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News and Events
Healthy Starts Committee to host Talk2Me training--If you have an infant or work with infants, please join us to learn about the importance of developing secure attachments between infants and their caregivers. There are simple things you can do to encourage happier, healthier babies who are ready to learn! Click here for more information.RPS Early Kindergarten Enrollment--Rockford Public Schools 2012-13 Kindergarten/Montessori Pre-K Early Enrollment period is January 9-27, 2012, at the Student Assignment Center.
To be kindergarten eligible, students must be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2012. A certified birth certificate (original birth certificate) is required. Photocopies are not acceptable.
To be Montessori Pre-K eligible, students must be 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2012. A certified birth certificate (original birth certificate) is required. Photocopies are not acceptable.
For additional information on documents required for enrollment or if you have questions, please call the Student Assignment Center at 815-967-8070 or visit the district web site at www.rps205.com.
The Student Assignment Center is located at 2000 Christina St., Rockford, IL 61104.
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Alignment Resources
Alignment Nashville Video Conference with Rockford Education Supporters
Working Committee Training - Character Education Case Study
Working Committee Training - Parent University Case Study
Alignment Rockford on Facebook
Alignment Rockford One-Page Summary
Commitment to Our Children: A Memorandum of Understanding
Alignment Rockford Annual Report (to be published in 2012)
Rockford Public Schools District 205
RPS 205 Strategic Plan "Visualize 2015"
RPS 205 School Performance Report Cards
City of Rockford
County of Winnebago
Illinois State Board of Education
U.S. Department of Education
Harlem Children's Zone 60 Minutes Story
Illinois Network of Charter Schools
Rockford Charter Schools Initiative
Alignment Nashville: A Model for Rockford
Rockford Region Community Website: Little City Big Life
Rockford Area Economic Development Council Media Campaign
A Proud Part of the Rockford Region
What is Alignment?
Alignment Rockford has nothing to do with your car's wheels. It is about Rockford reaching its potential as a community of learning.
This important non-profit initiative is an innovative and collaborative framework for improving Rockford's schools that facilitates the coordinated alignment of community resources with the strategic plan of Rockford Public Schools District 205.
The goal is to engage a diverse group of public and private organizations in a cooperative and focused effort to support the academic and social needs of Rockford's youth. The result will be a positive impact on public school achievement, the well-being of our children, and the economic and social advancement of our community.
Rockford Contingent Attends Alignment Institute in Nashville
Thirteen leaders from RPS 205, the Regional Office of Education, local businesses, the City, and Alignment Rockford committees and boards attended the Alignment Institute in mid-September, a three-day conference in Nashville.Hosted by Alignment Nashville, the country’s first alignment organization (we’re the second), this event offered in-depth knowledge and understanding about the alignment process. The group sat in on a tactical planning process session, developed an Invitation to Participate™ and attended a live Operating Board meeting. The trip included visits to three high schools, demonstrating successful implementation of alignment work.
Dr. Ehren Jarrett, assistant superintendent of RPS 205 and chair of the Alignment Rockford High School Pathways Committee, was particularly impressed. “The Alignment Institute was extremely valuable to our D-205 team. In addition to having the opportunity to visit three comprehensive high schools that were utilizing the academy concept, we also saw numerous demonstrations of the power of alignment. Academy visits to Maplewood, McGavock and Glencliff schools were all extremely insightful. We were able to sit in on team meetings, visit facilities, and talk to students, teachers and school leaders.
Dr. Jarrett added, “Beyond the academy concept, we also saw the impact of alignment based programs like the Developing Community Leaders and Village programs. A particular highlight was the working credit union at McGavock High School that was funded through a $100,000 donation from a local credit union. In addition, alignment training was extremely important to developing my capacity for understanding the power of the alignment process. With over 22 working committees, it is easy to see the impact the alignment process has had in Nashville. It was also reassuring to compare (Rockford’s) well-developed alignment process with some of the other communities newer to the alignment concept.”
Visiting the Academies of Nashville – A highlight of the Nashville trip was getting inside three of their high schools to see firsthand these wall-to-wall academies. Don Rundall, principal of Rockford’s Jefferson High School, liked what he saw. “I have really enjoyed this trip to Nashville. The first day I was able to speak with students. This was the best part of the trip for me. It helped me understand the student’s perspective on academies. We were able to view an SLP meeting. I really enjoyed the discussion of the different interventions that were going to be put in place for a struggling student. I also appreciated that more than one teacher made a parent contact.
Principal Rundall added, “The second visit was great. I was able to have the individual attention of the scheduling Assistant Principal. We got a great understanding when it comes to scheduling the different academies. She described a number of interventions in place to help students achieve. This trip was packed with information. I am finally feeling ready for the next step. I truly believe this program will make a LIFE-CHANGING difference for our students.”
Devon LaRosa, assistant principal at Jefferson, was equally enthusiastic. “Truly, I tell you, the trip to Nashville has been a rewarding experience. I feel as if I have been given an opportunity to be involved in a program that could better Rockford’s secondary education system. After having witnessed the fruits of high school academies in Nashville, it is my professional opinion that Jefferson could significantly benefit from them. The academy model is real world, pragmatic, and creates community that supports education.”
The alignment process works. It raises student achievement. It improves the health and happiness of our children. And it advances the economic and social well-being of our community. We are on the right track, and we’re excited about what’s to come.
