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
www.rockfordschools.org


November Character Trait: gratitude

Definition: The state of showing thankfulness and appreciation 

Challenge: Write or share 3 things you’re thankful for every day this month, or write a thank you card to someone 

Reflection: Gratitude changes everything


Toys for tots

Meadow Ridge wants to do our part to help make the holidays happy for lots of children in the greater Grand Rapids area.  Student Council will be partnering with WZZM’s Toys for Tots campaign to collect as many new, unwrapped toys as we can.  

We have set a school goal of donating at least 300 toys. If we reach that mark, ALL SCHOOL extra recess. The grade level that collects the most toys will get a movie day and hot chocolate compliments of student council.

All toys should be sent to your child’s classroom on or before December 11. Meadow Ridge Student Council will travel to WZZM to deliver all the toys that are donated by our students. 

Thank you for your generosity! 


Early Release Days

Please mark your calendars for the early release days - 1:30pm dismissal time.

  • December 10th


yearbook Orders

Yearbook orders can be placed online using the ID Code: 14558526. Reminder that yearbook orders are separate from picture day order packages.

Order Yearbooks Online

Upcoming field trips

Wednesday, December 10th: 5th Grade RHS Holiday Collage Concert


Girls on the run

Registration for Girls on the Run will open up on December 1st! The season will begin on March 3rd, with practices every Tuesday and Thursday 3:45-5:00. We currently have coaches for one team of 15 girls, but are anticipating a need for 2 teams this year.

If you are interested in becoming a Girls on the Run coach, please reach out to Mackenzie Clements for more information. Parents who coach guarantee a spot on the team for their child and get a registration discount as well. 

mclements@rockfordschools.org

Hopper's happenings

I'm so excited to help spread holiday cheer across West Michigan with our friends on the student council and at WZZM's Toys for Tots campaign! You can help by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to your classroom between now and December 11th. Our school goal is 300 toys!

office Reminders

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.


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!!!

Student Directory

The 2025-2026 Student Directory went home with students this week. Extra copies are available in the office if your family did not receive one.


Extra Clothing

As the weather cools down it's time to swap students extra clothing from t-shirts & shorts to long sleeves and pants.

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.


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!


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 Consent Form


Volunteer in our STEAM Classroom

Our STEAM teachers Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Brown, & Mrs. Pitsch love having parent volunteers in the STEAM room.

STEAM Classroom Volunteer Sign-Up

Meadow ridge Elementary PTO Updates

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! 

 Winter Wondershoppe Volunteers  


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

Butter Braids

Back by popular demand! Butter Braids forms went home with students this week.

Given the success of Walk-Athon, we did not have an allocated need for Butter Braids funds to go to the General Fund for PTO.  We, therefore, voted to use ALL FUNDS RAISED from Butter Braids to help support our Meadow Ridge Essential Needs, through MDR Social Worker, Kendra Weidenfeller. 

ALL BUTTER BRAIDS ORDERS WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE SCHOOL AND WILL NEED TO BE PICKED UP BY A PARENT. We will offer various options for dates/times for pick up to meet parent needs.

Please note a current PHONE NUMBER on the form so that we can contact you with questions regarding your order, if needed.


Thank you to our 2025-2026 Walk-a-thon Platinum Sponsors!


Upcoming events

  • Friday, November 21st: Popcorn Friday
  • Wednesday, November 26th - Friday, November 28th: No School - Thanksgiving Break
  • Thursday, December 4th - Wednesday, December 10th: Winter Wondershoppe
  • Friday, December 5th: Popcorn Friday
  • Wednesday, December 10th: 5th Grade @ RHS Holiday Collage Concert
  • Wednesday, December 10th: Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal

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. 

Cannonsburg Parent Letter