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.
The Youth Story Ledger was held at Flinn Middle School. It’s an event where 6-12 grade students from Flinn, Marshall, West, and Auburn shared personal narratives with the community. These stories offer deep insights into their lives, experiences, & dreams, challenging negative biases & showcasing resilience, bravery, & intelligence. By sharing their stories, students empower themselves & foster understanding & empathy within our community. This year, the Youth Story Ledger was able to expand through a grant from the Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford.
Auburn High School hosted its second College Fair for Creatives - specifically designed to provide students in the creative & performing arts the opportunity to connect with colleges that offer degrees in their disciplines of interest. Students gave mock auditions & portfolio reviews to college reps in the areas of theatre, technical theatre, instrumental music, vocal music & dance. Visual art students had one-on-one meetings to receive portfolio reviews & feedback on their artwork. In total, 18 colleges & universities sent 30 reps & faculty members who met with nearly 150 Auburn students. There was also a more traditional-style college fair with participation from the same creatives-focused colleges.
CAPA Auditions: Calling all 5th to 11th graders! Interested in joining CAPA for the 2025-2026 school year? Don’t miss out—sign up for CAPA High School or CAPA Middle School auditions today!
Have a great day!
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!
Reminder: Auburn Picture Retakes!
Any student interested in a picture retake can do it Tuesday October 15th from 11am-2pm. More information to follow.
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.
FULL CIRCLE MOMENT: Professional musician DeAndre Hemby returned to his hometown of Rockford today. The 2013 Auburn High School graduate reunited with his CAPA teacher Beth Heuer before he takes the stage at the Hard Rock Casino at 7 tonight with Teddy Swims. DeAndre has been the band's drummer since 2022. Heuer taught DeAndre in both jazz band and wind ensemble. DeAndre said, "I didn't choose the drums. The drums chose me." Besides Heuer, DeAndre said his father, who is also a drummer, is a key musical influence. Even though DeAndre has played for 80,000 fans before, he says it's a new feeling for him to be home and performing in Rockford. This will be Heuer's first time seeing her former student put on a show with the band. You can catch an interview with both DeAndre Hemby and Beth Heuer tonight at 6 on WREX.
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.
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!
All RPS 205 buildings are closed today in observance of the federal holiday.
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
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
Greetings! Parking passes are available for purchase. You have the option to purchase your pass either online or through the Finance office. Passes can be picked up from the finance office during the first week of school. If you have any questions, please call 815-490-4604.
Just a little over a week to go. We hope to see all our student Knights back at the castle for open house!
