60+ students from 33 different schools across the Kishwaukee Region gathered together on April 22 for the annual Illinois Principals Association’s Kishwaukee Region Student Leadership Breakfast. These outstanding students, joined by their family and school administrators, were recognized at the breakfast for the hard work and outstanding leadership they bring to school every day.
ROE4 was proud to award four high school seniors with $500 scholarships at this year's breakfast. Three of these exceptional high school seniors were from our own Harlem, North Boone, and Belvidere high schools! These scholarships are an investment in the continued impact these young leaders will undoubtedly have on our community. We cannot wait to see where their careers take them!
ROE4 Helps Build-a-Bike
On May 13, our Student Support Services team joined neighbors, local businesses, and community partners at Hamblock Ford's Build-a-Bike event.
ROE4 was honored to sponsor two bikes for two deserving students. Moments like these are a reminder of what we can accomplish when a community shows up for its kids.
ROE4 in the Community
Building Bridges with NAMI & WCCMHB
Yesterday, ROE4 team members joined NAMI Northern Illinois and the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board for their annual community event, connecting with organizations and residents committed to mental wellness across our region. At the resource fair, we had the chance to share how several of our programs directly support students and families in Boone and Winnebago counties — from helping students navigate transitions into and out of Summit Academy, to improving attendance, to connecting schools, health providers, and families with the mental health and social supports they need.
We're grateful to the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the ½ cent sales tax for funding our Summit Academy Transition Counselor and Student Support Interventionists, and to the Illinois Department of Public Health for funding our Rockford Region Community Network Anchor.
Summit Facebook Reels
We recently published two reels featuring Summit Academy - one where staff talk about their favorite part of working at Summit Academy, and one with our amazing students shouting out staff they appreciate.
The Regulated Classroom, a teacher training company and education framework focused on co-regulation, brought us energy, tools, and great vibes during a two day workshop we co-hosted on April 21 and 22. Educators from across 8 ROEs - and the RPS, Geneseo, and Freeport school districts - found themselves immersed in practices from the Regulated Classroom’s co-regulation framework, learning and participating in activities indoors and while enjoying the beautiful weather outside.
Everyone walked away with a comprehensive guidebook and new activities and strategies for addressing dysregulation in both themselves and their students. These are tools that can be used immediately - both to reset their personal lives and to transform their classrooms right away.
Thank you to everyone who joined us; our classrooms are going to be much calmer, brighter places because of your dedication!
Thank You Teachers!
The first week of May was Teacher Appreciation Week. In honor of that, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our current and retiring teachers for all of your years of service! Our community is a brighter, stronger, better place because of all that you do. Thank you!
(Also thank you to Gayle Haab, pictured right, for her assistance coordinating our Retired Teacher's Association workshops this year!)
Student Support Services
ROE4 Advocates for Child Abuse Prevention
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. To help raise awareness and advocate for this important cause, our office staff wore blue and members of our Student Support Services Team joined organizations from across Boone & Winnebago Counties at their annual Hands Around the Courthouse events.
Every day, our team shows up for students who often are dealing with things no child should have to face. We remain committed to advocating for the programs, partnerships, and resources that help keep children safe.
Upcoming Professional Development
Equity Training Coming to ROE4
Join Dr. Kierra Pickens and Chicago Public Schools' Devon LaRosa for an impactful, full day workshop focused on fostering a more inclusive and innovative educational landscape!
Originally, the deadline for all public entities (including public schools!) serving populations of 50,000 or more to meet the new Title II ADA Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) was April 24, 2026, and organizations serving populations smaller than 50,000 had until April 26, 2027. However, those deadlines have just been extended by one full year.
While we now have until April of 2027 and 2028 respectively to become compliant, making your web content accessible as soon as possible is still best-practice, and working ahead now can save a lot of headaches down the road. Our team has faithfully stayed up-to-date on these guidelines by attending trainings and has been compiling resources... all with you in mind! We've created a shared folder to help you get started.
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