Matt Zokoe - Principal
mzokoe@rockfordschools.org
Address: 6849 Young Avenue, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Phone: (616) 863-6340
Welcome to Lakes 2025-2026
Lakes family we are excited to welcome you to another year. We are working hard to prepare for a great year together.
Supply Lists
Located on our school webpage. Make sure to hit the plus button to access the drop down lists.
Open House
Our open house will take place on Wednesday, August 20th. We look forward to visiting with you then.
Kindergarten : 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Grades 1-3 : 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Grades 4-5 : 6:00 - 7:00pm
Mrs. Throop's Class : 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Picture Day is coming on Friday, September 5!
You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTDCJ2PT. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com. Flyers will be sent home once school begins!
Parent Helpers Wanted:
Help us make the Picture Day smooth and effortless. Please contact Kathy Low if you'd like to volunteer at Picture Day. KLow@rockfordschools.org.
From the Desk of Mr. Zokoe
Greetings Lakes Families,
I hope that you are enjoying the last weeks of summer vacation with your family. We are nearing the start of school and are looking forward to having our hallways and classrooms once again full of students learning and having fun together.
I want to welcome those families that are new to Lakes. Our Lakes Community is a great one, and I am glad you are now part of it. My goal for the year is that you feel a sense of belonging and community as we embark on this new school year.
Here is our staff roster for the 2025-26 school year. We have a few new teachers and staff at Lakes this year:
Office : Admin Assistant - Kathy Low
Office : Attendance Secretary - Evie Campbell
K - Elizabeth Onak
K - Kerri Forrester
K - Abby Wallis
1st - Kelly Farran
1st - Kate Kraft
2nd - Mary MacKenzie
2nd - Emily Sedlock
2nd - Amanda Glass/ Magan Zawacki
3rd - Kayla Nelson (Diederich)
3rd - Nichole Gittus
3rd - Marisa Ejups
4th - Andrea Baird
4th - Kelsie DeBoer
4th - Madison Doenges
5th - Rachael Fierge
5th - Rachel Schirmann
5th - Jeff Post
C/I- Aubree Throop
Instructional Coach- Jen Patten
PE - Bethany McClure
Art - Naomi Poel
Music - Claire McCloskey (Salinas)
Library - Trisha VanStensel
STEAM- Dawn Bailey
Principal- Matt Zokoe
Resource Room - Stepfanee Dubay
Resource Room Para- Jennifer Tschetter
Speech Pathologist - Bailey Stowe
Social Worker - Katie Remtema
Support Dog- Pheonix
Cook- Heather Cummings
Paraprofessional Support:
Jenna Wilfong
Kelly Kading
Caryn Hoisington
Melissa Gerould
Nina Joppich
Janelle Post
Beth Nash
Interventionists:
Kay Mata
Julie Proefrock
Anna Carney
Custodial Staff:
Heather Day
Angie Harger
Again, welcome to the 2025-26 school year. We can’t wait to see your student at Lakes Elementary.
Sincerely,
Matt Zokoe
Principal
Lakes Elementary
NexTrex Recycling
Will be on hold over the summer! But we will be ready to accept as soon as school resumes in August.
- Produce bags, grocery bags, ice bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags - Plastics that can stretch.
- We've collected over 450 pounds of plastic!
Papergator Recycling
Papergator use can continue throughout the summer! The green dumpster is located in the side parking lot.
- Office/School papers, newspaper, junk mail, magazines, shredded paper, and cereal boxes (paper board that can be torn), etc.
Upcoming Dates
- 8/20 - School Open House Night.
- Kindergarten : 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- Grades 1-3 : 5:30pm - 6:30pm
- Grades 4-5 : 6:00pm - 7:00 pm
- Mrs. Throop's Class : 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- 8/25 - Back to School!
- 9/5 - Fall Picture Day - Flyers will be sent home as soon as they arrive! Online orders open now.
Important Links
After the Bell - Rockford Community Services Registrations
School Lunch Offerings : You can also download the NutriSlice App
