Lakes Elementary Newsletter October 10

Principal Matt Zokoe

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

Greetings Lakes Families,

This month, we are focused on the character trait of respect. Respect is showing others that they are valued for who they are. Students demonstrate respect by listening, using polite words, and treating people the way they would want to be treated. When students learn respect, they build stronger friendships and create a positive environment at home, school, and in the community. Our next MTSS-Behavior Assembly is on October 29. We will be recognizing our DEN challenges students of the month.

Conferences this year will be in person on Monday, November 3, and Thursday, November 6. We value the continued partnership between home and school, and meeting to discuss your student(s) is an important part of this year's educational journey. The live link for signing up will come out on Monday, October 14. Families with three or more students will be given a chance to sign up first, starting on October 10, to help with scheduling. Parents, please select a conference time with your student's homeroom teacher. You may also choose a time with the Mrs. Poel (Art), Mrs. McCloskey (Music), or Mrs. McClure (PE). If your student receives support services from either Mrs. Stowe (Speech and Language), Mrs. Remtema (Social Work), and Mrs. Dubay (Special Education), those can be scheduled as well. Please select one time slot per teacher when making your selection. Thank you for taking the time to discuss your student(s).

Fifth-Grade Families, please see the attached letter for some updates to our year end celebration! If you are interested in helping to plan, please reach out to the PTO. Fifth Grade Celebration

Thank you for your continued partnership,

Matt Zokoe

Halloween Parade

Who: Lakes Elementary Students

What: School Halloween Parade

Where: Outdoors, around the grass fields (weather permitting)

When: Friday, October 31, 2025, at 10:30- 11:00 AM

Why: To support a connection to families as we look to have a fun event for students. Parents are welcome to line up around the parade route, ready to cheer and take photos of their student(s). After completing the Halloween parade, students will line the internal parade route to cheer on the other grades. Class photos can be taken to capture the fun of the day. Once we have completed the whole-school parade and photos, we will have a freeze dance to some fun Halloween songs. Thank you for coming to celebrate with us! Please see the additional fun opportunity from Mrs. Van Stensel below.

From the Shelf of Mrs. Van StenSel

Storybook Pumpkin Walk

Image with top and bottom border that shows picture of real decorated pumpkins designed in a variety of characters. The middle features a cartoon pumpkin with a silly face and says Storybook Pumpkin Walk.

Let's celebrate reading and creativity this Halloween!

What: Create a pumpkin that looks like your favorite storybook character! (No carving, please - paint and craft materials only!)

Who: Open to all students and their families!

When: Bring your decorated pumpkin to school October 28-30. Pumpkins will be displayed during our Halloween Parade on October 31!

Where: Displayed in the library during the week (and featured along the parade route on Friday!)

Why: To share our love of reading and celebrate together!

Questions? Email Mrs. Van Stensel at tvanstensel@rockfordschools.org

Battle of the Books

Do you have what it takes to join our Battle Team? Are you a 5th-grade student? Can you read 10 Battle Books by January 9th? Can you commit to turning in your signed, question and answer sheet for each book?

If you can finish the above, then you can join us for the school battle the second week of January! Detailed information will be sent home with students next week including a list of books. 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

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).

Kindergarten Dental Screening

What is the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program (KOHA)? Michigan requires the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) [Public Act 316 of 2023] to help improve school readiness and raise awareness on the importance of good oral health. Similar to hearing and vision screenings, the oral health assessment takes no longer than 5 minutes to look for signs of tooth decay or infection by a licensed dental professional at no cost to you. Lakes screening will take place on October 13th for all Kindergarten students.

Students of the Month

These students were voted by their classmates and teachers for demonstrating kindness in the month of September! Congratulations to :

Kindergarten : Juniper C, Finley O, Paxton S, Brinleigh V, Callie B, and Ryan T

1st Grade : Everly W, Camden S, Ira L, and Ellie P

2nd Grade : Henry S, Olive C, Addison T, DJ I, Liv R, and Lily B

3rd Grade : Harper P, Everett G, Selah C, Weston M, Jude A, and Charlotte Z

4th Grade : Claire A, Emilyn S, Avery C, Braydon Y, Teegan C, and Harper C

5th Grade : Addison B, Calvin G, Rosalina R, Izaac T, Kinley P, Evan K, Michael K, and Catalaya B

Flyer with a cookie running and wearing a cape that says "Kids 12 and under Costume Cookie Run Friday, October 24 - 6:00pm. Park behind Parkside School. 3 Time Race with prizes. $30 registration includes long sleeve shirt. Rockford Trunk of Treat Friday October 24 4:30pm - 7:00pm. Parking lot beside Parkside School. Register online at TeamOrphans.com

REF presents Stock the Shelves. New books local impact. Make a donation to fund new books for Rockford Schools. Thursday, October 23rd Open House from 6-8pm. Browse the shelves at Epilogue Books, mingle, and enjoy snacks from Thought Design and drinks from Quickwater Coffee. Bring a friend and help fill our schools with new books.

Girls On the Run

GOTR is a program run through local schools to encourage girls to build relationships, develop life skills, and impact their communities - all the while being active. Coaches are needed for the upcoming season! Please visit the site below and consider joining our Lakes team for the 2026 season. Registration information for students will be available in November. GOTR Coaching Information Flyer

Girls On The Run link

Lakes PTO

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.

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.

New Volunteer Opportunities

FIFTH GRADE CELEBRATION We are looking for volunteers to join our Fifth Grade Celebration committee. This group will be working together with the PTO and Lakes staff to plan all the fun activities and events to celebrate their graduation from elementary school! If interested, please contact the PTO for more information.
WEBSITE DESIGN We are looking for a parent volunteer with experience in website design and development to help us launch a PTO website in an effort to enhance PTO communication efforts. If interested, please contact the PTO for more information.

Upcoming Events

Monday, October 20th thru Sunday, November 9th Lakes Spirit Wear Sale. Purchase sweet gear to show your school spirit and support! More details to come.
Tuesday, October 21st Student popcorn day. Sign up to be a parent volunteer HERE.
Monday, November 3rd and Thursday, November 6th Stop by and see our PTO table at student conferences. See what we’ve been up to so far this year and learn about new volunteer opportunities.
Thursday, November 13th PTO meeting at Lakes Elementary, 7pm in Room 25.

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

Rockford Booster Bucks
Follow the PTO on Facebook or Instagram
PTO Linktree
PTO Email

Lakes RecyCling Initiatives

NexTrex Plastic Recycling

Our goal is to collect 1,000 pounds 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 115 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.