Dr. Kyle Avink - Principal
kavink@rockfordschools.org
Address: 6350 Courtland Dr., Rockford, MI 49341
Phone: (616) 863-6346
CRESTWOOD CALENDAR
Do you like to plan ahead?! Check out the Crestwood building calendar for exciting upcoming events specific for our building!
DISTRICT CALENDAR
The 2026-2027 district calendar can be viewed by clicking the button below:
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
CLASSROOM CELEBRATIONS
HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS:
We’re excited to bring back one of our favorite school traditions this year—classroom celebrations! These are special opportunities for our students, teachers, and families to celebrate together. Our classroom parties are scheduled for:
- October 30 – Halloween
- December 17 – Holiday
- February 11 – Valentine’s Day
Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll send information to families about how you can sign up to participate in one of the three parties. We’ll be able to have a maximum of five parents/guardians per classroom for each party.
To give as many families as possible the opportunity to participate, each family may sign up for one party per child during the school year. This will help ensure that we can have a variety of parents and guardians represented at our celebrations.
STUDENTS BIRTHDAY:
Students often like to bring in a little something for their class to help celebrate their birthdays. That being said, we ask that you do not bring in any kind of food treats or balloons of any kind.
VOLUNTEERING & BACKGROUND CHECKS
Do you or a family member plan on volunteering here at Crestwood throughout the school year? (Field trip chaperone, mystery reader, classroom support, mileage club, classroom celebrations, etc.) If so, you will need to fill out a background check on the RPS website.
If you have already filled out a background check previously, it will need to be done again. Background checks need to be run for each volunteer each school year.
CRESTWOOD REMINDERS
Who do I call if my student will be absent or late to school?
- If your student will be absent or tardy, please call the attendance line OR email both the teacher AND Laura Greene (lgreene@rockfordschools.org)
- If a student is ill, you must include the symptoms (or diagnosis) for our weekly health report to KCHD
What if my student is out sick?
Absences MUST be called into the office 616.863.6346 or emailed to the front office - lgreene@rockfordschools.org
Please leave a message on our general voicemail box if you are calling after hours. Whether you are reporting an absence on our voicemail, the State of Michigan requires us to know the following:
- Student's name and teacher
- Reason for absence - if it is an illness we need to know the symptoms of the illness - vomiting, coughing, fever, cold, diarrhea, lice - whatever the reason may be.
Who do I notify if I have a dismissal change for my student(s)?
- We kindly request that there are no early pickups after 2:45pm. Once the parent pick up line starts to form out front, the office staff is busy with dismissal duties throughout the building.
- Please be sure to let us know of any dismissal changes PRIOR to 2pm
- To contact us with changes, please call 616-863-6346 or email both the teacher AND Laura Greene (lgreene@rockfordschools.org) in the event the teacher doesn’t see the message prior to dismissal.
Where do I find parent communications?
- Our family newsletter and other updates are posted on the RPS website on the Crestwood page bi-weekly during the school year
- You can also check out the Crestwood Elementary & Crestwood PTO Facebook pages
- Please always feel free to call or email the office with any questions
How do I set up or change busing for my student(s)?
- Please contact Transportation directly at 616-863-6328
- We also appreciate your help to support our drivers and remind your students of proper bus behavior
Important Contact Information:
Crestwood Office/Attendance Line 616-863-6346
Allyssa Shanahan ashanahan@rockfordschools.org
Laura Greene lgreene@rockfordschools.org
Transportation Office 616-863-6328
BAC/Child Care Office 616-863-6560
Community Services 616-863-6322
GRADES K-5 RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION (RtI)
August 2026
Dear K-5 Families,
Rockford Public Schools is committed to ensuring all students learn at high levels. An important part of our commitment is implementing a comprehensive Response to Intervention (RtI)process to help students develop and increase their literacy skills.
