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,
Next week, on Wednesday, our MTSS Behavior assembly will focus 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. We will gather in our DENs within the gym, wearing our DEN colors. Students and teachers have been working on their DEN chants and building community at Lakes. We will also recognize our students who exhibit respect at school during the assembly. I look forward to a fun event.
A reminder for conferences. Please make sure you have signed up for an in-person on Monday, November 3, or 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. Our live link will close on Friday, October 31. Progress reports will be sent home digitally on November 3rd.
Conference Information + Conference Sign Up
Thank you, volunteers! It has been so great seeing different adults within our building supporting so many great things. Thank you Mrs. Rettig, Mrs. Boras, Mr. Coppedge, Mrs. Schneider, Mrs. Gehrke, Mrs. Wilcox, Mr. Reutter, Mrs. Versluis, and Mrs. Taylor for working in the lunchroom, on the playground, serving as Watch Dogs, keeping our front sign updated, working on our weekly lamination needs, and many classroom volunteers and mystery readers. Thank you for your support!
Cannonsburg Punch Cards are now available. Lakes' sponsor is Matt Zokoe. Cannonsburg Punch Cards
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
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
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming!
SAVE THE DATE for November 3-7 and get your reader psyched to pick out their own books! Start exploring together: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/lakeselementaryschool #ScholasticBookFairs
Volunteers are needed! Please see the Daily Volunteer Sign Up to lend your support. Thank you in advance.
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.
Today!
October Artists of the Month
Berklee M (K) - Shape Collage
Charlotte Z (3rd) - Sunset/Night Time
Thomas V (3rd) - City Penguin
Lucas L (4th) - Northern Lights
Evelyn C (5th) - Halloween Night
Louise C (5th) - Animal Collage
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
Book Fair Support
Volunteers are needed!
Please see our daily volunteer link above to sign up to help support our book fair! We are in need of pumpkin movers to help setup our Storybook Halloween Parade. We also need volunteers for set up and take down as well as to support students while they are shopping!
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).
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
Lakes PTO
Spirit Wear Sale Going On Now!
If you are looking for some great Rockford spirit wear gear, look no further… Our Lakes Spirit Wear store is open! Please place your order now through Sunday, November 9th, and they will be delivered in time for the Christmas holiday.
Note: To have your order sent home with your child or to pick up at Lakes or Swift Printing at no cost, please choose Other Payment Options. Delivery to your home will include a shipping fee.
Visit our storefront HERE.
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
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
NOW thru Sunday, November 9th Lakes Spirit Wear Sale. Purchase sweet gear to show your school spirit and support! Visit our storefront 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
PTO Linktree
PTO Email
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 139 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.
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
- 10/20 - 11/9 : Lakes PTO Spirit Wear Sale
- 10/29 : Early Release at 1:30 pm
- 10/31 : Halloween Parade 10:30am - 11:00am (weather permitting)
- 11/3 and 11/6 : Parent-Teacher Conferences
- 11/11 : Veteran's Day Parade (Veterans please see the invitation above) + RPS 3rd Annual STEAM night at ERMS
- 11/12 : Early Release at 1:30 pm
- 11/13 : Lakes PTO Meeting at 7:00 pm
- Save the date! 12/1 Lakes Winter Concert
Important Links
After the Bell - Rockford Community Services Registrations
North Kent Connect October Resources
School Assistance Program Information
School Lunch Offerings : You can also download the NutriSlice App
