Rockford Promise scholars at Rock Valley College can now transfer to Northern Illinois University to complete their bachelor’s degree tuition-free! rockfordpromise.org/rockford-promise-scholars-at-rvc-now-have-a-tuition-free-transfer-option-to-niu/ Photo credit: Rockford Promise

Thirty athletes were chosen for the NFL Flag High School Girls Showcase at the Pro Bowl. Guilford HS seniors Mya Page, Nataliya Stallings, and Ka'morrah Strong will play for the NFC team. The event caps with a game on ESPN, Feb. 2, 1 PM ET, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

All RPS 205 schools are closed today because of the colder than expected weather. All after-school activities are also cancelled including Y Care. The RPS 205 Admin Bldg, Sterling Holley, & Ops Support Ctr will be open. This day will be made up on March 3 (Casimir Pulaski Day).

The Rockford School District is closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Congratulations to the FIRST Robotics Team at Lathrop Elementary School for winning the Robot Design Trophy! Thank you, Ms. Peterson for helping grow these future engineers!

East High School's Newcomer students presented their science projects to adult volunteers & fellow students today. This is a great opportunity for them to build their confidence in speaking English with an academic focus. Each student prepared Google slides and displayed a molecule model that they built. They presented about their favorite molecules, the practical uses of this molecule, & how it affects their lives. The 78 students are mostly refugees from Tanzania, Chad, Uganda, Malawi, Haiti, Ukraine, Yemen, Jordan, Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iraq, Syria, and Kyrgyzstan. The majority of them have been in the U.S. for less than one year.

Rolling Green hosted its winter "Red Carpet Celebration". This is the time where they celebrate their student's growth & achievement on the winter STAR test. The event allowed students & staff to dress up "fancy" and walk down the red carpet to receive their awards.

Seventh graders at Marshall Middle School are building We Share Solar® Suitcases to bring electricity to schools in Uganda's Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement, home to 270,000 South Sudanese refugees. Led by Teacher Stacy Wallace and in partnership with Cultivate Power, these students are gaining hands-on STEM skills while making a global impact.

STARTING TODAY! Families are invited to share valuable feedback on updates we’re considering for our elementary report cards. The RPS Elementary Report Card Team is working on enhancing the following sections: Academic Readiness & Engagement, Life Readiness, Performance Descriptors, & Practices for Academic Success. Before these updates are finalized for the 2025-2026 school year, we want to hear your thoughts. Join us at any of our Parent Report Card Feedback Sessions: Jan. 13 @ Rolling Green, 3:30–4:30 PM Jan. 16 @ Westview, 3:30–4:30 PM Jan. 23 @ Constance Lane, 3:00–4:00 PM Jan. 29 @ Gregory, 3:00–4:00 PM Feb. 4 @ Brookview, 5-6 PM For more details, visit our Elementary Report Card Feedback page at rps205.com

Attention parents of current 5th grade students! If your student enjoys art, dance, music, theatre, and technical theatre, the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) program at West Middle School could be an excellent fit. Admission to the CAPA program is through an audition. Sign up today, registration is required. Date: Saturday, Jan 25, 2025 Check-In Time: 8:45AM (Auditions begins at 9:00AM) Location: West Middle School, 1900 N Rockton Ave, Rockford, IL 61103 Registration Form for the Jan 25th auditions https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxpdqR-FioR6ZAY8om7zgK0AQ-IbQ1IhI_pX5L02Ms52Gyew/viewform Learn more about the CAPA Program at West Middle School https://www.rps205.com/o/wems/page/what-is-the-capa-program Learn How To Prepare for your Audition https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n4KKoVpDyBppIgMi2hmmIx1-ynXeGtfh/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100040036412623534077&rtpof=true&sd=true

Rumble in the Rock! Tomorrow @ RVC's PEC REVISED BASKETBALL SCHEDULE: 11:00AM - East v Auburn (Girls) 12:30PM- Jefferson v Guilford (Girls) 2PM - RVC Men (MATC) 4PM - Jefferson v Guilford (Boys) 5:30PM - East v Auburn (Boys) Doors open at 10. Tickets are $8.

