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All parties have role to play in making our schools better
JUNE 28, 2009 - School superintendents typically lead the organization for a few years, the best of them helping to bring real improvements to classrooms, and then they move on to another challenge. But the business of educating children continues. We’re writing this guest column jointly to assure the community of a smooth transition when the superintendency of Rockford public schools passes Wednesday from one of us to the other.
Click here to read the full version that appeared June 28 in the Rockford Register Star.
Schools grieve loss of secretary, counselors available to students and staff
 JUNE 29, 2009 - Students and staff of Rockford Public Schools are deeply saddened by today's untimely passing of Carol McFeggan, the receptionist at Auburn High School Main Campus. Mrs. McFeggan had worked for Rockford schools since 1981, originally as a teacher aide in special education and later in clerical positions at Roosevelt High School and Eisenhower Middle School, among other assignments.
Principal Dr. Richard Jancek called Mrs. McFeggan a model employee and friend who for many became the face of Auburn High School after she began operating the front desk there in 2000. Dr. Jancek announced that he would open the school beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday for students or colleagues to gather in support; school counselors and psychologists will be on hand.
"Carol was warmth and kindness personified to all who entered the Main Office," Dr. Jancek said. "She was always cheerful and upbeat, and she treated everyone as an important person."
Mrs. McFeggan was a finalist in the support personnel category for the 2009 Those Who Excel award, presented annually by the Rockford Education Association. Auburn staff who submitted the nomination cited Mrs. McFaggen's calm demeanor and anonymous acts of kindness, such as her recent purchase of a class ring for a homeless student.
"Her ability to multi-task was amazing," Dr. Jancek said. "She could communicate on the two-way radio, answer several phone lines and assist students waiting in line without showing a bit of anxiety. Carol will be greatly missed and impossible to replace in many ways."
School Board ratifies new superintendent's leadership team
JUNE 23, 2009 - The Rockford Board of Education tonight approved incoming Superintendent Dr. LaVonne M. Sheffield's new top management structure for the public schools, the first phase in a re-organization to provide more support for classrooms and improve learning.
Board members accepted six appointments to an expanded leadership team designed to focus greater attention on areas including instruction, professional development, communication, building operations and project management. The six administrators assume their new Cabinet assignments July 1 to coincide with Dr. Sheffield's official start date as superintendent.
Among the appointments are Dr. Patrick Hardy as Chief Academic Officer and Cedric Lewis as Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Hardy, the former principal of Ellis Arts Academy, is returning to Rockford Public Schools after working since 2008 as youth leader for Heartland Community Church and as the founding chief executive of a proposed charter school. Mr. Lewis comes to Rockford from New Orleans, where he holds a similar position with the Recovery School District.
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Sharefest winds down at two Rockford Schools
JUNE 19, 2009 - Hundreds of volunteers organized by Heartland Community Church have been busy sprucing up East High School and Summerdale Elementary School as part of Sharefest 2009. This marks the third year Rockford schools have benefitted from the church-led charitable makeover program. Click on the Sharefest icon to learn more.
Sheffield broadens leadership team as first step in march toward 'victory in the classroom'
JUNE 10, 2009 - Superintendent-designee Dr. LaVonne M. Sheffield announced today an expanded and restructured top management team for Rockford Public Schools, a diverse group who she promised has the talent and cooperative spirit to improve education for all children.
The new Cabinet features a mix of veteran administrators from within Rockford schools and experienced professionals, both local and relocating. Dr. Sheffield, who officially takes charge of the 29,000-student system July 1, emphasized that her purpose in reshaping the top leadership is to achieve the five goals she articulated as a candidate for superintendent.
"I have every confidence that this new leadership structure and the outstanding, highly skilled individuals in roles at the top of the organization will take Rockford schools where they must go," Dr. Sheffield said during a news conference at Martin Luther King Elementary School.
"We will enhance learning opportunities for every student. We will insure that parents are partners in the education process and hold adults accountable for student achievement. We will provide clean and safe schools and run the business operation efficiently and effectively in support of schools."
Dr. Sheffield said she assembled a team of leaders with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise so that her panel of top advisors resembles the community. Under Dr. Sheffield, the Cabinet will expand from six members to nine with new non-academic interests being represented, including communications and separating finance and operations functions from one position into two.
"While this leadership structure brings new voices to the table representing different aspects of the education system, they all function to support and advance schools and students. This is the first step in a functional realignment of the District that will direct as many resources as possible to support schools," Dr. Sheffield said. "Victory is in the classroom."
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SwedishAmerican displays student art, awards scholarships
MAY 14, 2009 - Three seniors at East High School are receiving $1,000 in scholarships and the honor of displaying their work at SwedishAmerican Hospital as winners of a new student art contest.
> Read Full Article |
New charity golf outing to raise money for sports programs
MAY 1, 2009 - Casual and accomplished golfers alike are invited to enjoy a day on the fairways and support Rockford Public Schools athletic programs by playing in the inaugural "Golf Scramble for Sports." Organizers expect to raise $15,000 with the July 27 event at Elliot Golf Course.
 The scramble format is intended to appeal to casual golfers, while morning and afternoon shotgun starts give participants flexibility to accommodate busy work schedules. Proceeds will support high school and middle school sports teams and help finance the cost of operating the Rockford Elementary Basketball Association.
