Upcoming Events May 20—School Board Meeting,

6:30 pm RHS

May 21—REAMS Arts and Academics

Showcase, 4-6 pm

May 23—RMS-CES Band Concert,

6 pm Gr 5.,7 pm Gr 6, 8 pm Gr 7/8

RHS

May 27—No School, Memorial Day

June 1—2019 Commencement, 7 pm

RCC

June 4—RMS-CES Choir Concert, 6 pm

Gr 5/6, 7 pm Gr 7/8 RHS

June 6—Last Day of Classes

June 17 —School Board Meeting,

6:30 pm RHS

Check out the school website for up-to-

date announcements and sports activities

at www.rockford.k12.mn.us.

Pictured: (top of page)

At the recent Rockford-Greenfield

Chamber of Commerce meeting, Nikki

Nute (right), STRIVE mentor, recognized

three Rockford High School students in

the STRIVE program. (left) Savannah

Stroud, Megan Harkins, and Nick Ingall.

For more information on the program,

go to page 2.

The Rocket Report is a monthly

newsletter published by Rockford Area

Schools for communities in Wright and

Hennepin Counties.

This Issue...

District Newsletter May 2019

Rockford High School 10th and 11th grade AVID (Advancement Via Individual

Determination) students participated in the ninth annual Student Leadership Conference

on April 22, 2019 at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park.

Sponsored by Northwest Suburban Integration School District (NWSISD), the theme of

the conference was "Students, Leaders: Sharing the Vision". The conference allowed

students to take part in various competitions and workshops, attend a college and career

fair and participate in forums. The purpose of the NWSISD Leadership Conference is to

introduce and teach skills that promote college and career readiness. Students were also

able to compete against other students across district borders in various competitions,

including AVID Jeopardy, and other games that promote college and career readiness.

For more information on NWSISD and its programs, go to www.nws.k12.mn.us.

AVID is a national college-readiness system designed to increase the number of students

who enroll in four-year colleges. Although AVID serves all students, it focuses on the

least served students in the academic middle. The formula is simple - raise expectations

of students and, with the AVID support system in place, they will rise to the challenge.

For more information about AVID, contact the high school office at 763-477-5846.

Pictured: AVID Advisor Cheryl Ulen, Grace Cichon, Annika McMillen, Jorge Morales,

Jayden Lark, Jose Morales, Elizabeth Poppler, RHS Counselor Jill Gordee, and

Katherine Connelly participated in the Student Leadership Conference in April.

RHS AVID Students Participate in Leadership Conference

2

It Takes a Village By Paul Durand, Superintendent of Schools

During this time of the school year when

students get antsy at their desks, staff members

try to finish their projects in a shortened time

frame and administrators work on the planning

details for the upcoming school year, it is a good time to reflect

how much the Rockford Area Schools community cares about

our students and their learning atmosphere.

For example, I recently attended a presentation at the Rockford-

Greenfield Chamber of Commerce meeting on the Rockford

High School STRIVE program. Three students gave their

thoughts regarding their participation in STRIVE.

Just what is STRIVE?

STRIVE stands for Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the

Value of Education and is a mentoring and scholarship program

to help high school seniors improve grades, attendance and

school performance. The program was developed on the premise

that students who are academically ranked in the lower half of

their class have the same natural abilities and gifts as those who

are in the upper half. The difference is often motivation, work

habits, self-esteem, time-management, attendance and

performance in the classroom. STRIVE challenges these students

to improve their work, gain self-confidence, and discover the

satisfaction of achievement.

The purpose of STRIVE is to help students set clear goals for

their final year of high school, including improving their grades

and graduation. A bonus for these students is they would qualify

for additional scholarship possibilities for those interested in

continuing their education.

Area business professionals and community residents including

members of Rockford-Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce,

Rockford Lions Club, BANKWEST, and the Rockford Education

Foundation serve as mentors for these students. Mentors

volunteer twice a month for an hour with 18-28 Rockford High

School seniors. Each week the group discusses a topic that is

helpful for not only the students but serves as a good reminders

to the mentors as well. At most meetings, they start with the

simple reminder to sleep, study and go to school (the 3 S’s).

Past favorite topics included Goals and Dreams, Attitudes,

Habits, Strengths and Careers, and Time Management and

Priorities. I would like to give a special thank you to Cheryl Ulen

for assisting in the STRIVE program as their school liaison.

