East High School Newcomer students proudly shared science projects with volunteers and peers. Using Google Slides and molecule models, they explained favorite molecules and real-life uses—building confidence in academic English. Many arrived in the U.S. less than a year ago.
The 13th Annual RPS Athletic Hall of Fame recognized the Class of 2026 inductees! We honored longtime Guilford football coach Mel Gilfillan & the 2011 & 2014 Guilford Boys Bowling Teams—IHSA State Champions. The ceremony was held during the Rumble in the Rock at RVC. Congrats!
REMINDER: Student Code of Conduct Community Listening Session tonight from 5-7 in Auburn High School's Library! Review proposed changes for next school year. Can't make it? The next session will be held on January 21 @ East HS Library from 5-7PM (Multilingual Presentation).
Join the Rockford Symphony Orchestra and Rockford Public Schools for their Musical Instrument Drive. Donate gently used instruments and help local students discover the joy of music.
🎶 January 24 & April 25 • 10am–1pm
📍 Kresge Hall, Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main, Rockford
More details at rockfordsymphony.com/instrumentdrive
🎶 January 24 & April 25 • 10am–1pm
📍 Kresge Hall, Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main, Rockford
More details at rockfordsymphony.com/instrumentdrive
Join us for a public open house at RPS 205’s College & Career Education Center, The QUAD!
🗓 Thursday, January 29
⏰ 4–7 p.m.
📍 4151 Samuelson Road, Rockford
Student leaders will give tours all evening. District leadership will provide brief remarks at 5 p.m.
🗓 Thursday, January 29
⏰ 4–7 p.m.
📍 4151 Samuelson Road, Rockford
Student leaders will give tours all evening. District leadership will provide brief remarks at 5 p.m.
RPS welcomes 62 student teachers for the spring semester! They attended a full-day orientation to kickstart their teaching journey. We are excited to see their growth and success in our classrooms.
♟️ Big moves by the Flinn Middle School Chess Team! This past Saturday at De La Salle High School in Chicago, the team earned 2nd place out of 13 teams. Even sweeter—back in November, they took 1st place! Checkmate, champions! 🎉
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
📅 1/13
Hononegah vs. Auburn
Girls Varsity Basketball
📅 1/14
Boylan 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!
Flashback Friday: Students attended the Academy Expo in October, meeting hundreds of local industry experts who provided hands-on career demonstrations. This event helps students decide what Academy they will choose for 10th – 12th grade. Check out our highlight video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOn55rn7aq0
It was a "sticky" situation at Carlson Elementary this morning! Student Council organized a donation drive and collected 500 hats and gloves. Because they achieved their goal, students who met school expectations got to duct-tape Principal Scott Rogers and Mrs. Ray to the wall. We asked the student organizers of the event how they felt that they achieved this.
Carly: "Happy. It just really supports everyone who doesn't have gloves and hats, so they don't get cold outside."
Finnick: "It makes us feel really good because we got hats, gloves, and coats for everybody that doesn't have any. This was a fundraiser for our school, and we got to raise money for our school and help other kids in need."
Arlo: "Now there's a bucket of hats and gloves for the kids that need them to play outside so they can just have a fun time."
Way to go Cougars!
Carly: "Happy. It just really supports everyone who doesn't have gloves and hats, so they don't get cold outside."
Finnick: "It makes us feel really good because we got hats, gloves, and coats for everybody that doesn't have any. This was a fundraiser for our school, and we got to raise money for our school and help other kids in need."
Arlo: "Now there's a bucket of hats and gloves for the kids that need them to play outside so they can just have a fun time."
Way to go Cougars!
Are you ready to elevate your leadership career? The NIU Principal Residency Program offers the opportunity to earn a Master's in Education & an Illinois Principal Endorsement with leadership coaching. All at zero tuition cost!
Join us at one of our info sessions to learn more:
1/14 - 3:00 p.m. in-person at RPS Admin Building - Superintendent's Conference Room
2/11 - Virtual at 3:30 p.m. https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
2/18 - Virtual at 7:15 a.m. https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
3/10 - 4:15 p.m. in-person at RPS Admin Building - Room 208
3/23 - Virtual at 4pm https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
If interested, contact Heather Psaltis at heather.psaltis@rps205.com to reserve your spot.
