Belmont Elementary School
6097 Belmont Ave NE
Belmont, MI 49306
616.863.6362
Dear Belmont Families,
It was great to see our Belmont Playground packed with families for our Halloween Costume Parade! Our little school has a big community, and we appreciate you joining us for the fun. Next year I'd like to see a little more participation in the Halloween Hokey Pokey (wink, wink)!
Thank you for attending Parent-Teacher Conferences this week. The hallways were buzzing with Belmont families, and the Book Fair was packed! We take the home-school connection very seriously and are grateful for the opportunity to partner with you.
This past week, we recognized students for being outstanding RAMS (respectful, accountable, motivated, and safe) during the first trimester of this school year. Many students received Attendance Awards (accountable and motivated), and others received Unsung Hero Awards (respectful and safe). We also set goals together and reminded students about our schoolwide, positive behavior expectations. I am very proud of our students and their desire to grow academically, socially, and behaviorally.
With gratitude,
Rachel DeKuiper, Principal
rmdekuiper@rockfordschools.org
616.863.6362
BC PIzza Fundraisers
We have two opportunities to enjoy dinner from BC Pizza while also supporting the Belmont PTO! The first is on November 3 (Monday night of conferences), the second is on November 11 (STEAM Night). Enjoy!
Winter Resources for families
Please find linked below some helpful resources for local families. Please also let Holly or Katie know if there are any needs we can help with. Winter is coming soon, and the holidays will be here before we know it! Let's take good care of each other!
Winter Weather
Rumor has it that snowflakes may start flying on Sunday! With that said, we want to make sure our students are prepared for outdoor recess this winter.
- It's "Chilly" when the temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees. Students should have long sleeves and pants. Some students will also need a sweatshirt or coat to be comfortable. Shoes and socks are a must!
- It's "Cold" when the temperature is between 33 and 49 degrees. Most students will need layers on the top and bottom to stay warm. Students might also need a hat and gloves. If it's wet or snowy outside, then boots are recommended.
- It's "Extremely Cold" when the temperature is between 1 and 32 degrees. Multiple layers are needed when kids go outside. Boots must be worn outside. Students should have shoes for indoor wear.
Students will go outside for recess as long as the temperature (including wind chill) is above zero. When they do go outside, they need to be dressed appropriately. If you need any winter weather gear for your child, please let us know. We have resources that we are happy to utilize to keep our students safe and warm. Please reach out to Holly and Katie in the front office at 616.863.6362 if you need anything.
Shoe-tying Challenge
Hi, Kindergarten and First Grade Families!
Mr. Banta is doing a reward challenge for any kindergartener or first grader who can demonstrate they can tie their own shoes. Below you will find a link to a video of Mr. Banta demonstrating how to tie his own shoes. If you come into school and show Mr. Banta that you can tie your shoes, he will reward you with a prize. You do not have to use Mr. Banta's method. If you have learned a different way, that is absolutely fine! Can't wait to see your awesome skills!
Student Drop-off and pick-up reminders
We love seeing our students every morning and want them to enter and exit the school building safely.
Here are a few reminders for those who are dropping their children off in the morning:
- 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 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 and help your student cross safely to the sidewalk.
- 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 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.
- 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 having your parent pick-up sign displayed in your window during pick-up. If you still need a sign, please call the office. Thanks!
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!
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.
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!
Student cell phones and smart watches
- Students with a cellphone may not use them during the school day, and they should be stored in the child’s backpack at all times.
- 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 should not be wearing earbuds or other noise-canceling headphones unless it is a documented accommodation.
Thank you for your help with this!
Upcoming Events:
November 11 - STEAM Night!
November 11 - BC Pizza Fundraiser #2
November 12 - Early Release Day
November 12 - PTO Meeting at 6:30 pm
November 21 - Popcorn Day!
November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Weekend
December 1-2 - Holiday Workshop for Students...Thank You, PTO!
December 18 - Holiday Classroom Parties
December 19 - Last Day before Holiday Break...See you next year!
January 5 - Back to School - Welcome 2026
Belmont does NOT have a Holiday Music Program this year.
Please SAVE THE DATE for our Spring Music Program
on Thursday, April 16!
