Matt Zokoe - Principal
mzokoe@rockfordschools.org
Address: 6849 Young Avenue, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Phone: (616) 863-6340
Quick Information
- As we begin to consider next school year, parents/guardians are invited to share some information about their student(s) to help inform our class placements for the 2025/2026 school year. Please complete this form by May 16th.
- Relay for Life fun starts this week. Additional information was attached to the email sending out this newsletter. Next week is a Spirit Week. Please see the calendar below.
- Congratulations to this March's Students of the Month. They were nominated for demonstrating Integrity. Congratulations to Lexi T, Scarlett P, Annie B, Colton K, Nazir C, Lillian F, Levi B, Grayson J, Beckham Y, Paisleigh K, Gracie M, Jude A, Kayden M, Camden C, Harper C, Emilyn S, Noah M, Kaydence P, Oliver W, Isla J, Sophia S, and Will O.
- M-Step testing continues. Please make sure your students have a good night's sleep, a filling breakfast, and are ready to do their best.
- Did you or grandparents miss our Springtime Hoe-down concert? You can find the recording on Beyond the Rock's YouTube page.
- 5th Grade Students participated in a Native Tree Legacy Project. If you see our sapling on the playground, please encourage students to be gentle and "Let It Grow!"
- Ms. Salinas added new instruments to our music repertoire!
- We have one week until Field Day! Please sign up to volunteer and join us for the fun.
- Thank you to Mr. Gardner for joining us as Watch D.O.G. today.
- Thank you to our Popcorn Poppers and the EmpowerU students who provided us with delicious snacks and treats today.
- Mileage Club has been a wonderful success but more volunteers are needed. Please see the sign up below and join us. In just 12 days, there are:
- 71 participants who have completed a half marathon or more
- 14 participants who have completed a full marathon or more
- 7 participants who have got to GOLD - 29.3 miles or more
- And, Lakes has logged just under 2,800 miles! Way to go.
You're Invited to Rockford Family Night at the West Michigan Whitecaps!
Support Rockford Public Schools and kick off your summer with the Whitecaps. A portion of each ticket bought will be donated directly back to the schools.
Volunteer Opportunities
Field Day Volunteers :
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EA9AB2FABFBC43-56476940-field#/
Mileage Club Volunteers :
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D4DA5A82CA5F49-55132694-mileage#/
Daily Volunteers :
We now have some daily volunteer opportunities for families to help foster our Lakes Community. Please visit the link for additional details and to select a time slot.
Lunchroom (11:30 am - 12:50 pm) - How to support in the lunchroom:
- Walk around and interact with students.
- Help open lunch materials.
- Review lunchroom procedures to help with the end of the lunchtime.
- Push the trash bin around to gather trash materials.
- Play a game with the 5th-grade students at their table.
- Encourage students to walk to recess.
Lunch Recess (11:10 am - 1:00 pm) - How to support at lunch recess:
- Play or organize a game.
- Encourage positive play.
- Help with chalk art.
- Walk around with a group of students.
- Organize a coloring table.
- Support the quiet area with quiet area activities.
Last Recess (2:15 pm - 3:30 pm) - How to support at last recess:
- Play or organize a game.
- Encourage positive play.
- Help with chalk art.
- Walk around with a group of students.
- Organize a coloring table.
- Support the quiet area with quiet area activities.
Dads of Great Students
Who can participate: Fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, uncles, and other father figures.
Watch D.O.G.S can serve full days (8:15 am - 3:45 pm) or half days (pm option). Watch D.O.G.S can be assigned to classrooms as needed by the teachers, perform recess duty, complete ground checks, or other various tasks. When possible, Watch D.O.G.S will have the opportunity to work with their students or their student's classrooms; however, they may also be called to serve in a separate space as needed.
Sign Up for Lakes Watch D.O.G.S.
Lakes-A-Palooza Volunteers
Looking for any high school sports teams and/or our Lakes families to volunteer during May 15th's Lakes-A-Palooza Carnival and Art Show! Please sign up with the PTO!
PTO Corner
Upcoming Events
Annual Silent Auction and Online Fundraiser
Win unique items and experiences from a range of local businesses who have so graciously donated. Event proceeds are used directly to enrich student and staff educational experiences throughout the year, including activities like field trips, cultural arts, assemblies, classroom supplies and more.
Visit www.linktr.ee/lakespto to place your bids from May 9-18, 2025!
FOOD & DINE Uccello’s, Timber’s, Bostwick Bakery, Corner Bar, Amore Trattoria Italiana, Perrin Brewing, Cowlicks
GET ACTIVE BattleGR, Rockford Lanes, Goldfish Swim, Fowling, Blythefield Acres Pool, MVP Athletic, Twisted Hot Yoga, Bostwick Barefoot Ski, AAA Canoe Rental, SCOR
EXPERIENCES Cannon & Courtland Twp fire truck rides, Circle Theatre, Frederik Meijer Gardens, Binder Park Zoo, West Michigan Whitecaps, Ginkgo Leaf Acupuncture, PrinciPAL for the Day
SWEET SWAG Grand Rapids Gold, Detroit Tigers, MSU and UM Athletics
EXTRA EXTRA Bailey’s Quick Lube, Douglas Photography, Memories by Mandy, 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 all while making a positive impact on our school. We have a variety of elected, leadership and general volunteer roles available for the 2025-26 school year. Click Here to fill out an interest form!
Helpful PTO Links
- Rockford Booster Bucks
- Follow the PTO on Facebook or Instagram
- PTO Linktree
- PTO Email
Recycling Initiatives
NexTrex Recycling
Bins located in front vestibule. All bags should be clean and free of food or other debris.
- Produce bags, grocery bags, ice bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags - Plastics that can stretch.
- We've collected over 279 pounds of plastic!
Papergator Recycling
Green dumpster 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.
Popcan Tabs
Can be turned in to the front office. Collected and sent to Ronald McDonald House.
Enrollment is Open
Enrollment for the 2025/2026 school year is open. Children who turn five years old on or before December 1, 2025 are eligible to enroll for the 2025/2026 school year. In order to take advantage of an early placement screening, please enroll your Developmental Kindergarten -or- Kindergarten-age child before June 1, 2025. Please visit www.rockfordschools.org/enrollment/ to review the online enrollment procedures and required documentation.
Upcoming Dates
5/5 - 5/7 : Hearing and Vision Screening
5/5 : $1 Donation to Relay for Life(RFL) for Hat Day
5/6 : $1 Donation to RFL for Wacky Hair Day
5/7 : $1 Donation to RFL for Favorite Sports day & Early Release at 1:30pm
5/8 : $1 Donation to RFL for Beach Day
5/9 : $1 Donation to RFL for Orange and Black Day
5/9 : Field Day
5/15 : Lakes-A-Palooza
5/20 - 5/21 : Hearing and Vision Screening part 2
5/20 : Wear Purple for Epilepsy Awareness + Family Night at the West Michigan Whitecaps
5/23 + 5/26 : No School
6/5 : Half Day release at 11:55am
6/6 : Last Day of School with release at 11:55am
Important Links
After the Bell - Rockford Community Services Registrations
Annual Education Report : Paper copies available in office by request
Lakes Facebook Page (family only)
School Lunch Offerings : You can also download the NutriSlice App
School Lunch Payments : Make sure to select Family Portal. Lunches are free this year unless your student selects milk only.
