Lakes Elementary Newsletter September 26th

Principal%20Matt%20Zokoe

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 week, Lakes students gathered in the gym, wearing their DEN colors, for our first MTSS-Behavior Assembly. You might be asking, What is a DEN? DENs are comprised of 3 different grade classrooms working together to gain DEN points for recognized positive behavior. Each month, we celebrate the work of the DENs with an assembly where we raise the leading DEN’s colored banner, share how we are demonstrating the character trait of the month, and are challenged to help one another. We also celebrate our Students of the Month for demonstrating our monthly character trait.

Students also have their Leading Leopard tickets drawn for various prizes that include popsicles with the Principal, extra recess and hammocking, lunch with a teacher, and outdoor learning with Mr. Zokoe. I am excited to support our Character Traits each month and celebrate the work of our students in this way. I hope your students are excited to support one another through our DEN challenges!

Yesterday, Dr. Matthews sent an email to families that provided information about charging for breakfast and lunch, which will begin on October 1. We are moving to this model in response to the lack of clarity regarding the State budget and whether our no-charge program would continue. The State will pass a budget by October 1, but we are unaware of what is within the budget and its impact on schools. Soon, we will have an understanding of the cost for both breakfast and lunch, as well as just a milk option. Food Service charges will now run through a Food Service Account. Please check to make sure you have one active if school breakfast and lunch will continue for your student(s). For those who do not have a Food Service Account and need one, here is the Link to set up e-Funds for your student. Please talk to your student(s) about eating school breakfast and school lunch to help them navigate whether or not they will be taking school breakfast or lunch within their week. Here is the link to the Lakes menu for both breakfast and lunch. For more information about our Food Service, including signing up for Free and Reduced Lunch, visit our Food Service website linked HERE.

Next week, we will participate in a School Spirit Week for Homecoming! Please do remember that picture re-take day is on Monday also. Please plan your pajama outfit around your school picture style!

Thank you for your continued partnership, Matt Zokoe

Rockford Public Schools Homecoming Spirit Days September 29 -October 3. Monday - Pajama Day Tuesday - Denium Day Wednesday - Mismatch Day Thursday - Favorite Sports Team Day Friday - Black and Orange

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

https://www.girlsontherun.org/

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.

School Picture Re-Takes

If your student needs to have their photo re-taken, please make sure to communicate that with their teacher. Re-takes will happen first thing on Monday morning and end by 10am. If your student needs a re-take, please make sure they arrive at school on time!

Also, if you have a pre-ordered package, please return that package to school on Monday.

Book Bus Return Bin

cartoon image of a blue blue with lots of smiling students

Thank you to the Rockford Community for visiting the Rockford Book Bus this summer. We had 13,143 books in circulation this summer. Return bins will be removed this week. Please be reminded that there are three ways to return a Book Bus book:

Return directly to the Book Bus (summer only)
Return to an RPS elementary school (Aug/Sept only)
Return to the Book Bus Drop Bin at the Admin Building (350 N Main), located near the Community Services Door (year-round)

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.

Lakes PTO

Introducing your 2025-26 Lakes PTO Board

The first PTO meeting of the year was held on Thursday, September 11th (see minutes here). Thank you to those who attended, it was a great crowd! Following the meeting and member voting, we are pleased to announce the team responsible for leading the Lakes PTO efforts this year: Rita Proctor (President), Courtney Ziomkowski (VP, Community Events), Raven Willcox (VP, Community Service), Sara Bier (VP, Communications) and Paula Ellison (Treasurer). The Board will oversee planning and execution of all PTO events and service opportunities and their volunteers as a nonprofit organization. Our goal is to foster an inclusive culture that brings together students, parents and school staff to positively impact the learning experience for all.

Our next PTO meeting will take place on Thursday, November 13th at Lakes Elementary, 7pm in Room 25. No prior experience or participation needed; everyone is welcome to attend.

Reminder: Field Trips Incoming

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. The first first planned field trip is fast approaching as our Kindergarten learners head to the apple orchard.

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.

Volunteer Opportunities

POPCORN DAYS The first popcorn day of the year will be Tuesday, October 21st. We have ten (10) slots available for parents to pop, bag and distribute the delicious goods to eager students that morning. Please sign up HERE. Note: sign-ups for future days are forthcoming.
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

Tuesday, September 30th Deadline to pay Activity Pass for 2025-26 school year
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.
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 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 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 86 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.

From the Shelf of Mrs. VanStenSel

Book Clubs began this week and we had a wonderful time! 3rd graders are reading The One and Only Ivan and 4th and 5th Grades are reading The Lemonade War.

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.