Another example of school and community working together is

the Thousand Heart Crow River Serve Day, this year held on

May 18. This is their seventh year holding the event and it is

amazing to see the community join together to help neighbors,

businesses and local organizations.

Project at our schools include landscaping, mulching and general

cleanup of the grounds. The slots are filled at the elementary

school and high school project sites, but there still is some

openings at the Rockford Middle School sites. What is amazing

to see is who has volunteered to do the work. We have families,

community members, Galaxy Kids members, the Rockford High

School track team, Rockford Middle School FFA members, and

Boy & Girl Scouts. We thank all of our community members for

their efforts at Thousand Hearts Crow River Serve Day to make

our schools a welcoming and beautiful learning environment for

our students.

It truly does take a village to raise a child. I am proud to be part

of this village (District #883). Feel free to stop in, call (office:

763-477-9165 x4002) or send me an email

(durandp@rockford.k12.mn.us) anytime you have a question or

comment. Thank you for your continued support of our students

of Rockford Area Schools.

Pictured: (below) At a past Thousand Hearts Crow River Serve

Day, students and community members work on landscaping the

middle school.

Message from the Superintendent

Rocket Report / May 2019

Interested in School Programs? Join the Curriculum Advisory Committee Rockford Area Schools' Curriculum Advisory Committee is

responsible for providing input and making recommendations

regarding implementation of the Minnesota Academic Standards

and the districts overall academic curriculum.

The district strives to have a diverse committee with

representation from several different areas—community members

with differing career field interests, or parents of students in

different grade levels. Interested candidates for this committee

need to live within the Rockford Area School District boundaries,

should be interested in curriculum and instruction, and should

have a desire to help students succeed.

Starting in 2019-2020, meetings will be held in the evenings,

three times during the school year.

If you are interested in being a member of this committee starting

the 2019-2020 school year, please contact Kevin Keller, Director

of Teaching and Learning, at kellerk@rockford.k12.mn.us.

for the 7th Annual Thousand Heart Crow River Serve Day on Saturday,

Family friendly,children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Location:7650 Co.Rd.50.Rockford.Refreshing

mulch at REAMS and Galaxy entrances. Bring garden rakes, shovels and gloves.All volunteers must sign a waiver.

7600 Co.Rd 50. Under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Clean up trash,debris under stadium bleachers & around

3

Rockford Area Schools is one of 18 recipients of this years

planning grant that support the Safe Routes to School program,

the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced.

Safe Routes to School is a program to improve safety, reduce

traffic congestion around schools, increase physical activity and

improve health by making it easier for students to walk and

bicycle to school.

Planning assistance grants provide communities the resources to

convene a team, understand key issues, prioritize strategies and

identify solutions that fit the local need.

“Planning assistance grants are the first step for communities to

assess their current conditions for walking and bicycling to

school and decide what they need to strategically and effectively

implement a Safe Routes to School program,” said Dave Cowan,

SRTS coordinator, on the Safe Routes to Schools website. The

planning process works to engage stakeholders, analyze existing

data and set a prioritized list of strategies to make it safer and

easier for youth to walk and bicycle to school.

Cowan said, after a plan is developed, schools and communities

can use the plan to apply for funds to advance infrastructure such

as sidewalks, crosswalks and signage as well as non-

infrastructure solutions such as educational programming,

encouragement events and enforcement near schools.

Rockford Area Schools worked together with the City of

Rockford, City of Greenfield, the Rockford-Greenfield Chamber

of Commerce, Buffie Chiropractic and Wright County Health

Services to put together the grant application.

MnDOT announced the available planning assistance and

infrastructure grants in October 2018. The infrastructure

solicitation received $6.7 million in funding requests and 12

projects were awarded state funding for construction projects

totaling $2 million. Regional partners will administer planning

grants in their area and MnDOT will administer the construction

grants. Work on the Safe Routes to Schools plan will begin fall of

2019.

The Safe Routes to School grants in this solicitation are funded

with state and federal Safe Routes to School dollars. Historically,

nearly 70 percent of these funds have supported work within

Greater Minnesota communities.

Since 2005, MnDOT awarded more than $38 million in federal

and state funds to communities to support Safe Routes to School.

The majority of funding was awarded for infrastructure projects.

The remainder was allocated for programs and planning that

promote walkable and bikeable communities.

