The Family & Community Engagement Department invites PTOs & parent groups to a Lunch & Learn highlighting local fundraising options that PTOs may choose to use to support their school. We’ll have Funds4U & Mary’s Market as our special guests.
LAST CALL!
Special Programs Pre-K & Kindergarten Lotteries for the 2026–2027 school year.
Deadline: Apply by March 13, 2026.
Kindergarten Special Programs
Age-Eligible: Students must be 5 years old by 9/1/2026.
International Baccalaureate (IB) at Conklin
STEAM Academy at Haskell
Two-Way Language Immersion at Barbour (requires passing an oral language assessment)
Pre-Kindergarten Program:
Students must be 4 years old by 9/1/2026.
Maria Montessori at Marsh
How to Apply:
1) Complete an application at the RPS Welcome Center (bring your photo ID, two proofs of residence, and child's birth certificate)
2) Attend a mandatory orientation at the school offering the program
Learn more about each special programs:
What is Montessori?
https://montessori.rps205.com/o/mmam/page/what-is-the-montessori-program
What is STEAM Academy?
https://haskell.rps205.com/o/haskell/page/what-is-the-steam-academy
What is International Baccalaureate (IB) 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/what-is-two-way-language-immersion
Congratulations to RPS 205 school board member Patricia Chavez! She was nominated and won the Community Leadership Award at the YWCA’s 46th annual Leader Luncheon: Women of Achievement Awards. This honors an individual for her dedication to service and community impact.
The Committee of the Whole Road Show heads to Auburn High School tonight! Join us at 6 p.m. at 5110 Auburn Street to hear Principal Ryan Nachreiner share an update on his school. See school board business in action where our students learn and grow every day.
REMINDER: Due to the emergency day used on January 23, we are making up the day today!
It’s National School Social Work Week 2026! We celebrate our amazing school social workers who support students’ mental health, strengthen families, and help remove barriers to learning each day. Thank you for your compassion, care, and commitment to our schools!
Today, students at Whitehead Elementary School celebrated Black History Month with special guest readers from the community and an inspiring African American dance performance from Phenomenal Dolls. The group is made up of RPS 205 students.
More than 2,000 RPS 205 4th grade students got to experience the historic Coronado Theatre today! The Friends of the Coronado Foundation presented its 23rd annual Reach for the Stars program. The students got to watch a free performance of Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance.
Marshall Middle School 7th graders led a powerful “Towards a More Perfect Conversation” panel on free speech & public education. Students moderated a thoughtful discussion with Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, Attorney Linda Zuba, & Director of Public Works, Scott Sanders.
Congratulations to the 2026 REBA champions at Montessori (Girls) and Froberg (Boys)! Special thanks to the volunteers that helped build another fun and exciting 4th & 5th grade basketball season!
Due to the emergency day used on January 23, school will now be in session on Monday, March 2.
Join us at 27 Aluna Restaurant (124 N. Main St, Rockford) this Saturday from 11 AM–1 PM for an open house reception. Student artwork from Eisenhower, Flinn, Barbour, & Kennedy will be on display through March 21. Come support our talented middle school artists!
The Welcome Center will be open for regular business services on Saturday, March 7 between 9am-2pm. Families can enroll, change their address, screen for all PreK-12 grade, and submit their Special Program lottery application.
PUCKER UP: Whitehead Elementary’s House Council hosted a week-long Kiss A Pig fundraiser! Students donated to jars to vote for who would kiss a pig from Ag in the Classroom. The big smooch went to teacher Mrs. Romine. Way to make fundraising fun!
Join us February 25 from 4:30–6 p.m. at Marshall Middle School, 4664 N. Rockton Ave., for Towards a More Perfect Conversation. Students will moderate a panel on Free Speech & Public Education featuring Mayor Tom McNamara, Attorney Linda Zuba, & Public Works Dir. Scott Sanders.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
📅 2/18
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!
