RCSD News: Welcome Back!
First Day of School is Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Dear Rochester City School District Families,
As we prepare to welcome students back to school on Tuesday, September 8, I am excited about the year ahead. A new school year gives us an opportunity to reset, refocus, and recommit to what matters most: our students.
This school year, our focus is OneRCSD: Connected in Action, strengthening our commitment to accelerate student success.
Being connected in action means working together with purpose. It means our schools and families communicating with one another, supporting our students, and staying focused on the work that will help every child succeed. Families are essential partners in that work, and we want you to feel connected to your child’s school and to the District throughout the year.
That connection also depends on how we show up for students every day. Each day a student is in school is another opportunity to learn, strengthen skills, build relationships with caring adults, and move closer to their goals. That is why we are continuing our focus on having students Strive for Five and encouraging them to show up strong, five days long. You play an important role in making sure your children are in school, ready to learn every day.
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. I look forward to welcoming our students back on September 8 and to all that we will accomplish together as OneRCSD.
Yours in Education,
Dr. Eric Jay Rosser
Superintendent of Schools
The safety of students and staff is a top priority for the District, and we want to make visits to school buildings pleasant, 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 reads a visitor’s driver’s license (or other approved government-issued ID) and compares it to a database containing registered sex offenders in all 50 states. Once cleared through the system, a visitor badge is produced that includes a photo, the visitor's name, date, time, and destination in the building. This system replaces the traditional paper sign-in and is especially useful during emergencies to know who is on campus.
There is still time to schedule a health examination with your child’s physician. Health exams/physicals are mandated in grades PreK, Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, and for all new entrants. A dental exam form is also requested, although not required.
The required NYS Health Examination Form is available on the District website if your healthcare provider needs it. Completed school health examination and dental exam forms may be faxed to 585-324-5924, emailed to Erin.Graupman@rcsdk12.org, or submitted to your child’s school nurse in September.
Did you know students can receive high-quality medical and mental health care without ever having to leave school? The Rochester City School District is proud to offer School-Based Health and Mental Health Clinics to keep students healthy, supported, and ready to learn, all while saving parents time and missed work.
To view a list of participating schools and complete an enrollment form, visit our website today!
The following procedures are in place for the 2026-27 school year.
Grades PreK – 8
- Students will keep their Chromebooks at school and store them in carts in their classrooms.
- Students with a Chromebook at home should return it to their school’s main office as soon as possible.
Grades 9 – 12
- Students will take home their Chromebooks and bring them to school fully charged each day unless otherwise communicated by their school.
- Students new to the District will have a Chromebook automatically sent to their school.
- Returning students with a Chromebook needing repair should contact their teacher or the main office, and the school will create a ticket for the repair.
- Students with a lost or stolen Chromebook should contact their classroom teacher or the main office.
i-Ready is an online mathematics and reading program for students in grades K–8. It will help us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth, personalize their learning, and monitor their progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows us to meet your child where they are and provides us with data to inform instruction.
Throughout the year, your child will take a series of i-Ready Diagnostic assessments to help us best support your child’s learning. These will be administered in September, January, and May. i-Ready Instruction provides students with interactive lessons and provides strategic support to keep your child engaged as they learn.
What can you do to help?
To help prepare your child for the i-Ready Diagnostic assessments, encourage them to try their best on each question, try not to rush, and understand that they will not know the answer to every question. You can also support your child’s learning by discussing their progress and celebrating their learning and growth.
If you have any questions about i-Ready, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school. You can also learn more by visiting i-ReadyCentral.com/FamilyCenter.
Dear Families,
My name is Elizabeth Soffa, a senior at the School of the Arts. For the 2026–2027 school year, I have the honor of serving as the Student Leadership Congress (SLC) President, SOTA Student Council President, and student representative on the Board of Education. Alongside these roles, I am the captain of the girls’ varsity volleyball team and represent my peers on both the District’s Student Athlete Leadership Team and SOTA’s School-Based Planning Team. I share these experiences not for personal recognition but to testify to the incredible, often-overlooked greatness within the Rochester City School District.
Writing for this newsletter is a great opportunity to promote the SLC and share student accomplishments. The SLC is essentially a student council for the entire District. We are a group of students from all the high schools who come together to discuss issues and topics that are of importance to us.
As the school year begins, SLC will continue to give back to our schools and community with our thoughtful conversations and student voice. I encourage you to use your voice and speak up when something matters to you, even if it seems little. I am looking forward to an amazing year!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Soffa
Student Leadership Congress President
To learn more about SLC, please contact Ryan Keating, RCSD’s Executive Director of Social Studies, at Ryan.Keating@rcsdk12.org.
Extended School Year Students Participate in Special Olympics Celebration at School No. 45
More than 500 students from the RCSD's ESY program participated in a Special Olympics celebration hosted at Mary McLeod Bethune School No. 45.
The athletic event schedules for RCSD schools can be found on the Rochester City Athletic Conference webpage. In order to attend RCSD-hosted games, student spectators from the home and away teams must show a valid school ID. Students from other schools must be accompanied by an adult at least 25 years old with a valid ID. Minors must be accompanied at all times.
Please note that some admission fees have changed:
- JV/Varsity football games – $5/person
- JV/Varsity volleyball games – $3/person
- Modified volleyball and football games – $1/person
The Rochester Board of Education remains committed to communicating the implementation of the Student Outcomes Focused Governance model with its stakeholders. This publication keeps the community informed about the Board’s goals, progress, and key initiatives, and provides timely updates on important developments. It aims to foster engagement by providing clear, accessible information about the Board’s work and opportunities to get involved. Read the latest edition here.
The Rochester City School District is proud to recruit from the community we serve. We're hiring, and there’s never been a better time to join us!
Rochester is filled with talented people who know our neighborhoods, understand our families, and care deeply about our children. We see that as an asset. Building a workforce that draws from and reflects the community we serve strengthens our schools and creates meaningful opportunities for Rochester residents to contribute to student success.
We are seeking passionate educators and support professionals who are ready to make an impact. Whether you are a teacher, paraprofessional, or looking for a role in clerical services, school safety, food service, custodial work, or transportation, we have opportunities available now. Know someone who would be a great fit? Encourage them to apply and be part of something meaningful.
Visit www.rcsdk12.org/careers to explore current job postings and learn more about upcoming recruitment events.
www.rcsdk12.org
131 West Broad Street, Rochester, NY 14614
585-262-8100