The photos on this webpage provided by Olive Juice Studios
The K-12 webpage is brought to you by Sylvan Learning Center.
Rochester School District Information • Questions about bussing to and from school? Will your child be a walker or a busser? Where's the nearest school bus stop? Call the Transportation Office (328-4260) or visit their website www.rochester.k12.mn.us
• New to the school district and want to find out which school your child is districted to attend? Moving within Rochester and need to submit a change of address form? Will your little one be starting kindergarten this fall and need to make sure all of their forms are completed? Call the Registration & Records Office (328-4200) or visit their website www.rochester.k12.mn.us/school86/paiir
Is your little one a preschooler (ages 3-5)? Then it's time for their
Early Childhood Check-In/Screening. The free screening of your child’s growth and development provided by the Rochester SchoolDistrict. The best time to schedule your child’s check-in is when he or she turns 3 years old. The tasks you child will be asked to complete are age appropriate so just as your child grows and changes with age, so will the tasks he or she will complete at check-in. The Check-In will not be “easier” because your child is older.
Early Childhood Check-In gives parents an opportunity to see how their child is developing and connects families with community resources and services. The State of Minnesota requires all children to participate in an early childhood check-in before entering public kindergarten programs. To schedule a screening call 285-8585. To find out more visit www.rochester.k12.mn.us/se3bin/clientgenie.cgi and click on Early Childhood Check-In Screening on the lefthand side of the screen.
SCHOOLS Rochester Public Schools - ISD #535 • Edison Building (615 7th Street SW) • 285-8551 • www.rochester.k12.mn.us
PRIVATE ELEMNTARY SCHOOLS • Holy Spirit School (Catholic, K-8), 5455 50th Ave, NW, 288-8818, www.rochestercatholic.k12.mn.us • Rochester Central Lutheran Elementary School (Preschool - 8th), 2619 Ninth Ave, NW, 289-3267, www.rcls.net • Resurrection Lutheran School (Pre-K - 8th), 4520 19th Ave, NW, 285-9735, www.resurrectionconnection.org • Rochester Montessori School (Pre-K-6th), 5099 7th Street NW, 288-8725, www.rmschool.org • St. John the Evangelist School (K-8), 424 W. Center Street, 282-5248, www.rochestercatholic.k12.mn.us • St. Francis of Assisi School (Nursery School-8th), 318 11th Ave, SE, 288-4816, www.rochestercatholic.k12.mn.us • St. Pius X School (Catholic, Nursery School-8th), 1205 12th Ave, NW, 282-5161, www.rochestercatholic.k12.mn.us • Schaeffer Academy (Classical education, Christian world view), 2700 Schaeffer Ln, NE, 286-1050, www.schaefferacademy.org • Victory Christian Academy (K-12, Bible centered curriculum), 606 36th Ave, SE, 289-2966
Other Rochester School District Information Rochester Public School Foundation • 285-8951 • www.rpsf.org The Rochester Public School Foundation (RPSF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing educational excellence for all. Established in 1988, the foundation works with the public school district to support innovative and creative projects through a grant process. Funding for RPSF comes from area businesses and individual donors. A contribution to RPSF is a great way to honor a teacher, staff person or graduate. Volunteering with RPSF is also a fun way to make an impact on students. Please visit our website or contact us at 285-8951 for more information.
Rochester Public Schools Home School Coordinator • Edison Building (615 7th Street SW) • 285-8551 • www.rochester.k12.mn.us/school85/tl (then click on "Home School Information")
Home School families living within the area of the Rochester Public Schools
have a Home School Coordinator in the Edison Administration Building. This website
is maintained by the Home School Coordinator, and features the state's enrollment form,
frequently-asked questions about home schooling in Minnesota, and even includes
links to used book websites, field trip possibilities and community events for home schoolers,
and curriculum suggestions recommended by other home-school families.
GATEway • 289-3899 (Melissa) • www.geocities.com/gateroch GATEway, the Rochester chapter of the Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented (MCGT), is a non-profit advocacy group comprised of parents, educators, and interested community members. GATEway collaborates with I.S.D. #535 to support academic challenge, rigor, and depth for all students in the Rochester Public Schools. We are committed to improving education for bright and gifted students as well as the entire student population. GATEway also sponsors educational events for students and families,
informs parents and the community about the unique needs of gifted and talented students, and provides opportunities for families of gifted students to connect with each other. We welcome private school and homeschooling families as well. Please check our website for programs and meeting times.
