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After 13 years of service, Chief Communications Officer Earl Dotson Jr. is retiring from RPS 205. Earl has been a dedicated leader, helping to share the stories and successes of our students and schools. Congratulations Earl! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!

Gifted Academy: Register now for Gifted Eligibility Fall Testing for a 2025-26 seat! The Gifted Academy is one of several special programs offered in RPS. Gifted Academy students engage in a modified curriculum designed to identify, nurture, and support their unique learning styles, interests, abilities, and needs. More information provided below. Students currently in grades 1-4: https://marshallelementary.rps205.com/o/gatme/page/how-do-i-apply-for-gifted Students currently in grades 5-8: https://marshallmiddle.rps205.com/o/gatms/page/how-do-i-apply-for-gifted Students currently in grades 9-10: https://auburn.rps205.com/o/auhs/page/how-do-i-join-the-gifted-academy-family

Showing up matters because regular attendance is an important building block for student learning. #AttendTodayAchieveTomorrow

Rockford University Jane Addams Day of Service: Students/future teachers from RU's Education Department worked with 3rd graders at Ellis Elementary School to decorate small planters & pots with their unique designs. RU students will return in the Spring to help plant seeds & begin a garden project to help the students learn about the growing cycle.

Last Saturday: Jefferson High School hosted the inaugural Girls Flag Football NIC-10 Jamboree at Wyeth Stadium. All ten teams played a conference game. Jefferson athlete Dereona Edison was joined by Principal Don Rundall, representatives from the IHSA, the Chicago Bears, local pro athlete and RPS 205 teacher Sophie Brunner, Nishawnda Wiles from the Rockford Lightning, Nick Meyer from the Mayor's office, and School Board Secretary June Stanford to talk about the impact of girls sports in our community!

New York based violinist, Giora Schmidt visited Auburn High School orchestra classes to talk about his life as a professional musician and to perform for the class. Come hear him perform the Tchaikovsky violin concerto on tomorrow from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Coronado!

Did you know all RPS 205 students eat for FREE. They are eligible for a free breakfast & free lunch every school day. No application needed. Want to see what is on the menu? Visit the LINQ Connect interactive menus. Questions? Contact Nutrition Services at 815.966.3033 or Let's Talk

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Read how you can help prevent it, one conversation at a time. https://www.rps205.com/article/1761453

Read in our 205 VIBE how a program is transforming the way our educators teach physics. https://www.rps205.com/article/1746359

Help us celebrate educator’s good work through a Golden Apple award nomination. Click on the link below and tell us in a sentence or two about this outstanding PreK-5th grade educator! Nominate by October 10. https://goldenappleofrockford.com/golden-apple-teacher-awards/nominate/

🌞Our Early Childhood Family Services team braved the summer heat for the third year to help build a Habitat for Humanity home in Rockford! Find out in our 205 VIBE why this year’s project was extra special. 🏠 rps205.com/article/1746290

Absences add up! Missing two days or more per month means a student misses more than 10% of the school year. Build the habit of good attendance early. #ShowingUpMatters #AttendTodayAchieveTomorrow

Student Code of Conduct - Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee: The Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee is a collaborative group who review the Student Code of Conduct annually. The meetings are organized to increase discussion and collaboration regarding disciplinary data and student outcomes. The advisory committee will systematically analyze discipline data and determine where disparities exist, identify overuse of exclusionary discipline, and make recommendations for adjustment to the Student Code of Conduct. The advisory committee convenes annually and works collaboratively on the following tasks: • Develop written policy guidelines and procedures on student discipline, including school searches and bullying prevention. • Annually review and make necessary changes to the district student discipline policy and Student Code of Conduct. • Analyze discipline data to map and provide additional support for students. Services might include mental health, substance abuse, violence intervention, and/or parent support opportunities. • Collaborate to include provisions in the Student Code of Conduct to address the safety and support of students who have demonstrated behaviors that put them at risk for aggressive behavior, including bullying. • Establish and maintain policies and procedures that reflect the district’s commitment to a positive, prevention-oriented discipline philosophy. To become a member of the advisory committee, please contact the Student Services Department at 815-967-8401 or email student.services@rps205.com All meetings occur from 5-7 p.m. at the RPS 205 Administration Building, 501 7th Street, in the 3rd Floor Boardroom: • September 10, 2024 • October 8, 2024 • November 12, 2024 • January 14, 2025 • February 11, 2025 • March 11, 2025 • April 8, 2025 In addition, parents, community members, teachers and school administrators are encouraged to attend the annual listening sessions: • February 5, 2025 - Community Listening Session, 5-7 p.m., Auburn HS Library • February 13, 2025 - Community Listening Session, 5-7 p.m., East HS Library - Multilingual presentation If you have any questions, please contact the Student Services Department at 815-967-8401 or email student.services@rps205.com

Missing school means missing opportunities to learn and connect. #ShowingUpMatters #AttendTodayAchieveTomorrow #ShowUpAndShine #AttendtoAchieve #AttendanceAwareness #RPS205

REMINDER: The State Board of Education has added Middle Eastern & North African (MENA) as a race for state reporting. When you enrolled with the Rockford School District, you were asked to select your race from White, Asian, Black, Hispanic or 2+ races. Families can update their student’s race in the district’s records. This helps us identify supports & services for students. It’s not mandatory, but if you want to update it, please contact your school’s main office by Monday, November 4.

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.”

CONGRATULATIONS! Auburn Knights Softball Coach Jessica Palos has been named the 2024 ICA Class 4A Coach of the Year! She coached three NIC-10 All Conference athletes last season and two Illinois Coaches Association (ICA) All State athletes. Auburn softball won their regional for the 2024 season, the first softball regional championship in school history!

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