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
March character trait: integrity
Definition: The quality of being honest
Challenge: Google why Abraham Lincoln was nicknamed "honest Abe"
Reflection: Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching
Battle of the books
A record breaking 36 fifth graders competed in our Meadow Ridge Battle of the Books! We are proud of all of them and congratulations to our 2025 team: Courtney Host, Colton Howley, Brooklyn Kole, Evelyn Rockafellow, Kendall Stuart, Silas Vanrees, Alex Woita, & Kenny Yam! They will compete against the other elementary schools at the Grand Battle on Friday, March 28th.
Parents, guardians, grandparents, etc. who plan to attend the Grand Battle should sign in at the Meadow Ridge office in advance.
Kids have rights
Monday, March 31st & Tuesday, April 1st students in Kindergarten-4th grade will participate in Kids Have Rights lessons. A consent form and FAQ sheet went home with students last week. If you would like another copy you can request one in the office.
If you wish to opt your student(s) out of these lessons please contact the main office no later than Friday, March 28th.
Yearbook Orders
LAST CALL!!!!
Order deadline is April 1, 2025.
You can order a 2024-2025 yearbook online using the Meadow Ridge Yearbook ID Code: 14558525. Please note these are separate orders from picture packages; yearbooks are not included in picture day packages.
There is also a QR code posted in the lobby!
Winter Gear
With the fluctuating spring weather and temps students should continue to bring their winter gear (coat, boots, snow pants) everyday until Spring Break.
Early Releases & NO School
- Wednesday, March 26th: Early Release Day - 1:30pm
- Thursday, April 3rd - Friday, April 11th: No School - Spring Break
Upcoming field trips
Tuesday, March 25th our first graders will travel to Frederick Meijer Gardens.
Monday, April 14th - Friday, April 18th our fourth graders will attend Zoo School at John Ball Zoo.
If you have been selected to chaperone a field trip you must have an active Volunteer Consent Form on file for this school year.
*Unfortunately, the Kindergarten field trip to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum on March 26th has been cancelled due to the fire/water damage at the museum last week. We are hoping to reschedule.
March is reading month
"A Rainforest of Reading"
Students will receive a Reading Log to record their minutes before and after school starting March 3rd. Students will return their signed reading log on the following Mondays: March 10th, March 17th, March 24th.
Wednesdays in March
- March 5th: Step by Step Drawing in Class
- March 12th: Wear Green or khaki/Dress Like an Explorer/Safari
- March 19th: Rotating Reading Classrooms
- March 26th: Bring Favorite Stuffed Animal
- April 2nd: PJ Movie Day
Hopper's Happenings
I taught my SIP friends how to play safely and sharing skills while we played dinosaurs!
The fourth graders wrote limericks on St. Patrick's Day for all the staff members, including me!
Chilling with friends for reward time, the perks of the job!
I enjoyed the "Super U" assembly!
My first grade friends made Lego cars in STEAM and I was the cheering section during the races!
office Reminders
Family Fun Giveaway
Students brought home flyers with information about the SchoolStore Family Fun Giveaway. This flyer is just to notify families that participating in the SchoolStore fundraiser enters you into the giveaway. The more emails you send the more entries you receive. The top prize, an all-expenses paid family vacation to Hawaii, will be drawn by SchoolStore on April 3rd.
Lost & Found
Our lost and found will be packed up and donated on March 31st. Please check for any missing items within the next week. All items are located in the vestibule on the clothing rack or shelving unit.
Whitecaps Family Night
Tuesday, May 20th support Rockford Public Schools and kick off your summer with the West Michigan Whitecaps! A portion of each ticket bought will be donated directly back to the schools.
Playground Pals
Our “Playground Pals” Program is designed to support our playground staff with extra supervision during lunch recesses.
Playground Pals will take place every Tuesday & Thursday December 3rd – May 29th from 11:30am-1:00pm. As a volunteer your role will be to ensure safe play for all students on the playground, encourage positive interactions, and promote positive sportsmanship. You will receive a quick training of playground rules and procedures beforehand.
For this program, you MUST have an active Volunteer Consent Form on file for the 2024-2025 school year. Once you have completed it please email Michelle Smyth msmyth@rockfordschools.org.
This program allows for lots of parent volunteers so please sign up for a day or two!
Volunteer in our STEAM Classroom!
