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:
- for next year's class placement.
- Library Books are due - please make sure your student has turned in all their books.
- Tomorrow is the LAST popcorn day of the year. Extra bags cost $.50 each!
- Purchase your tickets for tomorrow's Rockford Family Night At The Whitecaps.
- Lakes-A-Palooza is this week! See you on Thursday.
From The Desk of Mr. Zokoe
Lakes Families,
Thank you, Mrs. McClure, for helping to put together a fun day for all our students. Thank you, volunteers, for your help with an awesome field day!
Our May character trait focus is courage. Courage is the ability to do something even when it feels scary or difficult. Students show courage when they try new things, speak up for what’s right, or face challenges with determination. Courage helps students build confidence and resilience, teaching them that growth often comes from stepping outside their comfort zone.
We will meet as DENS one final time on Wednesday, May 27, for our last DEN assembly. Please dress in your DEN colors!
As we finish our year strong, please continue to help us close out our year here at school. We are collecting library books. If you have any school library books at home, please help in getting them turned in. We will be returning student technology devices soon. If your student uses a wireless mouse or headphones, please make sure these items make it home. We will be cleaning out our lockers. Students will start to bring home extra clothing, fidgets, or other treasures from their lockers. Students have worked hard this year. Thank you for helping our students to be their best each day!
Thank you for your continued partnership,
Matt Zokoe
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 RPS 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
After week 5, our students have completed over 4, 210 miles! WOW.
- 4th Grade remains in the lead for the top grade level but 3rd grade has now run over 1,000 miles also!
- Mrs. DeBoer's class remains in the lead but Mrs. Baird's class is less than 5 miles behind.
- 98 participants have completed a 1/2 marathon (13 miles).
- 60 students have completed a full marathon (26 miles).
- 16 students have run over 50 miles!
- 11 students have run over a 100K (62 miles)!
Field Day - Thank you!
Thank you to our many, many volunteers! We can not run this special day without you.
Thank you Mr. Rapp for joining us last week as Watch D.O.G!
Daily Volunteers
Sign up to Volunteer at Lakes!
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. If your activity pass is unpaid, please send in payment for this field trip. Waivers are being checked for completion.
- 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
Dates To Know
5/28 : Field Trip to ReBounderz with all other Future 6th ERMS students
6/3 : 5th Grade Celebration (additional details to follow)
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 Book Bus
The Rockford Book Bus is gearing up for another summer of reading adventures.
- On June 6, you can find the bus in the Start of Summer parade.
- On June 13, the Book Bus will be welcoming readers at the Rockford Farmer's Market.
- On June 15, the Book Bus officially starts its travels around the Rockford community, visiting schools, neighborhoods, and daycares.
You will want to have your calendars handy so that you can embrace each week's engaging theme and share the joy of reading with others in our community.
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
May 7th PTO Meeting Recap & a Note of Gratitude
Thank you to everyone who attended our last PTO meeting of the year on Thursday, May 7th. You can view the meeting minutes HERE. We primarily discussed open roles, budget and fundraising plans for the 2026-27 year; as well as the last few events of this year.
A huge and heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who took time to participate in PTO this year- whether that was through your activity pass payment, attending a meeting, chairing or volunteering for an event, or making other donations. Your involvement is what makes it work, and we are SO grateful for your support!
One Last Chance to be a Pop Star Volunteer on Tuesday, May 19th!
Join us for our last student popcorn day of the year! We have ten (10) slots available for parents to pop, bag and distribute the goods to eager students that morning. Volunteers can surprise their kiddos by dropping off their delicious classroom delivery! And- If you have younger children, we welcome you to bring them along to play while we work. Sign up HERE.
Lakes-a-Palooza is Just Around the Corner on Thursday, May 21st!
Join us for another year of family fun! Thursday, May 21st from 5:30-7:30PM right at Lakes. Food trucks, games, prizes, face painting, tattoo station, music and more. Free parking available at Lakes or across the street at Bostwick Lake Church.
New for ‘26: Battle GR will be providing a range of fun tactical games including Laser Tag, Human Hungry Hippos, Inflatable Ax Throwing, Throw Bowling, Mini Golf and Corn Hole!
Note: To participate in BattleGR activities, students must complete a waiver. These will be available on-site or can be filled out in advance HERE.
FREE ENTRY for our Lakes families, we hope to see you there!
CARES Closet Donation Drive
Lakes stocks a closet of donated items for students in need- whether that’s providing temporary clothes from a mishap during school hours to vital items needed outside of school.
The PTO is gratefully accepting donations for the next school year during Lakes-a-Palooza on Thursday, May 21st from 5:30-7:30PM. Click HERE for more details.
GENTLY USED & CLEAN Tshirts & Sweatshirts - Pants & Shorts - Shoes - Winter Coats - Snow Pants - Gloves/Mittens/Hats - Winter Boots
NEW ONLY Underwear - Socks - Toiletries - Feminine Products - School Supplies (Binders, Pencils, Markers)
T-shirt Design Contest Update
The PTO is thrilled to have received over 50 ENTRIES to the t-shirt design contest! This week, students will be voting on their favorite design and the overall winner will be shared next week. The winning design will be featured on the 2026-27 Lakes spirit t-shirts for the entire school… stay tuned for that exciting announcement!
Staff Favorite Things Resource
Are you planning to purchase a year-end 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. 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.
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 a number of leadership positions open for the 2026-27 school year. No prior experience needed, just enthusiasm and passion for enhancing the Lakes experience for students, staff and families. We would love to have you join our team, full training and support provided.
BOARD ROLES Vice President Comm. Service, Vice President Comm. Events
COMMITTEE CHAIR ROLES 5th Grade Celebration, Popcorn Days, Room Parent Lead, CARES Closet, Watch D.O.G. Lead
EMAIL US for more information, or to send in your interest. We will be discussing and filling these roles in September, after the new school year starts.
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
- 5/18 - 5/19: Hearing and Vision Screening Part 2
- 5/19: Popcorn Day + Rockford Family Night at the Whitecaps
- 5/21: Lakes-A-Palooza
- 5/22 and 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
