
This school year, RPS 205 will be bringing back final exams for high school students (minus Roosevelt). For more information, please visit: https://www.rps205.com/page/middle-high-school-grading

Fall sports are here at Jefferson!
🏈 Football begins today, Wednesday, August 5.
The rest of our fall sports begin Monday, August 10:
• Boys and Girls Cross Country
• Girls Tennis
• Girls Swim
• Girls Volleyball
• Boys Soccer
• Girls Flag Football
• Boys Golf
• Cheer
• Dance
• Esports
Before participating, students must have:
✅ Completed online athletic registration
✅ A current sports physical on file
A parent or guardian can use this helpful guide to complete the registration process:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oyciIFczhO182gWEzgjZAJifRLJOfgiujpkwu8wcx9c/edit?usp=sharing
Get registered, submit your physical, and get ready to #FlyWithUs!
🏈 It's football time! 🏈
Football tryouts start today at 3 pm, make sure to bring an up to date sports physical and families should register their student ahead of time here -> https://manage.snap.app/register/jeffersonhs
Next Monday, 8/10, the rest of our fall sports will start practice!
Football tryouts start today at 3 pm, make sure to bring an up to date sports physical and families should register their student ahead of time here -> https://manage.snap.app/register/jeffersonhs
Next Monday, 8/10, the rest of our fall sports will start practice!
Middle & High School families & staff: Please check out our 2026 student Ids, cell phones, & electronic device expectations. rps205.com/id-phone-device

Thank you to everyone who joined us for A Conversation with Dr. Larry Huff at Jefferson High School last night! Community members met our new superintendent, expressed their concerns & shared their ideas. If you missed this event, another one will be held in August. Stay tuned!










🌟 A Great Week for Jefferson Refresh! 🌟
Our Refresh students had the opportunity to connect with members of Jefferson’s Student-Athlete Leadership Team (S.A.L.T.) this week. Our student-athletes shared their high school experiences, offered encouragement, and began building relationships with our incoming ninth graders before they officially join us this fall.
We were also excited to welcome Dr. Huff, our new superintendent, for a visit with our students and staff!
Finally, congratulations to Aaliyah Howard, our Jefferson Refresh Student of the Week! Aaliyah’s positive attitude and hard work have made her stand out. Keep up the great work! 👏
We are proud of the connections being made and the leadership being demonstrated throughout our Jefferson community!
#FlyWithUs #VuelaConNosotros #JeffersonRefresh #SALT #StudentLeadership




🎉 Refresh Student of the Week: Ali Owfi!
Congratulations to Ali for being recognized as this week’s Refresh Student of the Week! We are proud of the effort, growth, and positive attitude Ali continues to show. Keep up the great work! #FlyWithUs

Jefferson’s Refresh students and teachers recently welcomed Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley, Officer Shipbaugh, Officer Arellano, and Sgt. Watson to campus.
Our guests shared their career journeys, explained the many roles available in law enforcement and public service, and answered questions from students about the skills, education, and experiences needed to enter their fields.
Thank you to each of our visitors for taking the time to connect with our students and help them explore future career pathways! #FlyWithUs

🥎 Meet Jefferson's New Head Softball Coach!
Join us as we welcome Coach Quentin "Que" Thomas, the new Head Coach of J-Hawk Softball!
📅 Thursday, July 16
🕠 5:30–7:00 p.m.
📍 Jefferson High School Softball Field (weather permitting)
Meet Coach Que, hear his vision for the program, and connect with returning and future J-Hawk softball players and families.
We look forward to seeing you there! 🟥🟨
#FlyWithUs #VuelaConNosotros
Join us as we welcome Coach Quentin "Que" Thomas, the new Head Coach of J-Hawk Softball!
📅 Thursday, July 16
🕠 5:30–7:00 p.m.
📍 Jefferson High School Softball Field (weather permitting)
Meet Coach Que, hear his vision for the program, and connect with returning and future J-Hawk softball players and families.
We look forward to seeing you there! 🟥🟨
#FlyWithUs #VuelaConNosotros

It's hard to believe that the high school graduations took place a month ago already. Check out the highlights from the ceremonies! https://youtu.be/Fonx40wtyFI
From state champions and academic standouts to dedicated staff and a heroic bus driver, the RPS 205 Board of Education celebrated the incredible achievements of our students, coaches and employees at its June 16 meeting. Read more on the 205 VIBE! rps205.com/article/3007483









The first day of school is about 8 weeks away for the 26-27 school year. Here is our academic calendar as well as our start & dismissal times so that you can prepare and plan ahead.