For more information, go to mndot.gov/saferoutes.

Pictured: Rockford Middle School students are in route to their

next outdoor learning activity.

District Awarded Safe Routes to Schools Planning Grant

FFA and Agri-Science—How One Helps the Other FFA is a student-led organization that enhances students’ experiences within an agricultural education

program. It is the largest youth organization in the country with over 650,000 members nationwide!

This isn’t the same FFA from 30 or 40 years ago either. The well-loved quote, “It’s not just cows, sows

and plows anymore; the modern FFA is about job seekers, beakers and speakers,” tends to act as a

reminder that agriculture is not just farming. Though the name “FFA” is still commonly used, Future

Farmers of America changed its official name in 1988 to “The National FFA Organization” in order to

reflect the growing diversity of the agriculture industry.

Did you know our district had the first middle school only FFA chapter in Minnesota? While all

students in grades 5-8 take a quarter-long Agri-science class, seventh and eighth grade students have the

opportunity to join the FFA chapter. “Our goals as a chapter are to serve the community, strengthen

agriculture, and grow as leaders,” said Advisor McKenzie Gregory. The 2018-2019 school year is the

fifth year of the Rockford Middle School chapter will serve as means for seventh and eighth grade students

to develop their leadership skills and discover a passion for agriculture before moving on to Rockford High

School's FFA chapter. For more information on Agri-Science and FFA, check out page 4 in this issue.

4 Rocket Report / May 2019

High School and Middle School

FFA Joins Farm Day at REAMS It is rare in any public school to have multiple grade levels of students, K-12, share in

one specific learning unit.

However, at Rockford Area Schools, members of the high school and middle school

FFA chapters joined together to plan and lead the elementary schools’ Kindergarten

Farm Day Stations in early April.

Prior to Farm Day, REAMS kindergarten students participated in a unit on farms where

they completed their very first research project about a farm animal. Each student picked

a farm animal and read nonfiction books to learn about the animal. Then, the students

wrote their own books and created posters, flip books and other projects to share their

favorite facts about the animal. In addition to the work completed at school, each student

also made a 3-D model of the animal in their farm environment at home, with help from

their families. Back at school, students worked on their public speaking skills by sharing

their farm animal reports, their posters, and displaying their 3-D models in front of their

peers.

On Farm Day, April 12, kindergartners dressed as farmers to learn about many parts of

the agriculture industry through Farm Day Stations. The primary goal of Farm Day

Stations is to expose our district’s youngest students to the importance of agriculture

with a focus on where our food comes from as well as the hard work it takes to produce it. This event isn’t only beneficial for

kindergarten students; it also provides a opportunity for FFA members to share their passion for agriculture and to improve their

leadership skills.

In addition to help from FFA members, community support played a

large role in the success of the event. Local dairy farmer, Lori

Patnode, and Minnesota Ag in the Classroom Education Specialist,

Sue Knott, led stations as well. For the past two years, Farm Day has

occurred at the same time as an April snow storm. Next year, all

groups involved are hoping for warmer weather so live farm animals

can be included in the station rotation.

“We would like to give special thanks to Minnesota Agriculture in

the Classroom, Patnode Dairy Farm, MN Pork Producers, and MN

Beef Council for their time, efforts, and donations for student take-

home bags on Kindergarten Farm Day,” said Agri-Science Teacher

and Middle School FFA Advisor McKenzie Gregory.

For more information on this collaborative event, contact either the

middle school office at 763-477-5831 or the elementary office at

763-477-5837.

Pictured: (above) Kindergartner Luke Dugan shares his Farm Day

model project. (below) Examples of kindergarten research projects

for Farm Day.

Station Themes Led by

Pig Feed Sacks: Students learned

what nutrients and types of food pigs

eat by creating their own feed sack of

comparable snacks along with learning

what food products pigs provide.

FFA Members

Dairy Cows: Students learned about

life on a dairy farm through videos and

stories shared by a real dairy farmer

and explored the types of feed cows eat

and the dairy products they make.

Lori Patnode

Chickens: Students learned about

the lifecycle and parts of a chicken.

FFA Poultry

Evaluation Team

Members

Farm Equipment & Technology:

Students learned how farmers use

technology and equipment to make

their jobs a bit easier while playing

with scale model farm toys.

