Belmont Elementary School
6097 Belmont Ave NE
Belmont, MI 49306
616.863.6362
Dear Belmont Families,
It's hard to believe that we are approaching the end of March! We have had a great month reading together! Next week, we welcome April, and our students head into spring break. We hope that they carry some reading momentum into their time away and continue to read for joy!
When we come back from break, our fifth graders will begin M-STEP testing. Our third and fourth-graders will begin the following week. You can find more information about Belmont's spring testing schedule below. We are proud of our students and excited for them to demonstrate their learning. We will be accepting sugar-free gum and mint donations when we return from spring break. These will be distributed to students with notes of encouragement.
Thank you for all you do to support the Belmont school community. We are very grateful!
With gratitude,
Rachel DeKuiper, Principal
rmdekuiper@rockfordschools.org
616.863.6362
march is reading month - 1,200 Hour goal!
It's the final countdown! Students have exceeded 700 hours of reading, but need to read 500 more hours to reach their goal! They are encouraged to keep "Tracking Down Good Books to READ!"
If we reach our goal, our wonderful Belmont PTO will be providing us with popcorn. We have been researching kid-friendly movies that would complement our One Book, One School title. Two possible titles are The Legend of Sasquatch (G) and Smallfoot (PG). Both received family-friendly reviews on Common Sense Media. Please reach out if you would like your child to have an alternate reward. We are excited about this culminating activity for our students.
This past week, classes joined Mrs. D in Widdershins Cavern for a fun and motivating read-aloud. Together, we read The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination by Brad and Kristi Montague. We discussed the difference between dreaming and doing. We then encouraged each other to set goals that we are willing to work hard for. Here's a couple of my favorite quotes from the book:
“Ideas are not just meant for having and holding,
but for sharing and living and doing.”
“We must all dare to DREAM
But we also must DO
For dreamers are many,
But doers are few.”
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!
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
March Memories Being Made
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Odyssey of the Mind
We have several Belmont students who participate in Odyssey of the Mind. They competed at the Regional and State levels, and now one team is headed to Worlds! Thank you to Mrs. Kaminski for judging at the Regional and State competition, and best of luck to James, Dexter, and Lucas as their team heads to the World Competition! Belmont is so proud of your creativity, problem-solving skills, and awesome teamwork!
Spring Music Program
We are excited to showcase the musical talents of our Belmont students on Thursday, April 16. Our kindergarten, first, and second-graders will take the stage at Rockford High School at 6:00 pm. Students will need to be dropped off in the RHS Media Center before the show. Please take their coats with you to your seats, as they will not return to the Media Center after their performance. Please plan to have students there between 5:40 and 5:55. Our third, fourth, and fifth-graders will follow with a 7:00 pm performance. Please plan to have them there between 6:40 and 6:55. Thank you!
Spring Music Program Details for April 16
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
Superintendent Sub for a day!
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!
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.
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!
PBIS, SEL, and RAMS
As you know, Belmont is using a tiered system when supporting students both academically and behaviorally. PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) is the model we are using at Belmont to teach expectations and address behavior. At the start of the year, students were taught the school-wide RAMS expectations (Respectful, Accountable, Motivated, and Safe). This past week, we reviewed our RAMS behavior expectations and reflected on current behavior data. Students brought home a booklet to share with families with strategies to help our students be the best RAMS they can be!
Additionally, students have completed three SEL units: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, and Social Awareness. The self-awareness unit focused on how our thoughts affect our feelings, and the self-management unit focused on how we respond to our thoughts and feelings. Students grew in their ability to manage emotions, navigate challenges, achieve goals, and maintain positive relationships. During our social awareness unit, students learned about different perspectives and about having empathy.
Currently, students are learning about relationship skills in SEL Unit 4. Here are the standards for that unit:
4A. Use positive communication and social skills to interact effectively with others
4B. Develop and maintain positive relationships
4C. Demonstrate an ability to prevent, manage, and resolve interpersonal conflicts in helpful
Upcoming Events:
March 31 - Reading Logs DUE! Will we meet our 1,200-hour goal?
April 1 - Popcorn and Movie (if we reach our goal)!