Kindergarten & 1st Grade with Mrs. Anderson (eanderson@rockfordschools.org)
2nd & 3rd Grade with Mrs. Brown (sbrown@rockfordschools.org)
4th & 5th Grade with Miss Fowler (tfowler@rockfordschools.org)
Lunch Menus
Download the nutrislice app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for an easy way to keep up with the breakfast & lunch menus!
SchoolStore
SchoolStore is a fundraising opportunity that Meadow Ridge was presented with for 2025. It is not through the PTO.
How does it work?
Families can choose to participate as much as they want. The first step is signing up at SchoolStore.net using our School ID: 309230 and then sending emails to family members and friends. This email allows participants to purchase gift cards that go directly to teachers to use on books and materials for their classroom. There is also a code friends and family can use when shopping online at hundreds of retailers and a percentage will come back to the school to use for student activities not funded by the PTO such as materials for classroom instructional experiences.
Every student will receive a "Book Buddy" for signing up and sending 6 emails. Students can earn additional prizes as they earn points (points are based on purchases, families do not need to participate).
Once we reach our participation goal (a percentage of students registered) Meadow Ridge will be entered into a weekly drawing to win a Book Vending Machine!
Information packets are available in the office. If you have any questions please contact Michelle Smyth msmyth@rockfordschools.org
Meadow ridge Elementary PTO Updates
March Newsletter
Please read through the March Newsletter for information on the Spring Carnival and other upcoming events!
Funds for Friends
Don't feel like making dinner the night after spring break? Head to The Score Monday, April 14th to support Meadow Ridge from 5:00-10:00pm! Show this flyer or mention Meadow Ridge.
March Birthday Board
Diary of the Meadow Ridge March Birthday's! It's the Ugly Truth that it's your birthday. So don't be a Party Pooper, swing by the birthday board this month and find your book if your birthday is in the month of March. It's a NO Brainer!
Amazing board done by: Samantha Huitema and Kristin Richardson Morrison
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!
Family Fun Night
Cedar Rock Sportsplex is hosting a Family Fun Night (open skate & drop-in soccer) on Friday, April 18th for families from 6:00-8:00pm! Make sure to sign in for Meadow Ridge so a portion of admission will be donated back to the PTO!
Booster Bucks
Booster Bucks aren’t just for gifts! If you are headed downtown Rockford for shopping or dining, don’t forget to use Booster Bucks at dozens of participating shops and restaurants! Choose Meadow Ridge in the Fundraising drop box for a portion to benefit our Monarchs.
Spirit Wear
Check out our online Spirit Wear store for a wardrobe refresh. You can choose from one of 7 logos [Rams and Meadow Ridge specific available], and orders are shipped directly to your home. Use code MRE10YT for a 10% discount!
Feed the Paper Gator
The Meadow Ridge Paper Gator is hungry again! Save your recycling bins and bring your junk mail, paperboard, newspaper, and any other paper you have. NO CARDBOARD OR TRASH PLEASE!
Thank you to our 2024-2025 Walk-a-thon Platinum Sponsors!
Upcoming events
- Monday, March 24th: Final Day for Reading Logs
- Tuesday, March 25th: First Grade Field Trip - Frederick Meijer Gardens
- Wednesday, March 26th: Bring Your Favorite Stuffed Animal
- Wednesday, March 26th: Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal
- Friday, March 28th: PTO Popcorn Friday
- Friday, March 28th: Grand Battle of the Books @ RHS Auditorium
- Monday, March 31st & Tuesday, April 1st: Kids Have Rights Presentations (K-4th grade)
- Wednesday, April 2nd: PJ Day
- Thursday, April 3rd - Friday, April 11th: No School - Spring Break
- Monday, April 14th: Funds for Friends at The Score - 5:00-10:00pm
- Monday, April 14th - Friday, April 18th: Fourth Grade Field Trip - John Ball Zoo
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).
New student enrollment is now open! Please visit rockfordschools.org/enrollment to review the online enrollment procedures and required documentation.
grasp
GRASP is a correspondence program for students in Kindergarten through 8th grades which helps students maintain reading and math skills while they are on summer break. The fees for the summer of 2025 are $26 for one subject or $48 for both subjects for each student. You can enroll your student for the book version (grades K-8) or the optional online version (grades 4-8) by completing the registration and payment online. 
