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
Lakes Families,
Today, during our morning announcements, we recognized Patriot’s Day and those this day was established to honor. Thank you to everyone in a frontline position for the service and support you provide every day.
This week, Lakes students are completing their NWEA Fall ELA and Math assessments. Students have been working hard and putting forth some great effort. We will be sending home NWEA parent reports once our NWEA testing window has closed. Students in grades 4 and 5 will be bringing home their spring M-STEP parent reports today. These are M-STEP scores from their previous grade when testing was completed this past spring. As we conclude this testing window, teachers and staff will use this data to develop interventions and extensions for all our students.
Families dropping off and picking up, thank you for supporting our Driveline practices in the morning and after school. Our job is to keep your kids safe, and your help is vital. In the morning, please pull as far forward as you can before releasing your students. Also, along the playground fence area, please pull close to the sidewalk when releasing students in the morning. We will continue to use the north parking lot to serpentine traffic for afternoon pickup. This helps us keep southbound traffic from backing up on Young Ave. I appreciate your help.
Thank you for your continued partnership,
Matt Zokoe
Picture Day
Picture Day is coming on Thursday, September 17!
You can place your order on Lifetouch Photography Website using your Picture Day ID: EVTNVPKGM. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
Flyers have not yet arrived to Lakes but will be sent home as soon as they arrive.
Parent Helpers Wanted:
Help us make the Picture Day smooth and effortless. Contact Mrs. Low in the office if you’d like to volunteer at Picture Day.
Den Assembly
This month, Lakes students will have a DEN meetup and also gather in the gym, wearing their DEN colors, for our first MTSS-Behavior Assembly. This year, the DEN colors include red, yellow, orange, blue, green, and purple. You might be asking, “What is a DEN?” DENs are made up of 2-3 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!
Den #1 - color orange - Wallis, Glass/Zawacki, and DeBoer
Den #2 - color red - Onak, Sedlock, and Doenges
Den #3 - color yellow - Farran, Nelson, and Fierge
Den #4 - color blue - Kraft, Ejups, and Schirmann
Den #5 - color purple - Throop, Gittus, and Post
Den #6 - color green - MacKenzie and Baird
Lakes PTO Updates
First PTO Meeting
Our first PTO meeting was held on Thursday, Sep 10. Thank you to everyone who attended! We are excited to kick this year off strong. Our meeting minutes will be available next week.
Everything Lakes PTO can be found on our website (or just email us).
www.lakespto.orgFill out a Google interest form if you want to get involved: https://forms.gle/TrQwo3vkSQgZDU9X7
Follow along with the fun on Facebook or Instagram (@lakespto)
You must have a background check submitted and approved every year prior to volunteering in the school. Form here: https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NTcxMTplbi1VUw==
Donuts for Grown-ups
Join us September 18th, 5:30pm at Lakes for our first family event of the year! Enjoy donuts and cider with Lakes families, friends, and staff on the school playground. This is a simple way to connect with other parents and families at the beginning of the school year.
Thank you to our partners, The Orchards at Red Barn in Lowell, for their generous discount on donuts and cider, and Perrin for supplying disposable tableware. We will also have a limited amount of donuts for those with dietary restrictions (gluten-free, peanut-free, dairy-free, tree nut-free, and coconut-free).
Let’s Glow Crazy
Activity Pass Fundraiser Student Registration Starts Monday, September 14!
Help us fund the Lakes Activity Pass! It's our school's ticket to fun throughout the year. Every dollar makes a difference on the road to raising $40K in four weeks! This budget will give Lakes PTO the ability to provide a wide range of activities throughout the school year.
By registering, donating, and sharing through FundHub, you can help us reach our goal and give our school the best year yet! Plus, unlock access to a wide range of incentives and prizes.
CHECK OUT our promo video with Mr Zokoe: https://youtu.be/zbMDMBMc89Y?si=pdaMv9gZFc6m8QBe
Key Dates
September 14 - Create your account and register your students
September 18 - Questions? Stop by our FAQ table at Donuts with Grown-ups
September 21 to October 16 - Fundraising Time! Help us raise $40K in 4 weeks to unlock your student's ticket to fun all year long
Watch for our printed flier coming home this week, or check out our website at www.lakespto.org/fundraising for all the deets.
