Belmont Bi-Weekly Newsletter - August 28

Dear Belmont Families, 

We have had an awesome first week of school! We've got some tired students and staff, but it's only because they are all working so hard. We wrapped up our first week of school with RAMS Rotations.  We are committed to being respectful, accountable, motivated, and safe in every space and all the time at Belmont. Fifth grade families, you should be extremely proud. Our fifth graders are leading in many capacities and we appreciate them so much.  Please join me in thanking them for...

• helping second graders learn how to navigate their Chromebooks, 
• supporting kindergarten students at lunch, 
• presenting during RAMS Rotations and traveling with first graders, 
• and guiding younger students during arrival and dismissal.

Speaking of arrival and dismissal, thank you for leaning into our new procedures. Ryan Morin, our School Resource Officer (SRO), was able to do a refresher course for those of us that serve as crossing guards at Belmont.  He reminded us that it is adults that create traffic hazards for students. The most direct route is not always the safest route.  It is important for us as adults to model safe behaviors for our students.

• Please respect that all parent/guardian pick up students must exit the south doors. We have many exterior doors at Belmont, but only a few that we use for dismissal. This is to keep our students safe when exiting the building.
• Please respect that bus riders must exit through the front doors of the building.  Again, we have many exterior doors and knowing where are students are during dismissal is a priority.
• Please respect the student safeties and crossing guard. If adults ignore them, our students will too and that's not safe for anyone.

Thank you for sharing your students with us!  We look forward to week two and hope you have the best weekend.

With appreciation,

Rachel DeKuiper, Principal

rmdekuiper@rockfordschools.org

616.863.6362

belmont arrival procedures

All Students including bus riders:

• can enter the building at 8:25am
• must walk on sidewalks and in hallways
• are RAMS:  respectful, accountable, motivated, and Safe
• can grab a free breakfast
• are tardy if entering the classroom after 8:40 AM

Bus Loop:

• only Buses may enter the bus loop from 8:20-8:40 AM
• no parent/Guardian parking or drop off FROM 8:20-8:40 AM

South Parking Lot:

• single file drop off line along sidewalk
• please pull forward as far as you can to avoid back up on Belmont Ave
• drivers must remain in vehicle in this line
• students exit vehicles at 8:24 AM on the sidewalk side and walk to the front doors of the school
• families parking in this lot must use caution and escort their students to the sidewalk

Crossing Guard Lot:

• may start crossing at 8:20 am
• must use crosswalk with crossing guard

THANK YOU FOR HELPING BELMONT STUDENTS 

START THE SCHOOL DAY POSITIVELY AND SAFELY!

Belmont Dismissal Procedures

All Students including bus riders:

• must walk in hallways and on sidewalks
• are RAMS:  respectful, accountable, motivated, and Safe
• will be dismissed by 3:35 pm; kINDERGARTEN STUDENTS WITH SAFETIES AT 3:30 PM

Bus Loop:

• only Buses may enter the bus loop from 3:25-3:45 PM
• no parent/Guardian parking or pICK uP FROM 3:25-3:45 pM

South Parking Lot:

• two Lane Pick-up line along sidewalk
• please pull forward as far as you can to avoid back up on Belmont Ave
• drivers must remain in vehicle in this line
• drivers must display family number from rearview mirror
• students may walk to vehicles if they are in first lane nearest the sidewalk
• students will be escorted to vehicles by an adult para if in the second lane
• families parking in this lot must use caution and escort their students to their vehicles from the sidewalk

Crossing Guard Lot:

• will start crossing students at 3:35 pm
• students must use crosswalk with crossing guard

THANK YOU FOR HELPING BELMONT STUDENTS 

END THE SCHOOL DAY POSITIVELY AND SAFELY!

Response to intervention

Please read the letter linked below to better understand how RPS responds when students need additional support in developing their foundational literacy skills. Thank you!

K-5 RtI Letter - August 2026