Welcome back to Episode 3 of the Mi-Rock Podcast, where we amplify the voices that power RIMSD #41! Mi-Rock celebrates the people who make RIMSD #41 thrive! Each episode shares inspiring stories and behind-the-scenes insights, spotlighting the heart of our schools. Mi-Rock also supports our 2030 Strategic Plan by fostering connections, building relationships, and strengthening communication across the district and our community.
In this episode, hosts John Hawley of the Rock Island Center for Math and Science and Ian Scott of Thomas Jefferson Elementary welcome special guest Assistant Principal John Campbell from Rock Island High School. They dive into John’s first year in the district, reflect on his unique journey from law enforcement to education, and celebrate the meaningful learning experiences that continue to shape his work and impact along the way.
If you missed last week's episode with Rock Island Academy's Amy Zero, click here!
Please join us for our next Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, January 27, at 6 pm, at Earl Hanson Elementary School.
The meeting will feature a presentation from Principal Turner, followed by a focused discussion on College and Career Readiness.
Be part of the conversation as we work together to support our schools and community. We hope to see you there!
Welcome back to Episode 2 of the Mi-Rock Podcast, where we amplify the voices that power RIMSD #41! Mi-Rock celebrates the people who make RIMSD #41 thrive! Each episode shares inspiring stories and behind-the-scenes insights, spotlighting the heart of our schools. Mi-Rock also supports our 2030 Strategic Plan by fostering connections, building relationships, and strengthening communication across the district and our community.
In this episode, hosts John Hawley of the Rock Island Center for Math and Science and Ian Scott of Thomas Jefferson Elementary are joined by guest Amy Zero from Rock Island Academy. Mrs. Zero represented the Rock Island-Milan community at the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) 2025 Annual Conference, where Rock Island Academy proudly earned the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation. The conversation highlights the challenges and rewards of supporting young scholars through counseling, the collaborative work of coordinating counselors across schools, and the meaningful impact taking place in classrooms throughout the district.
Rock Island–Milan, this is a friendly reminder that the third quarter begins tomorrow, January 6. We look forward to welcoming everyone back!
Congrats to our Rock Island High School early grads! 🎓🎉
This school year, 70 seniors graduated early, and we couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them. We wish you all the very best and can’t wait to see everything you will accomplish in the future!
Rock Island Academy recently hosted a special schoolwide assembly, during which Superintendent Dr. Williams read All We Need Is Love and A Really Soft Pillow to the scholars. Following the read-aloud, all 520 scholars were surprised with a cozy gift—a pillow, pillowcase, and blanket.
This special surprise was made possible thanks to the generosity of more than 60 individuals, families, and organizations, including United Way Quad Cities, Royal Neighbors of America, and Mississippi Valley Quilters.
🎙️We’re excited to introduce the Mi-Rock Podcast, where we amplify the voices that power RIMSD #41! Mi-Rock celebrates the people who make RIMSD #41 thrive! Each episode shares inspiring stories and behind-the-scenes insights, spotlighting the heart of our schools. Mi-Rock also supports our 2030 Strategic Plan by fostering connections, building relationships, and strengthening communication across the district and our community.
Our inaugural episode kicks things off with an engaging conversation featuring hosts John Hawley of the Rock Island Center for Math and Science and Ian Scott of Thomas Jefferson Elementary, joined by special guest Mike Mertel from Rock Island High School. Together, they dive into the realities of high school teaching, the impact of the Education Internship program, and the incredible work happening every day in classrooms across the district.
🎧 Don’t miss this powerful first episode: listen in, get inspired, and celebrate the people who make RIMSD #41 exceptional!
Congratulations to Mr. Patrick Versluis, principal of Denkmann Elementary School, on being named the 2026 Building Bridges Award Winner for the Blackhawk Region of the Illinois Principals Association! The Horace Mann/IPA Reaching Out & Building Bridges Award is designed to recognize an IPA principal or assistant principal AND an agency, association, or community member displaying an outstanding effort in creating partnerships between schools, principals, associations and organizations for the betterment of all. Well done! 💚
Congrats to Rocky’s newest gold and silver state medalists, David and Izaak! Your Rock Island–Milan family is incredibly proud of you. Way to represent! ❤️💛
The RIHS Counseling department and administration invite you to attend their annual Showcase Night on December 18, 2025, from 5–7 PM in the RIHS Auditorium. This year’s event will feature sessions designed to help our current scholars succeed throughout high school and transition confidently into life after graduation. Staff will be available to assist with financial aid applications, scholarships, college planning, and more.
Please see the flyer for additional details.
We couldn’t be prouder to celebrate our two incredible RIHS Special Olympics bowlers, David Pack-Lewis and Izaak McMeans, during this morning’s Walk of Champions! Thank you to all the Rocky scholars who cheered them on, and to their dedicated coach, Stacy Rel.
David and Izaak will compete at the State Tournament tomorrow, December 6, in Decatur, IL! More details about the competition can be found here: https://www.soill.org/state-bowling-tournament/
Good luck, David and Izaak! 🎳❤️💛
The celebration also included a special Hip Hop dance performed by a talented group of Frances Willard scholars!
Dear RIMSD 41 School Community,
We’re pleased to share that the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 school calendars are now finalized and available for viewing. These calendars outline key dates for the coming years, including the first and last days of school, breaks, and holidays.
You can access the calendars at: https://www.rimsd41.org/page/school-district-calendars.
Thank you!
Classes will resume on Monday, December 1, 2025.
Congratulations to Mr. Matthew Manweiler, who represented the Rock Island Orchestras last week at the Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, where a project he has been working on was nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year.
The Harlem Quartet’s album, Havana Meets Harlem, was produced by Jesús Florido, a Venezuelan violinist and American String Teachers Association National Board member. This project had its early beginning with Jesús’ residency with the Rock Island Orchestras in February 2020, made possible by the Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation.
During that week, Jesús taught and performed with Rock Island students, establishing the vision with Latin Music Pedagogy that would be taken to schools across the country.
Happy National Substitute Educators Day to our amazing substitutes!
We appreciate each of you for the important role you play in educating our scholars. Thank you for all you do for the RIMSD #41 community.
Congratulations to our very own Kyle Hoffman, who has been named the 2025 State Division Assistant Athletic Director of the Year by the Illinois Athletic Directors Association (IADA)! His leadership, dedication, and passion for supporting student-athletes have made a lasting impact on our programs and school community. We’re incredibly proud of this well-deserved recognition.
Kyle will be honored and presented with a plaque at the IADA State Conference Awards Dinner in March 2026.
Medley Relay: Kateri King, Claire Mills, Sophia Heitz, Eva Kendall — 5th Place
100 Fly: Sophia Heitz — 6th Place
100 Free: Claire Mills — 6th Place
100 Back: Claire Mills — 1st Place, State Qualifier
400 Free Relay: Sophia Heitz, Claire Mills, Kateri King, Vivi Wright — 6th Place
Diving: Lauryn Barker — 4th Place
Congrats once again to all our swimmers, the coaches, and everyone involved for an outstanding performance!