Parent/Family Involvement Committtee • www.rochester.k12.mn.us/school85/pfi The Parent/Family Involvement Committee's purpose is to educate parents, educators and the community about the value of parent and family involvement and to provide communication and strategies that support parent and family involvement throughout the district. The Parent/Family Involvement Committee meets once a month throughout the school year to provide support and resources for the implementation of this policy and has developed these resources for parents/guardians and educators:
• The Parent and Family Involvement website
• Tip sheets for elementary and secondary levels • Parent/Family Involvement notebooks at each school, which contain the policy, contacts, and resources for parents and educators, support materials, and parent involvement assessment tools.
CHILD CARE Family Child Care, Inc. • Rochester Senior Center (121 North Broadway #103) • 535-7493 • www.fccimn.com Family Child Care, Inc. is a local non-profit organization that supports in-home family child care providers in Olmsted County. Family Child Care also offers a child care provider directory and classified ads section for providers to post their child care openings. Providers should also check out the website's business articles, trainings, and legislative updates. If your family is looking for in-home family child care check out Family Child Care, Inc.
AuPairCare • (Renee Prunty) 206-3120 • rpruntyapc@yahoo.com • www.aupaircare.com
With nearly 20 years of experience, AuPairCare has successfully placed more than 30,000 au pairs with American families throughout the United States. An au pair is a young adult from another country who lives with your family and provides quality care for your children. Au pairs works up to 45 flexible hours per week in exchange for a weekly stipend and the opportunity to live with an American family. All of our au pairs speak English and have been carefully screened and trained by AuPairCare. For more information, visit our website at www.aupaircare.com.
Child Development Students • RCTC (851 30th Avenue SE) • 280-3148 If you are looking for a babysitter (either long-term or one-time), consider contacting the Child Development teachers at RCTC. They may be abel to help you post a babysitting job that will be viewed by all of the Child Development students at RCTC.
School Age Child Care (SACC) • 201 8th Street NW (Northrop Education Center) • 287-2179 • www.rochester.k12.mn.us/se3bin/clientgenie.cgi School Age Child Care (SACC) provides quality enrichment opportunities in a nurturing and safe environment for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. This includes before and after school care, Non-School Enrichment Days, Inclement Weather Days, and Summer Care. Check out their website for registration, locations, hours of operation, and costs.
PARENTING RESOURCES The Reading Center • 847 NW 5th St. • 288-5271 The Reading Center has recently (10/06) added an education/support group for parents of individuals with dyslexia (reading difficulty despite average intelligence): Parenting Partnership: Education and Support for Parents of Those with Reading Difficulties. Join us the third Tuesday of the month for a time of support, education, and discussion. We meet from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Reading Center. There is no set fee for attending; however, a suggested donation of $5 would help defray copy expenses for handouts. See the ROCHESTERfamilies.com Calendar of Events for information on specific meetings.
Family Service Rochester • 287-2010 • www.familyservicerochester.org
The Incredible Years - Parenting Course. Enjoy the Incredible Years! Family Service Rochester is proud to provide our community with The Incredible Years, a parenting course for parents of 8 –12 year olds. Pre-adolescence can be a challenging time, learn how you can best help your child through this stage in every way possible. The Incredible Years is an award winning, research based course, which helps parents: • Increase skills
• Learn how to influence their child’s behavior
• Build positive child-parent relationships. Fall 2006 Class Info: The program consists of an 8-week series meeting every Tuesday at 6:00pm, beginning September 26th (there will not be class on October 31st). Childcare is available during classes.
Brochure/Registration Form distribution occurs each fall, winter, spring and summer seasons, when booklets are mailed directly to homes in the Rochester School District area. The summer brochure is a collaborative production between Community Education, Quarry Hill, Rochester Area Family Y, and Rochester Park and Recreation. The Community Education Youth Enrichment Program offers seasonal activities in:
* Recreation & Sports * Crafts & Cooking * Hobbies & Collectibles * Back to Nature * Health & Safety * Art & Theater * Master the Challenge * Trips & Tours * Volunteer Opportunities
A limited number of scholarships are available.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES United Way of Olmsted County • 903 West Center Street, Suite 100 • 287-7877 • www.volunteersolutions.org/olmsted/volunteer/search.tcl The United Way of Olmsted County's Volunteer Center provides easy access to a wide range of volunteer opportunities at nonprofit agencies and local government and educational agencies serving Southeastern Minnesota. Their searchable online database features hundreds of local volunteer opportunities in Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, and Wabasha counties. They link people (including families and groups) who want to help with places or issues where their time, talent, and interests can be utilized. You can search for volunteer opportunities by agency name, group size, issue area, zip code, ongoing or one-time opportunities, calendar of events, summer youth opportunities or holiday opportunities. Families can also search for volunteer opportunities based on the age of their younger family members.
