Today, we celebrate the remarkable 40-year career of Dr. Jennifer Bethman as she retires from education following four years of dedicated service as Superintendent of the Rochester School District.

During her four years in Rochester, she led the collaborative development of our Strategic Plan, bringing together students, staff, families, and community members to help shape the future of our district. She also spearheaded two successful levies, securing critical investments that will benefit Rochester students for years to come, and so much more.

One of Jennifer's greatest strengths was her commitment to being present. Whether visiting classrooms, attending athletic events, celebrating student achievements, or connecting with staff and families, she made it a priority to know and support the people who make Rochester such a special place.

As she closes this chapter and begins a well-earned retirement after 40 years in education, we are grateful that Rochester was part of her journey. Please join us in thanking Jennifer for her service to Rochester and congratulating her on an incredible career.

#OnceAWarriorAlwaysAWarrior

6 days ago, Rochester School District
A woman stands smiling in a yellow jacket against a blue background. Text reads "Thank You Jennifer Bethman" in gold cursive.
Congratulations on Your Retirement, Jane Runge!

Jane Runge may have joined GMES this year as a Special Education teacher, but she brought with her more than 30 years of teaching experience and a deep passion for serving students.

While her time in Rochester was brief, the care and support she provided to students and staff at Grand Mound Elementary will not be forgotten. Her compassion, expertise, and commitment to meeting the needs of every student have made a difference in the lives of those she served.

Please join us in thanking Jane for her many years in education and wishing her all the best in retirement. Congratulations, Jane, and thank you for your dedication to students throughout your career! 💙💛

#RochesterWarriors #ThankYouJane #RetirementCelebration
15 days ago, Rochester School District
Woman wearing glasses and a black cardigan smiles against a blue background with golden "Congratulations! 30 Years" text.
Congratulations on Your Retirement, Debbie Jarbo!

After 20 years of dedicated service at Rochester Middle School, Debbie Jarbo is retiring and leaving behind an impact on generations of Warriors.

Debbie began her journey with Rochester School District as a substitute Educational Assistant and went on to spend two decades supporting students and staff at RMS.

The positive relationships Debbie built and the encouragement she provided have made a difference in our students over the years. Her dedication to helping students succeed has been deeply appreciated by the Rochester community.

Please join us in thanking Debbie for her 20 years of service and wishing her all the best in retirement. Congratulations, Debbie, and thank you for all you have done for Rochester students! 💙💛

#RochesterWarriors #ThankYouDebbie #RetirementCelebration
16 days ago, Rochester School District
A woman smiles for a photo with a blue background. Gold text reads "Congratulations!" and "20 Years" with golden foil numbers.
Congratulations on Your Retirement, Heidi Collins!

After more than 40 years in nursing, Heidi Collins is retiring, leaving behind a remarkable impact of care and service.

Although an ESD employee, Heidi has been an important part of the Rochester School District community for the past four years, serving students and staff at RMS and RHS. Her organization, expertise, and commitment to student health have been invaluable in supporting the well-being of our students.

Please join us in thanking Heidi for her many years of service and wishing her all the best in retirement. Congratulations, Heidi, and thank you for your dedication to caring for others! 💙💛

#RochesterWarriors #ThankYouHeidi #RetirementCelebration
17 days ago, Rochester School District
A woman wearing glasses smiles at the camera, with "Congratulations! 40 Years" in gold text on a blue background.
Congratulations on Your Retirement, Kevin Wilson!

After 20 years in education, including 12 years serving Rochester School District, Kevin Wilson is retiring and leaving behind a lasting impact on our students and schools.

Kevin began his Rochester journey as Assistant Principal at Rochester High School before taking on the opportunity of growing the H.E.A.R.T. High School program. Through his leadership as administrator, teacher, and CTE Director, Kevin helped shape H.E.A.R.T. into a program that provides students with meaningful opportunities, personalized support, and pathways to future success.

His dedication to student achievement, innovative thinking, and commitment to meeting students where they are has made a difference in the lives of countless students and families.

Please join us in thanking Kevin for his years of service and leadership and wishing him all the best in retirement. Congratulations, Kevin, and thank you for all you have done for Rochester students! 💙💛

#RochesterWarriors #ThankYouKevin #RetirementCelebration #
18 days ago, Rochester School District
Man smiling in front of a blue background. A golden number 20 appears above him. Text reads "Congratulations! 20 years".
Congratulations on Your Retirement, Belinda Hollander!

After 42 years of dedicated service to Rochester School District, Belinda Hollander is retiring from Rochester High School.

