hour and keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow.
Bottom Line
If you don’t have to go out — stay in.
If you do go out — cover up completely.
Stay warm. Stay safe.
📢 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.
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.
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.
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! ❄️💙
🚍 Updated Bus Route Schedule Information Now Available!
The Rochester School District is pleased to announce that our new, easy-to-navigate Bus Route Schedules Information page is now live! Families can quickly find updated bus schedules to help plan for the school year.
🔗 Visit the page directly here: Bus Schedules https://www.rochesterschools.com/o/rsd/page/bus-schedules
or access it anytime through the Bus Schedules Update button on our district website
We encourage all families to check the schedules for the most accurate and up-to-date information on routes and times.
The countdown is on! Join us for the Start Strong: Back to School Event 🎉
📅 Monday, August 25, 2025
🕚 11 AM – 2 PM
📍 Rochester Rec Center, 150 Wakefield St
✨ Free haircuts for kids & teens
✨ School supplies & giveaways
✨ Youth activity sign-ups
✨ Connect with school staff & family resources
💛 Families enrolled in Rochester School District, let’s kick off the year together—because we’re stronger when we start together!
#RochesterNH #BackToSchool #StartStrong
Join Rochester School District for our Back to School Event
Monday, August 25, 2025
Foley Community Center
11 AM – 2 PM.
✅ Youth activity sign-ups
✅ Giveaways
✅ Family resources
✅ A supportive & energized start to the year!
📍 150 Wakefield St, Rochester, NH
Free for families of students enrolled in Rochester School District.
💬 "We’re stronger when we start together!"
#RochesterNH #BackToSchool #StartStrong #CommunityEvent #FamilyFun
