Meadow Ridge Newsletter - January 16, 2026

No School

Monday, January 19th: No school - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Please note there are NO early release days in January.

Upcoming field trips

• Friday, January 23rd: 5th grade to JA Biztown
• Wednesday, January 28th: Kindergarten & 1st grade music field trip at East Grand Rapids Performance Center (no chaperones needed)

Valentine's day parties

Valentine's Day parties will be celebrated on Thursday, February 12th. Teachers/Room Parents will communicate expectations for individual classroom parties.

As a reminder parents (including room parents) do not attend parties.

Dr. Matthews, Substitute Teacher

One of our staff members may be selected for a well-deserved day off with our own super substitute, Dr. Matthews!  Once a month, Dr. Matthews will be trading his Superintendent’s office for the classroom and stepping in to substitute teach for a day.

How it works: Each $10 donation to the Rockford Education Foundation nominates a teacher to win a day off while Dr. Matthews takes over the classroom.  All donations support REF educational grants, celebrate our incredible educators, and give Dr. Matthews a front-row seat in the classroom.

• $10 = 1 entry to nominate a teacher - multiple entries gladly accepted!
• Teachers may nominate themselves or a colleague
• One winner will be drawn monthly, January–May 2026

Nominate a teacher

PE NEWS

Meet Mr. McCourtie!

Dear Meadow Ridge Monarchs and Families, 

Hello! My name is Mr. McCourtie, and I am so excited to be joining Meadow Ridge as a student teacher with Mr. Kooiker through the end of April!

I am currently finishing my degree at Grand Valley State University, where I study Health and Physical Education. While at Grand Valley, I have been part of the marching band for five years and the Laker Pep Band for three years. One of my favorite memories was getting to perform at the Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship last year in Pittsburgh—where our team won!

I am a Rockford graduate (Class of 2021). When I was in school, I marched in the band for four years and participated in track and field for two years. I got to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and 3 state championships. I am currently a high school track and field coach, where I coach shot put and discus. GO RAMS!

Outside of school, I love playing video games, working out, and spending time with friends and family. I am also a huge Minnesota Vikings fan! I am so excited to meet all the Meadow Ridge Monarchs and to learn, grow, and have fun together every day. Being back in my home community is a dream come true. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

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!!!

PTO January Newsletter

PTO January Newsletter

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!

mdrmonarchs@gmail.com 

Meadow Ridge PTO Website

Meadow Ridge PTO Facebook

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).