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ALIGNMENT ROCKFORD NEWS 
FEBRUARY 2016
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Rockford as a Model
O n January 15th business leaders from Rockford, Rockford Public Schools, and Alignment Rockford presented to over 150 business leaders from Peoria who are interested in adopting the Alignment model. 

Pictured left (from left) Dr. Lori Fanello (Boone-Winnebago Regional Superintendent of Regional Office of Education), Dr. Rudy Valdez (EIS Systems Engineering Lead for BVR Aerospace), David Carson (Executive Director of College & Career Readiness for Rockford Public Schools 205), Bridget French (Executive Director of Alignment Rockford), and Karen Brown (Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center). 

The Rockford team spent the afternoon with Peoria business and education leaders answering their questions and sharing Rockford's story of successfully aligning the community in support of redesigning the Rockford Public Schools into College and Career Academies.

Related News: 
Alignment Rockford Annual Board Retreat

Alignment Rockford Governing and Operating
Board members attended an annual Board Retreat on January 12th at Heartland Community Church. Board members spent the morning discussing 2015 outcomes and planning for 2016 strategies aligned with the strategic plan of the Rockford Public Schools. Board members worked together to strategically set goals for the short and long term, identify how to measure success and be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound in planning for the organization's years ahead. 

FACES OF ALIGNMENT ROCKFORD
Each month we feature one of our Alignment Team members in our series, Faces of Alignment Rockford
Nik Butenhoff
Director of Career and Technical Education, Rockford Public Schools District 205
Chair, Alignment Rockford's Pathways A-Team
Chair, Alignment Rockford's Academy Expo A-Team
Alignment Rockford Operating Board Member

Nik came to Rockford from the Belvidere School District three years ago. He began his work with RPS as an Academy Coach at East High School where he served in that capacity for over two years. Recently, Nik was promoted to the Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the Rockford Public Schools. In this new position Nik hopes to provide support for CTE teachers while also working to ensure that the District's CTE programs provide work-based learning experiences that will prepare students for life after high school.     

Click here to learn more about Nik and his involvement within Alignment Rockford. 
"
I remember watching one of our [community partners] interact with a student and thinking how special that moment was. I think it was that moment when I really knew that Rockford was definitely on to something with the academies...  I just want to say everyone who is a part of the work that Alignment Rockford does deserves a big HIGH-FIVE! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of Alignment Rockford.  We have achieved so much already and I am excited to see what else we can do to continue to improve and support our schools."
-Nik Butenhoff
ACADEMY NEEDS:  

Want an easy way to support the Academies? Check out the list of Academy Needs below to see if you or someone you know might be able to help out! 

Click on the need to see a detailed description.  





Informational materials related to Health Sciences Careers
Materials for building raised gardens and a bench for the atrium
Nook replacements (10) for Deaf and Hard of Hearing classes
Support/coordinate a interdisciplinary crime scene project
Car kits for a Pinewood Derby project
Health Sciences Professionals (Veterinarian, RN, chiropractic, sports med)
Vectric software experts (VCarve and Aspire)
Performing Arts Theater and Performance Production (music and/or theater) Professionals
Judicial/Criminal Justice experts to assist with interdisciplinary project
Industrial Trades and Manufacturing experts
Professional who can provide TPRS training
Engineering and civil engineering Industry Experts



Studio Art Professionals





Don't have time to join a team but want an easy way to help out?
OPEN INVITATIONS TO PARTICIPATE (ITP)™

Kennedy Middle School Math Tutor Program

  "[My tutor] is awesome and I want him to be my tutor forever!"  -current student in the Kennedy Middle School Math Tutor Program
 
Alignment Rockford's College Readiness Team is seeking math tutors for 6th grade students at Kennedy Middle School. Tutors will work with students for one hour, one time per week during their regularly scheduled math class during the 2015-2016 school year. The school day takes place 8:45am to 3:45pm. Tutoring time of day will vary according to students' schedulesRead more... 

Interested in becoming a tutor ? We are always accepting new tutors. Click here or email Alignment Rockford's Community Engagement Coordinator for more information. 



Capstone Seminar Mentor

Advisers/Mentors from the community are needed to serve as experts for idea development, revision, and refinement of the student's selected project. Advisers/ mentors may assist students via online, telephone, or in-person mentoring with one or all of the 4 components required of the Capstone project (proposal, research, evidence, presentation).  Volunteer one time only ... volunteer on-going for an entire semester ... or anywhere in between.

Roosevelt High School is now seeking community mentors to help students make community connections.

Click here  to read the Introductory letter from Auburn High School's Capstone teacher, Mr. John Rauh.

To learn more about the Capstone Seminar course, or to submit a response to the invitation to participate  click here


Ready, Set, Kindergarten!
 
The Healthy Starts team has developed community-wide messaging for all families with students going into kindergarten.The Ready Set Kindergarten! materials are aimed to ensure parents have a common understanding of the skills children need to be successful in kindergarten.

Services Needed from the Community:
  • Place the provided brochures and posters in a waiting area or employee break room
  • Include the information in your company newsletter (digital information provided)
  • Include the provided information in your church bulletin
  • Have brochures available for interested families to pick up
  • Display the information on your digital billboard or monitor
  • Promote the information on your social media sites
  • Provide brochures to patients or clients with young children
  • Sponsor or donate printing services
To respond to this invitation to please
click here . You must be logged in to respond.

Know any students who could be interested in going into Pharmacy? Here's a great opportunity for them to learn more: 

Check out some of the incredible things going on in the schools- join the momentum!


 




Doing some Valentines Day shopping? When you shop with AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to Alignment Rockford. Amazon supports us every time you shop. Click this link to begin your holiday shopping now:  Amazon Smile 


Alignment Rockford is a collective impact organization whose mission is to align community resources in support of public school strategies to raise student achievement, improve the health and happiness of our children, and advance the economic and social well-being of our community.