Jefferson High School

This week, all RPS 205 high school juniors took part in College & Career Prep Week at The QUAD. Students rotated through mock interviews, resume building, financial literacy, & ACT prep sessions led by industry professionals — gaining real-world skills for life after graduation.

The Rockford Area Arts Council announced its Poetry Out Loud Regional winners! Aminah Givens from East HS earned 1st place and Mikiah Gerrity from Jefferson HS earned 2nd. Both advance to the Illinois State Competition!

We’re proud of all who took the stage: Silvana Knox from JHS, Ace Cox from EHS, Sophie Bolanos from EHS, Vanessa Malyanh from JHS, and Geannie Chounlamountry from JHS.

Thank you to the teachers who inspired their students to share their voices and love of poetry!

See you tomorrow!

Join us on Thursday, January 29

🕡 6:30 PM
📍 JHS Auditorium

RSVP (required):
South Korea & Japan: https://bit.ly/3YKjsoj
Europe: https://bit.ly/3LHZo2O

Congrats to Jefferson HS senior Mikiah Gerrity! Mikiah was recognized at Tuesday’s City Council meeting as Rockford’s 2026–27 Youth Poet Laureate. She will promote literacy & literature among residents of all ages. Mikiah is a state Poetry Out Loud champ.
Photo: City of Rockford

Good afternoon, softball open gym and girls basketball practice are canceled tonight. Other activities will continue as scheduled.

All RPS 205 schools will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 23, due to cold weather. All after-school activities will also be cancelled including Y Care. The RPS 205 Administration Building, Sterling Holley, & the Operations Support Center will be open.

The Rockford School District is closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Join us for a public open house at RPS 205’s College & Career Education Center, The QUAD!

🗓 Thursday, January 29
⏰ 4–7 p.m.
📍 4151 Samuelson Road, Rockford

Student leaders will give tours all evening. District leadership will provide brief remarks at 5 p.m.

There is NO softball or volleyball open gym today! Instead, come support our wrestling seniors against Auburn and Durand!

🟥🟨 J-Hawks Track & Field 🟨🟥

There will be a Parent & Athlete Meeting for the upcoming track season on:

📅 Thursday, January 15
⏰ 3:30–4:30 PM
📍 Auditorium

Important season information will be shared. Parents and athletes are encouraged to attend.
#FlyWithUs #VuelaConNosotros

Don't delay, apply today! Rockford Promise's application period to attend college tuition-free closes on February 5! https://rockfordpromise.org/apply-scholarship/

Need assistance when school is not in session for the next two weeks?

Check out our resources: rps205.com/page/family-community-engagement

We'll see you on Monday, January 5th!

Get ready for Rumble in the Rock!
January 9 & 10 at Rock Valley College
$10 weekend pass

Friday:
5:30 & 7pm Belvidere North & Hononegah

Saturday:
9am Jefferson G vs East G
10:30 Auburn G vs Guilford G
12 & 2 RVC Women & Men
4pm Jefferson B vs East B
5:30 Auburn B vs Guilford B

The Rockford Promise Scholarship application is open now through February 5th. High school students can apply for the chance to attend college tuition free. Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity! Apply today at https://rockfordpromise.org/apply-scholarship-application/

🟥🟨 Good morning, J-Hawk Nation! 🟨🟥

We’re excited to welcome everyone to Friday night’s boys basketball game vs. Rockford East, where we will proudly induct Jefferson’s inaugural Hall of Fame class!

🎉 Congratulations to our first inductees:
• Kenneth “Buster” Lindsay
• Bruce “The Voice” Beling

Join us as we celebrate their impact on Jefferson and unveil our brand-new Hall of Fame Room, featuring:
🏆 State championship & finalist trophies
📘 Digital Hall of Fame touchscreen with yearbooks, record boards, and J-Hawk history
This space will now be open at all Jefferson indoor athletic events!

⏰ Induction Ceremony:
Following the JV game — estimated 6:30–6:50 PM
📍 We recommend arriving by 6:20 PM so you don’t miss the recognition of Buster’s family and Bruce himself.

After the ceremony, teams will warm up for 20 minutes before the varsity matchup begins.

💙 RPS Staff: Free admission for you and your family with your staff ID.

Thank you for supporting our students, alumni, and the Jefferson community. We can’t wait to see you Friday night!

🟥🟨 Go J-Hawks! 🟨🟥

Jefferson High School’s Advanced Theatre invites you to the 7th Annual Children’s Readers Theatre! Join us on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 5:30pm in the JHS auditorium (4145 Samuelson Rd.). Admission is FREE! Enjoy Adventures of Frog and Toad brought to life like a bedtime story on stage.

Five RPS 205 artists representing three schools, were chosen in the inaugural Holiday Card contest at Noah's Ark Animal Shelter.

-Ivanna Penaloza from Jefferson HS was selected as the 1st place winner! Her card design will be printed on their holiday card that is sent to 5,000 homes and will hang at Noah's Ark for years to come.
-2nd place Abria Lambert , 7th grade, from West C.A.P.A. Middle school will have her design shared as their Happy Holidays post on their social media on December 25th.

Runners up will have their pieces featured on Noah's Ark Social Media:
-Josephine Tortorici, 8th grade, West C.A.P.A. Middle school, will have their design shared as part of their first day of winter post.
-Anny Ramirez Aguilar, 8th grade, RESA Middle school, will have their design featured as part of the holiday adoption special.
-Yanelly Cecilia Almanza,7th grade, RESA Middle school, will have their design used on New Year's Day.

Congratulations to these talented artists!

Jefferson came to support, volunteering at Stroll on State! Unfortunately Mother Nature had plans and caused our volunteer event to be cancelled. Thank you to Mr. Mitkusevitch and Freshman Janea P. And Sophomore Kane P. for braving the weather to come support our community!

See you on Monday, December 1st!