Matt Zokoe - Principal
mzokoe@rockfordschools.org
Address: 6849 Young Avenue, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Phone: (616) 863-6340
From The Desk of Mr. Zokoe
Lakes Families,
What an awesome Holiday Concert our students performed this past Monday night at the Rockford High School Auditorium. Mrs. McCloskey, our music teacher, did a fantastic job preparing our students for a fun night. As we approach our holiday season, you can always revisit the performance using the recorded YouTube link found here. Thank you, everyone, for your support of our student performers!
Our December character trait focus is generosity. Generosity means giving freely without expecting anything in return. Students can practice generosity by sharing their time, talents, or belongings with others. When students experience the joy of giving, they learn that kindness and compassion often bring even more happiness than receiving. We will continue to focus on being RAMS through our RAMS model when playing on the playground. We can show this by being Respectful when taking turns and using kind words and actions. We can demonstrate this by being Accountable when playing by the rules and inviting others to play. We can be Motivated to line up when students are called, set a good example, and use the equipment appropriately. We demonstrate being Safe by reporting a problem to an adult, walking to and from the building, and when we are overwhelmed, telling an adult. Please continue to help support our RAMS model at home by reviewing these with your learner. On December 17, we will celebrate our students of the month during our MTSS-Behavior assembly. Students are encouraged to wear their DEN color for our assembly. Right now, Dens are collecting many Den points. So much so that a special opportunity during the assembly may happen as a result. Points are awarded for both activities and positive behavior related to our RAMS model.
Our winter weather seems to have started early. Thank you for equipping your students for the weather. If something is to get misplaced, please place your student’s name somewhere on the winter equipment. Our lost and found will grow quickly this winter season, and it is our goal to get the materials back to our students.
In partnership,
Matt Zokoe
Cannonsburg Punch Pass
Cannonsburg Punch Cards are now available. Lakes' sponsor is Matt Zokoe. Cannonsburg Punch Cards
Cannonsburg's punch cards offer discounted lift tickets so that students in kinderfarten through 12th grade can enjoy winter to the fullest! Punch cards also offer discounts on rentals and private lessons. There are options for 6 and 10 punches.
Ages 7-10 can get 6 punches for $120 - a savings of $9.17 per lift ticket.
Ages 11+ can get 6 punches for $160 - a savings of $28.34 per lift ticket.
From the Shelf of Mrs. Van StenSel
Battle of the Books - Reading needs to be completed by January 9th. Please make sure to turn in your signed question and answer sheets for each book! The Grand Battle will take place Friday, January 30, 2026 at Rockford High School.
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!
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
Lakes Around The World
This year, Lakes students have the unique opportunity to interact with exchange students from four countries: Brazil, Italy, Spain, and Germany. This initiative is designed to foster cultural exchange and broaden students’ global perspectives. We could use your help from 9:15-11am on December 16! Volunteers will assist by guiding exchange student teams to various classrooms and providing support to teachers as needed during presentations. Your help will ensure smooth and engaging sessions within a given timeline!
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. To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important. As well as 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 pickup 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 11:00am -or- 1pm until 3:45pm).
Watch Dog on Duty
Thank you to Mr. Low for joining us so far this week! Mr. Low enjoyed math games and some cold weather fun!
Do you have a question? Please email our Volunteer Coordinators - Mr. Low and Mr. Proefrock!
WatchDogsLakes@gmail.com
Lakes Supporting Lakes
Lakes Families- if you are looking for a way to support some of our Lakes families in need this holiday season, Mrs. Remtema would love to partner with you! We are looking to obtain gift cards for groceries, supporting gift giving, etc. If you're able to help support a Lakes Family, please reach out to Mrs. Remtema via email to coordinate- kremtema@rockfordschools.org.
Student Council News
Student Council will begin collecting items for our Toys for Tots drive through Thursday, December 11th. These new, unopened toys, art supplies, sports equipment, stuffed animals, and more will be going to children in our community to support their holiday celebrations in a time of need. Last year, we collected 101 toys! We are looking forward to this opportunity to practice giving, kindness, and gratefulness during this holiday season.
Our student council students will be featured on a news segment on WZZM 13, on December 12th at 6:30am! Make sure to tune in to catch them and your donations.
Yearbook Sales are now open!
