Blake Bowman - Principal
bbowman@rockfordschools.org
Michelle Smyth - Administrative Assistant
msmyth@rockfordschools.org
Tania Gordon - Administrative Assistant
tgordon@rockfordschools.org
Address: 8100 Courtland, Rockford, MI 49341
Phone: (616) 863-6342
September Character Trait: kindness
Definition: the quality of being friendly, generous or considerate
Challenge: let someone go in front of you in line
Reflection: you will never regret being kind
RPS Student Device Managment
Students in RPS are afforded the opportunity to access and enhance some learning activities through district provided Chromebooks. Thanks to the support of the 2019 school bond proposal, RPS has been able to support the scheduled purchases of instructional technology for student use. Last year, elementary students received new devices, and this year all secondary Chromebooks are new. Thank you!
To preserve the quality of student devices as long as possible, we educate students about proper care and charge for repair when avoidable damage occurs. Like a textbook, each student is assigned a Chromebook and responsible for proper care. If a device is damaged or lost, a charge will be issued against the student's Family Access account. The charge will reflect Rockford Public Schools' cost to repair or replace the device. It is our hope that the layered approach of informing parents/guardians, educating students, and assigning fees when necessary, will assist to promote a decrease in the amount of overall damage to student devices and increased consistency of student accessibility to learning activities.
Should a student device be damaged, the initial fees are as follows: Chromebook:
• Broken Screen $30
• Broken Keyboard (missing keys, etc.) $30
• Damaged Chassis/Lost Device $200
• Power Supply (Lost or Not Returned) $15 iPads:
• Screen Repair $110
• Broken/Lost Device $299
During the summer of 2025 all devices were inspected to ensure that they are ready for distribution. School personnel will be diligent about communicating device care expectations to students and we ask that parents and guardians reinforce proper care expectations as well.
During the year if a device requires repair, a district technician will review the damage and decide if a charge is necessary. Normal scratches and wear are expected and will not incur a charge. Any fees assigned will generate an email notification to parents/guardians.
We appreciate your support in assisting your child(ren) to participate in the proper care of devices and if you have any questions or need further clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's school.
Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures
Drop-Off
Student drop off starts at 8:25 am. (Please DO NOT drop off students early to wait outside the building.)
Our drop off zone is right in front of the building along the circle drive.
For the safety of our kids, please do not drop students off outside of this area as we have staff in specific spots to help with car doors.
If you want to walk your student to the building, please park your vehicle in one of the parking spots in the second or third level in our parking lot and walk them to the building.
Pick-Up
If you are using our car line for pickup and are the first car, please pull up the drive, through the loop and down the sidewalk stopping at the yellow cone, leaving room at the end for ASD pick-up.
If you are parking and walking up to the building to pick up your student, please park in one of the spots in our parking lot.
No SChool
Friday, August 29th & Monday, September 1st: Labor Day Weekend
Early Release Days
Please mark your calendars for the early release days - 1:30pm dismissal time.
- September 10th & 24th
- October 15th & 29th
- November 12th
- December 10th
- February 4th & 25th
- March 11th & 25th
- April 22nd
- May 6th
Artsonia
Greetings from the art room!
We're off to a good start this year. This week your child should have taken home an Artsonia permission slip. This slip will take you to Artsonia where you can see your child's artwork posted throughout the year! It's like an online gallery!
Not only that but there is a gift shop where you can purchase items with your child's artwork on them! T-shirts, mugs, notebooks, jewelry, you name it! Just follow the instructions on the permission slip and you'll be all set. If you need help or have any questions feel free to email me: edemorestlee@rockfordschools.org
I'm so excited for you to see all the wonderful things your kiddos will create this year!
- Mrs. Demorest-Lee, Meadow Ridge Art Teacher
Hopper's happenings
Hopper is our counseling dog at Meadow Ridge and we are excited that our students will have the opportunity to interact and be supported by Hopper throughout the school year. Ms. Weidenfeller is our social worker and handler for Hopper and they work together to support the social-emotional and mental health needs of our students. Hopper has been loved by the students at Meadow Ridge over the last 3 years and Hopper is looking forward to working with students again this school year. If your child has a fear or allergy to dogs, please don’t hesitate to contact the office regarding your child’s needs. We will ensure that appropriate accommodations are in place to support your child.
office Reminders
Attendance Procedures
If your student will be absent please call the office attendance line by 9:30am. Robo calls go out at 10:00am.
If you choose to email attendance notifications please include office staff & your student's teacher.
- Tania Gordon - tgordon@rockfordschools.org
- Michelle Smyth - msmyth@rockfordschools.org
Birthday Treats
This year we will not be accepting any birthday treats that are food items. This is to be cautious of food allergies/sensitivities.
If you would still like to bring in a birthday treat please coordinate with your student's teacher to see what they approve of.
Party Invitations
Birthday party invitations should not be handed out at school.
Picture Day Volunteers
Picture day is Thursday, September 25th! We are looking for a few volunteers to assist the photographers and office staff.
Extra Clothing in Lockers
It is recommended that all students K-5 keep extra, weather appropriate, clothes in their locker (shirt, pants, underwear, socks, & shoes). Students may need to change due to bathroom accidents, spills in the cafeteria, or getting wet/dirty at recess. We no longer have a Care Closet at the building so having these clothes on hand is highly recommended.
