Belmont Elementary School
6097 Belmont Ave NE
Belmont, MI 49306
616.863.6362
Dear Belmont Families,
We had a pretty great first week back after Spring Break, and last night's music program was the cherry on top! Our kids sang, drummed, danced, and put a smile on all of our faces for sure! We cannot thank you enough for joining us for their performance. What a gift music education is, and what a talented group of students we have here at Belmont! Thanks, too, to Mrs. VerMerris for bringing out the best in our students and helping them shine bright on that stage.
With gratitude,
Rachel DeKuiper, Principal
rmdekuiper@rockfordschools.org
616.863.6362
VIP Breakfast volunteers
Our PTO is putting on an awesome morning event for some very important people. On April 23 and 24, from 7:30-8:15, students will enjoy breakfast with a very important person of their choosing. Please visit the sign-up below if you'd like to volunteer and join in the fun. Thank you!
VIP BREAKFAST INVITE
Belmont Teacher and Staff Appreciation
Our PTO is busy, busy this time of year! From VIP Breakfasts to Teacher and Staff Appreciation, they know how to bring the Belmont community together and support each other. Please consider donating to Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week using the link below. Thank you!!
School Culture Survey results
In January, stakeholders had the opportunity to participate in our Annual School Culture Survey. Students, staff, and families answered several questions about teaching and learning, school safety, and interpersonal relationships. Please join us in reflecting upon the survey results. You are welcome to share your thoughts, questions, and insights with Mrs. DeKuiper at rmdekuiper@rockfordschools.org. Thank you!
2026 School Culture Survey - Students
Outdoor Education at Edgerton Trails
Please find below information about the 4th and 5th-grade Outdoor Learning Program at Edgerton Trails. This link includes an invitation to an informational night and application information. The application link will be open from March 23 through April 17.
Outdoor Education Learning Program
Outdoor Education Application (open until 5 pm on April 17)
Volunteer Form and field trips
Spring is Field Trip Season! If you are planning to attend or hope to attend a field trip with your student, please consider filling out the volunteer form linked below. Volunteers are asked to complete a volunteer form EVERY year when working with students individually or in small groups. This includes special events, game days, field trips, etc. Thank you!!
RPS Whitecaps night
You're invited to support Rockford Public Schools and kick off your summer with the West Michigan Whitecaps!! Enjoy a fun night out and know that a portion of each ticket bought will be donated directly back to our schools. Game information: Tuesday, May 19th at 6:05 pm. Ticket prices are $20.50 per ticket or $26.50 with a hotdog and soda included. For more information or accessible seating needs, please contact Tyler Glave at TylerG@whitecapsbaseball.com. To purchase tickets please click on the link below.
Purchase Whitecaps Tickets Here
personal device update
Students are coming to school with personal devices, and many are finding their way into the classroom environment. Because of this, we are asking for your help as we revise our personal device expectations. These updates can be found in bold below. Thank you!
- Students with a cellphone may not use them during the school day. They should be stored in the child’s backpack at all times.
- Students who have their phones out during the school day will have their phones stored in the office until the end of the school day for pickup by a parent/guardian.
- Please do not text or call your student on their device during the school day. Communication should go through the office.
- Students with smartwatches should have their device set to school mode, which disables distracting smartwatch features—like calls, messages, and games—while keeping essential safety tools active.
- Students who interact with their watches during the school day will be asked to leave them in their backpacks.
- Students should not be wearing earbuds or other noise-canceling headphones unless it is a documented accommodation.
Thank you for your help with this!
Attendance/Illness Communication
Please contact the front office when your child will be absent, tardy, and/or picked up early by calling 616.863.6362. We appreciate you communicating directly with them so that they can let teachers know in real time.
When appropriate, please give us a brief description of why your student is absent (stomach flu, headache, respiratory infection, etc.). This allows us to respond to student/staff illness and do additional cleaning when necessary.
If you choose to send an email, please make sure you include both Holly and Katie in the front office. Their email addresses are hcombs@rockfordschools.org and ktrolla@rockfordschools.org. Teachers don't always get a chance to check their emails during the school day, and we appreciate your help with this!
School Breakfast and lunch menus
As you know, not everything on the school menu is loved by all students. Because of this, we encourage families to preview the menus linked below each day and plan accordingly if what is being served for breakfast and lunch is not something your student will eat.
Best Things We've Seen!
Belmont teachers and staff are using a bulletin board to recognize and celebrate, "The Best Things We've Seen This Month". Areas of emphasis include: Friendship, Kindness Squad, Readers, Spreading Smiles, Safe Choices, Motivated, Respectful, Sharing, Accountable, and Encouragement. If you visit our building, this positive board will be the first thing you see after walking through the vestibule. We've got great students and couldn't be prouder!
Transportation and busing
If you have questions about bus routes or times, please call the transportation office at 616-863-6328 or e-mail the director of transportation, Matt Puett, at mpuett@rockfordschools.org.
