SCHOOL BEAT
Rockford Public Schools Enters its 128th Year
by RANDY SELLHORN
President, Board of Education
Dear families, faculty, staff and friends of the Rockford Public Schools:
It’s an exciting time of year as we prepare for another school year! Rockford is entering its 128th year. Can you fathom the commitment it takes to endure for 128 years? Our schools are filled with great people who are eager to press on with the academic opportunities and traditions that have served our students so well. At the same time, with new leadership in some of our buildings, those schools will be the better for changes that have been made in the administration of those schools. In what we have done in the past and in what we will do in the future, your role as our supporters and advocates cannot be underestimated.
Rockford Public Schools (RPS) values our community on all levels. We pride ourselves on making available learning opportunities for our children and recognize that education is by no means exclusive to the classroom. Nonetheless, the academic side of our mission is of great importance. We are fortunate that all of our faculty and staff members are committed to each child’s success.
Our faculty, support staff and administrators have demonstrated great support for our students and community by agreeing to contract changes that will help us continue to provide nearly the same level of classroom opportunities we had in previous years. The well-documented struggles we have with funding from the state will require some changes, but they have been minimized by the contracts negotiated with our employee unions.
RPS is a great value. The administration, faculty and staff, the parents, the Board of Trustees, and our legion of alumni all have a role to play in maintaining this great reputation of excellence. For all of us the lifeblood of our school is our students! The incoming class of 2012 is poised and ready to take their place as the senior students in a motivated student body. We also welcome our kindergarten students, the class of 2024—all of whom are eager to become Rams!
It’s going to be a great year, and I look forward to speaking with each of you in the coming weeks!
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