Throughout her career, Belinda served in several Educational Assistant roles, impacting countless students, staff, and families along the way. She holds a unique place in Rochester history as the only current employee who worked in both the old and current Rochester High School buildings.

For more than four decades, Belinda's commitment, knowledge, and care have been an important part of the Rochester High School community. Her dedication has helped shape generations of Warriors, and her legacy will be felt for years to come.

Please join us in thanking Belinda for her service and wishing her all the best in this next chapter of life. Congratulations, Belinda-you have truly earned it! 💙💛

#RochesterWarriors #ThankYouBelinda #RetirementCelebration
19 days ago, Rochester School District
A smiling woman with long blonde hair and glasses stands against a blue background. Gold numbers 42 and text "42 Years" and "Congratulations!" are in gold foil.
Tomorrow is the last day of school for Rochester School District students! As we wrap up another great school year, please note our early dismissal schedule for Wednesday, June 10:

🔹 RMS: 10:10 AM
🔹 RHS: 10:25 AM
🔹 RPS & GMES: 11:15 AM

#RochesterSchoolDistrict #LastDayOfSchool #SummerBreak
27 days ago, Rochester School District
Blue background with white text. A paper pinned with a paper clip. Text reads: "Reminder: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL Wednesday, June 10 Dismissal Times."
Congratulations class 2026!! Here are more pictures of our graduates.
29 days ago, Rochester School District
Four women in graduation gowns pose with decorated caps. The middle two wear blue and gold sashes.
Graduates in blue caps and gowns, one smiling and waving. Background shows greenery and a fence.
Two people in blue and gold graduation robes stand near a tall wall of blue and white balloons.
Two women smiling, one in a floral top and glasses, the other in a blue cap, gown, and necklace.
Two women in blue graduation gowns smile at camera. One has a red and white sash.
Woman in blue graduation cap and gown, smiling. Wearing lei of purple and yellow flowers around neck.
Five women in graduation gowns and hats pose for a photo in a hallway. Two wear blue, and three wear blue and gold.
A man in a graduation gown stands next to a man in a graduation cap and a necklace.
Two women in graduation gowns, one wearing a blue and yellow lei, stand next to each other.
Five men in blue and gold graduation gowns and caps pose for a photo in a room.
Congratulations to the Rochester High School Class of 2026!

Today, 118 graduates crossed the stage and celebrated the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and growth. We are proud of all they have accomplished and excited to see where their journeys take them next.

Thank you, families, staff, and community, for supporting these students along the way.

Go Warriors!
29 days ago, Rochester School District
A group of women in blue gowns and caps stand next to each other in a room.
Two students in blue caps and gowns walk in a row, one wearing gold, another with white, amid seated audience.
A woman in a blue gown shakes hands with a man in a black gown, both smiling. They are at a graduation ceremony.
A group of eight students in blue graduation gowns and caps pose in front of arched windows.
Two women in blue and yellow graduation gowns and caps. One holds a golf bag, and the other holds a golf ball.
A young man in a cap and gown, wearing a lei, holds a gift bag and stands with two children. A crowd of people stands behind them, some wearing hats and glasses.
Three young men in graduation caps and gowns, two wearing blue and gold, smile and pose for a picture.
Woman in blue graduation gown, smiling. Wearing lei, holding cap, book, and toys. People and trees in the background.
Three women in graduation robes with blue tassels and blue caps. Two hold certificates. The woman on left has a lei.
Two men in blue gowns and gold stoles smile at the camera. One wears a blue graduation cap and a necklace.
🏆 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! 🏆

The Rochester High School Drone Team has done it—they are FIRST IN THE NATION!

After competing throughout the week at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, Zach Hubbard and David McConnell learned during the awards ceremony that they earned the Gold Medal and the title of National Champions in Commercial sUAS Drone.

This achievement represents countless hours of hard work over a number of years. Strong dedication, problem-solving, a lot of hard work, and teamwork led to the National Title.

Congratulations to Zach and David on this outstanding achievement! A special thank you as well to their advisor, Mr. Kuss, for his leadership and support throughout their journey.

Please join us in celebrating these remarkable students and this historic accomplishment for Rochester High School!

💙💛 Go Warriors! 💙💛
about 1 month ago, Rochester School District
Three men, each wearing white shirts and black pants, stand together. The middle person has glasses and a watch. They wear medals and stand before a building.
Group of people on a stage with a banner behind them that reads "Commercial SuAs Drone High School".
Good luck to our Rochester High School Trap Team as they compete in the WA Clay Target League State Championship today at Evergreen Sportsmen's Club!

