Rock Island-Milan, here are some important February dates to keep in mind!
Calling all community members!
Culture Club is gearing up for our 4th Annual Culture Fest! Last year, over 1,000 attendees came together to celebrate the diversity that makes our school and community so special.
This year’s event will take place on Monday, May 18th, from 5–7:30 PM at RIHS. The theme is “Play the Game, Live the Culture,” in anticipation of the World Cup coming to North America this summer. ⚽
Visit the event website to:
🌎View photos and videos from last year’s celebration
🌍Order a t-shirt
🌏Register for a table – open to all district students, staff, families, and community members!
Celebrate, connect, and share your culture with us!
Quick reminders:
🟡Staff returns on Monday, March 30th, for all staff inservice day.
🟡Fourth Quarter begins Tuesday, March 31st.
Enjoy your break! 🔆🌱
Due to the threat of inclement weather, all scheduled activities during our Spring Intersession have been cancelled for Monday, March 16, 2026. Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe!
This morning, Superintendent Dr. Williams had the opportunity to experience the installation firsthand. Scholars led a tour through the building, proudly showcasing their work and explaining the ideas and techniques behind each piece.
Following the tour, scholars also shared their thoughts on the importance of the arts in school, expressing that arts education should be introduced even earlier in scholars’ academic journeys.
The Edison art class is led by Mrs. Cassandra Salas-Mikaio, recipient of the Illinois State Board of Education Award of Excellence for Classroom Teachers.
Principal Mr. DiIulio invited all of the state qualifiers to the cafeteria and asked them to complete a short reflection about what it meant to qualify for state in their respective activities. Meanwhile, classes quietly lined up in the hallways, ready to cheer on their classmates. When the scholars stepped out, they were greeted by a wave of applause from their peers and staff.
Congratulations to all for their incredible achievements! 🎉👏
At the March 10 Board of Education meeting, we recognized five outstanding Rock Island–Milan School District 41 team members honored in the 2026 Illinois State Board of Education Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards. Their dedication, leadership, and commitment to scholar success make a meaningful impact across our schools each day. Congratulations, and thank you for representing our district with excellence!
RIMSD is celebrating National School Social Work Week! 🎉💛❤️
This week, we proudly recognize our outstanding district social workers:
- Brittany Coopman, Thurgood Marshall Learning Center
- Madison Johnson and Ivyana Wilmington, Rock Island High School
- Kris Sierra, Rock Island High School and Frances Willard
- Justice Kinder and Katelyn Camp, Washington Junior High School
- Lauren Youngers, Thomas Jefferson and Horace Mann Early Learning Center
- Amy Rohwer, Ridgewood and Rock Island Center for Math and Science
- Patricia Gallegos, Rock Island Academy, Denkmann Elementary and Longfellow Liberal Arts
- Maria Frere, Earl Hanson
- Morgan Laden, Rock Island Academy and Rock Island Center for Math and Science
- Tonia Poterack, Horace Mann Early Learning Center
- Jodi Ketcham, Horace Mann Early Learning Center
- Jocelyn Holtrop, Horace Mann Early Learning Center
- Heather Wangler, Horace Mann Early Learning Center
- Tiera Teague, Horace Mann Early Learning Center
Your compassion, expertise, and steadfast commitment to our scholars and families make a meaningful difference every single day. Thank you for the critical role you play in supporting well-being, strengthening connections, and helping our scholars thrive!
RIMSD community, we are excited to launch our new Shout-Out Series, spotlighting outstanding team members across our district.
This series supports our 2030 Strategic Plan - Priority 5: We will nurture relationships and connections with all members of our school community.
We are proud to share our February features. Thank you all for your continued support, and thanks to everyone who took the time to recognize their colleagues.
View all the shout-outs here
Visit our 2030 Strategic Plan here
Thank you to the Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation for supporting this initiative through grant funding and helping us continue this meaningful program for our scholars.
A special thank-you to our generous sponsors: Midwest Writing Center for providing books for all our principals, Augustana College for supplying the kickoff day t-shirts, and Superintendent Dr. Williams for providing pencils and bookmarks to all 2nd graders.
The meeting will feature a presentation from Principal Wilson, followed by a focused discussion on the district's Facility Management Plan.
Thank you to all of our community members and staff who attended the Eugene Field Elementary School Community Meeting to learn more about the addition and construction projects. If you were unable to attend, you can find current information and future updates here: https://www.rimsd41.org/page/eugene-field-construction-projects
Earlier this year, the Mi-Rock podcast featured Amy Zero from Rock Island Academy, joined by hosts John Hawley of the Rock Island Center for Math and Science and Ian Scott of Thomas Jefferson Elementary. 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 episode 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.
We are celebrating by featuring what our scholars are reading across the district today and throughout the school year so far!
We are excited to continue celebrating our counselors for National School Counseling Week! ✨Today, we are spotlighting our wonderful junior high counselors.
During this critical stage of development, their guidance is more important than ever as scholars navigate new academic demands, growing independence, and the social-emotional challenges that come with adolescence.
Our junior high counselors are trusted advocates and steady support systems - helping scholars strengthen decision-making skills, manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and prepare for future success in high school and beyond. They play a vital role in ensuring every scholar feels supported, understood, and empowered during these formative years.
To our junior high counselors: thank you for your commitment, compassion, and unwavering support. Your influence helps shape confident, resilient scholars and makes a lasting difference every single day! #NSCW2026
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!
