Adam Burkholder - Principal
aburkholder@rockfordschools.org
Derek Dillon - Assistant Principal
Jennifer Domagalski-Athletic Director/Student Activities
jdomagalski@rockfordschools.org
Dear ERMS Families:
October is here, and with it comes a moment to celebrate the strong start we’ve had at East. Our students, staff, and families have launched the year with energy and teamwork that set the stage for great things ahead.We are grateful for the parents who joined us at Parent-Teacher Conferences. Your involvement matters and directly supports your child’s growth and success. When families, teachers, and schools work together, we create a united team that benefits every student. Conferences highlight this partnership, families gain insight, teachers gain perspective, and students see the power of adults working together for their success. We’re proud to partner with you in reinforcing these values at home, knowing that together we’re shaping responsible, compassionate, and capable Rams.Here’s to a year of growth, character, and community—proud to be a Ram!
Adam Burkholder
Principal
East Rockford Middle School
Dear Parents and Guardians,As Halloween approaches, we know many of our students are excited to celebrate the day at school. Students are welcome to wear costumes, but we do ask that families follow a few important guidelines to keep the day fun and safe for everyone:
- Costumes should be school appropriate.
- No weapons or weapon-like props of any kind.
- No political costumes or messaging.
- No full-face coverings or masks that hide a student’s identity.
- Costumes should not disrupt learning or the school day.
In addition, we are excited to announce the 7/8th Grade Halloween Dance after school. Students are welcome to wear their costumes to the dance as well, with the same expectations listed above. This ensures that all students can enjoy the event in a safe and respectful environment. The 7/8th Grade dance will be a combined dance with North Rockford Middle School. This year NRMS will be hosting the dance and transportation from ERMS to NRMS will be provided and it will be a drop only. Students will need be picked up at NRMS at 4:15. Cost to attend the dance is $10 (no costume) and $5 (costume) cash only, please. There will be dancing and concessions will be open (cash, card and Apple Pay). Looking forward to a spooktacular good time!We appreciate your support in helping us make this a safe, enjoyable experience for all students both during the school day and at the dance. If you have any questions about what is or isn’t appropriate, please feel free to reach out to the office before Halloween.
Counseling Corner
Ms. Barbeau and Mr. Haggadone are here to support your child! If your child is in need of academic, social, or emotional support, please have them come to our office. We are also available by contacting (616) 863-6140.
Vist the Well Minded Matters website.
Counselors:
Last Names A - L: Scott Haggadone - shaggadone@rockfordschools.org
Last Names M-Z: Erin Barbeau - ebarbeau@rockfordschools.org
ERMS Counseling Dog - Ruffles
Our students want to hear about your career!
Looking for parents to help share a little about their careers with students during our Career Speakers series. If you are interested in spending roughly 30 minutes talking with middle school students about what you do for a living, what education it took to be trained for your career, and what employment path you took to get to where you are today, we would love to have you!
Please use the sign-up link below to show your interest and availability. Someone in the counseling office will reach out to connect with you for more details.
 | Career Speakers |
Hand2Hand Sign Up Form – If your family is
experiencing a financial burden and could benefit
from additional meal support over the weekend,
Hand2Hand can help. A discreet backpack of
meals and snacks for your student is delivered
to their lockers to take home weekly. Please
click this link for additional information
Library Loop
CHROMEBOOK CARE:
- We recommend that students keep their device in a case when it’s not in your backpack. This provides extra protection in case of a drop.
- Please have your child always carry your device with two hands.
- Please remind your child not walk around the classroom or your home with your device open. Close the screen so you can carry it properly with two hands.
- Do not pop off keyboard keys as they will eventually not pop back on.
Do not touch another student’s device for any reason. You will be responsible for damage that results from an action you take, whether you meant to do the damage or not, so please be careful.
- Broken Screen $30
- Broken Keyboard (missing keys, etc.) $30
- Damaged chassis/lost device $200
- Charger $15
If you have any questions, please let us know. We appreciate your support!
Library FYI for families: If you receive a Thursday notification about lost or overdue book and have any questions, please encourage your student to come to the library and ask library staff OR login to their Destiny account in HelloID and see which books on their account need to be returned. If your family needs to pay for a book that was damaged or cannot be returned, your student should bring cash or a check (written to Rockford Public Schools) to the library. Library staff will update the student's account and print a receipt.
attendance at ERMS
Policy for picking up your student DURING the school day:
Please have your student come to the main office to pick up their pass when they arrive at school in the morning. A note stating the time they need to leave is helpful in case they forget the time they are leaving. This policy is to discourage calling into classrooms and interrupting teacher instruction. When you arrive to pick up your student please wait in the vestibule for them and sign them out on our sign out sheet.
If your student is sick or unable to attend school for the whole day please leave a message on our attendance line 616-863-6140 stating the reason for the absence. Please spell your students first and last name.
"Strive for less than 5"
Cellphone/Watches/AirPods/Ear Buds
Instructional time is for learning. With 1:1 computer access at school, cell phones no longer have a place in the classroom. Our students are only permitted to use their cell phones before and after school. During the school day, all cell phones, and earbuds/AirPods are expected to be kept in their locker. Students are required to use wired headphones during the school day to connect to their laptops if sound is required. The purpose of this practice is to eliminate distractions in our classrooms and to help our students stay focused on their academics.
Please note: If a child has an IEP or special circumstance, accommodations may be made through the Counseling Office or IEP team.
Unless explicitly directed by a staff member, students are not permitted to use a phone (or similar device) during the instructional period. This policy extends to our hallways and common areas.
Parents/guardians who need to reach a student during an instructional period may call our main office at 616.863.6140 and we will ensure that the student receives the message. Thank you!
