Jackson Charter School

It's happening TODAY (7/31) at The Union in downtown Rockford! We're hosting a mixer for educational professionals to come together, connect, and to hear a couple of short presentations on mental health within our industry. Head on over to the Facebook event for all the details! https://www.facebook.com/events/1005801272040965

We're getting all geared up to start the school year! 💪 These are just a few photos from one of our Professional Development days we hosted this week! 📸 Big shout out and thank you to our Community Partner, Rockford Park District, for hosting our event. 🙏

Joining us for this Friday's Education Professionals Mixer is Warren Baykin of NAMI Northern Illinois! Come hear what he has to say in regards to mental health in our profession. Whether you're in administration, leadership, or the classroom. We want you to join us! RSVP at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeD_bIxhRv8T6G8O4RwmWWT03TlIL8tNxqZLvR5ShkFc7evWg/viewform Warren Boykin is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated with a B.A. degree in Political Science from Rockford College in Rockford, Illinois. Warren began his professional career as a Systems Engineer at IBM, and as a Personal Computer Support Specialist at ABC Supply Co., Inc., and the Rockford Public School District. Warren then worked for nearly 20 years as a Behavioral Specialist on a hospital inpatient psychiatric unit in Rockford, Illinois. Over those years, Warren conducted educational groups and supported patients ranging in age from young children to older adults. Topics covered in the educational groups included: Wellness, Depression and Anxiety, and Relaxation Techniques. In 2012, while he was still working for the hospital, Warren was invited to join the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) as a Connection Recovery Support Group Facilitator. In 2022, after leaving the hospital, Warren was hired as the Program and Outreach Coordinator for NAMI Northern Illinois. Since then, he has obtained his Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification from the State of Illinois and Advanced-Level Facilitator certification in W.R.A.P. (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). In addition to being a NAMI Connection Support Group Facilitator, Warren is also a certified teacher for a number of NAMI courses, including: NAMI Peer-to-Peer; NAMI’s (Mental Health) Provider Education course; NAMI In Our Own Voice; and NAMI’s Ending the Silence program for Middle and High School faculty, students, and students’ family members.

Just a gentle reminder that our Back to School House Party is coming up fast! Make sure you have August 11th on your calendar. 🥳 Music, food truck, games, prizes, and more. Be sure to bring your school supplies for drop off and wear your House Colors! 🔴🔵⚫️🟢 We can't wait to see everyone!

Come meet your new principal on Thursday, August 6th, from 4:00 - 5:00 PM here at Jackson Charter School! 🥰 New Jackson families are invited to stay for our Ice Cream Social hour being held right afterwards from 5 - 6. 🍦 Hope to see you there!

Reveur is our blue house and the House of Dreamers. 💙 Rêveur is a royal House whose name in French means “dreamers” or “idealists” — because the members who fill this group are students filled with freedom and wild abandon who recognize their dreams and will let nothing stand in the way of achieving them. This can be seen in the unicorn, which is on the center of the House’s crest, a powerful creature who is almost impossible to tame. Similarly, the House of Rêveur is a House of passion.

We're excited to announce Dr. Kevin L Thomas as one of our guest speakers for our upcoming Education Professionals Mixer event! 🎉 It's happening Friday, July 31st (5-7pm) at The Union in downtown Rockford. 🗓️ We can't wait to see you there! Dr. Kevin L. Thomas is a licensed psychotherapist, speaker, mental health educator, and community leader with more than 17 years of experience in mental health and leadership development. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the State of the Mind Institute and owner of Kalm Oasis Therapy, where he helps individuals, organizations, and communities build resilience, strengthen relationships, and improve emotional well-being. Dr. Thomas specializes in trauma, marriage and family, leadership, and relationship dynamics. He has trained educators, healthcare professionals, corporate leaders, community leaders, faith communities, and nonprofit organizations, helping them better understand the connection between mental health, leadership, and everyday decision-making. A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Certified Relationship Specialist (CRS), and certified in Psychological First Aid (CPFA), Dr. Thomas combines clinical expertise with practical experience to make complex topics understandable, relevant, and actionable. He is the host of the MENtality Unchained podcast and author of several forthcoming books and manuals on trauma, mindset, and personal growth. He also serves as President of the Mu Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he continues his commitment to leadership, mentorship, and community service. Whether speaking to a boardroom, classroom, or community audience, Dr. Thomas is known for challenging people to think differently while equipping them with practical tools they can apply immediately in their personal and professional lives. "Everyone has the ability to change their circumstances only if they focus on what they can change."

Just a gentle reminder that our Back to School House Party is coming up fast! Make sure you have August 11th on your calendar. 🥳 Music, food truck, games, prizes, and more. Be sure to bring your school supplies for drop off and wear your House Colors! 🔴🔵⚫️🟢 We can't wait to see everyone!

