Matt Zokoe - Principal
mzokoe@rockfordschools.org
Address: 6849 Young Avenue, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Phone: (616) 863-6340
Family Action Items
Information on these items can be found in the newsletter:
- Enroll your DK/K student for next year.
- Last Chance
- for next year's class placement.
- Check out the Lost and Found Pictures.
- 5th Grade Families - Please check out the needed action items.
From The Desk of Mr. Zokoe
Lakes Families,
M-STEP starts next week for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students. Thank you for your support in providing positive encouragement to your student over the next few weeks. Please let the office or your student’s teacher know if there is an absence during this testing window. This allows staff to help with any rescheduling of testing if needed.
Our April character trait focus is perseverance. Perseverance means choosing not to give up, even when something is hard. Students demonstrate perseverance when they keep practicing a skill, finish a tough project, or push through challenges with determination. This trait teaches kids that effort and persistence are just as important as talent when working toward a goal. We will meet as DENS on Wednesday, April 29, for our DEN assembly. Please dress in your DEN colors!
In May, our staff will come together to help support student placement for the 2026-27 school year. Above is a parent input link to help in our process. Please complete the link by May 15 for all current kindergarten through fourth-grade students.
Thank you for your continued partnership,
Matt Zokoe
The Magical Kingdom of Reading
What a wonderful March we had! Congratulations to our grand prize winners who took home our dragon pool floats. All students who completed their bingo boards earned a prize!
Thank you for making this year's Hand2Hand event a huge success! Lakes' students delivered big and surpassed our goal by packing 1,250 snack bags, along with an additional 477 granola bars and 574 fruit snacks! Your generous donations will provide 500 local children facing food insecurity with enough snack bags for nearly two weeks. Beyond the donations, Lakes' students demonstrated a level of enthusiasm and kindness that we can all be proud of. THANK YOU for your support!
DK/K Enrollment is open!
All students must be screened for DK and K. Spring Screening will take place next week. The next screening will be in late summer. Please complete your enrollment now to be included in next week's screening.
How to Volunteer
Step 1 : Get involved! Contact the PTO for volunteer opportunities, become a daily volunteer, sign up to be a Watch D.O.G., or check your teacher's newsletters for additional classroom opportunities.
Step 2 : Complete a background check online. Background checks can take 2-3 weeks to process so please complete it early! Names are not cleared until teachers, PTO, or volunteer coordinators know that you are coming in. So DON'T hesitate to sign up for a volunteer opportunity, but DO make sure that you have completed the online form this school year! Forms must be resubmitted each school year.
Step 3 : This one is on us! We'll contact our security department to run your background check, and then you will receive an "All Clear" email!
Step 4 : Bring your driver's license on your volunteer day! Scan the back of your license, smile for a picture, and we'll direct you down to your classroom or volunteer space.
Thank you for supporting our Lakes community!
Off The Bat of Mrs. McClure
We are still in need of some volunteers - especially on Mondays!
Our students have already run over 700 miles!
Field Day Is Coming!
Field Day will take place on May 15th (rain date is the 19th). Please join us as a volunteer or help our students cool down by donating popsicles. Thank you for your support.
Thank you Mr. Reutter and Mr. Low for joining us this week!
Daily Volunteers
We are seeking parent or family volunteers to support our learning community at Lakes daily. We are seeking support for both our lunchroom and recess spaces during the day. Parents will be aiding in activities that will allow our students to continue to grow in social situations here at school. Your participation is greatly appreciated!
Current Available Options:
- Lunchroom - 11:15 am - 12:50 pm
- Lunch Recess - 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Last Recess - 1:50 pm - 3:25 pm
Watch D.O.G.S
Watch D.O.G. Volunteer Sign Up
Watch D.O.G.S. is a nationwide program with two primary goals: First, to provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important. And second, to provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security, reduce bullying, and promote good sportsmanship.
We offer two options to make it easier to get involved. When you sign up from the link in the Lakes newsletters, you will select if you are full day or afternoon only.
First is a whole day from 8:25 am - 3:45 pm . You will support the building from drop-off until the pick-up line is empty! This is how the program was designed and is the most preferred.
Second is a half-day option with a start at 11:00 am or 1:00 pm until 3:45 pm.
During M-Step and NWEA testing, we will offer PM options only due to morning testing blocks.
Notes for 5th Grade Parents/Guardians
Action Items From the Committee
- ReBounders : Reminder letter and Required Waiver
- T-Shirt Orders: One t-shirt is included for every 5th-grade student. There is an option to purchase a sweatshirt. Both the t-shirt and sweatshirt will be grey and the back will feature their high school graduation year and each student's signature. Place your order by May 4th or your student will receive a default size.
- Photos: For our 5th-grade celebration this year, we will include a slideshow. Please email 2 photos of your child to Mrs. Wood for the slideshow that will be played at the celebration.
Guidelines:
Please attach the photos as JPEGs
Include one photo from the earlier years (kindergarten time frame)
Include one present-day photo
Photos should include only your child!
stephaniewood@guildmortgage.net
Action Items From Teachers
- Class Books Orders Due Today (not the same as the yearbooks)
Dates To Know
4/24 : Salmon Release Day. Students will visit Townsend Park for the release.
