Vicki Todd

The Rock Island School District is proud of the accomplishments of our students and staff! In this section of our web site you'll read about student activities, honors awarded to staff and students, and interesting stories involving the Rock Island Schools. Visit often and you'll see why the Rock Island School District is the home of "Rocky Pride!"

School Hours 2007-2008 - includes early dismissal dates and times

Holidays bring out best in RIHS Key Club - This month, students from the Rock Island High School Key Club wrapped hundreds of toys to help make a child's Christmas brighter.

Rocky students saddle up with Equestrian Club - Thirteen Rock Island High School students explored a new sport this year: horseback riding.
Special education math teacher Liz Kantner sponsors an equestrian club for Rock Island High School students.

Rocky teacher and mentor leads writing center for students - In many students≠ lives, there are favorite teachers that have touched their education. In the three years Tia Rice has been teaching English at Rock Island High School, she has made an impression on countless students.

In the classroom: Teaching with themes - No time is wasted as 24 first- and second-graders file into Anna Lorenz≠s multi-age classroom at the Rock Island Primary Academy.
Just back from gym class, the children scurry over to the large rug at the front of the room. Lorenz starts immediately, listing words aloud. In response, her students rattle off words that rhyme.

Holiday celebrations blend religious, cultural traditions - Denkmann Elementary creates its annual gingerbread village through a collaborative effort of students, teachers, parents and volunteers. According to Mary Justin, kindergarten teacher, the staff wanted a holiday event that would reach all students.

Martin earns National Board Certification in music - On Dec. 4, Rock Island music teacher Jeff Martin was recognized as a member of the 2007 class of National Board Certified Teachers.

Congratulations to the following students on becoming All State Musicians this year. They are :
Choir - Spencer Brooks - Vocal Jazz, Tony Jones - All State Choir
Orchestra - Debbie Newcomb - Bass
Band - Hannah Mattison - Orchestra Trombone, Abby Sloan - Clarinet

Longfellow Elementary gets into the holiday mood - Rock Island's Longfellow Elementary kicks off a whirlwind week of holiday hubbub tomorrow as the doors to Santa's Workshop open at noon. On Thursday evening, students and their families will celebrate the season at Fiesta Feliz Navidad. The week culminates with Breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning, followed by a Gingerbread Workshop.

New program to provide 'Shelters of Safety' for youth - Students in Rock Island's Greenbush Neighborhood will soon have several designated Shelters of Safety on main routes to and from schools.

Tough love: Lockhart-Johnson teaches students respect, compassion - Janet Lockhart-Johnson has influenced countless students in her long career as a teacher at Rock Island's Longfellow Elementary School.

Thank you to all of those who participated in the Student Food Drive. Rock Island increased their total food weight by 25%, giving a total of 47,000 lbs of food. We also won 1st Place for most creative event by hosting Family Fun Fright Night. Thank you to everyone! Way to go RISD 41!

We are pleased and excited to announce to you that Jeff Martin, H. Mann and WJHS music teacher, has passed his National Board Certification! He joins only 25 others to be certified in music in the State of Illinois (and only 7 other certified in the State of Iowa). Congratulations Jeff!

Graduation Rate - Student achievement is a high priority for the Rock Island-Milan School District.

Three-sport athlete is a 'natural leader' - With basketball season approaching, classes and football playoffs, Rock Island High School quarterback Ben Sparkman stays cool under pressure.

RI Evening Lions rise early to raise money for Rock Island students - Rock Island residents looking to do their good deed for the day only had to stop by the Rock Island Evening Lions Club on Saturday, Oct. 27. The Lions held a pancake breakfast to benefit the Rock Island High School cheerleaders. Longfellow Elementary's Student Council was taking food and cash donations for the Student Hunger Drive. And the Longfellow Boosters had a bake sale to support upcoming holiday activities at the school.

Trophies are great, but Lillis is in it for the Kids - With 14 consecutive conference championships, Rock Island High School boys track and field has been building a dynasty of sorts.

Elsie Tucker endeared herself to many generations of Rock Island school children. More-->

Eugene Field Craft Fair draws holiday shoppers - It≠s not even Halloween yet, but for some folks, it≠s never to early to start the holiday shopping.

RI schools welcome marketing director - Holly Sparkman has landed smack in the middle of the Rock Island-Milan School District, and said the kids are the most enjoyable part of her new job.

The Rock Island High School Student Council is sponsoring a Halloween Fun Night at the RIHS fieldhouse for all elementary school age children on October 30th from 6:30-8:30. There will be games, face painting and a mini "spook" house. Admission for children is $1.00 or three(3) cans and adults $2.00 or six(6) cans. There has to be at least one adult per family in attendance. Please join us and help support the Student Hunger Drive!

Eugene Field 2007 Craft Fair and Bake Sale to be held Saturday, November 3rd.

Chris Dasso applies lessons from football to all areas of his life - When Chris Dasso's friends and family describe him, one word springs to mind: busy. But even with his full schedule, Chris is still able find the time to help anyone in need.

Longfellow principal works to build positive relationships between staff, students - It≠s not often that people make the statement, "I love to go to work every day." But that is exactly how Dave Knuckey describes his career.

School board signs off on $22M plan - School board members in Rock Island-Milan touted a $22 million plan Tuesday, which overhauls the district≠s elementary and junior high schools, before unanimously approving it.

SKIP relay team places 1st at marathon

Rocky athlete tells peers to 'get involved' - For Rock Island High School junior Amy Miers, the relationships and friendships she has forged through athletics are the best thing about being on high school athletics teams.

Project Greenspace brings kids, adults together to spruce up Frances Willard Elementary grounds - Fifth- and sixth-grade students at Frances Willard Elementary set aside their class assignments and went outside to learn a new lesson.

Rock Island student wins national contest - Eugene Field sixth-grader Jordan Bowden≠s story ≥The Pig and the Twig≈ received the most votes in February in a contest on SillyBoots.net.

District 41's first new school in 35 years could open in 2009 - Rick Loy, Rock Island superintendent, unveiled a $22 million plan to board members during their regular meeting last Tuesday that calls for the construction of the first new school in more than three decades and the closure of Audubon, Horace Mann Choice School and the Intermediate Academy.

Elisse Kavensky, a Rock Island High School senior, will launch "Month of Smiles", a four-week program she designed to bring smiles to children who are fighting for their lives. Entire story-->

Project Greenspace at Frances Willard - front yard project will complete the outdoor classroom

Congratulations to Kylie W. from Denkmann Elementary - Story and pictures -->

Rocky's Environmental Action Club travels to Costa Rica

Visiting Korean teachers explore hands-on learning - Denkmann Elementary played host to 14 visiting teachers from South Korea on Wednesday, Aug. 8.

Congratulations to Washington Math Teacher Kirk Humphreys who has been selected to receive the 2007 Rock Island Citizen of the Year Award in the area of Education.

Community Forums- We will be holding eight public input meetings to discuss restructuring options for the District.

Tools for Families - An exciting opportunity for parents of students who attend Rock Island/Milan Schools! A two-hour overview of an excellent series addressing a set of skills and strategies for managing behavior at home and helping parents develop positive relationships with their kids.

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