Belmont Elementary School
6097 Belmont Ave NE
Belmont, MI 49306
616.863.6362
RPS Summer REading 2026
Please click on the link below to learn more about several Summer Reading opportunities in Rockford!
Dear Belmont Families,
As we head into the final week of the 2025/26 school year, I want to share with you some exciting data! Belmont students demonstrated significant growth in reading and math. As you know, students take the NWEA MAP Growth Assessment three times each school year. Teachers then use the data to intervene and extend student learning, while also celebrating student growth and achievement.
Preliminary results show that our median school score in math increased from 71% in the fall to 80% in the spring. In reading, our median school score increased from 73% in the fall to 79% in the spring. We are excited about this growth and encourage you to review your child's personal growth when the family reports come home.
Please know that every day we get to spend with your child is a special one. We are grateful that you have chosen Belmont as your school and wish you all the best this summer.
With gratitude,
Rachel DeKuiper, Principal
rmdekuiper@rockfordschools.org
616.863.6362
Family picnic and field day
We are excited to welcome visitors and volunteers to Belmont Elementary on Monday, June 1, for Field Day. We are also excited to eat lunch with families beforehand.
If you are eating a picnic lunch with your child(ren) that day, please consider bringing a blanket to sit on. School hot dog orders for visitors were due on May 26. Visitors who didn't sign up for a hot dog should plan to bring their own lunch.
Students will be dismissed by grade level to join families on the playground starting at 12 noon. Students will then head back into the building from 12:45-12:55 so that teachers can take afternoon attendance, students can use the restroom, and Mr. B can make sure that all of our volunteers are ready for the Field Day festivities!
If you are planning to join us and have not yet signed up, please do so by using the link below. It's going to be a great day!
Student Medication
The last week of school is upon us! Please plan to pick up any student medications from the office before the last day of school on June 5. Thank you!
Critter Barn thank you!
Thank you to our PTO for our Critter Barn Experience! Our students had a wonderful time rotating through five different stations and interacting with some pretty cute critters!
Rockford Book Bus
The Rockford Book Bus is gearing up for another summer of reading adventures!
- On June 6, you can find the bus in the Start of Summer parade.
- On June 13, the Book Bus will be welcoming readers at the Rockford Farmer's Market.
- On June 15, the Book Bus officially starts its travels around the Rockford community, visiting schools, neighborhoods, and child care centers.
You will want to have your calendars handy so that you can embrace each week's engaging theme and share the joy of reading with others in our community.
IXL Summer Boost
Throughout the school year, your child has been working on skills in IXL. This innovative learning program allows students to work on essential skills with support and at a pace that works for them. We are excited to share an IXL summer learning opportunity for your child. To help prepare your child for the upcoming school year, they can work in IXL to complete a Summer Boost Skill Plan. Linked below, you will find details about this resource and how your child can participate in this fun learning experience over the summer.
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.
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!
Upcoming Events:
May 29 - Move-Up Day (students visit next year's classrooms)
June 1 - All School Picnic and Recess from 12:00-12:45 (before field day)
June 1 - Belmont Field Day in the afternoon @ 1 pm
June 4 - Half Day; 5th Grade Celebration and Send Off!
June 5 - Half Day and Last Day of School!
August 19 - SAVE THE DATE for Belmont K-5th Grade Open House!
Approved RPS Calendar for 26/27 School Year
Belmont Summer Playdates on the Playground with the Book Bus:
- Tuesday, June 16 from 6:30-7:30 pm
- Tuesday, June 30 from 11:00-11:45 am
- Tuesday, July 21 from 11:00-11:45 am
- Tuesday, August 4 from 6:30-7:30 pm
Library Books
The library book return race is ON! The first three classes to return ALL of their library books will get popsicles from Mrs. Watkins. Below is the number of outstanding books by class. Mrs. Walla's class is currently in first place with just four books needing to be returned!
- Stevenson - 8 books
- Guy - 12 books
- Miller - 7 books
- Murdock - 8 books
- Bair - 6 books
- Lobdell - 13 books
- Bates - 13 books
- Westveer - 6 books
- Humphreys - 5 books
- Walla - 4 books
- Bisher - 10 books
- Linsley - 12 books
Lost and found
Please remind your child to check the lost and found for any missing items. We will have tables set up outside on Field Day for families to look through as well. Unclaimed items will be donated after the last day of school.
Summer Tutoring
Please find linked below a list of RPS staff who are tutoring students this summer. Thank you!
Kids for Kids fun run
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!
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. For more information visit:
Before and After School Care Program
Please call our office at 616.863.6560 with any questions.
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 Assistance Program (SAP)
more sap information