Summer of Service • 281-7301 or 281-7302 Looking for a GREAT summer opportunity? Join SOS for two weeks of FUN! SOS is a program for youth entering grades 6-10. During each two-week session, youth will work on a team of ten helping our community with different service-learning projects. Registration forms will be available after March 5. Please note that students can register for only one session until after April 30.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES Teen Beat Reporters • Post Bulletin • 18 1st Avenue, SE • 285-7600 • www.postbulletin.com
HOMESCHOOL Rochester Public Schools Home School Coordinator • Edison Building (615 7th Street SW) • 285-8551 • www.rochester.k12.mn.us/school85/tl (then click on "Home School Information") See information above.
PEACE Kids Homeschool Group • Lisa Schilling • peacekids@charter.net PEACE Kids Homeschool Group provides Rochester area homeschoolers with opportunities to build meaningful friendships while engaging in rich experiential learning activities. Weekly activities focus on performance arts, “living history,” environmental studies, hands-on art classes, unique fieldtrip opportunities, social activities and community service projects. PEACE Kids is not a faith-based group. We are an inclusive group welcoming homeschoolers and unschoolers of all faith traditions. The fall registration deadline is August 8, 2008. Contact: Lisa Schilling, Founder at peacekids@charter.net
Homeschool Minnesota • www.homeschoolmn.com Homeschool Minnesota is a local (Rochester-based) website for parents and children who homeschool. The website includes local resources, fieldtrip ideas, info on classes and clubs, and more. If you homeschool or are thinking about it, visit this website.
TUTORING Sylvan Learning Center • 1127 6th Street NW (Barlow Plaza) • 292-9270 • www.tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/centers/55901 The Sylvan Learning Center is your local supplemental educational center where students receive services in math, reading, writing, study skills, homework support, ACT/SAT prep, and coaching for college. While some students come to the center to catch-up on academic skills, others come to get-ahead in classes and prepare for post-secondary enrollment and tests. We serve students pre-K through college.
Our highly qualified and trained educators accommodate the unique needs and schedules of our community’s families through: in-center and on-line programs; work with students’ classroom teachers, support staff, and therapists; and provision of access to other educational resources.
For more information or a tour of the Sylvan Center you can call us during our operational hours: M-Th 8:30 am – 7:00 pm; F 8:30 am – 4:00 pm; and Sat 8:30am – 1 pm. Free educational resources can also be found by going through our website (above) or going directly to Dr. Rick’s Blog at www.drrickblog.com
The Reading Center • 847 NW 5th Street • 288-5271 • www.thereadingcenter.org The Dyslexia Institute of Minnesota/Rochester Reading Center is a non-profit organization that unites with individuals, families, and our community to overcome the challenges of unexpected difficulties learning to read, writes, and spell, which are associated with dyslexia. Through expertly trained educational therapists and a scientifically proven, time-tested approach, we build confidence, inspire hope, and enhance success. For more than 55 years, the Reading Center has offered educational evaluations (testing) and educational therapy (tutoring) to those who struggle. We also provide specialized training to individuals from all around the country so they too can effectively teach students how to read, write, and spell.
Homework Assistance Study Table • Rochester Public Library • 285-8018 • www.rochesterpubliclibrary.org The Homework Assistance Study Table is held every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in the Rochester Public Library's Meeting Room B (second floor) from 6 - 8 pm during the academic year. The study table is staffed by volunteers.
The goal of the Homework Assistance Study Table is to provide individual assistance to students with specific questions regarding their daily homework assignments. Although all students in the community are welcome, the academic levels of the students who attend are generally grades 4 to 12.
Students do not need to register ahead of time -- just come at the scheduled time.
