Matt Zokoe - Principal
mzokoe@rockfordschools.org
Address: 6849 Young Avenue, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Phone: (616) 863-6340
From the Desk of Mr. Zokoe
Greetings Lakes Families,
Welcome, everyone, to the 2026-27 school year. I hope that you are enjoying the last weeks of summer vacation with your family. We are nearing the start of school and are looking forward to having our hallways and classrooms once again full of students learning and collaborating. I want to welcome those families that are new to Lakes. Our Lakes Community is great, and I am glad you are now part of it. My goal for the year is that you feel a sense of belonging and community as we embark on this new school year. To learn more about Lakes and the opportunities to support what we do here, the first PTO meeting is Thursday, September 10th, at 7 pm, here at school.
Please review the PowerSchool and start-of-school information below to help ensure a successful start to the year. PowerSchool: Complete your PowerSchool parent login and student verification. It is IMPERATIVE to complete the verification. The completed verification allows students to participate in school-related events, including field trips and picture day. This is also where you can add other guardians/emergency contacts, let us know of any changes to medical history, and provide us with other important information.
Medications: Any students with daily or emergency medications, please review our nursing policies (Nursing Services), fill out appropriate paperwork, and drop medications off at the office before or on the first day of school. Both a physician and a guardian must sign all medication forms.
Hearing and Vision Paperwork: Kindergarten families, email (Ecampbell@rockfordschools.org) or drop off hearing and vision screening results to the office before the first day of school.
Materials: Please label everything! Water bottles, hoodies, coats, shoes, hats, lunch boxes...everything! Our lost and found fills up fast, and we want to make sure we are getting materials back to your kiddos.
Staff Roster 2026-2027
Office Staff:
Office - Admin Assistant, Kathy Low
Office - Attendance Secretary, Evie Campbell
Principal- Matt Zokoe
Instructional Staff:
K - Elizabeth Onak and Abby Wallis
1st - Kelly Farran, Kate Kraft, and Mary MacKenzie
2nd - Emily Sedlock and Amanda Glass/Magan Zawacki
3rd - Kayla Nelson, Nichole Gittus, and Marisa Ejups
4th - Andrea Baird, Kelsie DeBoer, and Madison Doenges
5th - Rachael Fierge, Rachel Schirmann, and Jeff Post
C/I- Aubree Throop
Instructional Coach- Jen Patten
PE - Bethany McClure
Art - Naomi Poel
Music - Claire McCloskey
Library - Trisha VanStensel
STEAM- Dawn Bailey
Resource Room - Stepfanee Dubay
Resource Room Para- Jennifer Tschetter
Speech Pathologist - Bailey Stowe
Social Worker - Katie Remtema
Support Dog- Phoenix
Paraprofessional Support:
Jenna Wilfong, Kelly Kading, Caryn Hoisington, Melissa Gerould, Janelle Post, and Beth Nash
Cook:
Alyssa Roncka
Interventionists:
Reading- Kay Mata and Julie Proefrock
Math- Anna Carney
Custodial Staff:
Heather Day, Angie Harger, and Joe Firme
Supply Lists
We know you are excited! If you are ready to do some shopping, please find the Supply Lists linked above. All donations are greatly appreciated. Don't forget to grab a permanent marker to label your student's personal items.
Rockford Book Bus
We hope you caught the Book Bus this summer! There will be a collection box at Lakes once school resumes and you may return your borrowed books to us.
Upcoming Dates
- 8/17: Teacher Names available to Students and Families
- 8/19: Family Open House from 6pm - 7pm
- 8/24: First Day of the 2026/2027 School Year
- 9/17: School Picture Day (save the date!)
Important Links
After the Bell - Rockford Community Services Registrations
School Assistance Program Information
School Lunch Offerings or the Nutrislice App on your mobile phone