Transportation is also encouraging RPS families to get the My Ride app on their phones. For more information on this, please click on the RPS Transportation link below.
Standard Response Protocol (SRP)
HB 4096, the Revised School Safety Code, has been introduced to provide common language for schools during emergencies. Here is an overview of the FIVE actions schools may take when addressing emergencies.
LOCKDOWN - The term "lockdown" should be used when there is an existing threat in or at a school building or a threat is expected to arrive in or at a school building imminently. Secure in a room, confirm the door is locked, and move to a place of cover away from the door and any windows.
SECURE MODE - Determined when a LOCKDOWN, as described, is not necessary, but heightened security and awareness are needed due to a potential EXTERNAL threat. Instruction continues in a normal manner, but access to the school building and movement within the building is highly restricted.
SHELTER - This is used when it is safer to be inside the building than outside. Common situations where this is used would be severe weather approaching or some type of hazardous materials incident in proximity to the school.
EVACUATION - Deals with the need to evacuate the building as it is no longer deemed safe to occupy for any variety of reasons, like fire, chemical spill, gas leak, etc.
HOLD - Hold is utilized when there is a need to have students and staff remain in their classrooms as staff address a concern or issue (medical, student in crisis) in a hallway or common area. Students are released when the office announces all clear.
For more information about our SRP resource, please visit the I Love You Guys Website.
Upcoming Events:
April 22 - Earth Day!
April 23 - VIP Breakfast (A-K families)
April 23 - Belmont Elementary Night at the Whitecaps
April 24 - VIP Breakfast (L-Z families)
April 28 - Class Placement Considerations Due for 26/27 School Year (see below)
SAVE THE DATES:
May 4-8 - Belmont Teacher and Staff Appreciation
May 19 - RPS Night at the Whitecaps (ticket purchasing information below)
May 21 - Critter Barn Visits Belmont Elementary!
June 1 - Belmont Field Day
Approved RPS Calendar for 26/27 School Year
Spring Testing Calendar
Above is the Spring Testing Calendar for Belmont Elementary. Please find linked below a guide to Michigan's Education Assessment System (M-STEP). If you would like to obtain a paper copy of the above schedule, please call our office at: 616-863-6560.
Education Assessment - Michigan's System (What It Is, What It Means, and What It Offers)
volunteer opportunities reminder
We have several ongoing volunteer opportunities at Belmont Elementary! Please consider signing up for one of the following, but do not include the names of students when doing so. Thank you!
Got a passion for math and time to start each morning with some wonderful students? Reach out directly to Mrs. DeKuiper about volunteering regularly from 8:45-9:30 am. Our instructional coach, Mrs. Honeysett, will provide everything you need to get started.
Also, we have the opportunity to HIRE someone to help us during the lunch hour. This would be a five-hour/week position from 11:40-12:40. Don't hesitate to reach out if interested!
See you at the Ballpark!
Whitecaps tickets for Belmont's night at the ballpark were sent home this week. Please reach out to Holly (hcombs@rockfordschools.org or 616.863.6362) in the front office if you didn't get your tickets. Our seats are all in section 112. Students and chaperones will be able to move around to sit with family and friends.
We look forward to seeing so many of you on April 23. Game time is 6:35 pm!
Class Placement for 2026/27
Please respond to the Class Placement Input Form linked below by April 28, 2026. This form is to help inform our class placement meetings for the 26-27 school year. Please do not request a particular teacher within this form. We will consider all requests, but please know that many factors contribute to the creation of class lists and not all requests can be honored. Thank you!
Class Placement Parent/Guardian Input Link for 2026/27 School Year
REF Rockford Eats fundraiser
Rockford Eats: Supporting our schools and community
The Rockford Education Foundation (REF) is excited to announce the Rockford Eats Gift Card Fundraiser, running from April 20 to May 1, 2026! This unique opportunity supports Rockford students and lets you savor the best of our local dining scene. With each $100 donation to REF you’ll receive a $50 gift certificate to one of our fantastic restaurant partners of your choice!
Your generosity fuels local education initiatives and helps sustain the restaurants that make our community special. Gift cards will be mailed by REF the week of May 11, 2026.
SCHOOLS OF CHOICE ENROLLMENT IS OPEN
Rockford Public Schools is excited to invite you to apply for our Schools of Choice program for the 2026-27 school year! This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to experience a learning environment that aligns with their interests, academic needs, and personal growth. Rockford Public Schools is proud to offer a diverse range of programs, dedicated staff, and a supportive community focused on student success.
We look forward to partnering with you to support your child’s educational journey!
Kindergarten enrollment
Kindergarten enrollment for the 2026/2027 school year opened on February 18th. Children who turn five years old on or before December 1st, 2026, are eligible to enroll in DK and Kindergarten. All enrollment information can be found on our website at Enrollment Procedures - Rockford Public Schools.
