National School Counseling Week 2026 (February 2–6), sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), is a time to celebrate the powerful impact school counselors make every day. This week, the Rock Island–Milan School District is thrilled to spotlight our outstanding counselors - starting with our elementary counselors! Their work is foundational to the academic, social, and emotional growth of our youngest scholars, helping them build confidence, form healthy friendships, manage emotions, and develop the skills that lead to lifelong success.
To our elementary school counselors: thank you for the care, patience, and dedication you bring to our schools each day. Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom - and it begins with our youngest scholars! #NSCW26
February is Black History Month! Rock Island–Milan is proud to celebrate and honor the legacy of those who paved the way and those who continue to inspire us today. #BlackHistoryMonth
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!
🎙️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!
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.
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.
Schools across our district honored and celebrated Veterans Day yesterday, with additional events and activities continuing throughout the week.
Thomas Jefferson Elementary hosted a Veterans Day Assembly to honor and recognize local veterans. Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 669 joined scholars and staff for the celebration, sharing the significance behind the 13 folds of the American flag. The assembly featured musical tributes and presentations paying tribute to those who have served our country.
Ridgewood Elementary hosted Donuts with Veterans, bringing together families and the community to celebrate and honor our veterans.
Today, we honor and thank all who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Your courage, dedication, and sacrifice protect the freedoms we cherish every day. From all of us at RIMSD 41 - thank you, veterans!
Rock Island – Milan School District #41 is celebrating significant gains on the 2025 Illinois Report Card, with five schools improving their accountability designations! The district also made notable progress in reducing chronic absenteeism and discipline incidents, reflecting the dedication and hard work of our teachers, staff, and families.
Learn more about the report card results and what they mean for our district leaders and principals: https://www.rimsd41.org/article/2519450
We would also like to invite you to the Board of Education meeting on November 10, 2025, at the RIMSD Administration Center. This is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the 2025 report card results!
Happy School Psychology Week!
This week, we celebrate the vital work of school psychologists in helping students succeed at school, at home, and in life. This year’s theme, “Finding Your Path,” highlights how they guide students, families, and schools toward their goals.
A big thank you to all RIMSD 41 school psychologists! Your dedication makes a difference every day.
Shout-out to:
Dr. Nikki Duke – Ridgewood, Thomas Jefferson, Rock Island Academy, Denkmann
Madeleine Eaton – Longfellow, Earl Hanson, Frances Willard
Lisa Kuffler – Horace Mann Early Learning, Washington Jr. High
Regina Boland – Rock Island High, TMLC
Megan Mahoney – RICMS, Eugene Field, Edison Jr. High
Thank you for helping students find their path!
Rock Island-Milan School Community,
The Rock Island and Milan Hy-Vee stores are excited to offer a special Hot Meal Deal for our community.
From Monday, November 3, through Friday, November 7, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., enjoy a delicious free meal for kids (12 & under) and meals for everyone else for just $3 each!
Meals are available for dine-in and to-go, so you can enjoy them however you like. Check out the image below for the daily menu and see what’s being served each night.
Happy November, Rock Island-Milan! 🦃
Here are some key dates to mark on your calendar this month!
Happy School Psychology Week!
This week, we celebrate the vital work of school psychologists in helping students succeed at school, at home, and in life. This year’s theme, “Finding Your Path,” highlights how they guide students, families, and schools toward their goals.
A big thank you to all RIMSD 41 school psychologists! Your dedication makes a difference every day.
Shout-out to:
Dr. Nikki Duke – Ridgewood, Thomas Jefferson, Rock Island Academy, Denkmann
Madeleine Eaton – Longfellow, Earl Hanson, Frances Willard
Lisa Kuffler – Horace Mann Early Learning, Washington Jr. High
Regina Boland – Rock Island High, TMLC
Megan Mahoney – RICMS, Eugene Field, Edison Jr. High
Thank you for helping students find their path!
Entry: Just $2 or 2 canned goods
Gates open: 5:00 PM
Kickoff: 5:30 PM
Grab an energy drink for only $3 to keep your game-day hype going!
All proceeds support the 2025 Student Hunger Drive! Remember, we compete so everyone can eat.
Happy National Principal Appreciation Week!
We would like to take a moment to thank our wonderful elementary school principals for their outstanding service to our scholars. Thank you for going above and beyond!
