All RPS 205 schools and offices are closed today in observance of the holiday.
East's 70 Newcomer students presented their science projects. Volunteers spent time with these refugees to build their confidence in speaking English with an academic focus. They presented on improving air quality in our community. Most have been in the U.S. less than a year.
Principal Appreciation Day: This annual recognition was first approved by Illinois' Governor in 1990. We took pictures of our principals at our 41 schools & asked students to draw them for us. Here are some of their works of art. Thank you all RPS 205 Principals!
Parents: Did you know RPS offers an amazing scholarship program for junior & senior high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of education? Your student can earn a 4-year college degree at a 75% tuition reduction rate & earn a FREE Master's degree from Rockford University! This opportunity will allow your student to graduate with little to no college debt & begin a fulfilling career. To learn more about this amazing opportunity, please join us at the informational meeting. rps205.com/page/ru-education-pathway-shared
13th annual Academy Expo: This event provided an opportunity for 2,000 9th graders to engage with 100 area businesses to explore potential career opportunities. It helps forge a relevant link between student curriculum & future careers. Students will utilize this event to make an academy selection.
Have a great day!
RPS 205 will be holding a Boys & Girls Youth Wrestling Clinic for all K-8 grade students. This free event will take place at East High School (door FH3).
-Thursday, October 24: Grades K-2 from 5:15-6:45 p.m.
-Tuesday, October 29: Grades 3-5 & 6-8 from 5:15-6:45 p.m.
-Saturday, November 2: Grades K-2 from 9-10:20 a.m. and Grades 3-5 & 6-8 from 11:15-12:45 p.m.
To register: https://forms.gle/QxwrwyxC8F26pqHH8
Contact Gene Lee at 815-227-8451 or email leeg@rps205.com
To celebrate National School Lunch Week, RPS 205 is holding a contest to see who can make the most creative chicken sandwich. The students who create winning chicken sandwiches will win an iPad and their sandwiches will be featured on the menu in the Spring Semester! Please turn in your work of art to the kitchen team in your school's cafeteria between October 14-18. We can't wait to see the delicious combinations you draw up!
East High School took 65 Newcomer students to visit Anderson Gardens & Peak Fitness. They learned about health, mental wellness, exercise, & nutrition. Most of them come from refugee camps. The Newcomer team believes it's important for these students to learn how to take care of their bodies & find inner calm to help them succeed in school. The students are from Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Tanzania, Haiti, Uganda, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Chad, the Congo, and Afghanistan.
ROW, ROW, ROW, YOUR BOAT: RPS 205 held its cardboard canoe races at Levings Lake on Friday morning. It’s a yearly event where high school students in the Engineering Pathway at all 5 high schools create, build, and then race a cardboard canoe. Students from STEAM Academy at Haskell also joined in on the fun. Chief Information Officer, Jason Barthel, hopped in a canoe to race as well.
Both the school district & local law enforcement are aware of a generic Snapchat social media post that's making threats against schools. This posting has appeared in multiple states. Law enforcement is actively investigating to determine the origination of this source. Currently, it's deemed that the threat isn't credible, and it's not specifically targeting RPS 205 schools. Safety is our number one priority, and we take all threats seriously.
All RPS 205 buildings are closed today in observance of the federal holiday.
East High School wrestling coach, Gene Lee, hosted a reunion of former athletes and had a tremendous turnout! Gene has coached wrestling at East for 35 years. Gary Giardini, a former East teacher, coach, and athletic director, was in attendance. Perry Giardini, East’s former wrestling coach (and Gene’s coach) who also led the E-Rabs to a state title in football, was there too. Gene credits this quote from Coach Giardini with guiding his coaching philosophy: “You’re only as good as the people you’re surrounded by.”
Read about SmartPass, our new tool for digital hall passes and digital ids in our middle and high schools. https://www.rps205.com/article/1737642
SmartPass: We’re excited to introduce the SmartPass app for the 2024-2025 school year.
SmartPass is a digital tool to enhance the school experience for middle and high school students. It includes a digital ID and a digital hall pass, aimed at streamlining school operations and maximizing student engagement.
Digital Hall Pass
The digital hall pass feature will replace traditional hall passes, allowing students to request permission to leave the classroom using their Chromebook or a kiosk. This system makes it easier for teachers and principals to track student movement, enhancing safety. Additionally, it will reduce time spent in hallways and maximize learning time.
Student ID
We encourage all families to have their students download the SmartPass app to access their digital student ID. While students will still receive a physical ID badge this year, the digital ID offers added convenience. It allows students to access extracurricular activities without needing a physical card, which is especially helpful before the physical IDs are issued and can reduce wait times at event gates.
Please see the linked flyer: https://5il.co/2uqsu
Download the app today!
For more information, please visit https://www.rps205.com/page/smartpass
The SCOC & Student/Parent Handbook are available in English at rps205.com. Families can request printed copies by visiting their school’s main office. Schools can translate the SCOC into a family’s native language using google translate. Administrators will provide presentations to review the SCOC with all students within the first 10 days of school.
🎒 Welcome Back to School! 🎒
We’re so excited to see everyone back and ready to start this amazing new school year!
🌟 Attendance is the foundation for success; every day matters—regardless of the reason.
Here’s how you can help your student shine:
📅 Be Consistent: Every school day is a new opportunity! Let’s make attendance a priority for a year full of growth.
⏰ Create a Routine: Help your child start the day on the right foot by setting a regular bedtime and wake-up schedule.
🚶♂️ Stay Engaged: It’s not just about showing up, but also being actively engaged in learning. A focused student is a successful student!
✨ Why It Matters: Attending school regularly—no matter the reason for an absence—leads to better grades, stronger relationships, and a bright future. Let’s aim for success together!
Let’s make this school year the best yet! 🏫
#BackToSchool #AttendanceMatters #ShowUpAndShine #AttendtoAchieve #AttendanceAwareness #RPS205
We're thrilled to announce the new RPS 205 app for our families that we serve as well as our staff!
Download for Android https://aptg.co/SdXPgz
Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/ml7g3d
Earlier this month, nearly 50 of our summer graduates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. Congratulations Class of 2024!
Four area school districts competed as guest bartenders at local restaurants to raise funds for the Golden Apple Foundation. Each team had to earn tips. Which district came out on top? RPS 205 did with more than $2,200! The event raised a total of $4,600 for teacher programs.