Latex Free Building
Meadow Ridge is a latex free building. No latex may enter the building or playground (gloves, balloons, etc.). Thank you for your cooperation.
NWEA Testing
The NWEA testing window is September 2nd-12th. Please make sure your student(s) brings their headphones to school everyday.
Volunteer Consent Forms
As a reminder Volunteer Consent Forms expire each year in July. Please complete your application now! (This form must be on file to chaperone a field trip and/or volunteer at building events.)
Medication Drop-off
If your student(s) will need medication at school please be sure to drop the medication and proper documentation off in the office as soon as possible.
The nursing forms can be found on the RPS website and are linked below. Please remember these documents must be signed by a parent and physician. Medication should be dropped off in its original container.
Ride K-12 App
My Ride K-12 capabilities include the following:
Stop location, assigned route, and scheduled pick up time
GPS geolocation push notifications, giving estimated time of bus arrival and information concerning bus status changes
Real time communication and messaging
Secure and confidential log in
Android/iOS app and Web Version available
School Meals
The state budget that funds Michigan Meals (Free Breakfast and Lunch for all students) is not yet finalized. Rockford Public Schools has decided that locally, Michigan Meals will continue through September 30, 2025. There is uncertainty in whether free meals will continue past this date. Students who do not qualify for free or reduced meals could be charged for breakfast and lunch starting October 1, 2025, if the state budget is not approved. Families are encouraged to fill out the education and meal benefits application on the RPS website.
Student Verification
All verification and acknowledgment will take place in FAMILY ACCESS starting August 7th. You can find a link to RPS Family Access on our district website. The process is similar to last year; however, the materials have been updated to support student learning for the 2025-2026 school year.
The steps for completing the verification process for your child are as follows:
- Log into Family Access.
- Click on the "Go to Information Verification for your son/daughter."
- Please complete the steps in order, as listed on the right-hand side of your screen. (Note that fields in grey can only be edited at the school building with proper documentation.) Please select the appropriate drop-down items for each screen. Each step requires you to select "I have completed this step" at the bottom of the screen to finalize your information.
- When completing the School Participation step, click on the link called "School Participation", click "yes" on the pop-up window to complete this step. Enter the proper information and click "Save" in the upper right-hand corner.
- Once all steps have been completed, the final step allows you to submit the information. (THIS IS KEY TO FINALIZING VERIFICATION.) Once finalized, you will receive an email verification of enrollment. If you do not receive an email, please go back into FAMILY ACCESS to review any missing steps/information.
Note: We highly encourage all families to set up a FA account as it is the district’s main source of communication to parents. Please visit our website at www.rockfordschools.org & click on the Family Access link (upper right-hand side) or please feel free to contact the main office of student’s school for additional assistance.
Meadow ridge Elementary PTO Updates
Field Trip Dues & Popcorn Payments
...are due next Friday, SEPTEMBER 6th! These can be paid online or by cash/check (made out to Meadow Ridge PTO) sent in with your student(s). Please remember to fill out the paper slip with your student(s) name/grade/teacher.
*If making these payments creates a hardship, scholarship requests can also be submitted with the paper form found in the office*
Meet the Team!
- President: Lacey Jonassen
- Vice President, Fundraisers: Beth Zelski
- Vice President, Non-Fundraisers: Whitnie Snodgrass
- Treasurer: Samantha Huitema
- Secretary: Kristin Morrison
We are here for you!
Room Parents
...are still needed in some classrooms… if you’re interested, sign up below or email Whitnie Snodgrass at MDRPTO.VP@gmail.com.
Walk-a-thon
… look for exciting Walk-AThon information coming very soon!
Thank you to our 2024-2025 Walk-a-thon Platinum Sponsors!
Upcoming events
- Friday, August 29th & Monday, September 1st: Labor Day Weekend - No School
- Friday, September 6th: Field Trip & Popcorn Payments Due
- Wednesday, September 10th: Early Release Day - 1:30pm Dismissal
- Monday, September 15th: Dot Day (wear all things polka-dots)
- Monday, September 15th - Thursday, September 18th: Hearing & Vision Screening
- Wednesday, September 24th: Early Release Day - 1:30pm Dismissal
- Thursday, September 25th: Picture Day!
School assistance program (SAP)
Access support today!
Say “I have an SAP with Rockford Public Schools” when you call 800.442.0809 and press “1.” Every RPS family member in your household is eligible. The Rockford Education Foundation (REF) has proudly partnered with Rockford Public Schools to provide expert counseling, therapy, and resources through Pine Rest’s School Assistance Program (SAP).
STEAM Update from Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Brown, and Mrs. Pitsch
We are so excited to be teaching STEAM at Meadow Ridge this year! We have a lot of hands-on learning and creative problem-solving ahead, and look forward to seeing the amazing things our students will design, build, and explore.
Meadow Ridge is lucky enough to have 3 STEAM teachers this year! Mrs. Anderson will be at Meadow Ridge on Mondays, Mrs. Pitsch on Tuesdays, and Mrs. Brown on Thursdays.
We would love to have parent volunteers in the STEAM classroom this year!
Finally, we are always in need of materials for our makerspace! Please see the wish list for items we are collecting. Students may drop off donations in the front vestibule or in front of the STEAM classroom. Thank you in advance for helping us keep our STEAM space stocked and ready for creativity!