FFA Members

All About Corn: Students learned

about the many uses of corn in

common daily products we use and

plant needs while making corn

necklaces to take care of using corn

seed, plastic bags, and water beads.

Sue Knott

5

A bright and welcoming light.

The smell of fresh vegetables.

Lush green. In April, in Minnesota.

Impossible? Not with the newest tool for environmental studies

at the Rockford Middle School Center for Environmental

Studies—a Crop Crate.

RMS-CES received the Crop Crate on April 19 from 25:2

Solutions, a company located in downtown Rockford. Owned by

Eric and Kim Jackson, 25:2 Solutions uses “artificial intelligence,

genomics, optimized growing environments, 3D printed drones,

and cutting edge imaging software to offer agricultural solutions

that work” to the world. (https://www.25-2.com/)

The Crop Crate’s new home is the result of conversation between

the Jacksons, who have three children attending Rockford Area

Schools, their staff of scientists, and the RMS-CES staff

members. With the shared passion for the environment and

agriculture, it’s no wonder the group had a lot to talk about.

Principal Dr. Anderson-Hume explained, “At Rockford Middle

School, we want our students to understand that agriculture is not

just about farming, it’s about food. We will always have a need

for food; however, we are increasingly losing the capacity to

grow that food.” Additionally, technology has changed the

industry, so studying agriculture or choosing careers in

agriculture means our students could be working in an important

industry that is both considered to be fast-moving and high-

tech. Since these fields are so vast, students will be able to find a

number of career paths. Whether students are looking to get

more into the sciences – and study biology, physics, and

chemistry – or if they are looking to get into the business side,

the options are many for our students. Therefore, the Crop Crate

serves RMS-CES students on several levels.

Once the Crop Crate was placed in its new home on the first day,

its impact on students was incredible. “The bell rang to change

classes and students were immediately drawn to the crate. What

is it? How does it work? Is it ours? These were the questions

that students had to know right away,” explained the Anderson-

Hume.

This is where the learning begins. The Crop Crates created by

25:2 Solutions are hydroponic gardens complete with the light

and water systems capable of taking a seed and transforming it to

food in a fraction of the time of a typical garden, without the

issues of a typical garden. The complete system is housed in a

6x5 food wooden crate and controlled by an app on a cell phone.

Every hour, on the hour, fertilized water is fed to the root systems

of more than 24 fruits and vegetables for 10 minutes. Two kinds

of lights are also automated to create the perfect growing climate

that can grow lettuce in as little as two weeks.

The Crop Crate will provide RMS-CES students with the ability

to experiment and study plants in a way that has never been

possible at school. Not only can students choose the plants, they

can determine the amount of water, food source, and light source

of the plants they choose. Further, our new Crop Crate also

comes with Wi-Fi cameras that allow

students to capture the data that results from

their manipulation of those variables. In the

spirit of STEM, students will be able to

apply what they have learned globally, to

begin think about agriculture in other parts

of the world. Rockford Middle School –

Center for Environmental

Studies is excited about this

opportunity and is appreciative

to 25:2 Solutions for providing

this real-world learning

experience for students!

Pictured: (right) Middle

school students check out the

new Crop Crate. (below)

Vegetables thrive under the

Crop Crate’s controlled

environment.

Check out our website for more information

www.rockford.k12.mn.us

Crop Crates—New Learning Tool At RMS-CES

2018-19 Successful Year for DECA The Rockford High School DECA has a successful year with

29 of 46 students qualifying for state competitions in March.

This is an incredible accomplishment and testament to the

recruiting efforts of the council members and hard work of

each DECA member. Three students, Kailey DeWolfe, Jessie

Seymour, and Molly Nooyen, then went on to qualify for the

International Competition held April 27-May 1 in Orlando, FL.

With over a 60 year history, DECA has touched the lives of

more than ten million students, educators, school

administrators and business professionals since it was founded

in 1946. For more information about DECA in Minnesota, go

to www.mndeca.org

DECA Council

Wolfe: President, Kelsey Ander-

son: V.P. of Marketing, Jessie

Seymour: V.P. of Finance, Jade

Ellis: V.P. of Hospitality, Molly

Nooyen: V.P. of Sales, Bryn Lon-

don: V.P. of Communication)

6 Rocket Report / May 2019

The Rockford Elementary Arts Magnet School staff partner with many local artists to provide unique learning experiences for

students in the areas of dance, drama, music, visual arts, and diversity during the school year.

