Dear RPS Parents, Caregivers, and Staff,
Over the past several weeks, and especially over the past few days, there has been much discussion of the actions that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are taking in our state and our community. We know that this situation has created fear, stress, and uncertainty for some of our students, families, and staff. As we navigate this complex and unprecedented situation, Rochester Public Schools (RPS) is following all applicable state and federal laws while also taking steps to ensure that our schools remain safe and welcoming places for students, staff, and families.
A year ago, RPS was one of the first school districts in Minnesota to develop guidance for school leaders and staff outlining the steps they should take if ICE agents were to come to one of our schools. Fortunately, no such visit has occurred to date. Given recent events, we worked with our legal counsel to update and strengthen those procedures, which have now been shared with school leaders and other staff who work in our school offices.
While the full procedures are detailed, the core expectation is straightforward. ICE agents will not be allowed unrestricted access to our school buildings or grounds. If agents arrive at a school, they will be directed to remain in the school office while our attorney reviews any judicial warrant signed by a judge or subpoena that would be required to gain access to our facilities or to any student or staff member inside the building. We will not permit access unless appropriate legal documents are presented and validated.
These procedures are not unique to ICE. No member of the public is allowed to enter our school facilities without proper identification and approval.
It is also important for you to know that Rochester Public Schools does not collect or maintain records regarding the immigration status of students or their parents. In addition, under Minnesota law, we do not share home addresses, phone numbers, or personal contact information as directory information. As a result, the district is not able to identify students or parents who could be interviewed based on immigration status.
If parents or caregivers have concerns about sending their student to school due to the presence of ICE agents in our community, the days they miss will be counted as excused absences. Parents and caregivers should contact staff at their child's school as soon as possible to discuss those concerns. In addition, parents and guardians may also contact staff in our school district's Interpretation Services Department by calling 507.328.4237 or emailing miguel.benjamin@rochesterschools.org.
If parents or caregivers would like to consider enrolling their student in an educational option that does not require attending a physical school building, our MNSync Online School provides high-quality, synchronous instruction for students in grades kindergarten through 12. To learn more about MNSync Online, please visit http://mnsynconline.org or email brandon.macrafic@rochesterschools.org. To enroll at MNSync, please visit our website.
In addition to the actions outlined above, we will continue to monitor the situation closely, follow the law, and take further action as appropriate to support students and staff. During this time, I encourage all of us to make space to talk with students about what is happening in our community, state, and nation. Whatever our personal political perspectives may be, I hope we can all agree that helping students feel safe, supported, and valued is essential.
Whether at home or in school, adults can support students during this tense and complex time by:
Helping students understand what is happening in age-appropriate ways
Asking how they are doing and paying close attention to changes in behavior
Acknowledging and affirming their feelings
Reassuring them that adults are doing all we can to support them and help keep schools safe places for learning
Connecting students who are struggling with counseling, social work, and mental health supports at school
Checking in regularly with students over time, not just once
It is likely that the issues we are grappling with today will remain part of our lives for some time. Rochester Public Schools will continue to follow the law while doing everything we can to support our students, staff, and families, and to help ensure that our schools remain places of learning, belonging, and care. Please share your questions, concerns, or ideas with school principals and district leaders so that we can respond thoughtfully as events continue to unfold.
Sincerely,
Kent Pekel, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Rochester Public Schools