STEAM NIGHT
Mark your calendars! Our annual STEAM Night is coming up on Tuesday, November 11th from 5:30–7:30 PM at East Rockford Middle School. Please note the important updates: the date has changed from November 4th to November 11th (due to voting day), and the location has moved from the Freshman Center to East Rockford Middle School. More details can be found on the attached flyer. In addition, our STEAM program is still collecting recyclable materials to support student projects. We are currently accepting cardboard tubes, plastic containers, cereal boxes, plastic water bottles, and corks. A flyer with more details is attached. Thank you for supporting our students as they explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math!
Belmont PTO Update:
The PTO is getting ready for the holidays and planning a Holiday Workshop for December 1 and 2. Please click on the link below to volunteer for this...it's a magical time with our students!
Our next PTO meeting is Wednesday, November 12 at 6:30 pm. Please join us if you can! Also, please find linked below our PTO calendar for this school year...lots of great reminders for your calendar at home!
Our Belmont PTO has a new spirit wear vendor this year. You can order Belmont and Rockford gear year-round! Be sure to shop now for the holidays using the link below!
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.
School Breakfast and lunch menus
As you know, not everything on the school menu is a crowd-favorite. 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.
It's Time to Order your yearbook!
Please use the link below to place your yearbook order. Cost is $15. Thank you!
Student-Led Clubs at Belmont
Last year, we were able to elevate student leadership at Belmont with after-school clubs. We are continuing the practice this year, but have made some adjustments to the process. We currently have over 12 clubs that are scheduled to take place between now and the end of December. We are encouraging kids to take responsibility for both club organization and participation. Clubs meet once a week for three to five weeks. Some clubs meet until 4:15 and others until 4:30. Please be sure to note the dates and end times when signing club permission slips for your child. For more information, encourage your child to visit the "Club Hub" bulletin board near the main entrance. Thank you!
PBIS and RAMS
As mentioned above, 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 schoolwide RAMS expectations (respectful, accountable, motivated, and safe). This past week, we reviewed our RAMS behavior expectations and reflected on behavior data from our first trimester. Students set goals for how to improve and be the best RAMS they can be at each grade level.
Additionally, teachers have wrapped up instruction on their first SEL unit: Self-Awareness. Self-awareness is all about being aware of how our thoughts affect our feelings. Students are taught strategies to slow down the "Think, Feel, Do" cycle so that they can respond to big feelings appropriately.
The next SEL unit of study is Self-Management. We look forward to seeing students grow in their ability to manage their emotions, navigate challenges, achieve goals, and maintain positive relationships.
Rockford Action Model for Success (RAMS XII)
Last year RPS launched RAMS XII, a strategic plan for our Rockford Action Model for Success.
This fall, Belmont reviewed their goals from last year and chose two goals for this year. We are continuing to focus on Tiered Instruction (1.A.2) this school year and have added a Tiered Systems of Support (2.A.2). goal. You'll notice that both of these goals have an emphasis on "tiered" systems. We are building a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that overlaps and supports all students in every aspect of their school day.
For more information about RAMS XII or Belmont's FAST Goals, please click on the link below.
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!
Volunteers are also asked to complete a volunteer form when working with students. If you plan to volunteer in any capacity this year (special events, game days, field trips, lunch/recess, etc), we recommend filling out this form. Thanks!
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 https://iloveuguys.org/ website.
Hand2hand - free weekend food for kids
We would like to offer your student the opportunity to participate in a program called "Hand2Hand". This program helps provide a student with food for the weekends and is intended for families who currently may be experiencing a financial burden.
Here's how it works: At the end of each week, students who are signed up for Hand2Hand will receive a minimum of 10 food items in a bag. These food items will be a combination of breakfast, snacks, and lunch or dinner items.
There is no cost to participate! If you sign your student up to receive Hand2Hand, they will continue to receive the weekend bag of food each week throughout the school year. Bags will be discreetly delivered to your child at school.
If you feel like your child would benefit from this opportunity, please complete the form linked below. (You will need to complete one form for each of your children.) If there comes a point when you no longer need the assistance, alert your school office. It will take at least two weeks to receive your first bag. If you do not receive a bag, please contact your school office.
Hand2Hand Permission Slip
*Please note: if your student or another family member has food allergies, it will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to check the contents of the bag each week to ensure the food doesn't contain ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction.
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