The district’s administration building held a 205 Leadership Summit last month. We discussed the Instructional Core, our strategy that shifts from management to purposeful leadership. We highlighted the essential roles that central office employees play in supporting principals, teachers, and staff to create an environment where all students thrive.

Want to be a part of this year's Valkyries Synchronized Swimming show? Come check out what it's all about!

Millikin University, Auburn & Guilford High Schools collaborative choir concert: Tuesday, January 14 at 6:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2821 N. Bell School Rd. There is no cost for tickets. Doors will open for seating at 5:45.

RPS Families: You're invited to share your valuable feedback on updates we’re considering for our elementary report cards. The RPS Elementary Report Card Team is working on enhancing the following sections: Academic Readiness & Engagement Life Readiness Performance Descriptors Practices for Academic Success (new section!) Before these updates are finalized for the 2025-2026 school year, we want to hear your thoughts. Join us at any of our Parent Report Card Feedback Sessions: Jan. 13 @ Rolling Green School, 3:30–4:30 PM Jan. 16 @ Westview School, 3:30–4:30 PM Jan. 23 @ Constance Lane School, 3:00–4:00 PM Jan. 29 @ Gregory School, 3:00–4:00 PM

🏀 Rockford's best basketball talent is coming to RVC! Don’t miss the 10th Annual Rumble in the Rock on January 11! 🌟 Featuring: Auburn, East, Guilford & Jefferson high schools Rock Valley College Women’s & Men’s teams 🎟️ Tickets: $8 at the door Join us and cheer on your team!

The Pre-K and Kindergarten Lotteries for the 2025-2026 school year are now open and accepting applications through March 14, 2025. Kindergarten Programs (Age eligible: 5 years old by 9/1/2025): International Baccalaureate Candidate School at Conklin STEAM Academy at Haskell Two-Way Language Immersion at Barbour (requires passing an oral language assessment) Pre-Kindergarten Program (Age eligible: 4 years old by 9/1/2025): Maria Montessori at Marsh How to Apply: 1) Complete an application at the RPS Welcome Center (bring your photo ID, two acceptable proofs of residence, and child's birth certificate) 2) Attend a mandatory orientation at the respective school Helpful Links: What is STEAM Academy? https://haskell.rps205.com/o/haskell/page/what-is-the-steam-academy What is IB Candidate School at Conklin? https://conklin.rps205.com/o/ibcsc/page/what-is-the-ib-program What is Two-Way Language Immersion at Barbour? https://barbour.rps205.com/o/twlib/page/how-do-i-apply-for-two-way-language-immersion What is Montessori? https://montessori.rps205.com/o/mmam/page/what-is-the-montessori-program Welcome Center Information: https://www.rps205.com/o/rps/page/k-12

📢 Here’s the Rumble in the Rock lineup for January 11: 🕘 9 AM: East vs. Auburn (Girls) 🕥 10:30 AM: Jefferson vs. Guilford (Girls) 🕛 12 PM: RVC Women (vs. MATC) 🕑 2 PM: RVC Men (vs. MATC) 🕓 4 PM: Jefferson vs. Guilford (Boys) 🕠 5:30 PM: East vs. Auburn (Boys) 🏀 One roof, all day basketball action! Come early, grab your seat, and enjoy the fun. Tickets: $8 at the door.

Happy first day of Winter!

NATIONAL UGLY SWEATER DAY: The district’s administration building got into the holiday spirit and showed off their tacky garments for a contest. And the winners are… Ugliest Sweater: Joyce Budlong, Software Support Specialist Cutest Sweater: Kim Nelson, Executive Director of Early Childhood Best Homemade/DIY Outfit: Valerie Merle Reyes, IT Help Desk Specialist Best Head to Toe Outfit: Amy Gannon, Executive Director of MTSS