Congratulations to our state qualifiers for Girls Bowling: Sarah Legoo and Isabella Barbuto of Guilford High School and Alondra Gonzalez-Herrera of East High School. Good luck at state this weekend ladies!

2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
GHS Bowling
Isabella Barbuto
EHS Bowling

Congratulations to Chelsea Spinello-Johnson, Librarian & Publications teacher at Marshall Middle School, and Bryce Thomas, Global Studies & African-American History teacher at Guilford High School, on receiving the prestigious Golden Apple Award today! They will be honored at a banquet in April and rewarded with scholarships, stipends and resources to enhance their classrooms. Their passion, leadership, and commitment to students make a difference every day.

2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
Golden Apple Award Winner
Golden Apple Award Winner
Golden Apple Award Winner
Golden Apple Award Winner
Golden Apple Award Winner
Golden Apple Award Winner
Golden Apple Award Winner
Golden Apple Award Winner
Golden Apple Award Winner
Golden Apple Award Winner
Big cheers from RPS 205 school board! Jefferson senior Mikiah Gerrity was honored as Rockford’s 2026 Youth Poet Laureate. This Poetry Out Loud champ is headed back to state March 2! JHS Bowler Lukas Marinelli also shined at IHSA State, with Coach Alex Shaver leading the way.
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
February Recognitions
February Recognitions
February Recognitions
February Recognitions
February Recognitions
At the Midwest Region Conference, Zaire McNeely of Jefferson HS placed Top 10 in Elevator Pitch—the first ever for its Virtual Enterprise program! Students demonstrated their business skills through visual, written, & oral competitions. Zaire presented his company, SolarSky.
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
Top 10 Elevator Pitch
Catch this week’s high school basketball games from anywhere with live play-by-play and color analysis on the RPS 205 Athletics YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@RPS205Athletics

📅 2/18
Guilford vs. East
Boys Varsity Basketball

As always, you can follow each school’s Hudl page to watch various team competitions being live streamed. These may or may not have audio.

Auburn: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/rockford/organization/21180/auburn-high-school
East: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/rockford/organization/12357/east-high-school
Guilford: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/rockford/organization/13904/guilford-high-school
Jefferson: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/rockford/organization/22969/jefferson-high-school

Tune in, follow the action, and enjoy the game—live from wherever you are!
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
Basketball
The Guilford High School Chess Team made big moves at state! Seeded 18th, they battled hard and finished with three overall wins. Huge shoutout to Fern Kuntz, who earned a medal with an impressive 5.5 score — five wins and one draw in seven matches. Way to represent, Vikings!
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
GHS Chess
GHS Chess

Do you have a Kindergarten student starting school in the Fall of 2026?
If yes, consider applying for the Kindergarten Lottery for IB at Conklin Academy before it closes on Friday, March 13, 2026.

What is International Baccalaureate (IB) at Conklin Academy?
Conklin Academy is an IB World School. The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) at Conklin is designed to develop the whole child — academically, socially, emotionally, and culturally — through inquiry-based learning. The program connects learning across subjects through real-world themes, helping students see the relevance of their education beyond the classroom.

Watch this video and hear directly from the staff and students from Conklin Academy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCiRPk6w8zw

Students who would benefit from the International Baccalaureate Program
-Independent learner
-Curious and Creative
-Enjoy projects
-Works well in a team
-Interested in learning Spanish

What Makes the IB Program Unique?
-Internationally recognized.
-Students think globally, and develop respect for all cultures.
-Subjects are not taught in isolation, but are connected to each other through six themes.
-Students ask challenging questions, think critically and learn skills across all subject areas.
-Students take responsibility for their own learning.
-Students are active in their communities and take their learning beyond the classroom.
-Students learn another language. The programme includes a Spanish component for all students and continues in its Spanish speaking (TBE) classrooms.

Ready to apply? Click this link to learn how to begin your Kindergarten lottery application:
https://conklin.rps205.com/o/ibcsc/page/how-do-i-apply-for-conklin

2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
IB Flier
IB Spanish Flier

See you on Tuesday morning!

2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
Presidents' Day
Make a splash at “Valks On-Air” at the Guilford High School pool!

This synchronized swimming performance by the Valkyries & future Valkyries hits the water from February 24 to March 1.

Shows at 6pm (Tue–Fri) + Sat 10am, 12pm, 5pm & Sun 12pm.

$8 at the door.

Don’t miss it!
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
Valkyries 2026
Love was in the air (and the oven!) Students in Nutrition, alongside their teachers, celebrated Valentine’s Day in the culinary lab at The Quad by making heart-shaped pizzas and sweet strawberry rolls. From savory to sweet, they mixed creativity with delicious fun!
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
Quad Valentines
Quad Valentines
Quad Valentines
Quad Valentines
Quad Valentines
Quad Valentines
Auburn High School Orchestras had an opportunity to learn from Ms. Genevieve Smelser of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. Students performed & learned in a masterclass format to better their small ensemble skills. Genevieve also performed the Brahms Double Concerto with her father, Linc Smelser, with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. RPS is grateful for the Rockford Symphony for their support!
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
Genevieve Smelser Visit
Genevieve Smelser Visit
Genevieve Smelser Visit
We’re pleased to share that a tentative agreement has been reached between RPS 205 and the Rockford Education Association.

