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.
- Check backpacks for March is Reading Month Bingo Boards and Reading Slips.
- Order a yearbook!
- 5th Grade Parents - turn in your student's pictures!
From The Desk of Mr. Zokoe
Lakes Families,
This week, it was so great to see our families supporting our students and school through parent/teacher conferences and the spring book fair. Thank you for meeting with our teachers to learn about the successes your students are making this school year. I hope that our “glows” and “grows” will continue as we work to finish out the school year this spring.
Spring State testing will begin after Spring Break for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students. A calendar of the dates will be communicated soon to help with scheduling appointments during the testing window. If you have a planned time away from school, please let your student’s teacher know to help with test rescheduling.
Thank you for your continued partnership,
Matt Zokoe
The Magical Kingdom of Reading
March also brings Reading Month to Lakes. This year’s theme is The Magical Kingdom of Reading. We are looking forward to many reading activities here at school that will help us continue to immerse ourselves in reading, as well as support our community partners. A ‘knightly’ reading log and bingo board will be coming home to help students keep track of their reading minutes. Students will have the opportunity to earn locker castle banners and prizes by turning in their reading slips or bingo boards. We will have a spirit week to help dress up here at school. Please see the Hand2Hand flier that helps explain our partnership and how our Lakes community can help others with a fun March Reading Madness book bracket and student voting here at school.
Voting in the Book Bracket and Support Hand2Hand
Initiative
Our March character trait focus is initiative. Initiative is doing something without being asked because it needs to be done. Students show initiative when they clean up after themselves, help a friend, or begin homework on their own. Encouraging initiative builds independence, responsibility, and confidence in their ability to take action. We will continue to focus on initiative through our RAMS model every day at Lakes.
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
Watch D.O.G.S
Thank you to Mr. Coppedge for joining us as Watch D.O.G. this week! We appreciate you.
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 pm until 3:45 pm.
February Artists of the Month
Mileage Club
We saw sunshine and 50 degrees today, so that must mean it's almost time for Mileage Club! Please see the attached information below and our Volunteer Signup. We can not run Mileage Club without our amazing, lunchtime volunteers. Thank you for supporting our students!
Mileage Club 2026 Information
Yearbook Sales are now open!
Yearbook are now available to be pre-ordered! Make your purchase today.
Lakes Yearbook ID is 14560826
5th Grade Parents
For our 5th grade celebration this year, we will include a slideshow. Please email 2 photos of your child to stephaniewood@guildmortgage.net to be included in the slideshow at the celebration. Please attach the photos as JPEGs and include one photo from the earlier years (kindergarten time frame) and one present day photo. Photos should include only your child! Additional details regarding end of the year celebration will be announced soon. Thank you!
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
GYM Shoes + Attire Reminders
- Appropriate footwear is needed for gym every day that students have that special. Please label a pair of gym shoes and consider having your student leave them in their locker. They are welcome to wear their gym shoes when changing out of winter boots at this time of year - they do not need to be GYM only. However, they do need to be closed-toed, non-slip shoes. Crocks, even in 'sports mode" are not acceptable.
- Students do need to have boots and snow pants while the snow remains on the ground AND usually until Spring Break. Lakes' playground tends to be all mud in the early spring. Snow pants and boots will help to protect your student's clothing and shoes.
Lending Closet Re-stocking
Lakes has a Lending Closet for those in need of new clothing items due to an accident, injury, or other need. If your student borrows items from the Lending Closet, please wash them and have your student return them to school for the next student to use. We are looking to restock the following items from your previously loved clothing:
- Big Girls size 2-4 tennis shoes
- Boys and Girls size 4-5 pants with elastic waists
- Adult size 6 - 9 tennis shoes
- Winter coats in sizes 8+
- Waterproof gloves and mittens
GRASP
Grand Rapids Academic Summer Programs can help your child maintain reading and math skills over summer break! GRASP is an at-home program used by families for 50 years!
Children finishing Kindergarten to 8th grade receive a packet of materials with a booklet. This booklet has 9 units of review exercises to be completed each week. Each lesson takes about one hour to complete. Children in grades 4 to 8 can choose to do GRASP online instead of using the book and scan sheets.
For additional details, please follow this link. Sign-ups will be available at RPS Digital Sign Up Link until noon on April 15th, 2026.
Lakes PTO
Pizza Pizza!
Thank you to all our Lakes families who stopped by the gym ths week to grab a slice of pizza or a box to go! And a huge PTO high five to our local pie partner Pizzeria Grande for helping us bring this convenient meal service to our busy families during parent-teacher conference hours. We hope you enjoyed it!
Reminder: Activity Pass
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
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 400 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. 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
- 3/11: Early Release at 1:30 pm
- 3/25: Early Release at 1:30 pm
- 4/2 - 4/10: Spring Break
- 4/13: School Resumes
- 4/22: Early Release at 1:30 pm
- 5/6: Early Release at 1:30 pm
Important Links
After the Bell - Rockford Community Services Registrations
North Kent Connect February Resources
School Assistance Program Information
School Lunch Offerings or the Nutrislice App on your mobile phone