OTHER Pathways to Wellness Counseling Services, LLC • Jennifer A. Baumgardner, MSW, LGSW • 261-7392 • www.pathways2wellness.net. Pathways to Wellness is a private therapy practice. We provide individual, couple, and family counseling to all ages, specializing in children, adolescents, and young adults. Services may include, but are not limited to, work with anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, adolescent struggles, substance use, parenting skills, social skill building, and relationship skills. We concentrate on serving our clients' diverse needs in a way that meets each client where he or she is at in life. Our goal is to provide a supportive environment that will challenge clients to consider their current life paths, as well as potential alterations needed to take charge of their life journey. Together we explore paths of change towards wellness of mind, body, and spirit.
Olive Juice Studios • 252-0490 • www.olivejuicestudios.com Olive Juice Studios offers a comfortable and convenient alternative to traditional studio photography. Scott and Kelly call it "unplugged" because, although they have a photo studio in NW Rochester, they prefer to photograph kids in their homes and/or favorite parks without artificial lighting, backdrops or props. Your kids will love Olive Juice Studios because they don't have to sit still, look at the camera or smile if they don't want to--the photographer just follows them around as they eat, sleep and play. You will love Olive Juice Studios because the kids in your photos will look like the ones you know and love every day.
Usborne Books • 286-7832 (Andrea) • www.ubah.com/z1004 Andrea Sztajnkrycer is a local Independent Educational Consultant with Usborne Books. She can provide an opportunity for you to see Usborne books in person. These are the Books Kids Love to Read! With over 1,300 titles to choose from, you will find a number of books that will suit your child or children! Usborne Books offer educational books with a fun flair to captivate and entertain kids of ALL ages.
Featherstone Fruits and Vegetables • Winona, Minnesota • 507-452-4244 • www.featherstonefarm.com Enjoy fresh local organic produce weekly with Featherstone Fruits and Vegetables! Featherstone is a 40 acre certified organic farm located in the fertile Wiscoy Valley, just south of Winona. Our goal as we farm is to provide fresh food for our community while contributing to the health of our land and local economy. Through its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, Featherstone delivers weekly organic produce boxes to drop off sites in Rochester from early June through October. Through the CSA program, you’ll receive, along with your weekly produce, a newsletter with recipe ideas, updates on crops and farm projects, as well as invitations to farm events, including the Strawberry Social, Salsa Workshop and our fall Hoe-down Harvest Party. For CSA subscription information please visit our website or call Sarah at 507-452-4244. We’ll also be at the Rochester Farmer’s Market starting in May. Hope to see you there!
A PUZZLED WORLD • Jessica & Jeff Raschka • 3110 Wellner Dr. NE Suite 300, right behind Whistle Binkies North • 696-1874 • apuzzledworld@yahoo.com A Puzzled World has fun things for all ages and abilities. The store has things related to disabilities like autism, down syndrome, cp, AD/HD and more. You will find books, toys, OT/PT stuff, speech stuff, weighted blankets/vests apparel and so much more. In the spring of 2008, A Puzzled World established a rental system of toys, games, learning tools and therapy equipment. The rental program works similar to popular programs like Netflix. For a monthly fee, a customer can check out items and exchange them on a regular basis for new things. Parents that have children from birth to 13 will have hundreds of items to choose from. Plans start at $29.99 a month.
Discovery Toys • 507-292-0497 • www.discoverytoyslink.com/KariRichards Discovery Toys carries educational games, books, and toys that are enjoyed by people of all ages – birth through elderly! Their products come with a lifetime guarantee. Interested in more information? You may contact Kari Richards, local Discovery Toys Educational Consultant, to see and handle products or to see a current catalog with classics such as: Marbleworks, Playful Patterns, and Measure-Up Cups or feel free to browse through the on-line catalog.
Rochester Greeters • 282-9970 • www.rochestergreeters.com Are you new to the Rochester area? Rochester Greeters wants to assist you in settling into your new location. They have a welcome bag that is full of helpful information that will give you an excellent start in finding your way around the Rochester area! The welcome bag includes: county and city maps, civic information, and lists of clubs and organizations. The welcome bag also includes products, coupons, and gift certificates from local businesses. Are you interested in receiving a welcome package? Would you like to request a greeting for yourself or someone else? Contact Rochester Greeters!
Do you know of additional K-12 resources? Let us know. Send relevant information (organization's name, services they provide, phone number or email address) to RochesterFamilies.com. Email us at Lindy@RochesterFamilies.com.