We deeply appreciate the collaboration, persistence, and tough but respectful bargaining that brought us to this moment.

This agreement reflects a shared commitment.

A commitment to value our educators while honoring our responsibility to the broader community.

Out of respect for the process, no details will be released until both sides have had the opportunity to review and vote on the agreement.

We’re grateful for the continued support of our families, staff, and community as we move forward together.
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
A tentative agreement has been reached
This week, all RPS 205 high school juniors took part in College & Career Prep Week at The QUAD. Students rotated through mock interviews, resume building, financial literacy, & ACT prep sessions led by industry professionals — gaining real-world skills for life after graduation.
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
Quad College Fair-01
Quad College Fair-02
Quad College Fair-03
Quad College Fair-04
Quad College Fair-05
Quad College Fair-06
Quad College Fair-07
Quad College Fair-08
Quad College Fair-09
Quad College Fair-10
Eisenhower Middle School’s 8th grade boys basketball team made it to the IESA 4A State Tournament last weekend! The season included a buzzer-beater regional win, a comeback sectional title over undefeated Lake Zurich North, & a 23-4 finish. Congrats on an incredible run, Eagles!
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
EisenhowerBBB2026regionalteam
EisenhowerBBB2026state#2
EisenhowerBBB2026state#3
EisenhowerBBB2026sectionalteam
EisenhowerBBB2026sectionalwrex
EisenhowerBBB2026state#1

Do you have a child starting Kindergarten in Fall 2026?
Consider applying for the Kindergarten Lottery for STEAM Academy at Haskell before it closes on Friday, March 13, 2026.

STEAM = STEM + ARTS
The program is an educational approach that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. These subject areas are integrated into everyday learning. The STEAM Academy focuses on a student-driven learning environment that fosters inquiry, problem-solving, innovation and a growth mindset.

Click this video link to hear directly from Haskell staff and students about STEAM Academy!

Students who would benefit from the STEAM Academy
- Show interest in activities related to science, technology, engineering, art and math
- Are curious & innovative
- Engage in problem-solving activities
- Have a growth mindset: they keep trying when challenged

What Makes The Program Unique?
- Applies a research-based science curriculum and uses Project Lead The Way (PLTW) to create a hands-on learning environment
- 30 minute longer school day
- LEGO education for all students
- Weekly makerspace classes where students design, construct and problem solve
- Coding instruction starts in kindergarten
- Band opportunities in grades 4-5
- Community partnerships reinforce science concepts and real-world experiences

Ready to apply? Learn how to begin your Kindergarten lottery application here:
https://haskell.rps205.com/o/haskell/page/how-do-i-apply-for-steam

2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
STEAM Flier
STEAM STEAM Flier
The Rockford Area Arts Council announced its Poetry Out Loud Regional winners! Aminah Givens from East HS earned 1st place and Mikiah Gerrity from Jefferson HS earned 2nd. Both advance to the Illinois State Competition!

We’re proud of all who took the stage: Silvana Knox from JHS, Ace Cox from EHS, Sophie Bolanos from EHS, Vanessa Malyanh from JHS, and Geannie Chounlamountry from JHS.

Thank you to the teachers who inspired their students to share their voices and love of poetry!
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud
Members of the AHL All-Stars, NHL, and Rockford's own Ice Hogs swung by Conklin Academy today to give students some hockey pointers. Students practiced their technique with the pros before facing off in a scrimmage!
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
Conklin Academy students with AHL and NHL members
Hockey player gives Conklin students high fives
Conklin student plays hockey against AHL All-Star player
Hockey pros and Conklin students in huddle
AHL All-Stars teach Conklin students
Hockey pro teaches Conklin students
Hockey pro teaches Conklin student
Hockey pro teaches Conklin students
Hockey pros talk to Conklin students
Hockey pro speaks to Conklin student
Catch this week’s high school basketball games from anywhere with live play-by-play and color analysis on the RPS 205 Athletics YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@RPS205Athletics

📅 2/13
Hononegah vs. Auburn
Boys Varsity Basketball

As always, you can follow each school’s Hudl page to watch various team competitions being live streamed. These may or may not have audio.

Auburn: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/rockford/organization/21180/auburn-high-school
East: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/rockford/organization/12357/east-high-school
Guilford: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/rockford/organization/13904/guilford-high-school
Jefferson: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/rockford/organization/22969/jefferson-high-school

Tune in, follow the action, and enjoy the game—live from wherever you are!
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
Basketball
News from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards regional competition: WMS artists Josephine Tortorici & Hailey Palacios won Gold Keys & will advance to nationals in NYC. Hailey & Adelaide Beaman were awarded Silver Keys. Proud of these artists for earning their place at the table!
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
WMS Art
WMS Art
WMS Art
WMS Art
VIKING PRIDE: Are you watching the Olympics? Keep an eye out for Cameron Smith, Guilford High School Class of 2014! He’s competing in the debut of Ski Mountaineering (Skimo) at the 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina. A 13x national champion making history! Good Luck Cameron!
2 months ago, Rockford Public Schools
Cameron Smith