April 2-10 - Spring Break
April 13 - M-STEP Testing Window Opened
April 16 - Spring Music Program (details below)
April 16 - Schools of Choice Enrollment Window Opens
April 23 - VIP Breakfast (A-K families)
April 23 - Belmont Elementary Night at the Whitecaps (students and chaperones can earn FREE tickets for reaching our March is Reading Month goal!)
April 24 - VIP Breakfast (L-Z families)
April 28 - Class Placement Considerations Due for 26/27 School Year
SAVE THE DATES:
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 Michigan's Education Assessment System (M-STEP).
Education Assessment - Michigan's System (What It Is, What It Means, and What It Offers)
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
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.
If you missed the DK/K Information Night, please click on the link below. Thank you!
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.
https://www.rockfordschools.org/departments/school-agechildcare/
Please call our office at 616.863.6560 with any questions.
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.
STEAM Giveaway
Follow Our STEAM Pages + Enter Our Giveaway!
Did you know our STEAM program is on social media? We regularly share photos and videos of the exciting hands-on learning happening in our STEAM classes so families can see what students are designing, building, and testing each week!
To celebrate and grow our STEAM community, we are currently hosting a giveaway for a STEAM Craft Pack. How to enter:
• Follow our STEAM page.
• Like the giveaway post.
• Tag two friends in the comments.
• Bonus entry: Share the post to your story and tag us.
We will draw one winner on Friday, March 27, just before spring break!
Thank you for helping us grow our STEAM community and celebrate the amazing creativity happening in our classrooms!
Follow us HERE:
Steam Wish list - march
Congrats to YEARBOOK Winners
Congrats to Evie and Brighton on their winning our front cover yearbook design! Also, congrats to the following students who will have their yearbook designs featured on the back cover: Max, Lennon, Clara, Emmy, Henley, Harrison B, Dylan, Thea, Weston, Porter, Kai, Harrison S, and Kyler!
If you haven't ordered your student's yearbook yet, please do so using the link below. Cost is $15. Thank you!
Examples in Excellence
RPS asks every school to choose one student to represent them each year as an Example in Excellence. Students nominated for the Example in Excellence Award demonstrate strong character traits such as kindness, responsibility, and integrity. Additionally, students nominated are role models for their peers and go above and beyond for their school and community.
As you can imagine, Belmont has many worthy candidates, and choosing just one student is not easy. At Belmont, we had ten students nominated. We would like to recognize all ten of them and extend a special congratulations to Evie, who will be representing Belmont Elementary as this year's Example in Excellence.
This year's Examples in Excellence Nominees are: Kole, Kyler, Joel, Payton, Eva, Ryan, Cal, Kai, and Sylvia.
Unsung Heroes
At the end of each trimester, we reflect on student behaviors and address areas of concern. We also pause to recognize students who are quiet leaders and demonstrate RAMS behaviors without fanfare or recognition. These students may not always have the most Belmont Bucks when shopping at our school store each month, but they are rich in character! Please join me in applauding our growing list of unsung heroes! These students positively influenced Belmont Elementary first trimester by exhibiting exceptional RAMS (respectful, accountable, motivated, safe) qualities without seeking recognition or praise.
First Trimester Unsung Heroes: Rowan, Knox, Penny, Reagan, Nilan, Emma, London, Waylon, Genevieve, Marcus, Ruhi, Joel, and Clara
Second Trimester Unsung Heroes: Indigo, Jackson, Madison, Ryer, Sully, Lucy, Miles, Mason, Emma, Lily, Lyra, Esther, Thomas, Noah, Kole, and Liam
volunteer opportunities
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!
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
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.
Belmont PTO Update:
Our Belmont PTO has a new spirit wear vendor this year. You can order Belmont and Rockford gear year-round!
Belmont Elementary Spirit Wear Store
Please feel free to email Belmont6097@gmail.com for additional information about any of our PTO happenings! For updates in real time, please follow the Belmont Elementary PTO on Facebook.
RPS School board meeting update
RPS School Board meetings will now begin at 6 pm. They are generally on the second Monday of each month. To view past meeting minutes, review board packets, and/or learn more about how to participate, please click on the link below. Meetings are held at the Administration Building, 350 N. Main St.
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.