Episode 4 is officially live! Here's the trailer to give you a sneak peek. 🫣 To catch the full episode, follow the link: https://jacksoncharterschool.org/turnaround-story/ Thank you to all our partners that made this possible! United Way, GRO Community, and our after school programming partners.

We're doing a digital introduction of our new Principal, Ms. Coleman, ahead of our official Meet the Principal event on August 6th. Here's a letter from Ms. Coleman... Dear Jackson Charter School Families, Staff, and Students, I am honored and excited to join the Jackson Charter School community. For more than 21 years, my professional journey has been guided by a deep commitment to education, equity, and the belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. My path into education was not traditional. Before entering the field of education, I worked as a Senior Financial Analyst with CNA Insurance Company. Following the events of September 11, 2001, I found myself reflecting on purpose, impact, and how I could best serve others. That reflection led me to education, a profession that allows me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students, families, and communities every day. I earned my bachelor's degree from Fisk University and later completed master's degrees in Elementary Education and Educational Leadership, along with certification in Secondary Mathematics. Throughout my career, I have served as a classroom teacher, instructional facilitator, middle school administrator, and, most recently, a high school principal. Each role has strengthened my belief that strong relationships, high expectations, and equitable opportunities are the foundation of student success. As an educator and leader, I am passionate about creating school environments where students feel safe, supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. I believe every child can achieve excellence when surrounded by caring adults who foster belonging, curiosity, and confidence. My leadership approach is rooted in collaboration, transparency, continuous improvement, and a commitment to ensuring all students have access to high-quality educational experiences. I am thrilled to become part of the Jackson Charter School family and look forward to partnering with students, staff, and families as we build upon the school's successes and create even greater opportunities for learning and achievement. Warm regards, Ms. Coleman

Come meet your new principal on Thursday, August 6th, from 4:00 - 5:00 PM here at Jackson Charter School! 🥰 New Jackson families are invited to stay for our Ice Cream Social hour being held right afterwards from 5 - 6. 🍦 Hope to see you there!

The next house to introduce is the House of Friendship, Amistad! Amistad is the House that originates from Spain. A group of individuals that are quiet but powerful, they are known most for their kindness of heart. This is why, in the language of their ancestry, their name means “friendship.” Incoming members are often a mix of extremes — our students can be extremely intelligent, creative, friendly, and competitive; Amistad is a very diverse group! The House takes great inspiration from its symbolic animal, the peacock, and the leaders always remind the members of this saying: “Once the peacock finds its feathers, it discovers who it really is.”

The 2026/2027 school year will be here before we know it! 🤯 Our classrooms are filling up fast, but there's still some limited availability. Don't miss out on the opportunity to register your student! Just follow the link below and submit our online interest form. 👇 https://jacksoncharterschool.org/interest-form/

The 2026/2027 school year will be here before we know it! 🤯 Our classrooms are filling up fast, but there's still some limited availability. Don't miss out on the opportunity to register your student! Just follow the link below and submit our online interest form. 👇 https://jacksoncharterschool.org/interest-form/

Our Back to School House Party is coming up fast! Make sure you have August 11th on your calendar. 🥳 Music, food truck, games, prizes, and more. Be sure to bring your school supplies for drop off and wear your House Colors! 🔴🔵⚫️🟢 We can't wait to see everyone!

Happy birthday, America! 🥳 We hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July holiday as we celebrate the 250th birthday of our wonderful nation! 🇺🇸

Yesterday was our last day of Summer Programming. 😎 We're so thankful for the support from the Boys & Girls Club and the whole team that made it happen. Every day is a good day to learn something new and we're excited for the school year to start! 📚

If you're an educator that believes in the power of the performing arts, that every child should have a sense of belonging, and that adult support is crucial for student success, then you belong here at Jackson Charter School! We have several positions available that require passionate and skilled educators to fill. Send your resumer to ewrenn@jacksoncharterschool.org or call 815-316-0093 to learn more.

If you're an educational professional (teacher, admin, leader, support staff) then we want to meet you! We're hosting a mixer for educational professionals to come together, connect, and to hear a couple of short presentations on mental health within our industry. Head on over to the Facebook event for all the details! https://www.facebook.com/events/1005801272040965

It's not too late to enroll your student at Jackson Charter School! 🤩 Our classrooms are filling up fast, but we still have limited availability, so don't want to give us a call or submit our interest form. Link and phone number are below. ⬇️ https://jacksoncharterschool.org/interest-form/ 815-316-0093

Jackson has a variety of athletics programs for your scholar to participate in! From basketball to dance, as well as our partnership with Girls on the Run. 🏀💃🏃‍♀️ There's a team for your scholar to join, here at Jackson Charter School!