Seventeen Warriors will represent RHS against teams from across Washington in pursuit of state honors. We are proud of their hard work and dedication throughout the season and wish them the best of luck on the range!

Go Warriors! 💙💛
about 1 month ago, Rochester School District
"Good Luck Warriors Clay Trap Shooting Team" with text over a blue background, showing a target broken into pieces.
Congratulations to the Rochester H.E.A.R.T. Class of 2026!

Tonight we celebrated a remarkable group of graduates who persevered, overcame challenges, and achieved an important milestone. Each graduate's journey has been unique, and we are incredibly proud of the determination, resilience, and growth they demonstrated along the way.

Congratulations to our H.E.A.R.T. graduates and their families. We can't wait to see what the future holds for each of you. Go Warriors!
about 1 month ago, HEART
Two women pose in front of a graduation backdrop with balloons. One holds a blue balloon, the other a diploma and a gift bag.
A person in a cap and gown holds flowers next to a boy in casual clothes. They stand in a grassy area with a white truck and houses in the background.
A woman in a graduation gown holds a diploma. A man holds flowers. Behind them is a banner with balloons and a graduation cap.
Person wearing a graduation gown standing at a podium with a microphone, reading from a book.
A young man and woman pose with diplomas. They stand under a "Congratulations Grad" banner.
A group of people in black graduation gowns and hats under a white tent, some adjusting their hats.
Family members in a room with balloons and a banner that says "Grad" standing together with a baby.
Two women hug under a tent, one wearing a black graduation cap. People sit in blue chairs in the background.
A woman in a graduation gown holds flowers while speaking to another woman in a colorful sweater. They are under a white tent.
Four people sit in chairs under a tent. A blue banner reads "GRAD" and an American flag is nearby.
Can't make it to Rochester High School's graduation ceremony in person? Join us online!

The RHS Class of 2026 graduation ceremony will be livestreamed on Sunday, June 7, at 2:00 PM so family and friends near and far can celebrate this special milestone.

Tune in here: https://www.youtube.com/@RochesterSchoolDistrict

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎓
about 1 month ago, Rochester School District
Blue background with bold white and yellow text. It reads "RHS GRADUATION SUNDAY, JUNE 7 LIVE STREAM @ 2PM". Below it, "SCAN ME" is written with a QR code.
Last Friday, Rochester Middle School's Top 40 i-Ready Lesson Passers earned a well-deserved field trip to South Sound Speedway to celebrate their hard work and learning throughout the year!

Students had the opportunity to tour the speedway, meet drivers, collect autographs, see race cars up close, and learn about the many jobs that help make race day possible. The day concluded with food, fun, and time together, celebrating their accomplishments.

We are proud of these students for their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to learning. Their success is a great reminder that hard work pays off!

Special congratulations to Daniel Lachine, who passed an incredible 226 i-Ready lessons this year, and Callista Kauffman, who finished close behind with 219 lessons passed.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this memorable experience possible. Congratulations to all of our Top 40 students!
about 1 month ago, Rochester School District
A group of people in winter clothes pose for a photo in front of a building.
A bulletin board displays colorful race car images on a black background with "Your Start" above. A table with items stands nearby.
Several people stand around a vintage car with the number 16 on it. An open field and fence are in the background.
A boy smiles inside a racing car, holding the steering wheel. He sits in the driver's seat with a black and green seat.
People gather around a race car. The car is red, blue, and white with the number 26 on the side.
A classroom with chairs, tables, and students seated. Whiteboards and monitors on the wall, and a projector screen.
Four people stand in front of a black and red race car with white letters and numbers.
Four people stand in front of a car with text and numbers on the side. Behind them is a grassy area and a building.
A group of students posing for a photo at the race track
Group of individuals in various attires posing for a photo in front of a fence at the race track.
📢 Reminder for Rochester School District Families:

Friday, June 5, is not an ACT Friday. Schools will follow their regular dismissal schedule:

🕑 RMS – 2:10 PM
🕝 RHS – 2:25 PM
🕞 RPS & GMES – 3:30 PM

#RSDWarriors #RochesterSchools
about 1 month ago, Rochester School District
A white page pinned with a paperclip on a blue background contains a yellow text. It reads "Reminder Friday, June 5 is NOT an ACT Friday. Regular Dismissal Times".
Remember the Egg Drop? It's a tradition that continues at GMES! Yesterday, our 5th-grade students put their creativity, problem-solving, and engineering skills to the test as they designed and built containers to protect an egg from a high drop.

