TODAY is the last day to nominate a PreK-5th grade teacher for a 26-27 Golden Apple Award! Don’t miss your chance to celebrate a teacher who inspires students, builds connections, & makes a difference. https://goldenappleofrockford.com/golden-apple-teacher-awards/nominate/

Marshall Elementary students took the stage alongside professional artists from Opera for the Young in Rusalka: A Mermaid's Tale! It's a story of courage, kindness, & embracing our differences and was told through enchanting melodies, underwater mischief, & the power of love.

NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK: The 3rd Annual RPS 205 Chicken Sandwich Contest is here! This is your chance to dream up the most creative, delicious chicken sandwich you can imagine! Submit your entries to your kitchen staff October 13-16 for a chance to win a Nintendo Switch OLED and have your sandwich featured on the spring menu! Winners will be announced on November 16. We can't wait to see your creations!

The Rockford School District and its buildings are closed today for the observance of the Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day holiday.

There's no school today due to Teacher Institute. Enjoy the long weekend!

The countdown is on! There’s just over a week left to nominate an outstanding PreK-5th grade teacher for a 26-27 Golden Apple Award. Recognize a teacher who makes a difference. Nominations close Oct. 15! https://goldenappleofrockford.com/golden-apple-teacher-awards/nominate/

RPS 205 will host a free Boys & Girls Youth Wrestling Clinic for all K–8 students at the East HS Fieldhouse:

Tuesday, October 20 for grades K-2 at 5:15—6:45 PM
Thursday, October 22 for grades 3-5 & 6-8 at 5:15—6:45 PM
Sunday, October 25 for grades K-2 at 3:00—4:30 PM
Sunday, October 25 for grades 3-5 & 6-8 at 5:00—6:30 PM


Learn basic wrestling skills. To register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScU_gmRt1vP5laFRA17lZiO3KcB_pH1jGaCPTXxwAmz6Z97kw/viewform

Attendance Awareness Month may be ending, but our commitment to student attendance isn't. Supporting attendance is year-round work built on relationships, early intervention, problem-solving & partnership with families. If attendance becomes challenging at any point this year, reach out to your school. We want to work with you. Every month, Your Presence Matters.

When a student is struggling to attend school, there's often more to the story. Good attendance isn't just a school issue; it's a community effort. Families, schools & community partners all play a role in helping students overcome barriers & stay connected to learning. When a student is struggling to attend, the question isn't simply, “Why aren't you here?” It's also, “What is getting in the way, and how can we help?”

Sometimes the smallest moments of connection give students a reason to keep showing up & can make a BIG difference.
Attendance is about more than being in a seat. It's about connection, belonging & knowing that your presence matters.
Every student deserves to know they are missed when they're gone and valued when they're here.

Apple for the Teacher Day! Golden Apple Foundation will deliver apples & nomination forms to teachers, kicking off nominations for the 2026-27 Golden Apple Award. Nominate a PreK-5 teacher by October 15! https://goldenappleofrockford.com/golden-apple-teacher-awards/nominate/

It’s happening today! Join us at East HS Cafeteria for A Conversation with Dr. Huff. Hear his vision for RPS 205 & share your ideas for the future of our district.

5-5:30 p.m. | Meet & Greet
5:30-7 p.m. | Presentation & Q&A

Enter Door FH8. Spanish & ASL translators available.

Absences Add Up

Did you know? Missing just two days of school each month can add up to chronic absence over the course of a school year.

Every absence, excused or unexcused, means time away from learning, relationships and the routines that help students succeed.

The good news? It’s never too late to build stronger attendance habits. If getting to school regularly is becoming difficult, reach out to your school. We’re here to help!

All RPS 205 schools & buildings are closed today in observance of the federal holiday.

September is Attendance Awareness Month! Every day at school gives students opportunities to learn, build friendships, connect with caring adults & discover what they're capable of. Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing why attendance matters because every student brings something important to our schools.

Join us Wed., Sept. 16, at East High School's Cafeteria for A Conversation with Dr. Huff. Hear his vision for our district.

5-5:30 p.m. | Meet & Greet
5:30-7 p.m. | Presentation & Q&A

Enter Door FH8 on the west side of the building.

Spanish & ASL translators available

rps205.com/page/a-conversation-with-dr-huff

Meet RPS 205's Superintendent Dr. Larry Huff! Hear his vision for our district, & share ideas at A Conversation with Dr. Huff on Wednesday, September 16, from 5-7 p.m. at East High School.

Meet & Greet 5-5:30
Presentation, Q&A 5:30-7

The event is free & open to the public.

The first day of school is about 8 weeks away for the 26-27 school year. Here is our academic calendar as well as our start & dismissal times so that you can prepare and plan ahead.

REMINDER: Early Childhood wraps up today with its normal schedule. The last day for K–11 students is tomorrow, but it's a shortened day. For more information on times at your school, check out the 205 VIBE: https://www.rps205.com/article/2813047