Arts Coordinator Darren Eliason helps to plan these special events to ensure that students at every grade level will have an

opportunity to work with a specific artist in residence during their K-4 experience. These valued partnerships allow students to work

with many of the artists for two or more sessions and often couple their learning with a connected field trip.

First grade learners recently welcomed dance artist-in-residence, Karla Nweje. Students created movements of the four stages of the

life cycle of a frog as they were learning many facts about frogs. First, Karla taught the students about how to shape their bodies like

an egg. Then, students were encouraged to move their bodies like a tadpole, a froglet, and an adult frog. Through this exercise,

students were creating and learning through dance standards as well as science standards.

Second grade students are currently working with artist, Julie Boada. They are using recycled

materials to create masks that help them share Native American stories using techniques in visual

arts, drama, and literary arts. Students were able to share their art and performances during the

annual second grade Grandparent’s Day.

“Our students have such a wonderful respect for these artists and what they learn from them,”

stated Principal Brenda Nyhus, “They are definitely making connections on a deeper level of

learning with these incredibly talented individuals.”

Partnerships also include other opportunities for students. The National Theatre for Children gave

performances about Safety with Electricity to students this winter; CLIMB Theatre will visit

REAMS this spring to share a performance about self control; and the local North Star Boys Choir

will sing for REAMS students in the coming weeks.

The goal is to ensure that each child has the opportunity to expand their learning in a fun and

creative way. The students and staff are honored that so many of the local artists return to the

elementary school each year. The partnerships as well

as the special relationships that have been cultivated

with all of these talented people have become so

valuable to student learning and growing.

Pictured: (above, left) Jackson Wilcox smiles as he

becomes an adult frog. (above, right) Dance artist,

Karla Nwege, works with first grade students during

their artist in residence experience. (left) Artist Julie

Boada shares ideas about the masks and puppets for

the students to create. (bottom, left) An examples of

student puppet and mask creations that were created

with artist Julie Boada.

From Tadpoles to Native American Masks Using Artists to Provide Unique Learning Experiences

7

Rockford Area Schools is growing our Facebook, Twitter,

Instagram and YouTube channels to keep parents, students,

community and alumni in the loop of what is happening at our

schools, to promote events and share information like concerts,

and other reminders, and, most of all, to celebrate our students!

Social Media Communications

School Meals Don’t Have to Stop Just Because Its Summer

Hennepin County

Intermediate School District 287

Address: 5530 Zealand Avenue North, New Hope, MN 55428

Dates: 6/10/2019 - 6/27/2019

Days of Operation: M,T,W,TH Closed on Fridays

Meals: Breakfast 08:45 - 09:30 am, Lunch 11:45 am- 12:15 pm

Site Phone Number: (763) 550-7136

Brooklyn United Methodist Church

Address: 7200 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429

Dates: 6/7/2019 - 8/30/2019

Days of Operation: M,W,F

Meals: Lunch 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Site Phone Number (612) 392-5634

Westonka Senior High School

Address: 5905 Sunnyfield Rd E, Mound, MN 55364

Dates: 6/10/2019 - 8/15/2019

Days of Operation: M,T,W,TH Closed June 24-July 5th

Meals: Breakfast 9:15 - 10:15 am, Lunch 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Site Phone Number: (952) 491-8084

Wright County

Montrose Elementary School

Address: 100 SE 2nd St, Montrose, MN 55363

Dates: 6/12/2019 - 8/23/2019

Days of Operation: M,T,W,TH,F Closed July 4th, 5th

Meals: Breakfast 7:30 - 9:30 am, Lunch 10:45 am - 1:00 pm

Site Phone Number: (763) 682-8772

Discovery Elementary School

Address: 301 NE 2nd Ave, Buffalo, MN 55313

Dates: 6/12/2019 - 8/23/2019

Days of Operation: M,T,W,TH,F Closed July 4th, 5th

Meals: Breakfast 7:30 - 9:45 am, Lunch 10:45 am - 1:00 pm

Site Phone Number: (763) 682-8772

Northwinds Elementary School

Address: 1111 7th Ave NW, Buffalo, MN 55313

Dates: 6/12/2019 - 8/23/2019

Days of Operation: M,T,W,TH,F Closed July 4th, 5th

Meals: Breakfast 7:30 - 9:45 am, Lunch 10:45 am - 1:00 pm

Site Phone Number: (763) 682-8772

Summer Eats Minnesota serves free healthy and delicious meals during the summer.

