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
february Students of the month
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Kindergarten - Nicole Williams
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1st Grade - Scarlett Andree
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2nd Grade - Sawyer Bratt
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3rd Grade - Nora Lamb
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4th Grade - Violet Peters
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5th Grade - Avery Hunter
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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.
Yearbook Orders
You can now 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. Order deadline is April 1, 2025.
There is also a QR code posted in the lobby!
March days off
- Wednesday, March 12th: Early Release Day - 1:30pm
- Wednesday, March 26th: Early Release Day - 1:30pm
Upcoming field trips
Tuesday, March 25th our first graders will travel to Frederick Meijer Gardens.
Wednesday, March 26th our kindergarteners are going to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum.
If you have been selected to chaperone a field trip you must have an active Volunteer Consent Form on file for this school year.
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
Welcoming students to school in the morning is one of my favorite parts of the day!
I love joining team meetings, especially when I get pets!
Mrs. Clements' 3rd grade class chose to spend time with me as their reward for working hard and being safe, responsible, & respectful. It was a great way to end my week!
office Reminders
Developmental Kindergarten/Kindergarten Parent Information Night
Parents of incoming DK or Kindergarten students for the 2025-2026 school year are welcome to attend a parent information night on Tuesday, March 18th from 6:00-7:00pm.
Note, this information night is for parents/guardians only and will serve as an opportunity for parents/guardians to meet the teachers and see the school. This event includes opportunities to learn more about the screening process and our Developmental Kindergarten and Kindergarten programming. Please make other arrangements for your child(ren) for the Parent/Guardian Information Night as there will be an opportunity in August for them to meet their teacher and visit their classroom prior to the first day of school.
Attendance Definitions
What is truancy vs. chronic absenteeism?
- Truancy; ten unexcused absences in a school year. This definition focuses on absences not sanctioned by a parent/guardian, generally a student “skipping school".
- Chronic absenteeism;attendance is 90 percent or less of scheduled days to date. This definition includes all counted absences even if sanctioned by a parent/guardian. A student is considered chronically absent when absent, for any reason, for ten percent or more of scheduled school days, measured at any point in the school year, or for lost time equivalent to ten percent or more of scheduled school days.
- If your family receives an attendance letter your student has fallen into the chronic absenteeism category. This letter is just to make parents/guardians aware.
5th to 6th Grade Orientation
5th graders and parents are invited to an optional middle school open house on Thursday, March 20th from 6:00-7:30pm at ERMS and NRMS.
Smart Devices
All devices (phones, smart watches, etc.) should be powered off and kept in lockers during the school day. Any communication between parent and student will go through the office. This includes illness, injury, and transportation changes.
After School Activities Pick-Up Procedures
If you have a student in Bible Club or Girls on the Run please do not use the pick up circle, it is designated for BAC pick up from 4:00-6:00pm.
When picking up students from other activities you may park along the sidewalk after the crosswalk or park in the parking lot and walk to the building to meet your student. Thank you for your cooperation.
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)
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 can 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 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
#marchisreadingmonth
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.
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!
Save the Date!
Meadow Ridge Carnival is Friday, April 25th...details coming soon
General Meeting
Thursday, March 13th - 6:00pm in the MDR Library.
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
- Sunday, March 9th: Daylight Saving Time Begins (Spring Forward)
- Wednesday, March 12th: Dress like an Explorer
- Wednesday, March 12th: Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal
- Thursday, March 13th: PTO Meeting - 6:00pm MDR Library
- Friday, March 14th: PTO Popcorn Friday
- Tuesday, March 18th: DK/K Parent Information Night
- Thursday, March 20th: Middle School Open House for 5th Graders/Parents - 6:00-7:30pm
- 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: Kindergarten Field Trip - Children's Museum
- Wednesday, March 26th: Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal
- Friday, March 28th: PTO Popcorn Friday
Rockford High School presents "Seussical"! Tickets are now on sale at rocktix.org.
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. 
New student enrollment is now open! Please visit rockfordschools.org/enrollment to review the online enrollment procedures and required documentation.
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).
