Cannonsburg Elementary
4894 Sturgis St., Rockford, MI 49341
Phone: (616) 863-6344
Fax: (616) 863-6357
Teya Cotter - Principal
tcotter@rockfordschools.org
Message from Miss Cotter
Greetings, Cannonsburg Families!
Next week starts March is Reading Month (MiRM! This year’s theme is Read to a Pet Month! Students are invited to bring their favorite stuffed pet to school next week for our daily D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) time. Each week will have fun filled with building literacy skills, vocabulary, book knowledge, and more. We will culminate our month with a family read-aloud, a surprise guest reader, and more animal adventures. Thanks to Mrs. Wilkerson, our MiRM Committee for their hard work and planning!
DON’T FORGET TO SEND A STUFFED PET TO SCHOOL MONDAY!
There is so much good happening for kids at Cannonsburg, and your partnership and support are so appreciated! Check out School News Network’s story about our recent STEAM WINTER OLYMPICS: HERE. So many students were highlighted. Thanks to our teacher leader, Lauren Arnett for her leadership and creativity, and all our parent volunteers who made this event possible.
The following 5th graders were nominated by Cannonsburg staff for being an “Example of Excellence” over their years at Cannonsburg. This award is given to one student annually in each school in Rockford. An “Example in Excellence” is not necessarily the star athlete or academic, but someone who shows strength of character and a willingness to go out of their way to help others. Congrats to all these students for their effort to be a great example for others.
This year’s winner is 5th Grader, River Shupe, daughter of Kellie & Tony Shupe. River consistently demonstrates an exceptional work ethic, perseverance, and a positive attitude toward learning. She has shown remarkable resilience in overcoming challenges and obstacles she’s faced along the way. Despite these challenges, River approaches school each day with confidence, grace, and determination. She is kind, thoughtful, and selfless, always considering the needs of others, and she naturally steps into leadership roles amongst her peers. River has made tremendous growth, which reflects her dedication and commitment to improvement.
As we look forward to planning for 26-27, please take a moment to provide input through our school family survey. We are working hard to make positive strides as we support students and families and we appreciate your feedback on how we are doing and areas we can improve as it comes to student well-being and supports. CLICK HERE TO RESPOND or use the QR code below. Our survey will close on 3/6.
Warmly,
Teya Cotter, Principal
important upcoming dates
- February 28: Family Open Skate @ Cedar Rock Sportsplex 1-3pm
- March 2 : Bring a stuffy day-March is reading month kickoff!
- March 11: Early Release 1:30 pm Dismissal
- March 12: Family Art Show Night 6-7:30 pm
- March 16: Kindergarten Parent Information Night 6-7 pm
- March 25: Early Release 1:30 pm Dismissal
- April 2-10: Spring Break No School
Yearbook helpers needed
We are in need of some adults to help with the creation of the Cannonsburg Yearbook.
The Yearbook is created by Mrs. Arnett and a team of 4th and 5th Graders and we would like to have one person overseeing the different areas where help is needed.
We are looking for:
Photo Crew- an adult to come in during recess to help manage the photos
I would like this person to go around with students to help them take pictures of activities going on around the school. They will be the candid crew! I would also like this person to upload and tag the pictures that are taken by the students after they go around.
Page Placement- an adult to come in to assist students in choosing and placing pictures that have been taken by the students. They can add captions if they want and make their designated page look nice.
Page Submission- When the kids are done placing pictures, I’d love a fresh set of eyes to go through and proof each page. Look for errors or pictures that might be blurry.
This will take place during morning Recess: 10:15-10:35 (sometimes you may need to stay a little longer)
Please only sign up for ONE slot to allow space for multiple parents to volunteer. Thank you!
Sign up here:
order your yearbook!
We are excited to share our student-created yearbook with you this year! It will feature artwork on the cover by Carter T. from Mrs. Vallad's class. The artwork of our runner ups will be on the back cover. These artist's include: Remi F, Lena F, Dodge M, and Grant H. from Mrs. Vallad's class; Nolan H, Kalli S & Sami N, Harper F & Emma E, and Henry M & Briggs R from Mrs. Ralph's class. Thank you all for your hard work and contributions!
