Bamber Valley Elementary School, Rochester, MN

10/14/2026

This is a reminder that there is no school on Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16 for MEA Break. Enjoy your long weekend and we'll see you back on Monday!

10/14/2026

Today, 38 students from Bamber Valley Elementary and Gage Elementary joined forces at the Edison Building to collaborate and get trained in being a Reading Mentor for younger students. These students will be mentoring Kindergarten students for about 10 minutes every single day before school starts.

The students heard from a couple of Keynote Mentors in the community, including Adrianna Cordell, who was once a Reading Mentor herself and is now a teacher in the district. Abdi "Axe" Ahmed also came in to discuss leadership and opportunities to make a difference for the students.

Students worked hard during training because they know they have an important role in mentoring younger students and providing opportunities for them to succeed.

10/12/2026

The Bamber Broadcast is available- Be sure to check your email now for the link to watch it!

10/07/2026

Beavers on Parade!!! It was shared that this was the biggest turnout ever for RPS Walk and Roll to School Day thanks to our amazing families! Check your email for a special edition newsletter with links to local news coverage. Go BEAVERS!!!!

10/07/2026

Happy feet, happy kids, happy school! Today students from Bamber Valley Elementary School took part in the annual National Walk & Roll to School Day! We loved watching our students demonstrate safe walking routes while sharing an important message to our community: safety comes first! Thank you to our community partners for helping make this event a success.

10/05/2026

Hey Bamber families- Don't forget to check your email for the link to this week's Broadcast! Lots of info so you don't want to miss it!

10/05/2026

Looking for some new BVE spirit gear? Want to show your pride and look awesome? Shop the BVE spirit store, sponsored by the PTO, until it closes on 10-23-26.

https://bambervalley.stmanes.com/

10/02/2026

It's National Custodian Appreciation Day!!
Thank you Alex, Ryan and Roble! Our school wouldn't be what it is without you, you go above and beyond to make Bamber Valley not only a safe and clean space, but also a fun space for both students and staff! We never hear a complaint and you truly take pride in your jobs and our school.
We appreciate you!!

09/28/2026

This November, voters in Independent School District #535 will choose representatives to fill four (4) open seats on the School Board. Voters may select up to four candidates on their ballot. The candidates running in this nonpartisan election are listed below in alphabetical order:

Joe "Joe(Y)" Christenson
Justin M. Cook
Pat "Pot" Farmer
Ana Folpe
Flora Howie
Josh Koestler
Joe LaForge
Jean Marvin
Cathy Nathan
John Peck

School board positions will be listed on the back of the ballot. More information about each candidate can be found on the Secretary of State's website: https://myballotmn.sos.mn.gov.

09/28/2026

It's officially Fall, and we are ready for a full week here at Bamber! Don't miss the broadcast this week with lots of important info- including picture retake day THIS week! Have a great week:)

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/24/2026

Congrats to these Century students who will be interning at IBM! What a great opportunity to link the knowledge you've learned in the classroom with real-world applications of your skills.

09/24/2026

Did you know that every public school student in Minnesota is part of a trust fund? Minnesota owns state public lands that generate revenue from timber, mining, and land leases. That money is placed into a protected investment trust dedicated strictly to supporting public school districts across the state. Due to investment growth, the fund has expanded from $675 million in 2010 to more than $2.3 billion today, but distributions have not kept pace because of outdated constitutional restrictions. This November, Minnesota voters can vote to increase the fund.

What does this ballot question change?
☑️ Sends more money to classrooms: Current constitutional rules limit payouts primarily to interest and dividends, restricting how much money reaches schools. The amendment modernizes the formula to increase the annual distribution from 2-2.5% to 4.5% of the fund's total value, significantly increasing payments to all Minnesota public schools.
☑️ Zero tax increase: It does not raise property, income, or sales taxes. It uses money already sitting in an existing investment fund.
☑️ Bipartisan agreement: The update was unanimously recommended by a nonpartisan task force and received strong bipartisan support in both the Minnesota House and Senate.

Under Minnesota law, a constitutional amendment must receive approval from a majority of all voters. Skipping the question has the exact same mathematical impact as actively voting against it. To support the amendment, you must vote "YES." Leaving the question blank counts as a "NO" vote. You can learn more about this at www.mnpsfamendment.org.

09/23/2026

It's Curriculum and Development Day! Across the district, staff got ahead on lesson planning, collaborated with peers, and brushed up on their professional skills.

Because kids aren't in school today, Bishop staff got to welcome Beamish the therapy dog and his handler, Dixie, and show them around the school uninterrupted. Bishop will host Beamish and Dixie weekly for students who need a mental health break. This extra student support is all thanks to a new partnership with You're Not Alone, an organization that facilitates partnerships with therapy dogs.

09/22/2026

Thanks for sharing your bus safety training pictures with us, Jefferson! If you ever need a refresher, check out this video of Superintendent Pekel learning how to ride the bus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcnAXBPNoDc. All of the rules on the bus can be found on our website as well.

09/22/2026

Ready to learn more about your child and how they learn? Take the first step by booking an early childhood screening or learn more at Rochesterce.org/ecscreening

Screen at 3! Early Childhood Screening is a free service for children ages 3–5 that helps families learn more about their child’s growth and development, including vision, hearing and developmental skills.

Screening is required before kindergarten and can also connect families with helpful resources and support when needed.

Appointments are available year-round! Schedule your child’s screening today at: RochesterCE.org/ecscreening.

09/21/2026

Reminder: there is no school on Wednesday, September 23. RPS staff will participate in a Curriculum and Development (CAD) Day to plan instruction and engage in professional development. We will see students back in school on Thursday, September 24.

09/17/2026

Our students at Overland Elementary School received some hands-on, real-world learning experiences at Quarry Hill this week!

09/17/2026

Due to the forecast for inclement weather, we have decided to cancel the homecoming parades for John Marshall and Mayo High Schools, scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, September 18. Because permits are valid only for Friday, the parades cannot be rescheduled. We apologize for the inconvenience.

09/16/2026

Due to the forecasted inclement weather for Friday, we are adjusting the homecoming games schedule for John Marshall and Mayo High Schools as follows:

⚽ Varsity Girls' Soccer Game: Thursday, September 17, at 4:30 p.m.
🏈 Varsity Football Game: Thursday, September 17, at 7:30 p.m.

We are continuing to monitor the weather regarding Friday's parades. Because permits are valid only for Friday, the parades cannot be rescheduled and will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. We will make the decision about the parade on Thursday based on the weather forecast and will communicate any updates as early as possible.

All other homecoming activities will take place as planned.

09/16/2026

Through our partnerships, students have the opportunity to learn valuable lessons that help them build skills and strengthen their pursuit of a fulfilling path for life after school. We can't wait to see how your internship goes, Asanti, and thank you, Cradle 2 Career, for this wonderful opportunity!

We are so thrilled to welcome our high school intern, Asanti, to C2C! We will have her supporting us from September-November 2026. Asanti has skills in communication and teamwork, and through this internship she hopes to bolster those skills as she plans on going to cosmetology school and obtaining her cosmetology license. Asanti says, “I’m feeling confident about this year and I’m excited to help out C2C.”

Please join us in welcoming our high school intern, Asanti, and thank her for her dedication and support towards our community!