Jefferson High School honored its graduates at the BMO last month! The Class of 2026 soared across the stage with pride, determination, and big dreams ahead. Congratulations and cheers to a bright future. Once a J-Hawk, always a J-Hawk!










It's graduation time! Everything you need to know about the ceremonies, parking & transportation, live streams, and a list of prohibited items for the BMO can be found at rps205.com/page/graduation

Congratulations to our high school valedictorians and salutatorians who graduate Friday and Saturday!
Auburn: Austin Altangerel - Valedictorian & Alexandra Brandis - Salutatorian
East: Kylie Bomkamp - Valedictorian & Alexis Nelson - Salutatorian
Guilford: Denny Zhang - Valedictorian & Berkeley Stenstrom - Salutatorian
Jefferson: Jazmin Rodriguez-Herrera - Valedictorian & Abril Santacruz-Villegas - Salutatorian
Roosevelt: Anabel Alfaro – Valedictorian & Jayana Stevenson - Salutatorian
Your hard work, dedication, and leadership inspire us all!
Auburn: Austin Altangerel - Valedictorian & Alexandra Brandis - Salutatorian
East: Kylie Bomkamp - Valedictorian & Alexis Nelson - Salutatorian
Guilford: Denny Zhang - Valedictorian & Berkeley Stenstrom - Salutatorian
Jefferson: Jazmin Rodriguez-Herrera - Valedictorian & Abril Santacruz-Villegas - Salutatorian
Roosevelt: Anabel Alfaro – Valedictorian & Jayana Stevenson - Salutatorian
Your hard work, dedication, and leadership inspire us all!










Graduation ceremonies are this Friday & Saturday at the BMO! Large crowds are expected, so please arrive when doors open 1 hour before each ceremony. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Ceremony times, parking, prohibited items & livestreams are at: rps205.com/page/graduation

RPS was well represented at Rockford's Memorial Day parade yesterday. Bands from all four high schools and West Middle School marched through downtown to honor and remember fallen heroes.






Good evening J-Hawk students and staff,
Another exciting night for Jefferson athletics!
🏐 Boys Volleyball closed out NIC-10 conference play with a strong 2-0 victory over Belvidere North on Senior Night. The J-Hawks now turn their attention to the postseason, opening regional play tomorrow night at Streamwood.
⚾ Jefferson Baseball showed incredible resilience tonight, storming back with a six-run seventh inning to defeat Harvard 11-10 in dramatic fashion. A tremendous comeback effort by the J-Hawks to earn the win.
🏃♂️ At the IHSA 3A Antioch Sectional, Janardie Turner punched his ticket back to the IHSA State Finals in dominant fashion:
• 110m High Hurdles Sectional Champion – 13.50 (New Illinois #2, US #12, PR)
• 300m Intermediate Hurdles Sectional Champion – 37.77 (New Illinois #6, PR)
Congratulations to all of our student-athletes and coaches on a great night representing Jefferson!
Go J-Hawks!
REMINDER: Early Childhood wraps up today with its normal schedule. The last day for K–11 students is tomorrow, but it's a shortened day. For more information on times at your school, check out the 205 VIBE: https://www.rps205.com/article/2813047

REMINDER: High school graduation ceremonies are next week. Admission is free, but guests must have a ticket in order to enter the BMO. Tickets can be picked up at the high school's main office. All other info about this district event can be found at rps205.com/page/graduation