It’s open to children up to age 18. Best of all, no registration required. Kids just show

up and eat.

How to locate free meals:

Download the FREE “Summer Eats Minnesota” app from your smartphone’s app

store and find serving sites nearby.

Or text “summer meals” to 97779.

Have your address ready and find the serving sites near you. There are free serving sites

across the state at parks, recreation centers, community centers, libraries, and schools.

Adding more sites daily starting June 10th so watch for updates! Below is the current

listing of locations closest to families in our school district.

Go to www.summereatsmn.org for more information. This institution is an equal

opportunity provider. This program is funded by the USDA.

REAMS Math & Reading Night Rockford Elementary Arts Magnet School hosted its annual math

and reading night on Thursday, April 25. Nearly 200 participants

enjoyed a pizza dinner, along with many games and activities to

help them increase their math and reading skills.

REAMS Math and Reading Night provided a family-friendly

evening where kids were able to come with their parents and

siblings to learn fun ways to increase their skills through games,

activities, technology tools, and arts integration. There are lots of

creative ways to incorporate math and reading into daily

activities to help kids keep their skills sharp, especially during

those summer months. Thanks to all of the families who attended

and had fun with their kids learning some new math and reading

games.

Independent School District 883 ROCKFORD AREA SCHOOLS 6051 Ash Street Rockford, MN 55373

Postal Patron ECRWSS

PRSTD STD

Non-Profit Org.

US Postage

PAID Madelia MN

Permit No. 4

Rocket Report / May 2019

Four Rockford High School seniors were honored at the 2019

Students of Excellence Recognition event on Wednesday, April

24, in St. Cloud.

“Congratulations to Students of Excellence Award recipients,

Madeline Altman, Andrea Dibble, Jade Ellis, and Victoria Nelson

for representing Rockford High School at this years’ banquet and

recognition ceremony,” said Rhonda Dean, RHS principal, “This

event, sponsored by Resource Training Solutions, recognizes the

accomplishments of the region’s top senior students. Each

recipient received a plaque and Governor’s certificate for their

accomplishments. Thank you to our recipients and best wishes to

you in all your future endeavors.”

Joe Beckman, keynote speaker at the 2019 Students of

Excellence Recognition event, told the high school seniors to

remember that “everybody has a story,” and that sometimes they

will find that things can get a little messy. Beckman went on to

suggest students repeat three phrases to themselves when faced

with life’s challenges: 1) “Love YOU!” 2) “Push through.” and

3) “Just look up.” "Love You!” means to stop comparing yourself

to others. “Push through” means that, when life is difficult, look

for the positives present within the negatives. “Just look up”

means always keep appreciation for the small wonders in life—

this habit will help when times are tough. Making good human

connections is what can make a difference for people.

The evening honored the top 139 high school seniors from 34

high schools in Resource Training & Solution’s Region 7.

Criteria for selection to attend the event is at the discretion of the

honoree’s school, but also based upon Resource’s recommended

guidelines.

Resource has hosted the Students of Excellence Recognition

event for 33 years. During that time, 4,829 high school seniors

have been honored.

Visit www.resourcecoop-mn.gov/programs-services/students-of-

excellence to see photographs of the 2019 honorees.

Pictured: Madeline Altman, Jade Ellis, Victoria Nelson,

Principal Rhonda Dean and Andrea Dibble posed for a group

photo at the recognition event.

RHS Seniors Recognized as Students of Excellence

On Tuesday, April 16, Rockford High School hosted the

JazzMN Orchestra for a joint concert with Rockford’s own Jazz

Band I.

The JazzMN Orchestra is a big band based out of the Twin Cities

consisting primarily of professional musicians. Their artistic

director is Dr. Doug Snapp, director of jazz studies at the

University of MN, Mankato. JazzMN tours throughout the

Midwest and has several albums to its credit. Rockford’s Jazz

Band I began the night by playing five charts with several

students featured throughout the evening. Four Rockford

students, Madeline Altmann on saxophone, Evan Rootness on

trumpet, Noah Lewis on trombone, and Sean Hoekstra on

trombone, also performed on stage with JazzMN.

Pictured: JazzMN Orchestra performing at Rockford High

School in April.

JazzMN Orchestra Performs in Rockford