"Traditionally, public funding for extracurricular sports has been limited and athletic programs have depended on private funding to bridge the gap," Athletics Director Carl Armato said. "Booster clubs and PTOs try to fill unmet needs, but those efforts can only take us so far. Uniforms and equipment are in short supply and need to be replaced. Money raised from the Golf Scramble for Sports can help provide students with a quality athletic experience."
For $100, participants receive lunch at Elliot and free use of the driving range, a round of golf with a cart, prizes and a prime rib dinner at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center. For $500, businesses may sponsor a hole, which includes advertising near the green and a round of golf for four. Anyone lucky enough to shoot a hole-in-one on No. 7 wins $10,000.
The deadline to register is July 20. Registration forms are available by clicking here.
For more information, contact Carl Armato at 815-966-3143. |
Principal, teachers' efforts save life of 7th-grade athlete
APRIL 9, 2009 - Eisenhower Middle School Principal Jill Davis and four staff members are being credited with saving the life of seventh-grader Ty-Ray Thomas when he collapsed and stopped breathing during the first day of track practice Wednesday, April 9.
> Read Full Article |
Lesson in self-promotion
Students, principal record radio campaign to help recruit for ACE
MARCH 19, 2009 - Autumn Johnson, Vanessa Rodriguez and Richard Gartman wanted something different when they enrolled last year at the new Academic Career Education High School. They liked what they found, and now they're preparing with their principal to record an advertising spot to recruit more students.
> Read Full Article and Listen to Recordings |
Lincoln Memorial: Middle School marks president's 200th birthday, unveils Hall of Fame
 FEBRUARY 12, 2009 - Students, faculty and alumni at Lincoln Middle School observed the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth today with a star-studded salute to the 16th-president and a dozen of the 82-year-old school's outstanding graduates.
> Read Full Article |
"Vanities" prevails!
Guilford's 3-woman comedy goes downstate
DECEMBER 9, 2008 - Guilford High School's fall production of the Broadway comedy "Vanities" has been selected as one of 20 statewide to be staged in January 2009 at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.
Shows are chosen to appear at the festival by judges who evaluate fall productions at high schools across the state. The festival, however, is a noncompetitive exhibition and a chance for students to view the work of their peers. Featured productions transport their sets and costumes to the U of I campus, where they have three hours to prepare for the opening curtain and an hour to strike the show after final bows.
> Read Full Article |
117 seniors make state scholars list
DECEMBER 8, 2008 -- Rockford Public Schools Superintendent Linda Hernandez is pleased to announce that 117 seniors from the city's four traditional public high schools have been named "2009 Illinois State Scholars."
> Read Full Article |
Dozens of community members take charge of schools for a day
NOVEMBER 6, 2008 - More than 50 business leaders, political officials and media representatives descend Thursday, October 23, on Rockford Public Schools for a frontline look at today's classrooms as part of Principal for a Day 2008.
Attorneys, ministers, social workers and executives in banking, real estate, health care, higher education and the hospitality industry are among those serving as guest principals. Participants include state legislators Dave Syverson and Chuck Jefferson, Winnebago County Juvenile Court Judge Rosemary Collins, New York Times best-selling author Kimberla Lawson Roby, five Rockford aldermen, three TV journalists and both candidates for State's Attorney. Visitors will occupy the front offices of all six high schools, all six middle schools, both pre-kindergarten centers and three dozen elementary schools. When they've finished morning announcements, hall sweeps, playground duty and loading buses, the guest principals will gather to share their experiences at an after-school reception at 4:15 p.m. at Aldeen Golf Club, 1900 Reid Farm Road.
"Past practice has taught us to expect moving testimonials to the small miracles that occur in our schools every day," event organizer Mark Bonne said. "Principal for a Day gives community members an unfiltered glimpse of the rigors and rewards of running a school, provides role models for students and strengthens our ties to the community."CLICK HERE FOR FLIER ABOUT PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY
CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF PARTICIPANTS AND SCHOOLSCLICK ON PHOTO FOR SLIDE SHOW
 It's Obama in a landslide
Illinois Senator is the overwhelming favorite with students in mock vote
NOVEMBER 4, 2008 – By a 4-to-1 margin, students chose Barack Obama over John McCain for president in mock elections in several Rockford Public Schools.
Among 17 elementary schools and one high school, Obama led with 6,133 votes to 1,452 for McCain. Hillary Clinton received a write-in vote at Whitehead.
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 Gold Star Boys fund drive launches with military brass, 21-gun salute
NOVEMBER 5, 2008 – Retired United States Air Force Major General John Borling will launch a $75,000 fundraising campaign to build memorials to 34 Gold Star Boys during a special pre-Veteran’s Day observance at East High School.
The ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday, November 10, with the playing of Taps and a 21-gun salute on the school’s front lawn on Charles Street. Major Borling will reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by the 34 former E-Rabs who lost their lives in World War II, and members of a citizens committee will unveil plans for permanent indoor and outdoor tributes. East’s band and chorus also will perform during a reception in the school library.
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AVOID AUGUST REGISTRATION CROWDS--
APRIL 24, 2009 - Mike Valentine dons a white tuxedo and Viking blue vest and descends the center-stage staircase singing 'Beauty School Dropout' in the Guilford High School production of 'Grease,' which opened Thursday night and continues through Sunday.
