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
december Character Trait: generosity
Definition: the habit of freely giving without expecting something in return
Challenge: give something (time, words of encouragement, a gift) to someone
Reflection: when you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a higher fence
November STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
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Kindergarten - Leona
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1st Grade - Theo
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2nd Grade - Miiro
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3rd Grade - Nathan
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4th Grade - Jack
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5th Grade - Caleb
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Toys for tots
The Grinch has been helping our student council members collect toy donations this week for their partnership with WZZM's Toys for Tots Campaign. Our current total is 205 toys!
We have set a school-wide goal to collect 300 toys, if we reach this goal there will be an all school extra recess! The grade level that collects the most toys will win a movie and hot chocolate party compliments of student council.
Here is the leaderboard:
- 1st place = 3rd grade
- 2nd place = 4th grade
- 3rd place = 1st grade
All toys (new & unwrapped) should be sent to students' classrooms by December 11th.
Thank you for your generosity!
Early Release Days
Please mark your calendars for the early release days - 1:30pm dismissal time.
- December 10th
Upcoming field trips
Wednesday, December 10th: 5th Grade RHS Holiday Collage Concert
yearbook Orders
Yearbook orders can be placed online using the ID Code: 14558526. Reminder that yearbook orders are separate from picture day order packages.
Art supplies donations
Please consider donating any craft or scrapbook paper to Mrs. Demorest-Lee in the art room. Students will be using this for upcoming art projects!
PE NEWS
Hello Parents,
I’d like to update you on what your children will be doing in PE for the next few weeks. K-5th will be working hard on basketball skills. K-2nd will practice dribbling, passing, shooting and defensive positioning (sliding). We then develop those skills by playing games and activities that relate to them. The 3rd- 5th graders will be developing the above-mentioned skills but also will be playing in a 3 on 3 tournament.
We will be starting volleyball and jump roping for K-5th to start the new year! During those units we will cover basic jump-roping and volleyball skills as well as advanced and challenging skills. The 4th-5th graders will also be competing in live game Volleyball matches. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me.
Yours in Sport,
Mr. Kooiker
office Reminders
NEW Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures
Before School:
- Please use the student drop-off line. In the past, we have had ECSE buses in the loop until 8:25. That is no longer the case. So parents, feel free to pull up into our circle as early as 8:15, but remember, kids shouldn't exit your car until 8:25 because we don't have staff available to supervise them until that time. At 8:25, they can get out of your car and enter the building. Hopefully, not having cars wait at the lamppost (like previous years) will cut down on the traffic that reaches out to Courtland at that time of day, but some of that is inevitable. We're a busy school!
- Please don't drop off kids in the parking lot and expect them to find their way to the front of the school. Bypassing our student drop-off line might feel like it saves you a couple minutes in the morning, but our staff has witnessed kids tripping in the parking lot behind cars that are attempting to back up from their spots. It's just not safe. Please use our drop-off line.
After School:
- Please use the line for Parent Pick-Up. Even if it takes a couple extra minutes. This is the safest way to pick up your child.
- Kindergarten Parents can pull into the traffic circle as early as 3:20. We officially dismiss at 3:32, but our kindergarten students are dismissed a little early (around 3:30). We like to load them first before all other students exit the building. (If you have multiple students, including a kindergartner, we'd ask that you wait with the other cars so the kindergarten-only families can board and depart.
- All Other Parents should wait until 3:30 to enter the circle. As you've done in the past, please wait along the right side of our entrance drive (behind the entrance to the bus loop) until 3:30. At that time you can pull forward.
- Please pull all the way forward. Even if you see your child, please pull forward as far as you can to allow us to board as many students as possible at one time. This will help the line move most efficiently.
- If you do insist on parking in the parking lot (not recommended), please come across the crosswalk to pick up your child. Unattended students should not be crossing the road.
- Parents who are waiting for their child to exit the building should remain north of the crosswalk. This allows kids to see their cars and doesn't confuse parents with the staff members who are helping the kids safely get to their cars.
- Use the crosswalk exclusively. No one, staff, students, or parents, should be cutting between cars to get to the parking lot. This is essential!!!
Weather Alerts
For up-to-date information regarding Rockford Public Schools delays and/or closings, events and safety alerts, send a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our district’s short code number, 67587. Opt out any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop”. Be sure to tune in on icy or snowy mornings!
Extra Clothing
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.
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.)
Volunteer in our STEAM Classroom
Our STEAM teachers Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Brown, & Mrs. Pitsch love having parent volunteers in the STEAM room!
Meadow ridge Elementary PTO Updates
Funds for Friends
Meadow Ridge, we’d love to see your faces at The Score on December 17th for Funds For Friends! Plan your dinner that night (dine in OR take out!) and Meadow Ridge PTO will receive 10% back of all sales to put right back into our school! This is a great time to see friends out & dinner planned, with the busy season. Mark your calendars!
Wednesday, December 17th: 5-10pmThe Score Restaurant, 5301 Northland Dr NE
Mention : Meadow Ridge PTO
Winter Wondershoppe
We are so excited to bring you Winter Wondershoppe again! This holiday shop, for students to purchase gifts for family members, friends, etc, at a nominal price, will run from Thursday, December 4th - Wednesday, December 10th! This is a super special event that is truly magical for kids and a joy to help volunteer with. It takes many adult elves to make the magic happen and we're hoping you'll join us!
Thank you to our 2025-2026 Walk-a-thon Platinum Sponsors!

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!
Upcoming events
- Thursday, December 4th - Wednesday, December 10th: Winter Wondershoppe
- Friday, December 5th: Popcorn Friday
- Tuesday, December 9th: Winter Wondershoppe Family Night - 4-7pm
- Wednesday, December 10th: 5th Grade @ RHS Holiday Collage Concert
- Wednesday, December 10th: Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal
- Thursday, December 18th: Classroom Holiday Parties
- Friday, December 19th: Popcorn Friday
- Monday, December 22nd - Friday, January 2nd: No School - Winter Break
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).
Cannonsburg Punch Cards
Cannonsburg’s Punch Cards offer discounted lift tickets so that K–12 students can enjoy winter activities to the fullest! To purchase, visit Cannonsburg’s website, click on the C-Flake icon for the type of punch card you want, and fill out your information — including your school sponsor and school name.
School Sponsor: Mia Trabucchi (Meadow Ridge Elementary)Punch cards also offer discounts on rentals and private lessons. Parents can even purchase a punch card for themselves when buying one for their child!
For questions, please email Mia Trabucchi at mtrabucchi@rockfordschools.org, or view the Parent Letter for more information.
destiny access
Go to the Destiny Discover website: https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/16270
1. Find and select your student’s school from the list.
2.Click Log In in the top right corner.
3.Enter your student’s login information:
Username: The student’s school username (this is their school email address without “@rockfordschools.org”)
Password: The student’s school ID number
4.Once logged in, you can view checked-out books, due dates, fines, etc.
Tip: If your student has trouble logging in, double-check that the “@rockfordschools.org” part of the email address was not included and that the student number is entered correctly.





