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!
Washington Elementary hosted its second annual Santa’s Reindeer Games today.
It was a festive, indoor field day filled with fun and friendly competition. Students participated in a variety of holiday-themed games where they earned points, promoted teamwork, and school spirit. Games included: Snowball Relay, Gift Delivery Relay, Hungry Hungry Reindeer, Musical Cups, Cookie Toss, Build a Snowman, Candy Cane Lane, &
Santa’s Present Stacking.
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
The Kindergarten lottery for STEAM Academy at Haskell will accept 2025-2026 school year applications from Thursday, January 2, 2025, through Friday, March 14, 2025.
Eligibility Requirements: Students must be 5 years old by/on September 1, 2025
Families must:
1) Complete an application with the Welcome Center
2) Attend a mandatory orientation at the school
Click the link to learn more about STEAM Academy at Haskell
https://haskell.rps205.com/o/haskell/page/what-is-the-steam-academy
Application/Enrollment Information: https://www.rps205.com/o/rps/page/k-12
We are excited to share that the 2025-2026 school year calendar was approved by the school board on Tuesday night. It includes several important updates that reflect our commitment to aligning with neighboring districts and enhancing the overall learning experience for our students.
Key Changes :
Earlier Start Date: The school year will begin earlier in August. This adjustment is possible because all RPS 205 schools are equipped with air conditioning, ensuring a comfortable learning environment during warmer months.
Fall Break: We will continue to offer a full week off for Fall Break, giving families and staff time to recharge.
First Semester Ends Before Winter Break: High School students will complete their first semester before Winter Break, allowing for a true break without pending exams or projects.
School Year Ends Before Memorial Day: The last day of school will occur before Memorial Day, providing families an earlier start to summer vacation.
The 2025-2026 calendar can be viewed here on the Calendar page on rps205.com: https://5il.co/33ras
🎉🍗 Ultimate Chicken Sandwich Champions Celebrated! 🍗🎉
RPS 205 & Tyson teamed up to host the Ultimate Chicken Sandwich Contest! Students competed to create the most creative chicken sandwiches. The winners, Auburn 11th grader Liam Muth, Montessori 6th grader Avery Huels, & Gregory 5th grader Andrew Fahrenwald each received an iPad along with a portrait of their incredible creations. The sandwiches will be featured on the lunch menu this Spring!
This month, the Family and Community Engagement team hosted over 1,000 students at Skateland to celebrate their achievements for the first quarter. These students met the criteria for the B.A.G.S. (Behavior, Attendance, Grades) goal by maintaining strong attendance (missing no more than two days), achieving As, Bs, and one C, and having no suspensions. This event recognized their hard work and dedication as part of our ongoing effort to support academic and behavioral success. Students will have another opportunity to qualify for the spring incentive, which begins on January 17th.
