COVID-19 Emergency Child Care Information

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Rochester School District is informing local emergency workers of the district's plans for providing child care to their children during the coronavirus crisis.

The service, ordered by Governor Tim Walz is limited to certain health care workers, emergency responders, and certain others. Below is a copy of the letter being distributed to families:

Dear RPS Families,

As you may know, on Sunday, March 15, Governor Walz directed school districts to cancel classes starting Wednesday, March 18, to focus staff on developing a distance learning plan, should the need arrive for school districts to close for an extended period due to COVID-19.

Governor Walz also directed schools to provide free childcare during school hours to children of emergency workers, which the Minnesota Department of Education has further defined in the document, “School-Age Care for Children of Emergency Workers.” The State is also allowing districts to provide fee-based extended care to that same population for emergency worker parents who require longer coverage.

Rochester Public Schools is following these directives and will begin providing care at all sixteen of our elementary schools for children of emergency workers, as defined in the document, “School-Age Care for Children of Emergency Workers .” Emergency Child Care will be available at no charge from 9 AM to 3:45 PM for children Kindergarten through Age 12 in eligible families starting Wednesday, March 18, and continuing on weekdays through Thursday, March 26. In addition, fee-based Extended Care will be available 6:30-9 AM and 3:45-6 PM for children attending Emergency Child Care.

More information and a registration form is available here: https://forms.gle/xgVee4MCrjnBSLd49