RtI is a structured, multi-tiered approach to help identify and support struggling students by providing high-quality direct instruction and intervention. This approach includes implementation of priority reading standards for content, identification of concepts and skills for student proficiency, and the utilization of assessment data to analyze student progress. RtI is a process to respond in a timely, targeted, and systematic way when students demonstrate the need for intervention. The RtI process includes the following steps:
❖ Step 1: Universal Screening and Assessment Universal screening for all students will be conducted three times per year (fall, winter, spring) in grades K-5. Common grade level reading assessments will be administered frequently within our CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) units. These assessments will monitor student progress and identify student proficiency in comparison to grade level expectations.
❖ Step 2: Analyzing Assessment Data Collaborative teams including your child’s classroom teacher, principal, instructional coach, reading interventionist, resource room teacher, speech and language pathologist, and school psychologist will meet to analyze performance on multiple assessments. This information will determine specific instructional interventions for grade level content and/or prerequisite reading skills.
❖ Step 3: Instruction and Intervention The RtI process uses a multi-tiered system of reading instruction and intervention. Each tier has instructional support structures or interventions that help teachers implement research-based curriculum, instructional practices and interventions to improve student achievement.
➢ Tier I Instruction for all students with grade level reading instruction.
➢ Flex Time Intervention for targeted student needs in the classroom with reteaching or extension of grade level content from priority reading standards.
➢ Tier III Intervention for students needing direct, intensive literacy intervention for skills well below current grade level benchmarks
Additionally, the Michigan Legislature passed the Third Grade Reading Law in 2016 to ensure that students exit third grade reading at or above grade level. In accordance with this law, the Rockford RtI process will be providing the required assessments, the identification process for students who need intensive reading instruction and intervention, and the instruction to meet individual student needs. The law also requires districts to provide early and regular written communication with parents of K-3 students who are not meeting proficiency targets in reading.
If your child is in grades K-3 and not meeting benchmark through universal screening, classroom assessments, and flex time interventions, we will be contacting you with further information regarding Tier III interventions. Communication will include information about additional services provided for identified students with an Individualized Reading Plan (IRP)and strategies for you to help your child at home (a Read-At-Home Plan) if applicable.
Rockford Public Schools focuses on literacy throughout the school day, but we still need your support. Family engagement plays a vital role in a child’s success as a reader. We look forward to building a partnership with you to develop successful and lifelong readers. If you have further questions regarding the RtI process, please contact your building principal and/or your child’s classroom teacher.
PTO UPDATES
PTO BOARD UPDATE
JOIN US - PTO MEETING
The PTO board and committees are ready to support our staff and students! All parents and staff are automatically a part of the PTO. The first meeting is Tuesday, September 15th at 7:00 PM in the Media Center at Crestwood and we'd love to see you there! Come hear what we’re planning, share your ideas, and meet other Crestwood parents. Meet your PTO.
SAVE THE DATE - DONUTS WITH GROWN UPS
One of our student-favorite Crestwood traditions is back! We’d love for your family to join us for PTO’s Donuts with Grown-Ups on September 17th (last names A-L) and September 18th (last names M-Z) from 8:00 AM - 8:25 AM on the Crestwood playground! Bring a parent, grandparent or favorite grown-up! All adults must ride and attend with the student as it makes it difficult to find kids that may arrive by bus.
Please park in the main parent parking lot and enjoy a few sweet minutes together before the school day begins! We can’t wait to see you there!
LET'S WELCOME OUR NEW PTO BOARD!
Join us in welcoming our 2026-2027 PTO!
PTO is excited to introduce the incredible volunteers who will be serving on our board and committees for the upcoming school year!
From family events and staff appreciation to Mileage Club, popcorn days, and classroom support, these volunteers help create many of the experiences that make Crestwood a special place.
Please join us in welcoming and thanking our new and returning members choosing to serve our Crestwood community.
Activity pass information and volunteer opportunities for the 2026-27 school year will be posted online in early August and again at Open Houses on August 19th. For more PTO related information, visit our website and Facebook page!
ACTIVITY PASS
PTO Activity PassThe PTO Activity Pass is a one-time payment for your child to participate in fun and enriching activities during the school year. This takes the place of multiple fundraisers. Each grade level pass amount is thoughtfully determined by the field trips they will be taking throughout the year and events PTO is hosting.
This year, the passes are due on October 2nd. If you need to make multiple payments, we understand and appreciate your support. If you have a need for financial assistance, please contact the school office at 616.863.6346.
