RSD

Back to School Newsletter

August 2025

Countdown to a Great Year!

The 2025–26 school year is almost here, and we can’t wait to welcome our students and families back!

We’ll start with Student Success Conferences on August 27 & 28. This is an important time for teachers, students, and families to connect and set goals for the year.

On September 2, we open our doors for the first day of classes. Attending school every day, starting with the very first day, helps students build strong routines, form connections, and stay on track for success.

Inside this newsletter, you’ll find everything you need to get ready, from school hours and supply lists to athletics, events, and more. Let’s make it a great year together!

Welcome Back to School
Attendance Matters - Every student. Every day.

Connecting for Success Conferences

Before the first day of school, we look forward to welcoming students and families for Student Success Conferences. These one-on-one meetings are a chance to connect, learn more about each student, and learn about expectations for this school year. Starting the year together ensures every student feels known, valued, supported, and ready to succeed. Scheduling details will be shared by your child’s school. Qmlativ will be open for conference time selection on the following dates:

RPS - Monday, August 18 at 9:00 am

GMES - Monday, August 18 at 9:00 am

RMS - Tuesday, August 19 at 8:00 am

RHS - Tuesday, August 19 at 8:00 am

Once Qmlativ is open, you can schedule your conference by logging in to your Family Access through Skyward/Qmlativ. Please call the school office if you need assistance.

Upcoming Dates

August 25 - 6th Grade Jump Start at RMS

August 25 - Freshman Orientation at RHS

August 27 & 28 - Success Conferences

Sept. 2 - First day of classes (1st -12th)

Sept. 2 - Kinders w/Last names A-L

Sept. 3 - Kinders w/Last names M-Z

Sept. 4 - First Home Girls Soccer Game

Sept. 8 - REIP First day

Sept. 8 - First Home Volleyball Game

Sept. 12 - District-Wide Back-to-School Bash

Sept. 12 - First Home Football Game

2025-2026 School Year Calendar

New RSD APP - REMIND is GONE

Have you downloaded the new Rochester School District app?

This year, the Rochester School District will no longer be using REMIND.

Our new communication tool is called ROOMS. Just like REMIND, you will be able to message directly with staff. You will learn more about this during Success Conferences. To get started, please download our school district app - Rochester School District, WA from iOS App Store or Android Play Store and Enable Notifications.

For more information: Introducing Rooms

RSD App

School Hours and Phone Numbers

School House

Below is a link to information about school start and end times and office phone numbers.

School Hours and Phone Numbers

Chromebooks

6-12 Students

All high school and middle school students will be assigned their own Chromebook at the start of the school year.  The Chromebook will be turned back in at the end of the school year and the same Chromebook will be checked out to them the next school year. Students will use the device throughout the school day to support learning and take it home for anytime, anywhere learning. Chromebook Responsible Use Policy

K-5 Students

Chromebooks are available for daily use in all K-5 classrooms. Students will use the device throughout the school day to support learning.

More Information, Forms & Links

  • Chromebook Basics

  • Chromebook Troubleshooting

  • Responsible Use Policy

  • Assurance Progam

School Supply Lists

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade

Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade

High School

Picture of school supplies

Community Resource Fair

ROOF Logo

August 21: ROOF Community Services Community Resource Fair is an event where School Supplies will be available for students in grades K-12. The Resource Fair takes place on August 21 from 10:00-3:00 pm in the Courtyard behind the Rochester School District Office. Families must bring:

  • Photo ID

  • Proof of address

  • Proof that children attend a Rochester School (ASB card, mail from school, report card, screenshot from school app).

This is a Community Resource Fair. School Immunizations will be available during the School Supply event.

District & Community Information in PeachJar

kid with book

If you would like to receive district and community flyers about events and activities in Rochester sign up for PeachJar. You may select to receive announcements from one or all of the Rochester Schools. That will allow you to stay connected with events and activities in our schools and community. Sign Up Here

UPDATED First Student 1.0 Bus App

App Logo

The old FirstView Classic app (blue icon) is no longer supported and became inactive on June 11. For the 2025–2026 school year, be sure to install the updated FirstView 1.0 app (red icon).

This updated version uses a new district code, so last year’s login information will not work. Please reach out to your student’s school to receive the new code.

District Back-to-School Bash

The District-Wide Back-to-School Bash is on Friday, September 12, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Grand Mound Elementary School's outdoor space.

The event will include: Free Food, Facepainting, Community Resources, Vendors, Photo Booth, Games, and Prizes.

The Reptile Man Show will begin at 6:00 PM!!

Back to School Bash - Sept. 12, 5-7 PM at GMES

Athletics

First Day of Practice is Coming Soon!

Athletes need to register in Final Forms. If they don't already have an account, an account needs to be created by following the prompts using the students' SCHOOL EMAIL - FINAL FORMS Webpage.

All student athletes must pay the ASB Athletic Fee - $30 for RHS and $15 for RMS. Fees may be paid online at https://wa-rochester.intouchreceipting.com/. Students who QUALIFY for Free/Reduced Meals do not need to pay the ASB Athletic Fee.

All student athletes must have an up-to-date Sports Physical to participate in athletics. The Sports Physical Form must be completed by a doctor. Free Sports Physicals are available at Centralia High School on Monday, August 18, from 10:00-2:00 pm.

High School Fall Athletic Season Start Dates:

August 20: Football & Cheer

August 25: Girls Soccer, Boys Golf, Cross Country, Girls Swimming, and Volleyball

Middle School Fall Athletic Season Start Dates:

August 25: Football

August 25: Cross Country and Girls Soccer

Access Beyond the Fences

Walking Paths, Playgrounds, and Fields are Open when School Isn't in Session

The perimeter of all our schools are fenced. During the school day, when students are present, gates are closed and locked to add a prevention barrier to help keep our kids safe. The fences also provide additional access control and enable natural surveillance.

After school, the gates are unlocked to provide community access to the GMES playground and middle and high school fields. There are walking/running tracks at Grand Mound Elementary and Rochester Middle Schools for the community to enjoy when school is not in session. Both those tracks are approximately 1/4 of a mile. There is also the Promise Carper trail at Rochester High School.

If you have an organized event or an athletic team needing to use the fields or indoor athletic facilities, please reserve the facilities on the Rochester School District webpage - Use of Facilities.

RMS Walking Path

2025-2030 Strategic Plan

We have a new Strategic Plan developed with input from people throughout our community!! Learn more about the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan through this LINK on the Rochester Web page.

Strategic Plan Visual

Rochester School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, or any other basis prohibited by law. We also provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights Coordinator: Jennifer Bethman (360) 273-9242, jbethman@rochester.wednet.edu

Title IX Coordinator: Kelsey Lincoln (360) 273-5534, klincoln@rochester.wednet.edu

504/ADA Coordinator: Laura Staley (360) 273-5536, lstaley@rochester.wednet.edu

Address: 10140 Highway 12 SW, Rochester, WA 98579.

Rochester School District is an Equal Opportunity School District. If you need an interpretation of this document, please call the RISE Center at 360.858.1818. You can also select the Translate option at the top of the page to select a language for translation.

El distrito escolar de Rochester es un distrito escolar que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. Si necesita interpretación de este documento, llame al Centro RISE al 360.858.1818. También puede seleccionar la opción Traducir en la parte superior de la pagina para seleccionar un idioma para la traducción.