Please see the information below about placing your yearbook order this year. All orders are due by April 17. Please print the form below and return it with your payment to school or order online here:
Steam olympics news article
Check out this great feature story about our recent STEAM Olympics at Cannonsburg!
Family art night
March 12 from 6-7:30pm
Students have been working hard on their special Art Piece to share with family/friends at our Second Annual Art Show! They will also have the opportunity to help create a school wide art project, vote on their favorite artwork, snap photos in a photo booth, and lots more! Refreshments will be provided.
3rd Graders-outdoor learning
If you are a current third grade student and are interested in joining the Outdoor Learning program next year, please read this information:
Kindergarten enrollment!
Kindergarten Enrollment is now open! Find more information here:
RPS Skate Night
Join us for the RPS Elementary School family open skate this Saturday, February 28th from 1-3pm at the Cedar Rock Sports Plex. Admission fee is $10 and if you sign in for Cannonsburg, our PTC receives $2. We hope to see you there!
Traffic safety
Traffic safety during arrival and dismissal is a shared responsibility. We have noticed cars not yielding to traffic on Sturgis Avenue when leaving the drop-off/pick-up loop at school. Please remember you must stop and wait for oncoming traffic to clear if you are turning right or crossing over Sturgis when leaving the school drop-off/pick-up loop. If turning, please also use your signal to indicate your direction. Our school buses frequently travel on Sturgis, so please help us ensure safety for all by yielding and using your signal before traveling onto/across Sturgis. Thank you!
ptc updates
All volunteer sign-ups and PTC related information are available in one place!
Superintendent sub for a day!
One of our Cannonsburg staff members may be selected for a well-deserved day off with our own super substitute, Dr. Matthews! Once a month, Dr. Matthews will be trading his Superintendent’s office for the classroom and stepping in to substitute for a day.
How it works: Each $10 donation to the Rockford Education Foundation nominates a teacher to win a day off while Dr. Matthews takes over the classroom. All donations support REF educational grants, celebrate our incredible educators, and give Dr. Matthews a front-row seat in the classroom.
- $10 = 1 entry to nominate a teacher - multiple entries gladly accepted!
- Teachers may nominate themselves or a colleague
- One winner will be drawn monthly, January–May 2026
Link:
School assistance program (SAP)
Access support today!
Say “I have an SAP with Rockford Public Schools” when you call Pine Rest at 800.442.0809 and press “1.” Every RPS family member in your household is eligible. The Rockford Education Foundation (REF) has proudly partnered with Rockford Public Schools to provide expert counseling, therapy, and resources through Pine Rest’s School Assistance Program (SAP).
Student cellphones 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 smart watches 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!
Hand2hand sign up form
This program offers nutritious food to students over weekends and on extended school breaks by churches, schools, individuals, and businesses that have joined together to provide hope and opportunity for our kids to thrive.
Please scan the QR code below to sign your student up to receive weekly meals.
free family assistance program
The Rockford Education Foundation (REF) has proudly partnered with Rockford Public Schools to provide expert counseling, therapy, and resources through Pine Rest’s School Assistance Program (SAP).
Say “I have an SAP with Rockford Public Schools” when you call 800.442.0809 and press “1.” Every RPS student, staff and family member in your household is eligible for up to three free sessions. Additional SAP benefits include: free elder care consultation, legal and financial consultation, infant-feeding advice and real estate consultation. Anyone in the household can utilize these resources and it is 100% confidential. Access an online library with over 20,000 resources covering health, finances, legal topics and more. The code to login the library is RockfordPS.
Login Code: RockfordPS
Volunteer Consent Forms
Volunteer Consent Forms must be completed every year, please complete your application now! This form must be on file in order to chaperone a field trip and/or volunteer at building events.
RPS Student Device Management
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.