If you're an educator that believes in the power of the performing arts, that every child should have a sense of belonging, and that adult support is crucial for student success, then you belong here at Jackson Charter School! We have several positions available that require passionate and skilled educators to fill. Send your resumer to ewrenn@jacksoncharterschool.org or call 815-316-0093 to learn more.

We still have seats available for our Kindergarten classrooms! Don't miss out on your chance to enroll your scholar at Jackson Charter where we have: 🏰 The Ron Clark House System so every student feels like they belong. 🎶 Dedicated performing arts programming. 🤝 Buddy system so every scholar has a trusted adult. 🤩 Plus a whole lot more! Follow the link below to submit your interest form and schedule a tour! https://jacksoncharterschool.org/interest-form/

We're re-energizing our House System this upcoming school year! To re-introduce Rockford area families to why the Ron Clark House System is so unique and amazing, check out this YouTube video! ⬇️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv760LThBlU

We officially have our theme for next year! 👏 We're not ready to release all the details, but here's a little teaser for you. IYKYK. 😉

The 2026/2027 school year will be here before we know it! 🤯 Our classrooms are filling up fast, but there's still some limited availability. Don't miss out on the opportunity to register your student! Just follow the link below and submit our online interest form. 👇 https://jacksoncharterschool.org/interest-form/

The classrooms are empty and the hallways are quiet. It's not the same without our scholars filling the building with laughter and learning. These next ten weeks, we're hard at work getting ready for the 2026/2027 school year! We're making changes, both big and small, to enhance the learning experience for our scholars and the operations for our team. We can't wait to share all the changes with you as we approach the new school year! Stay tuned!

Join us for the FatherHood United Family Field Day — an afternoon filled with fun, family, food, music, games, prizes, and community connections. Date: Saturday, June 20 Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Bring the entire family and enjoy: • Family-friendly games and activities • Live music by DJ Polo • Arts & Crafts activities • Community resources • Food and refreshments • Giveaways and prizes • The Rockford Dad Challenge One of the featured attractions is the Rockford Dad Challenge, where dads and father figures compete in fun events that test agility, memory, rhythm, and teamwork for amazing prizes and community bragging rights. This event is designed to celebrate fathers, strengthen families, and bring our community together. Register and learn more at: https://fieldday.fatherhoodunited.org We hope to see you there!

A few photos from our first day of summer programming @ The Boys and Girls Club Stenstrom! This is made possible in part through our partnership with the Golden Apple Foundation of Chicago. 🤩

The pictures are in from our first ever Art Spark Gala! We are beyond grateful for the amazing artists and performers that helped make this event possible. Iesha Sturdivant, Francois Bangwe, Nathan Taylor, Jenny Mathews, Drew, Eurek, and Rebecca Francis. Thank you to the Rockford Art Museum for hosting, and to all the volunteers that put everything together. We can't wait to bring you this event again next year!

Today we get to celebrate our last official day of school with our scholars! 😎 We're wishing everyone an amazing summer vacation and we can't wait to see all your smiling faces this fall!

Today we honor and remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and our freedoms. 🇺🇸🫡

Reminder that there will be no school no Monday, May 25th, in observance of Memorial Day. 🇺🇸 We hope all our staff, scholars, and Jackson Families have a wonderful 3 day weekend!

Ms. Cokes nominated our Lunch Crew as the Jackson Staff of the Week! 🤩 Here's what she wrote in her nomination... "I nominate the lunch crew for all that they do for our building. I love the interactions and different relationships they have built with our scholars. The amazing food they prepare. Making a way with children who are picky and going above and beyond to make sure each scholar is satisfied. Also, all that they do for me and other staff. Thank you Thank you!"

Reminder that today we celebrate our 5th Graders with our Moving to Middle event! 🥳 We're so excited to be sending our amazing 5th graders off to new adventures in middle school. Be sure to join us at West Middle School this evening. 👏 Doors open at 5:30 PM!

Dr. Wrenn is here to give everyone an end-of-year update! We have some exciting news to share, so check out the video for all the details!

Summer Programming sign ups have officially opened! 😎 Follow the link below to the Google Doc for registration. ⬇️ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlU1EGRh7De2SKItGA8M--YQtcLv_XbbkpBiDxKO4cvjoBAw/viewform If you have any questions, please contact our front desk at 815-316-0093

Congratulations to Ms. Cokes for receiving the Jackson Charter Staff of the Week award! 🏆 Ms. Lasher submitted her nomination and this is what she had to say... "I would like to nominate Ms. Cokes for all of her hard work at Jackson. She is always willing to help and jump in when needed. She is consistent with the kids, and they know who she is, what her expectations are, and that she expects their best. She holds them accountable and maintains high standards because she knows each of them is capable of meeting them."