Join us at one of our info sessions to learn more:
1/14 - 3:00 p.m. in-person at RPS Admin Building - Superintendent's Conference Room
2/11 - Virtual at 3:30 p.m. https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
2/18 - Virtual at 7:15 a.m. https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
3/10 - 4:15 p.m. in-person at RPS Admin Building - Room 208
3/23 - Virtual at 4pm https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
If interested, contact Heather Psaltis at heather.psaltis@rps205.com to reserve your spot.
Student Services will be hosting our annual Student Code of Conduct (SCOC) Community Listening Sessions to review proposed changes for the 26-27 SY Student Code of Conduct. These meetings are scheduled to occur at the following times and locations:
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 - Auburn High School - Library - 5-7PM
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - East High School - Library - 5-7PM (Multilingual Presentation)
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 - Auburn High School - Library - 5-7PM
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - East High School - Library - 5-7PM (Multilingual Presentation)
Final reminder! Join us this Saturday, January 10, at Rock Valley College for Rumble in the Rock. It's a full day of basketball plus the Hall of Fame induction at halftime of the 5:30pm Auburn vs. Guilford boys game. All-day action, one great night. Don’t miss it!
The Committee of the Whole Road Show continues tonight at Riverdahl Elementary, 3520 Kishwaukee Street! Join us at 6 p.m. to hear Principal Tommy Gibbons share an update on his school and see board business happening where learning happens every day. Enter through Door M.
We’ve shared our most recent bargaining offer to the REA because we believe in working together with our teachers, families, and community to move forward. This is about keeping the conversation open and grounded in respect and transparency. As Dr. Jarrett puts it, “Posting this offer doesn’t end the process. We’re still at the table ready to talk.”
Take a look at the full offer and FAQs at rps205.com/offer.
Take a look at the full offer and FAQs at rps205.com/offer.
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
📅 1/6
Belvidere North vs. Guilford
Girls Varsity Basketball
📅 1/7
Jefferson vs. Auburn
Boys Varsity Basketball
📅 1/9
Harlem vs. Auburn
Girls 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!
📅 1/6
Belvidere North vs. Guilford
Girls Varsity Basketball
📅 1/7
Jefferson vs. Auburn
Boys Varsity Basketball
📅 1/9
Harlem vs. Auburn
Girls 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!
Don't delay, apply today! Rockford Promise's application period to attend college tuition-free closes on February 5! https://rockfordpromise.org/apply-scholarship/
Now Open! Special Programs Pre-K & Kindergarten Lotteries for the 2026–2027 school year.
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 by March 13, 2026 (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?
What is STEAM Academy?
What is International Baccalaureate (IB) at Conklin?
What is Two-Way Language Immersion at Barbour?
Are you ready to elevate your leadership career? The NIU Principal Residency Program offers the opportunity to earn a Master's in Education & an Illinois Principal Endorsement with leadership coaching. All at zero tuition cost!
Join us at one of our info sessions to learn more:
1/7- Virtual at 2:30 p.m. https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
1/14- 3:00 p.m. in-person at RPS Admin Building
2/11 Virtual at 3:30 p.m. https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
2/18 Virtual at 7:15 a.m. https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
3/10 4:15 p.m. in-person at RPS Admin Building
3/23 Virtual at 4pm https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
If interested, contact Heather Psaltis at heather.psaltis@rps205.com to reserve your spot.
Join us at one of our info sessions to learn more:
1/7- Virtual at 2:30 p.m. https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
1/14- 3:00 p.m. in-person at RPS Admin Building
2/11 Virtual at 3:30 p.m. https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
2/18 Virtual at 7:15 a.m. https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
3/10 4:15 p.m. in-person at RPS Admin Building
3/23 Virtual at 4pm https://meet.google.com/jwa-thds-rha
If interested, contact Heather Psaltis at heather.psaltis@rps205.com to reserve your spot.
Happy New Year! Here’s to new beginnings, big dreams, and a year full of learning, laughter, and success. Cheers to 2026!
