Latest news with #RockfordPublicSchools
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Rockford Pride Parade, Fire Dept's 911 3K Run to shut roads on Saturday
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Two Rockford events on Saturday will result in some road closures that motorists will need to be aware of. The second annual begins at noon on Saturday, June 7th, running on E. State Street from 3rd Street to Wyman. State Street will be closed to traffic starting at 10 a.m. Any vehicles parked in the parade route will be towed by 11 a.m., officials said. Rockford Public Schools are holding graduation ceremonies at the BMO Center at the same time, and drivers are asked to use caution. Rockford Fire Department's annual takes place on the city's East side, with road closures beginning at 7 a.m. The 911 3K Run kicks off at Fire Station #5 on Trainer Road. Parts of Trainer, Shiloh Road, and Garrett Lane will be closed during the event. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mercyhealth provides interships for the disabled through ‘Project Search'
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Disabled high school students graduated from the 9-month 'Project Search' program on Friday. The program teaches disabled individuals the skills they need to enter the workforce. That includes internships with Mercyhealth, job development, and individual help with certain skills. The 'Project Search' program is a partnership between Mercyhealth, Rockford Public Schools, RAMP, and the Illinois Department of Human Services. 'It really is a life-changing opportunity for a lot of these young adults,' said classroom instructor Libby Wolfgram. 'They do have disabilities. We all know the job market is tough, and it's made even more difficult if you add on a disability. This program really does make all the difference.' Seven students graduated this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
1 year of AI: Rockford teachers, students prepare for the future
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Public Schools (RPS) teachers hope they have created more responsibility and awareness around the use of AI after a full school year of students using the technology. RPS implemented , an AI learning tool, to be used by students and teachers at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. 'We have to be realistic. Kids are using AI, whether it's for academics or for social reasons. They're interacting with it,' said RPS Director of Educational Technology Susan Uram. 'So, I do think as educators… We know we have a responsibility to make sure that there is some AI literacy going on.' Students were able to access chatbots powered by artificial intelligence and learned how to prompt them in a meaningful way. The director explained that the AI is supposed to be used as a tool, not a crutch for learning. 'There's an ethical responsibility around. Are you just asking it to generate something for you, or are you asking it for feedback and input?' said Uram. [Are you] using it as a learning tool, [or] just something to do the learning for you?' AI is also helping teachers have time by creating the framework of lesson plans. 'It's been kind of a game changer for us in being able to support our teachers and taking the Tier one curriculum, but making it their own and just enhancing it,' said Annie Peiffer. 'You're able to go through the lesson plan and be very targeted with what you are teaching to your students, whether it's students that need a little bit of additional support or students that need a little bit more of a challenge,' said Sara Bruce. 'The AI can help target that lesson plan directly for those students.' The district is trying to make sure everyone is prepared for the future of AI. 'We know that kids who will even graduate this year need to have AI skills and will enter an AI-influenced world,' Uram explained. 'It's not something that we can slowly adopt. It's something that we need to understand as quickly as possible and start to incorporate into our professional practice for the sake of the students.' RPS plans to continue using Magic School for the 2025-2026 school year to improve and refine students' ability to use AI to their advantage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Immigrant students acclimate to life in Rockford with help of Midway Village Museum
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Midway Village Museum has announced a new program to help immigrant students acclimate to life in Rockford. A partnership with Rockford Public Schools and a grant from the Kjellstrom Family Foundation will enable 120 students from East High School and Lincoln Middle School to visit Midway Village over the course of two days, beginning May 13th. A costumed guide will lead them through activity stations, and language interpreters will be on hand for those who don't speak English. A centerpiece of the program is the Museum's Victorian Village and the 'Many Faces, One Community' exhibit, which explores many generations of immigrants to Rockford since the 1830s. The Newcomers pilot program will also introduce students to exhibits on the founding of Rockford, the Rockford Peaches, local manufacturing, the history of the Sock Monkey, and the role Camp Grant played in World War II. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rockford School Board: Nicole Bennett defeats challenger to retain seat
A licensed, clinical social worker and mother of two on Tuesday won re-election as she successfully defended her Rockford School Board Subdistrict D seat against a challenge from a public school teacher. Nicole Bennett, 36, won with 2,200 votes, or 75% of votes cast, compared with Fort A. Zackary III's 735 votes, or 25%, according to unofficial election results. Bennett said during her campaign that she made the most of her first term on the school board. She promised to continue working to improve school safety. She said she supported physical school improvements, restorative justice practices and revisions to the code of conduct to enhance consequences for serious offenses. More: Early results: Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara secures big lead Bennett also is an advocate for additional mental health professionals and for addressing a staffing shortage with grow your own programs. A teacher for 28 years, Zackary, 52, said that, if elected, he would work to improve student behavior, viewed as a detriment to classroom teachers and an obstacle to recruiting new teachers. He also said he would work to improve the school district academically in terms of reading and math proficiency. Zackary taught English as a second language classes 18 years in Rockford Public Schools before taking a job with the Belvidere School District two years ago. More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the Register Star app Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@ and on X @jeffkolkey. This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Nicole Bennett wins re-election to Rockford School Board