All passes include a student T-shirt, Mileage Club participation, family event participation and classroom grants for special projects or supplies. PTO also financially manages conference meals for staff twice a year, National Appreciation Week, Field Day expenses, literacy events and musical guest performances.
VOLUNTEER SIGN UPS
Want to be part of the fun at Crestwood Elementary? There are so many ways to get involved. You don’t have to make a huge commitment to make a big impact. Click on each of the below volunteer categories to sign up.
- – Help your child’s classroom plan events and support teachers throughout the year. The room parent informational meeting is September 1st at 7:00 PM in the Media Center at Crestwood.
- – Cheer on our students, count laps, and celebrate students staying active
- – Package and pass out one of our students’ favorite treats once a month
- – Help create a special morning for our students and their grown-ups September 17th & 18th
Whether you have time once a month or can jump in whenever you’re available, we’d love to have you!
STUDENT RESPONSE PROTOCOL
Dear Rockford Families,
Rockford Public Schools is deeply committed to the safety and security of our students, staff, and the community we serve. We view safety as a layered approach—built through community involvement, continued district critical incident training, staff and student engagement, family support, and the use of both physical and technological safeguards. At the heart of this work is strong relationship-building. By collaborating with students, families, staff, and law enforcement partners, we foster a climate of trust that allows every student to learn, grow, and thrive.
In response to new state law signed in January 2025, school districts were required to adopt standardized emergency responses and terminology. To meet this expectation, Rockford Public Schools is partnering with the Kent Intermediate School District and the I Love U Guys Foundation to align our protocols with best practices and provide education across our school community.
The I Love U Guys Foundation has developed the Standard Response Protocol (SRP)—an allhazards approach designed for urgent situations. The SRP includes developmentally appropriate lessons that classroom teachers will share with students from Preschool through 12th grade in the months ahead.
Students will learn about the following procedures this fall:
● September: Lockdown
● October: Secure and Hold
● November: Shelter and Evacuate
Families are encouraged to learn more about the Standard Response Protocol by visiting the I Love U Guys Foundation parent handout. Together, we can ensure our students are prepared, supported, and safe.
The safety of our students is our highest priority. By providing age-appropriate tools and clear procedures, we aim to give students confidence while fostering a strong sense of security in our schools. With your partnership, Rockford Public Schools will continue to build a culture of preparedness, care, and support so that every child can learn and thrive.
We would also like to direct you to the Rockford Public Schools Security Team page on the website for information on Michigan Secure Storage Law RPS Security. The secure storage law Public Act 17 of 2023 provides information on the requirements and penalties for storing and securing firearms. There is also helpful information from Project ChildSafe on responsible ownership and having a conversation with your children about gun safety. Please take the time to review this information and have conversations with your children about the Standard Response Protocols and gun safety.
This year Rockford Public Schools is following the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation. The SRP provides clear, common language for how we, as staff and students, respond to different situations, whether that’s a drill, a medical emergency, or a security concern. The terms Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter are simple and action-based, helping everyone know exactly what to do. By practicing these responses, we ensure that our students and staff are prepared and safe in any situation.
Please reach out if you have any questions about this protocol.
STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
REMINDERS
Feel free to pack an extra pair of socks, shorts, t-shirt, and sweatpants in your child's backpack during the spring months. Don’t forget to put your child’s name on coats, rain boots, etc. Thank you!
Weather Alert
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!
NO CELLPHONES OR SMART WATCHES
- Students with a cellphone will be asked to turn the phone off and not use them during the school day. Please do not text or call your student on their device during the school day. This creates a distraction to the classroom. We will always help with communication through the office or an email to the teacher if needed.
- Students with Apple watches or other wrist devices are asked not use the device to communicate during the school day.
- Students who need to contact home because they are ill or wondering about the end of the day pick up should talk to their classroom teacher who will help them navigate next steps of support.
- Devices at school are distracting to students during the learning day and we ask that unless your student needs the device to communicate after school that they stay home.
- Thank you for your support.
ACCESS SUPPORT AT NO COST
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
