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,
For November, we are changing our focus within our RAMS model. Students have spent the past three months working on being Respectful. Students are now working on being Accountable. To help support our work with being accountable, our November character trait focus is integrity. Integrity is the quality of being honest and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. When students practice integrity, they learn that trust is built through honesty and consistency. This important trait helps students develop into responsible and dependable individuals whom others can count on.
Later this month, we will celebrate our students of the month during our MTSS-Behavior assembly on November 25. We have also accumulated enough DEN points for a hot chocolate celebration that will take place on the same day. Please continue to encourage students to show they are RAMS: students who are Respectful, Accountable, Motivated, and Safe.
Thank you, families, for your wonderful participation in our Halloween parade and dance party. It was so great to see our students excited to see families and friends when dressed up for Halloween. I hope you were able to capture some great images of your student and their classmates celebrating during a fun event. Thank you for meeting this past week at Parent/Teacher conferences to hear about the success, areas of growth, and the awesome things your student(s) are doing in the classroom this year. Your partnership in the learning journey is important to the continued success of this school year.
Please remember Monday, December 1st, is our Holiday Concert at Rockford High School. We look forward to celebrating with you a great time of the year through song and performance. Please see the details from Mrs. McCloskey as to when your child’s grade will be performing that night. Lakes Winter Concert Information Packet
Thank you, volunteers! It has been so great seeing different adults within our building supporting so many great things. Thank you Mrs. Gehrke, Mrs. Knape, Mr. Knape, Mrs Stellard, Mrs. Coppedge, Mrs. Snider, Mrs. Wilcox, Mrs. Fenlong, Mrs. Versluis, Mrs. Schneider, and Mrs. Rawlings 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
In partnership,
Matt Zokoe
From the Shelf of Mrs. Van StenSel
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
Volunteers Needed!
Hot Chocolate Party
Our students have been working so hard this year on their R.A.M.S behaviors! All six of our Den's have earned their Hot Chocolate party incentive. I would love for some grown-up volunteers to help put on this experience! The plan is for Tuesday, November 25th, during their lunch to receive their hot chocolate! I would love for volunteers to help with prepping the hot chocolate and assisting with topping selection for our students! Your support is much appreciated, and I can't thank you enough in advance for your willingness to celebrate our students. Please use this link to sign up for a slot!
-Mrs. Remtema, School Social Worker
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).
Watch Dogs on Duty
Thank you to Mr. Coppedge, Mr. Low, and Mr. Waterson for joining us so far this year! We hope to see more of you soon. Do you have a question? Please email our Volunteer Coordinators - Mr. Low and Mr. Proefrock!
WatchDogsLakes@gmail.com
Yearbook Sales are now open!
Yearbook are now available to be pre-ordered! Make your purchase today.
Lakes Yearbook ID is 14560826
The following students were recognized at our last celebration assembly. Congratulations - We are all so proud of you!
Lakes PTO
Next PTO Meeting on Thursday, November 13th
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. You can find the meeting agenda HERE. We will be welcoming a representative from the Rockford Education Foundation, as well as voting on staff grant submissions among other agenda items. Hope to see you there!
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 make 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.
Thank You Volunteers & New Opportunities
As the first trimester comes to a close, we want to take a minute to thank our volunteers who have helped us hit the ground running for 2025-26! We could not do it without your time and commitment, and we are excited for what’s to come!
Additionally, we have a number of new volunteer opportunities available below. If interested, fill out our PTO Interest Form or use the sign-up form if provided below.
FIFTH GRADE CELEBRATION Help plan an amazing send-off for this year’s fifth graders as they head to middle school next year. The committee kick-off meeting will take place on Tuesday, Nov 11th, 7pm at Lakes Elementary, Room 25.
POPCORN DAY The second popcorn day of the year will be Tuesday, November 18th. 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.
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.
SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE This all-new committee will help oversee, develop and promote sustainable practices and initiatives at Lakes, doing our part to be environmentally focused.
ROOM PARENTS Do you want to be more involved with your student’s teacher and classroom? Room parents support unique classroom tasks or needs, as well as serve as a liaison for PTO and their committees.
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. Second graders, heads up! Your first field trip is coming up soon with a visit to Camp Roger!
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 11th Veterans Day celebration, 10am in Lakes parking lot (student and staff event)
Tuesday, November 11th Fifth Grade Celebration committee kick-off meeting at Lakes Elementary, 6pm in Room 25.
Thursday, November 13th PTO meeting at Lakes Elementary, 7pm in Room 25.
Tuesday, November 18th Student popcorn day. Sign up to be a parent volunteer HERE.
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. 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
- 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
- 11/18 : 2nd Grade Field Trip to Camp Roger
- 11/26 - 11/28 : Thanksgiving Break
- 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
