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February 5, 2025 - Early Release
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By Cole Andrews - RHS Athletic Director
The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) has had a HUGE impact on high school athletics over the past 100 years. As a long-time observer and supporter of high school sports in Michigan, I have witnessed firsthand how the MHSAA has shaped the experience of student-athletes, coaches, and communities alike.
Since its founding in 1921, the MHSAA has played a pivotal role in standardizing rules and regulations across the state, ensuring fairness and consistency in competition. Through this standardization, student-athletes from all over Michigan are afforded the same opportunities, regardless of where they compete, helping level the playing field. The MHSAA’s commitment to organizing state tournaments and championships has given countless athletes the chance to showcase their talents and represent their schools with pride. These events, from football and basketball to track and field and volleyball, have become traditions that bring communities together, fostering school spirit and local pride.
Beyond the competitive aspect, the MHSAA’s emphasis on sportsmanship and ethical behavior has created a positive atmosphere where respect for opponents, officials, and the game itself is encouraged. In a time when the importance of character and integrity in athletics is often overlooked, the MHSAA’s focus on teaching student-athletes valuable life skills—such as teamwork, leadership, and discipline—has left a lasting impact on the personal development of young people.
One of the most significant contributions of the MHSAA has been its role in promoting inclusivity, particularly in the expansion of opportunities for female athletes. Long before Title IX required gender equality in sports, the MHSAA was already paving the way for girls’ participation in athletics. The growth of girls’ sports under the MHSAA’s guidance has provided countless young women the chance to compete, excel, and earn scholarships, which has had a lasting effect on the advancement of women in athletics.
The MHSAA has also been at the forefront of ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes. Through its implementation of concussion protocols, injury prevention strategies, and guidelines for proper equipment and facility maintenance, the MHSAA has demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting student-athletes and promoting health and safety in sports.
Finally, the MHSAA’s ability to adapt to the changing landscape of youth sports has ensured that high school athletics remain relevant and beneficial to students in an ever-evolving sports culture. The association has been responsive to the growing demand for year-round competition while ensuring that academics and personal well-being remain central to the high school experience.
As Michigan celebrates 100 years of the MHSAA, it is important to recognize the extraordinary contributions the organization has made to high school athletics. The impact of the MHSAA extends far beyond the victories on the field, court, and track—it has been integral in shaping the lives of generations of young people across our state. I would like to give a sincere heartfelt thank you for their continued dedication to enhancing the high school athletic experience in Michigan!
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Superintendent's Updates
Good afternoon,
Happy (belated) New Year!
I hope your 2025 has started well.
Here are some district updates.
As you are aware right before our Holiday break in December, a threat was written on a bathroom stall at Rockford High School. As soon as we were aware of this threat, we marshalled our resources to investigate. We deemed the threat not credible.
Since that time, we have continued to investigate. We have identified the person who wrote the threat. The student identified that the threat was never intended to be a “real” threat. Even with that admission, we are proceeding with appropriate disciplinary action.
As with any disciplinary action we are not sharing the details because each student has privacy rights through the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Sharing any information could potentially lead to the identification of the student which would be against the law.
I would encourage you to talk with your student – especially middle and high school students – to reinforce that threats to our students and staff – whether they are posted on bathroom stalls or social media or made in jest – will be taken seriously and will result in significant disciplinary action. Every day our staff work to ensure that all students and staff are safe. This means we ensure doors are locked, threats are followed up on, suspicious behavior is investigated.
Students learn best when they can focus on school. Threats create anxiety which negatively impacts learning. Your help in ensuring that your students know that these threats will not be taken lightly will be greatly appreciated.
Highlights of our January 13th Board of Education meeting include the following:
- New terms started for those elected in November:
- Tricia Anderson
- Kelley Freridge
- Jake Himmelspach
- Andrea Jacobson
- Organizational meeting included electing of officers:
- President – Jarrod Folsom
- Vice-President – Kelley Freridge
- Secretary – Christie Ramsey
- Treasurer – Jake Himmelspach
- January is Board of Education Recognition month
- Thanks to the seven community members who serve on our board
- Jarrod Folsom, Kelley Freridge, Christie Ramsey, Jake Himmelspach, Tricia Anderson, Barbara Helms, and Andrea Jacobson
- Thanks to the seven community members who serve on our board
- 2024 Audit was reviewed
- We received the highest possible rating in our 2024 audit
- Special Services provided an update on our special education services
Information on our board meeting agendas can be found on our district website under the “Our District” link and the “Board of Education” link.
You may have seen in the news that a student information system provider – Power School – was hacked and student information was taken. We do not use Power School, so we were unaffected by this hack.
We have updated our district website. The location is the same - Rockford Public Schools – but the look is new and, we hope, we have streamlined key links. A big thanks to Lisa Jacobs, Executive Director of Community Services, and all our administrative and secretarial staff who worked so hard to update our website.
Our district continues to move forward in a positive direction. Last year we completed our RAMS XII strategic plan. This winter and early spring we are completing an update of our facilities. New elementary language arts curriculum has been implemented this school. Our co- and extra-curricular activities continue to be strong. Rockford continues to b a good place for students and families.
We are almost halfway through the school year. I appreciate all that you do to support your children and our school district.
Steve
Dr. Steve Matthews
Superintendent
Rockford Public Schools
Events
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5 Feb 2025
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Early ReleaseDate: Feb 5Calendar: RPS District Calendar
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14 Feb 2025
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Mid-Winter Break (No School)Date: Feb 14Calendar: RPS District Calendar
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17 Feb 2025
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Mid-Winter Break (No School)Date: Feb 17Calendar: RPS District Calendar
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26 Feb 2025
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Early ReleaseDate: Feb 26Calendar: RPS District Calendar
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12 Mar 2025
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Early ReleaseDate: Mar 12Calendar: RPS District Calendar
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26 Mar 2025
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Early ReleaseDate: Mar 26Calendar: RPS District Calendar
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3 Apr 2025
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Spring Break (No School)thru Apr 11 2025Spring Break (No School)Date: Apr 3 - Apr 11Calendar: RPS District Calendar
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