BAC - 2026/27 School Year
Before and After School Care (BAC) Program
The BAC program is offered at all elementary schools in the RPS district, available Monday - Friday, 7:00 am until the start of school, and at the end of the school day until 6:00 pm. Our BAC programs provide parents with the security of knowing their children are in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment before and after school hours. DK students attending Edgerton Trails or Crestwood have the option of attending BAC at their “home school” or at the school where they attend DK. DK students attending the Parkside Early Childhood Center will attend BAC at their “home school.” Transportation is provided between each elementary school and the DK locations.
BAC is offered every day that school is in session and during Winter and Spring Break. Table games, crafts, gym time, outdoor play, and literacy time are planned each day. More information regarding BAC Registration for the 2026-27 school year will be available on our webpage in early May.
Before and After School Care Program
Please call our office at 616.863.6560 with any questions.
GRASP
Do you want to help your child maintain reading and math skills over summer break? GRASP is an at-home program used by families for 50 years!
Grand Rapids Academic Summer Program (GRASP) is a summer math and reading correspondence program that helps scholars in grades kindergarten through 8th retain skills learned during the school year by providing review exercises.
ENROLL HERE: GRASP ENROLLMENT
Student Drop-off and pick-up Concerns
We have some growing concerns because the drop-off and pick-up expectations outlined at the beginning of the year are not being followed. When this happens, the safety of our students, families, and staff is compromised. We must do better.
Please review the expectations below and share them with anyone who may be transporting your student to or from school. We expect all members of the Belmont community to treat staff with respect and follow the expectations. We've highlighted the expectations that we seem to be struggling with the most for emphasis. Thank you for your attention to this.
Drop-off and pick-up expectations for all
We love seeing our students every morning and want them to enter and exit the school building safely.
- Please form a single line next to the sidewalk on the south side of the building and pull forward as far as possible (until the sidewalk ends).
- Please avoid large gaps between vehicles.
- Students may never exit the vehicle until it is completely off the main road and must always exit on the sidewalk side.
- We will have staff present to help younger students out of their vehicles and guide them to the main entrance.
- Drivers should remain in the vehicle.
- If a driver needs to exit the vehicle, please park in the parking lot. Increase awareness when crossing with your child to ensure drivers in the drop-off line see you.
- There are NO left turns out of the parking lot during morning drop-off.
The end-of-the-day pick-up line is quite a bit busier. We are doing our best to get your child to you as safely and efficiently as possible. Here are reminders for end-of-the-day pick up:
- Please form two lanes and pull ahead as far as you can (until the sidewalk ends).
- Please remain in your vehicle and have your child's last name displayed in the window.
- A safety officer will walk your student to their vehicle.
- Please avoid large gaps between vehicles. We are trying to avoid a long line of cars on the road.
- If you choose to exit your vehicle, please park in a parking spot. Increase awareness when crossing with your child to ensure drivers in the pick-up line see you.
- Vehicles should never be left unattended in the pick-up line.
- There are NO left turns out of the parking lot during afternoon pick-up.
Thank you for doing all you can to make arrival and dismissal safe for all. It is appreciated.
School Assistance Program (SAP)
more sap information
Student device management and fees
Students in RPS are afforded the opportunity to access and enhance some learning activities through district-provided Chromebooks. Thanks to the support of the 2019 school bond proposal, RPS has been able to support the scheduled purchases of instructional technology for student use. Last year, elementary students received new devices, and this year all secondary Chromebooks are new. Thank you!
To preserve the quality of student devices as long as possible, we educate students about proper care and charge for repair when avoidable damage occurs. Like a textbook, each student is assigned a Chromebook and responsible for proper care. If a device is damaged or lost, a charge will be issued against the student's Family Access account. The charge will reflect Rockford Public Schools' cost to repair or replace the device. It is our hope that the layered approach of informing parents/guardians, educating students, and assigning fees when necessary, will assist to promote a decrease in the amount of overall damage to student devices and increased consistency of student accessibility to learning activities.
Should a student device be damaged, the initial fees are as follows:
Chromebook:
- Broken Screen $30
- Broken Keyboard (missing keys, etc.) $30
- Damaged Chassis/Lost Device $200
- Power Supply (Lost or Not Returned) $15
iPads:
- Screen Repair $110
- Broken/Lost Device $299
During the summer of 2025 all devices were inspected to ensure that they are ready for distribution. School personnel will be diligent about communicating device care expectations to students and we ask that parents and guardians reinforce proper care expectations as well.
During the year if a device requires repair, a district technician will review the damage and decide if a charge is necessary. Normal scratches and wear are expected and will not incur a charge. Any fees assigned will generate an email notification to parents/guardians.
District Calendar Overview
Please contact our office at 616-863-6362 to obtain more information about our district calendar for the 2025-2026 school year.
