🎃October Riverdahl Newsletter🎃

Click the link below for our October newsletter!

https://bit.ly/4zL9Bip

RPS 205 will host a free Boys & Girls Youth Wrestling Clinic for all K–8 students at the East HS Fieldhouse:

Tuesday, October 20 for grades K-2 at 5:15—6:45 PM
Thursday, October 22 for grades 3-5 & 6-8 at 5:15—6:45 PM
Sunday, October 25 for grades K-2 at 3:00—4:30 PM
Sunday, October 25 for grades 3-5 & 6-8 at 5:00—6:30 PM

Learn basic wrestling skills. To register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScU_gmRt1vP5laFRA17lZiO3KcB_pH1jGaCPTXxwAmz6

🐻 Riverdahl Trunk-or-Treat Candy Drive 🐻

Help Us Make Our Halloween Event Sweet & Special For Our Students!

🍬 Items Needed: Wrapped candy, fruit snacks, pretzels, and popcorn (MUST be factory-sealed & individually wrapped. No homemade treats!).

🚗 Drop-Off Options: Hand items out your car window to staff in the morning drop-off or afternoon pick-up line, send in with your student, or drop off in the main office (8:00 AM - 3:30 PM).

📅 Drop-Off Deadline: Monday, October 26th

🎃 Event Date & Time: Wednesday, October 28th, 4:30 PM- 5:30 PM

📍 Location: 3520 Kishwaukee St, Rockford, IL 61109

TODAY is the last day to nominate a PreK-5th grade teacher for a 26-27 Golden Apple Award! Don’t miss your chance to celebrate a teacher who inspires students, builds connections, & makes a difference. https://goldenappleofrockford.com/golden-apple-teacher-awards/nominate/

NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK: The 3rd Annual RPS 205 Chicken Sandwich Contest is here! This is your chance to dream up the most creative, delicious chicken sandwich you can imagine! Submit your entries to your kitchen staff October 13-16 for a chance to win a Nintendo Switch OLED and have your sandwich featured on the spring menu! Winners will be announced on November 16. We can't wait to see your creations!

The Rockford School District and its buildings are closed today for the observance of the Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day holiday.

There's no school today due to Teacher Institute. Enjoy the long weekend!

Riverdahl Elementary Principal & staff along with RPS 205's Family & Community Engagement department celebrated students in the Orton Keys community with excellent attendance! Students were recognized at an award ceremony & introduced to Rockford Promise opportunities.

The countdown is on! There’s just over a week left to nominate an outstanding PreK-5th grade teacher for a 26-27 Golden Apple Award. Recognize a teacher who makes a difference. Nominations close Oct. 15! https://goldenappleofrockford.com/golden-apple-teacher-awards/nominate/

RPS 205 will host a free Boys & Girls Youth Wrestling Clinic for all K–8 students at the East HS Fieldhouse:

Tuesday, October 20 for grades K-2 at 5:15—6:45 PM
Thursday, October 22 for grades 3-5 & 6-8 at 5:15—6:45 PM
Sunday, October 25 for grades K-2 at 3:00—4:30 PM
Sunday, October 25 for grades 3-5 & 6-8 at 5:00—6:30 PM


Learn basic wrestling skills. To register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScU_gmRt1vP5laFRA17lZiO3KcB_pH1jGaCPTXxwAmz6Z97kw/viewform

🐻 REMINDER: ATTENDANCE CELEBRATION 🐻

Celebrating Dedication, Success, and Showing Up Every Day!

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026

Time: 2:30 PM

Location: Rockford Boys & Girls Club (Orton Keyes Unit)

Attendance Awareness Month may be ending, but our commitment to student attendance isn't. Supporting attendance is year-round work built on relationships, early intervention, problem-solving & partnership with families. If attendance becomes challenging at any point this year, reach out to your school. We want to work with you. Every month, Your Presence Matters.

When a student is struggling to attend school, there's often more to the story. Good attendance isn't just a school issue; it's a community effort. Families, schools & community partners all play a role in helping students overcome barriers & stay connected to learning. When a student is struggling to attend, the question isn't simply, “Why aren't you here?” It's also, “What is getting in the way, and how can we help?”

🐻 Principal's Corner: Healthy Screen Time Habits

Dear Riverdahl Families,

Finding a healthy balance with screen time helps our students thrive! Check out the message and short video below for simple, practical tips to use at home.

Thank you so much!

https://bit.ly/4AsqfVd

Sometimes the smallest moments of connection give students a reason to keep showing up & can make a BIG difference.
Attendance is about more than being in a seat. It's about connection, belonging & knowing that your presence matters.
Every student deserves to know they are missed when they're gone and valued when they're here.

🐻RIVERDAHL ELEMENTARY ATTENDANCE CELEBRATION🐻

Celebrating Dedication, Success, and Showing Up Every Day!

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026

Time: 2:30 PM

Location: Rockford Boys & Girls Club (Orton Keyes Unit)


https://bit.ly/4AChaJN

Apple for the Teacher Day! Golden Apple Foundation will deliver apples & nomination forms to teachers, kicking off nominations for the 2026-27 Golden Apple Award. Nominate a PreK-5 teacher by October 15! https://goldenappleofrockford.com/golden-apple-teacher-awards/nominate/

It’s happening today! Join us at East HS Cafeteria for A Conversation with Dr. Huff. Hear his vision for RPS 205 & share your ideas for the future of our district.

5-5:30 p.m. | Meet & Greet
5:30-7 p.m. | Presentation & Q&A

Enter Door FH8. Spanish & ASL translators available.