The GMES 4th graders did a great job presenting at the Natural Disaster Showcase today. They learned so much!!
Hello GMES Warrior Families!
Next week, our students will begin an important opportunity to demonstrate their learning—the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA). They have been working hard all year, and this is their chance to show us what they have learned!
We all share the same goal: helping your child do their very best. Here are a few ways you can support them in coming to school prepared and ready to succeed:
Prioritize rest: Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep each night. A consistent bedtime routine, at least 8 hours of sleep, and limiting screen time before bed can make a big difference.
Fuel their day: Ensure your child eats breakfast on testing days—whether at home or school—to stay focused and energized.
Be on time: The playground and breakfast open at 8:30 AM, and the tardy bell rings at 9:00 AM. Students should be in their classrooms by 9:00 AM so they can begin testing promptly.
Keep up good habits: Continue encouraging your child to read 20 minutes each night and practice multiplication facts.
Follow testing expectations: Cell phones and smart watches must be turned off and stored in backpacks during testing. Use of these devices will invalidate a student’s test and must be reported to the state.
Attached is our testing calendar for the month of May. Please refer to it if you have questions about which subject is being tested each day.
Please reach out to our testing coordinator, Madison Newman, if you have any questions about testing schedules or rules.
Thank you all for your support and please remind your child to DO THEIR BEST ON THE TEST!!!
Madison Newman
360-858-1824 (office)
360-764-0914 (cell)
mnewman@rochester.wednet.edu
Just a reminder that the deadline to turn your ballot is April 28. Ballots can be dropped off at the Grand Mound Center and Fire Station on Albany Rd. If you’d like to learn more about the Water System Capital Levy, please visit: https://www.rochester.wednet.edu/o/rsd/page/capital-levy.
Welcome back, Rochester students and staff! We hope you all had a great spring break and are feeling refreshed for the final stretch of the school year. (RMS/RHS Students — don’t forget to charge up your Chromebook so you’re ready to go!)
Let’s finish the year strong, Warriors! 💙
Let’s finish the year strong, Warriors! 💙
Hey Rochester Community! Just a quick reminder—we have two chances left to learn about the RSD Water System Capital Levy: Monday, April 13 at 6:30 PM and Wednesday, April 15 at 5:00 PM. Both sessions are in the RHS Library.
Come ask questions and get the details! For more info: https://www.rochester.wednet.edu/o/rsd/page/capital-levy
Come ask questions and get the details! For more info: https://www.rochester.wednet.edu/o/rsd/page/capital-levy
🌸 Spring Break Reminder 🌸
There will be no school April 6–10 for Spring Break. We hope all of our Rochester families enjoy a well-deserved break, get some rest, and spend quality time together!
There will be no school April 6–10 for Spring Break. We hope all of our Rochester families enjoy a well-deserved break, get some rest, and spend quality time together!
We invite our community to join us for an upcoming Water System Capital Levy Community Forum to learn more, ask questions, and stay informed.
📅 Forum Dates:
• Tuesday, March 31 @ 5:30 pm
• Monday, April 13 @ 6:30 pm
• Wednesday, April 15 @ 5:00 pm
📍 Location: Rochester High School Library
This is a great opportunity to hear firsthand the current condition of our water system, understand the proposed improvements, and hear how this impacts our schools and community.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.rochester.wednet.edu/o/rsd/page/capital-levy
We hope to see you there!
📅 Forum Dates:
• Tuesday, March 31 @ 5:30 pm
• Monday, April 13 @ 6:30 pm
• Wednesday, April 15 @ 5:00 pm
📍 Location: Rochester High School Library
This is a great opportunity to hear firsthand the current condition of our water system, understand the proposed improvements, and hear how this impacts our schools and community.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.rochester.wednet.edu/o/rsd/page/capital-levy
We hope to see you there!
Read-a-Thon Assembly✨️
Thank you to GMES Boosteers and all who helped with the read-a-thon! Special thank you to Weyerhaeuser for providing books for all of the students! 💙💛
✨️Asamblea del maratón de lectura✨️
¡Gracias a todos los que han colaborado en el maratón de lectura! ¡Un agradecimiento especial a Weyerhaeuser por los libros para todos los estudiantes! 💙💛
Thank you to GMES Boosteers and all who helped with the read-a-thon! Special thank you to Weyerhaeuser for providing books for all of the students! 💙💛
✨️Asamblea del maratón de lectura✨️
¡Gracias a todos los que han colaborado en el maratón de lectura! ¡Un agradecimiento especial a Weyerhaeuser por los libros para todos los estudiantes! 💙💛
The Grand Mound students who competed in the Future Chef Competition did an AMAZING job!! 🍳👩🍳👨🍳
Six talented contestants showcased their cooking skills and shared some truly delicious recipes. From crepes and Churro Bites to Lumpia with Sweet Chili Sauce, Street Tacos, Polish Spaghetti, and Chicken Quesadillas -- the food was incredible. The judges' scoring was very close in determining our winners!
After tasting and judging, our winners were:
🥇 1st Place: McKinley Heggie – Grandma’s Polish Spaghetti
🥈 2nd Place: Freddie Hays – Street Tacos
🥉 3rd Place: Madison Graves – Chicken Quesadilla with Pico de Gallo
A huge thank you to our amazing food service team and Sodexo for organizing and supporting this event. Their work made this opportunity possible for our students.