Art isn't just beautiful, it inspires. 🎨 This is just one of the examples of work inside our halls that's designed to inspire our scholars and staff.

Our next Kindergarten Open House is happening THIS SATURDAY (5/9) at Jackson Charter School. 🤩 Come meet our amazing Kindergarten team and see the classrooms. You'll get to learn about our performing arts programs, our social emotional learning, and all the other things that make Jackson Charter School amazing. We can't wait to see you there! Call 815-316-0092 to RSVP. ☎️

Ms. Lasher is our Staff of the Week! She was nominated by Ms. Brenum and here's what she had to say. "She has been so supportive of me and jumped right in to help me when needed. She still helps with student support even though she is teaching P.E full time as well. Thank you Ms Lasher :)"

ICYMI, the latest episode of our story series is out on YouTube! We dive deep into the tactics used inside the classroom to enact our MTSS strategies. Dr. Wrenn introduces the video in this clip, but you can catch the full episode here. 👇 https://jacksoncharterschool.org/turnaround-story/

Tomorrow is the day! Our Art Spark Gala is here! This is your LAST CHANCE to buy your tickets. Our Art Spark Gala will feature a live performance from Iesha Sturdivant, four local visual artists showcasing their work, DJ, food, drinks, and admission to the Rockford Art Museum. If you're someone that values our local arts culture and want to see it continue into the future, then you need to be at this event! You can get your tickets at the link below!👇 https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/art-spark-gala

We want to give a very special shout out and thank you to our Petite Sponsor for our upcoming Art Spark Gala event! Thank you Midland State Bank for supporting the future artists of Rockford. Your sponsorship helps make our performing arts programming possible!

We are so excited to announce that Rebecca Francis will be joining us for our inaugural Art Spark Gala as our guest speaker! Rebecca Francis, M.P.A. is a change management consultant, speaker, educator, and the Founder and CEO of Ignite Change Solutions, a firm dedicated to strengthening leadership, advancing organizational development, and driving community impact. With over a decade of experience across business, education, and community organizations, Rebecca is known for translating complex challenges into practical, people-centered solutions. She is the creator of the FLAMEWORK, a strategic model that guides organizations through intentional transformation by aligning leadership, operations, and culture. In addition to her consulting work, Rebecca teaches entrepreneurship, as well as Critical Thinking and Persuasion at the collegiate level, where she partners students with real organizations to solve real-world challenges. She is also a creator in the arts, Executive Producer, and Vice President of the Soar Awards, a platform that celebrates the arts, leadership, and excellence. A lifelong advocate for youth and access, Rebecca has served as a board member of the Rockford Area Arts Council and has trained and supported local arts initiatives, while also engaging as a parent participant. Her broader work includes leadership and advisory roles across efforts focused on youth development, mental health, and community safety. Rebecca has been recognized for her leadership and impact, including honors such as 40 Under 40 and Advocate of the Year. Rebecca is known for not just checking the box, but moving the needle. It's not too late to purchase your tickets! 👇 https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/art-spark-gala

Come see Drew Eurek and more at our Art Spark Gala event THIS SATURDAY (May 2nd)! Your attendance and support helps make our arts programming at Jackson Charter School possible. Drew wants to show all the corrections on his work as a reminder that everything is a process while also creating depth. His work also attempts to capture what one can only see in their peripheral vision. Get your tickets now! https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/art-spark-gala

It's National Bus Drivers Appreciation Day! 🥳 We surprised our amazing bus drivers with a thank you package, which included a cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes. You could say we have Nothing Bundt Love for our bus drivers. 😆

With our Art Spark Gala right around the corner, we wanted to showcase some of the art and artists our scholars are making and learning about. Frida Kahlo is a celebrated Mexican painter known for her self-portraits and works inspired by Mexican nature and artifacts.

Support Jackson Charter School's performing arts programs as well as local artist, Francois Bangwe, at our upcoming Art Spark Gala event! Francoisebangwewa is a Congolese artist, painter, designer , and educator whose work bridges creative excellence with social media transformation, Born in may 2003 in Democratic Republic of Congo, Francois discovered his passion for drawing at age of twelve and developed his skills independently through disciplined practice and observation. Purchase your tickets today. Event is THIS SATURDAY (May 2nd) at Rockford Art Museum. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/art-spark-gala

You've seen her work in the murals around Rockford! Jenny Mathews is one of our guest artists for our upcoming Art Spark Gala! She is Rockford’s 2022 Artist of the year, the City of Freeport’s 2019 Resident Artist, Angelic Organic’s Resident artist for 2020, an active member of the Rockford Art Attack Movement and a resident artist at Mainfraim. Come support Rockford's current and future culture creators! Purchase your tickets for our Art Spark Gala, held on May 2nd at the Rockford Art Museum. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/art-spark-gala