5/12 : Field Trip to J.A. Biztown (Volunteers, please see your email from your student's teacher)
5/28 : Field Trip to ReBounderz with all other Future 6th ERMS students
6/3 : 5th Grade Celebration (additional details to follow)
Lost and Found April
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Unclaimed Lost and Found items will be donated next Friday, April 17th. Please stop by or send your student to claim their items before it's gone!
Superintendent Sub For A Day
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 and multiple entries gladly accepted! Teachers may nominate themselves or a colleague. One winner will be drawn monthly, January–May 2026
Rockford Eats
The Rockford Education Foundation (REF) is excited to announce the Rockford Eats Gift Card Fundraiser, running from April 20 to May 1, 2026! This unique opportunity supports Rockford students and lets you savor the best of our local dining scene. With each $100 donation to REF you’ll receive a $50 gift certificate to one of our fantastic restaurant partners of your choice!
Your generosity fuels local education initiatives and helps sustain the restaurants that make our community special. Gift cards will be mailed by REF the week of May 11, 2026.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame!
Rockford Family Night is back this year on May 19th! For each ticket purchased through the link below, a portion will be donated back to the elementary schools!
Lakes PTO
3rd Annual T-shirt Design Contest Launched This Week!
The 3rd Annual T-shirt Design Contest has launched! We are looking for an amazing design that embodies Lakes school spirit and pride! The winning design will appear on the school spirit t-shirts for the whole school, given out as part of the Activity Pass.
Printed copies of the contest rules and submission template are coming home this week, and students have until May 6, 2026 to submit their design. Alternatively, students have the opportunity to design and submit their entry during their Art specials with Mrs. Poel. Students will vote on the top submissions by grade and the grand prize winner will be announced the week of May 18th. Looking forward to seeing all your amazing entries! Contest rules and submission template can also be downloaded HERE.
Next PTO Public Meeting on Thursday, May 7th.
Our next PTO meeting will take place on Thursday, May 7th at Lakes Elementary, 7pm in Room 25. No prior experience or participation needed; everyone is welcome to attend! The agenda will be shared on our Facebook page that week. Our primary agenda items will be reviewing + voting on the 2026-27 budget, as well as discussing our Activity Pass fundraising plan for next school year. Hope to see you there.
Ready, Set, Bid! Lakes PTO Annual Silent Auction Launches May 10th
It's that time of year! Lakes PTO is proud to announce its annual silent auction and online fundraiser. Join us online from May 10-17th to bid on cool items and experiences from your favorite local businesses, organizations and even offerings from staff from Lakes themselves. More information will be shared in the coming weeks about how to win big while supporting your school. Stay tuned!
Reminder: Activity Pass Payments Accepted
Your student's Activity Pass is their ticket to field trips (entry and transportation), as well as other fun and enriching activities throughout the school year. As a reminder, please review the Activity Pass amounts by grade and submit payment for your student. Have questions or need details on the Activity Pass? Click here!
Kindergarten ($82) - 1st ($67) - 2nd ($77) - 3rd ($98) - 4th ($133) - 5th ($127)
Pay Now online via Paypal or Venmo, or drop a check at the front office.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact Mr. Zokoe for a confidential discussion.
If you have a business that'd like to donate to the PTO scholarship fund to cover families experiencing financial hardship, please contact the PTO for more information.
Thank you to our business sponsors this year! Their generous contributions help our scholarship fund. A warm and hearty high five to the following businesses: 85West Dental, SixOneSix Dentistry for Children, Douglas Photography, Integrated Packaging Machinery, Rockford Self Storage and Swift Printing!
Join the PTO!
Join our team of parent volunteers as we enhance the learning and educational experience of students and staff at Lakes Elementary. Work alongside fellow parents, get to know Lakes teachers and staff while making a positive impact on our school. We have many volunteer roles available for the 2025-26 school year. CLICK HERE to fill out an interest form!
Helpful Links
Lakes Recycling Initiatives
NexTrex Plastic Recycling
The program has been revamped and our goal is now to collect 250lbs of plastic EACH quarter.
- Produce bags, grocery bags, ice bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags - Plastics that can stretch.
- BIG NEWS! We have reached our goal and collected over 250lbs. We'll start collecting another 250lbs for our next goal!
Papergator Recycling
Papergator use can continue throughout the summer! The green dumpster is located in the side parking lot. Papergator can accept office/school papers, newspapers, junk mail, magazines, shredded paper, and cereal boxes (paperboard that can be torn), etc. Please note, wrapping paper (without sparkles) can be donated to Papergator for all your Holiday party cleanup!
Pop Can Tabs
Pop can tabs are collected in the office and sent to the Ronald McDonald House. Please bring to Mrs. Low in the office.
Upcoming Dates
- 4/22: Early Release at 1:30 pm
- 4/27 - 4/29: Hearing and Vision Screening Part 1
- 4/29: Den Assembly - Dress in Den Colors
- 5/6: Early Release at 1:30 pm
- 5/8: Slushy Sales by Empower U during lunches
- 5/15: Field Day
- 5/18 - 5/19: Hearing and Vision Screening Part 2
- 5/19: Field Day Rain Date + Popcorn Day
- 5/19: Rockford Family Night at the Whitecaps
- 5/22 + 5/25: No School - Memorial Day Weekend
- 6/4: Half Day
- 6/5: Half Day + Last Day of School
Important Links
After the Bell - Rockford Community Services Registrations
School Assistance Program Information
School Lunch Offerings or the Nutrislice App on your mobile phone
