January 28, 2025

January 28, 2025 Update

Good afternoon,

We survived our cold and snow day jamboree last week! What a week!

Last night, Monday, I was worried when I looked out my front door to see almost whiteout conditions. But luckily, the snow abated. Michigan winters are interesting.

In January, our K-8 students have been testing with our NWEA assessment. These assessments in math and reading help us both evaluate our instruction and identify how to help each student. We use these assessments to ensure that our teaching is helping students learn the skills they need to be successful. But the assessments also give us insight into each student and help our teachers in their grade level and department teams make sure that each student is receiving what they need to continue moving forward.

Our teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators work hard to make sure that this assessment data, and all assessment data, is used well and continues to improve teaching and learning.

Our Fine Arts program had a chance to shine this past week. The North Rockford Middle School Symphonic Band and the Rockford High School Jazz Band both were invited to perform at the Michigan Music Conference. This annual gathering of music teachers from across the state gave our band students a chance to perform in front of a statewide audience. Several middle and high school band students were also selected to all-state bands and those students were able to perform with students from around the state.

In addition, we had several choir students selected to perform with all-state choirs.

Finally, we had several teachers selected to present conference sessions during the Michigan Music Conference. These teachers continue to demonstrate the collaborative and professional qualities that make our Rockford teachers so special.

The Rockford Education Foundation is hosting their annual spring gala – The Taste. This event highlights the great work that the Rockford Education Foundation does as a partner with our district. If you can participate in this event on March 6, I would encourage you to make your plans now. Information can be found on the Rockford Education Foundation website: Home : Rockford Education Foundation

Thank you for all that you do to support your children and to support the Rockford Public Schools. We understand that educating students works best when we can collaborate with our families to ensure that our students are learning. Together we are doing meaningful and important work with students each day.

I share some of the great work that goes on in our schools on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Bluesky. You can find me @docsmatthews.

Steve

Dr. Steve Matthews
Superintendent
Rockford Public Schools