We appreciate your support in assisting your child(ren) to participate in the proper care of devices and if you have any questions or need further clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's school.
February PBIS Winners-Initiative
Congratulations to our Cannonsburg students who were recognized for exemplifying initiative during the month of February!
New Slushie machine!
Recently the Cannonsburg Student Council submitted a student grant to the PTC for a new slushie machine and it was approved by the PTC! The plan is that every week teachers will start out with 5 Golden Tickets to pass out to students showing positive behaviors. On Fridays those students will be able to cash in their Golden Ticket for a slushie during their lunch time. Only dye free mix will be used. Thank you PTC!
March Character Trait: Integrity
Definition: The quality of being honest.
Challenge: Google why Abraham Lincoln was nicknamed "honest Abe".
Reflection: Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
The Taste - Save the Date
The Rockford Education Foundation invites you to The Taste on March 5, 2026. This event will begin at 6:00 pm at The Gilmore, located at 5179 West River Drive. This is REF's annual signature event, serving up amazing support for education through great food, drinks, and community partnership. The Taste hosts many local restaurants and businesses. Learn more, sign up to sponsor or purchase tickets online.
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.
Teachers and curriculum professionals developed GRASP as a cost-efficient substitute for traditional summer school. Lessons were written to correlate with the Common Core Standards which most states have adopted.
GRASP offers nine lessons to be submitted during the summer - one per week or at a scholar's own pace as long as they are submitted before the final due date. Each lesson reinforces the basic skills typically found in most curricula at that particular grade level. GRASP staff score the lesson and return it to the scholar with comments.
Packets are available for scholars finishing grades K-8 to review their math and reading skills. Scholars finishing grades 4-8 can select online resources instead of the packets.
We recognize our scholars' efforts by awarding a certificate to those who successfully complete at least seven lessons with 70% accuracy. A medal is given to scholars who successfully complete all nine lessons from their packet.
ENROLL HERE:
Weather Alerts
For up-to-date information regarding Rockford Public Schools delays and/or closings, events and safety alerts, send a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our district’s short code number, 67587. Opt out any time by simply replying to one of our messages with: Stop. Be sure to tune in on icy or snowy mornings!
Free Breakfast and Lunch
Research is pretty clear that hunger can harm student learning. Hungry students are not as engaged in the classroom and can have difficulty concentrating and processing information effectively. Because of this, we are grateful to have free breakfast and lunch available for all of our students.
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.
Attendance Procedures
If your student will be absent please call the office attendance line by 9:30am. Robo calls go out at 10:00am.
If you choose to email attendance notifications please include office staff & your student's teacher.
- Nicole Curtis - ncurtis@rockfordschools.org
- Anne Joles - ajoles@rockfordschools.org
Birthday treats and celebrations
- We look forward to celebrating our students’ birthdays and will honor each student with a shout-out on the announcement birthday board, as well as special moments throughout the day with the classroom teacher and peers.
- RPS school policy is no food birthday treats. You are welcome to send in a book for the class or a non-food item, such as indoor recess game. We promise to make our birthday students feel special on their big days. Unfortunately, if food items are sent in they will not be able to be distributed.
- If your student is celebrating with classmates outside of school, please only send invitations to school when all classmates are included. This helps to avoid hurt feelings.
Thank you for your support with our Birthday Celebration Procedures.
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.
Transportation and busing
Transportation is encouraging RPS families to get the My Ride app on their phones. For more information on this, please click on this link to our Transportation Department: Transportation
My Ride K-12 App
My Ride K-12 capabilities include the following:
Stop location, assigned route, and scheduled pick up time.
GPS geo-location push notifications, giving estimated time of bus arrival and information concerning bus status changes.
Real time communication and messaging.
Secure and confidential log in.
Android/iOS app and web version available.
Medication Drop-off
If your student(s) will need medication during the school day, please follow these instructions:
The medication forms can be found on the RPS website and are linked below. Please remember these documents must be signed by a parent AND their physician. Medication should be dropped off in its original container.