We are proud of all of our young chefs for their creativity and willingness to share their cooking talents. Their future is bright—and delicious! 👏
Six talented contestants showcased their cooking skills and shared some truly delicious recipes. From crepes and Churro Bites to Lumpia with Sweet Chili Sauce, Street Tacos, Polish Spaghetti, and Chicken Quesadillas -- the food was incredible. The judges' scoring was very close in determining our winners!
After tasting and judging, our winners were:
🥇 1st Place: McKinley Heggie – Grandma’s Polish Spaghetti
🥈 2nd Place: Freddie Hays – Street Tacos
🥉 3rd Place: Madison Graves – Chicken Quesadilla with Pico de Gallo
A huge thank you to our amazing food service team and Sodexo for organizing and supporting this event. Their work made this opportunity possible for our students.
We are proud of all of our young chefs for their creativity and willingness to share their cooking talents. Their future is bright—and delicious! 👏
The School Board has selected four finalists to move forward to the interview stage.
Interviews will take place on March 23 and March 24. We will be hosting two candidates each day. The candidates will each spend 9.5 hours participating in interviews, forums, and activities within the school district. As we enter this phase, it’s important to remember that while the finalists are working to make a strong impression on our district, we are also representing Rochester and want to make a positive impression on them.
As part of the process, staff and community forums will be held on both Monday and Tuesday (3/24 & 3/25) in the RHS Library. The community forums are at 5:45 and 6:30 pm. The forums are an opportunity for you to meet the candidates, ask questions, and provide valuable feedback to the school board.
Your voice is an important part of this process, and we encourage you to attend if you are able.
Interviews will take place on March 23 and March 24. We will be hosting two candidates each day. The candidates will each spend 9.5 hours participating in interviews, forums, and activities within the school district. As we enter this phase, it’s important to remember that while the finalists are working to make a strong impression on our district, we are also representing Rochester and want to make a positive impression on them.
As part of the process, staff and community forums will be held on both Monday and Tuesday (3/24 & 3/25) in the RHS Library. The community forums are at 5:45 and 6:30 pm. The forums are an opportunity for you to meet the candidates, ask questions, and provide valuable feedback to the school board.
Your voice is an important part of this process, and we encourage you to attend if you are able.
This week we celebrated Education Support Professionals Week, and we want to give a big thank you to the classified staff who help make our schools run every day!
From welcoming students each morning, supporting learning in classrooms, preparing meals, keeping our buildings clean and safe, assisting in our offices, and so much more — our Education Support Professionals play a vital role in the success of our schools.
Your dedication, care for students, and commitment to our district do not go unnoticed. The relationships you build and the support you provide help create a positive environment where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Join us in thanking our Education Support Professionals!
From welcoming students each morning, supporting learning in classrooms, preparing meals, keeping our buildings clean and safe, assisting in our offices, and so much more — our Education Support Professionals play a vital role in the success of our schools.
Your dedication, care for students, and commitment to our district do not go unnoticed. The relationships you build and the support you provide help create a positive environment where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Join us in thanking our Education Support Professionals!
February District Newsletter: https://rochestersdwa.edurooms.com/engage/rsd/newsletters/rsd-community-newsletter-feb-2026
This week is National School Counseling Week, a perfect time to recognize the counselors who play an important role in our schools. They support students academically, socially, and emotionally to help our students be prepared to learn. Thank you to all our school counselors for the important work you do with our students every day!
REMINDER! There will be no school on Friday, January 23, due to semester break. We hope our students and staff enjoy the day!
The Special Eduation Parent Advisory meets Tuesday (1/20) at 5:00 pm in the District Office.
Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose work continues to inspire service, equality, and respect for all. This day serves as an opportunity to reflect on his message and the importance of kindness, justice, and community.
School will resume on Tuesday, January 20. We hope our students, families, and staff have a meaningful day of reflection.
School will resume on Tuesday, January 20. We hope our students, families, and staff have a meaningful day of reflection.
Happy New Year, Warriors! We are so proud of everything our Warriors achieved last year, and we’re even more excited for what’s to come. Enjoy the final days of break—we’ll see you soon!
Reminder - School resumes on Monday, January 5.
Reminder - School resumes on Monday, January 5.
Welcome to Our New School Board Members! Please join us in welcoming our two newly elected Rochester School District Board members: Heather Harris – District 5 and Francisco Villanueva – District 1.
Both Heather and Francisco are vested in our community, and we are excited to have their leadership and commitment on our school board. We look forward to the valuable perspectives and dedication they will bring as we continue working together to support our students, staff, and families.
Welcome to the team!
Both Heather and Francisco are vested in our community, and we are excited to have their leadership and commitment on our school board. We look forward to the valuable perspectives and dedication they will bring as we continue working together to support our students, staff, and families.
Welcome to the team!
Winter Break is almost here...Winter Break begins Friday, December 19 and continues through January 2. School will resume on Monday, January 5.
Tonight is the FINAL Performance! You won’t want to miss it! After a fantastic weekend of performances, RHS Drama is wrapping up their latest production This Murder Was Staged TONIGHT, December 15 at 7:00 PM. This fast-paced murder mystery turned comedy had audiences laughing all night on Saturday. When the body of a demanding director is discovered on stage during opening night, everyone becomes a suspect—and the chaos that follows is pure fun! Ticket Prices: $12 Adults, $10 Students, RSD Staff, ASB, Seniors, First Responders & Military, $8 Children (10 & under). Bring your friends, bring your family, and be ready to laugh—this is one wild ride you don’t want to miss!