Yearbook are now available to be pre-ordered! Make your purchase today.
Lakes Yearbook ID is 14560826
December Featured Artists
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Shape + Color Castle by Briggs O. (1st Grade)
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Alphabet Soup by Delaney H (Kindergarten)
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Animal Classification by Henry L (3rd Grade)
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Ming Vase by Isaac V (2nd Grade)
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Planets by Lexi T (5th Grade)
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Symmetrical Rose Windows by Myles Q (4th Grade) and Sutton K (4th Grade)
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Girls On the Run
Our 2026 Season registration is open for all girls in grades 3-5. Registration will close on December 11th. You will receive an email confirming that your application has been submitted. This does NOT guarantee a spot on a team. Girls will receive confirmation if they have been given a place on a team following Team Placement Day, on December 12, 2025. While we try to provide enough teams to accommodate all girls, it is possible that we may not be able to place all girls on a team.
At this time, we will only have one team at Lakes. We need more coaches to accommodate our usual level of student interest. Coaches will receive a discount on registration for their students!
Lakes PTO
Introducing LAKESPTO.ORG - our new website!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new website! It is a one-stop shop for all your PTO information needs. We hope that it will help streamline communication with our Lakes community and make it easier for you to stay up-to-date on our efforts in the school throughout the year. Check it out HERE!
Holiday Gift Giving Guide - Staff Favorite Things
Are you planning to purchase a holiday gift for a teacher, staff member and/or bus driver but don’t know what to get? Check out the Staff Favorites Thing resource on our website under the Forms and Document section. It is full of helpful information that can help you pick out the perfect gift to share your gratitude. Click HERE to take a peek.
Note: This was a voluntary survey for all Lakes staff. If you do not see a specific person listed, please let us know. We’ll contact them to let them know to take a few minutes and complete it.
High Five Newsletter - Trimester 1 Recap
Check out our top five PTO highlights from the first trimester. A huge thank you to all our families and volunteers who helped us kick the year off strong. We could not do it without your time and commitment and we are excited for what’s to come! Click HERE to view.
New Opportunities
We have a number of new volunteer opportunities available below. If interested, use the provided Signup form if provided; for all others, fill out our PTO Interest Form.
CULTURAL EVENT SUPPORT Lakes PTO has organized a cultural immersion day with Rockford High foreign exchange students. Sign up to be a volunteer on Tuesday, December 16th from 9:15AM - 11AM. Volunteers will assist by guiding exchange student teams to various Lakes classrooms, taking photos for social media and providing support to teachers as needed during presentations. Sign up HERE.
SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE This all-new committee will help oversee, develop and promote sustainable practices and initiatives at Lakes, doing our part to be environmentally focused.
ROOM PARENTS Do you want to be more involved with your student’s teacher and classroom? Room parents support unique classroom tasks or needs, as well as serve as a liaison for PTO and their committees.
Reminder: Activity Pass
As you know, 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. FOURTH GRADERS, heads up! Your field trip is coming up soon, John Ball Zoo School in January!
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
Our goal is to collect 1,000 pounds this school year so we can earn a new bench for our playground!
- Produce bags, grocery bags, ice bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags - Plastics that can stretch.
- We've collected over 230 pounds of plastic so far this year!
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.
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.
Holiday Spirit Week
December 15th - December 19th
Monday : Wear your favorite holiday socks!
Tuesday : Wear stripes, wear candy cane colors, anything candy cane inspired!
Wednesday : Who-Hair, Grinch Day, Rudolf reindeer accessories, or whatever favorite movie inspires you!
Thursday : Gloves, hats, mittens, scarves - let's be cozy and warm!
Friday : Warm winter PJ day!
Upcoming Dates
- 12/1 - 12/11 : Girls on the Run Registration
- 12/10 : Early Release at 1:30pm
- 12/15 - 12/19 : Holiday Spirit Week
- 12/18 : Holiday Parties (details will come from classroom teachers or room parents)
- 12/22/25 - 1/2/26 : Holiday Break
- 1/5 - 1/9 : 4th Grade Field Trip
- 1/19 : No School for Students
- 1/23 : Popcorn Day
Important Links
After the Bell - Rockford Community Services Registrations
North Kent Connect December Resources
School Assistance Program Information
School Lunch Offerings or the Nutrislice App on your mobile phone
