Wishing you a day filled with joy and gratitude
RPS 205's DEI department took 28 students across all 5 high schools to College Preview Day at Central State University on November 8th – 9th.
Students experienced campus life & learned more about college opportunities at one of the Midwest premier HBCU including:
● Cheer, Band, and Choir performances
● Met current students, faculty, & university leadership
● Toured residence halls, student support services, & other facilities
● Attended the Greek Stroll
● Attended the Football game against their rival Kentucky State University
See you on Monday, December 2!
PROJECT COMPLETE: Both Swanson (Guilford/East) & Wyeth (Auburn/Jefferson) had their stadiums renovated. Improvements started in April and ended in October.
Highlights:
Main grandstands included concrete repairs, underside painting, & replacement of bleachers with new aluminum bench seating. Visitor bleachers were serviced & repaired.
Renovations to the press boxes including new roof, doors, countertops, flooring, painting, & lighting.
Painting of stadium light poles and relocation of sound system.
Thank you to Scandroli Construction & Belles Firm of Architecture
The reviews are in!
"This cast is stacked with talent!" "Super funny!" "Kooky, Krazy FUN!"
East High School presents THE ADDAMS FAMILY.
Two more chances to see the hilarious musical this weekend!
FOR ALL RPS 205 FAMILIES: The VanVleet Family Foundation Annual Turkey Giveaway
Sunday, November 24 at 3 p.m.
Auburn High School Fieldhouse - Door FH11
Meal kits are given out on a first come first serve basis
Reminder for HS Jr. & Sr. Parents: Learn about the RU Education Pathway Scholarship! Students can enter the teaching profession & graduate from RU with little/no college debt & earn a free master’s degree! rps205.com/page/ru-education-pathway-shared
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.”