We are happy to report that there were a lot of successful landings! Activities like the Egg Drop provide students with hands-on opportunities to apply science, engineering, and critical thinking skills in a fun and engaging way.

Great job, 5th graders! We loved seeing your creativity and perseverance on display.
about 1 month ago, Rochester School District
An event with balloons in air, a person on a platform, and people under a tent. Orange traffic cones and a yellow caution tape.
People under a tent, including adults in hats, with one holding a clipboard and writing, and another holding a pen.
A crowd sits on the grass in front of a building with people standing and an elevated platform.
A group of people stand outside a building with a blue lift. One person stands on the lift.
People under a canopy. A woman in a blue shirt helps a boy with a hat on.
Person on platform dropping balloons; white tent; orange traffic cones; tables with items; building with doors.
A group of people under a tent, one person wearing a hat is holding an object.
Many people seated on grass, some under umbrellas, and trees in the background.
Today, our graduating seniors took part in the Parade of Grads! Seniors visited RPS, GMES, and RMS, walking the halls in their caps and gowns while younger students and staff cheered them on. It was a special opportunity for our graduates to reflect on how far they have come and for our younger students to see what is possible through hard work and perseverance.

Graduation is Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Saint Martin's University. We are incredibly proud of our seniors and look forward to celebrating this important milestone with them and their families.

Congratulations, Class of 2026! Go Warriors!
about 1 month ago, Rochester School District
A line of people in blue caps and gowns walk on a path with trees and a building.
A young person in a blue graduation gown walks through a hallway, with children reaching out to greet them.
A group of students in blue graduation gowns and caps, smiling and posing for a picture.
Graduates in caps and gowns walk down a hallway. Younger children reach out to touch the graduates' hands.
Five girls in blue caps and gowns smile at the camera outside a building. They wear necklaces and leis.
A group of graduates walk through a school corridor, holding hands. Some wear caps and gowns, and one holds a hula hoop.
Two women, both in blue gowns and caps, stand smiling. One wears a sash, and the other a white shirt.
Three individuals wearing graduation gowns and caps stand in front of a building with a crowd of people.
Three women in blue caps and gowns smile in front of a building. One wears a blue and yellow lei.
A male in a blue graduation gown holds a handwritten card that reads, "I hope you have a good day."
Our Warriors Drones & Robotics team is headed back to Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia! The team will travel on May 31 to compete against some of the best teams in the country.

Please join us in wishing David McConnell, Zach Hubbard, Sam Gornushenko, and Haakan Kenney the very best of luck as they represent our district on the national stage once again. We are proud of all your hard work. Go Warriors!
about 1 month ago, Rochester School District
Five individuals stand together with a sign reading "Good luck SkillsUSA @ NATIONALS" in front of a blue backdrop.
Five Warriors are headed to Yakima to compete at the WIAA State Track & Field Championships, May 28–30!

Congratulations and best of luck to Dominic Delgado, Bruce Phillips, Le’shawn Hines, Brooklyn Alfonso, and Kenna Pratt as they represent Rochester on the state stage. We are proud of your hard work, dedication, and accomplishments this season.

Go Warriors!
about 1 month ago, Rochester School District
An event flyer displays a blurred sports field background. It lists track events: 100 meters, discus, long jump, javelin, and triple jump.
Wednesday night, we celebrated the end of the year with our Dual Language Family Night, and what a wonderful evening it was! Over 200 family members, students, and staff attended the celebration.

Our Dual Language kindergarten and first grade students did an amazing job performing for the crowd, and our second grade students were recognized with medals as they completed the Dual Language program at RPS and prepare to continue their journey at GMES.

It was a special night celebrating student learning, growth. Thank you to everyone who helped make the evening such a success!
about 1 month ago, Rochester School District
Large group of people seated at tables in a school cafeteria. Overhead projector displays "Bienvenidos! Welcome to RPS".
People gather in a gymnasium, a woman holding a yellow rope, while children and adults walk around, with a scoreboard in the background.
A classroom with children in various outfits standing in a line, one gesturing. In the background, colorful posters with "5 Miles" and "10 Miles" are visible.
Two girls play with a long, yellow hula hoop in a gymnasium with others seated and standing.
Several people stand in front of a projector screen while others sit in chairs. A woman speaks to the group.
A classroom with children in various colored clothing, lined up for a dance or activity.
Group of children standing in a school gym with an adult; one child holds a microphone.
A group of children in a gymnasium, some holding a hula hoop, while others watch or participate.
Several people are gathered indoors. Some stand on stage with posters behind them. One person holds a microphone.