Week One Challenge Starts Monday
Start the fundraiser strong by checking off your first weekly challenge to score the opening prize. By registering an account, students will receive one vote to our “PRANK A PRINCIPAL” subgoal. Once we reach $10K in total donations, students will vote on one of the following:
HUMAN CAR WASH Get ready for the ultimate splash zone because Mr Zokoe is about to get soaked by students while riding a tricycle!
LAKES FEAR FACTOR Mr. Zokoe has agreed to chow down on some creepy-crawly critters; will he be able to do it?!
HUMAN SUNDAE Get ready for the sweetest reward ever because you will turn Mr Zokoe into a giant human sundae, covered in sticky toppings
Plus, the first 25 registrants get 5X VOTES, so don’t delay!
Thank you, families, for your support and participation. We couldn’t do it without you. Your involvement is what makes it work!
Do You Wanna be a Pop Star?
Sign up to Volunteer for Popcorn Days!
Nothing butter than to start your day making a delicious popcorn treat for students & staff. You can even personally deliver popcorn to the classroom(s) of choice- a great way to surprise your kiddo! We have four dates available this year. Sign up here https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094CAFA929A1F94-65426898-lakes#/
Lakes Gear
Were you Bummed to Miss Out on Lakes Gear @ Open House?
Don’t fret: the Lakes Spirit Store will be opening its doors from Oct 1-31, 2026. Check out a wide range of Lakes-specific apparel and other items that will make you glow with Lakes spirit. Watch for more information soon!
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. Fill out an interest form --> https://forms.gle/TrQwo3vkSQgZDU9X7
Helpful Links
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 RPS 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!
Watch D.O.G.S.
The Dads of Great Students WATCH D.O.G.S.® program is one of the nation’s largest and most respected school-based, family, and community engagement organizations designed and developed by educators, experts, and parent & guardian volunteers over more than two decades.
The program provides positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important. Meanwhile, we provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security, reduce bullying, and provide a greater sense of campus safety, allowing students and teachers to focus on learning and instruction. Please remember that you are here to help and be a positive role model to all students. You may have the opportunity to work in your student's classroom, but you might be called to support other areas of the building.
Two options for this year:
1. All Day : 8:20 am - 3:45 pm
2. PM will be from 11:00pm - 3:45pm
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 within 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 as we look to launch these volunteer opportunities. Parents must complete the online background form and check in at the office when volunteering at RPS. Thank you, in advance, for your support!
Lunchroom (11:15 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 (11:00 am - 1:00 pm) or Last Recess (1:50 pm - 3:25 pm)
How to support at recess:
Play or organize a game.
Encourage positive play.
Help with chalk art.
Walk around with a group of students.
Organize a coloring table.
Supervise the Hammock Garden.
Twirl Jump Ropes.
Daily Volunteer Sign-Up Genius
Lakes Recycling Initiatives
NexTrex Plastic Recycling
The program has been revamped and our goal is now to collect 250 lbs of plastic EACH quarter.
- Produce bags, grocery bags, ice bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags - Plastics that can stretch.
- Way to go Lakes! For the last two quarters, we have reached our goal of 250 lbs each.
- With your summer collections arriving, we have already reached over 120 pounds to start this year.
Papergator Recycling
The green dumpster is located in the side parking lot. The Papergator can accept office/school papers, newspapers, junk mail, magazines, shredded paper, and cereal boxes (paperboard that can be torn), etc. Please note, wrapping paper (without sparkles) can be donated to Papergator for all your Holiday party cleanup!
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
- 9/14: Fundraiser Registration Begins
- 9/16: Early Release at 1:30pm
- 9/17: School Picture Day
- 9/18: Donuts with Grown Ups
- 9/21: Fundriaser Kick-off!
- 9/30: Early Release at 1:30pm
Important Links
School Assistance Program Information
School Lunch Offerings or the Nutrislice App on your mobile phone
