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
november Character Trait: Empathy
Definition: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another
Challenge: Focus on something you have in common with a person who bothers you
Reflection: Our job is to care about others without stopping to inquire if they are worthy
October Students of the Month
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Kindergarten - Kyler
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1st Grade - Lila
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2nd Grade - Leah
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3rd Grade - Scarlett
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4th Grade - Emma
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5th Grade - Blaire
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Would You Like to Spend More Time at Meadow Ridge?
If you are interested in working at our school, we anticipate a couple paraprofessional openings that might become available within the next month. One opportunity would be inside our Regional Autism Program. No particular experience is required, just a loving heart and an eagerness to connect with this wonderful population. We also are going to need someone who can help out with lunch and afternoon recess. If you are interested in either of these positions, please reach out to Blake or Michelle to learn more about these opportunities.
Early release days
- November 11th - 1:30pm dismissal
- December 9th - 1:30pm dismissal
Yearbook Orders
Yearbook orders can also be placed online using the ID Code: 14558527.
Reminder that yearbook orders are separate from picture day order packages.
Holiday concerts
Save the Date: Thursday, December 3rd @ RHS Auditorium
Program Times:
- Grades K & 1 - 5:45pm (kids meet at 5:30 in the RHS cafeteria)
- Grades 2 & 3 - 6:30pm (kids meet at 6:15 in the RHS cafeteria)
- Grades 4 & 5 - 7:15pm (kids meet at 7:00 in the RHS cafeteria)
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!
STEAM News
Rockford STEAM Night 2026
Mark your calendars! Our annual Rockford STEAM Night is coming up!
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
5:30–8:00 PM
Rockford High School
STEAM Night is an evening filled with hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math experiences for Rockford elementary students and their families. Students will have the opportunity to explore, create, experiment, and try activities hosted by teachers, community partners, high school students, and other volunteers. This year will be our first STEAM Night at Rockford High School, and we are excited to bring our elementary students and families to a new location! If you or your National Honor Society student would like to volunteer at STEAM night you can sign up below.
Help Our Rockford STEAM Students Become Engineers!
We are collecting old electronics for students to use in our reverse engineering activities! Students will get hands-on experience taking apart electronics to discover what's inside and how things work. Do you have an old electronic device collecting dust? We would love to put it to good use!
A few guidelines:
- Please remove ALL batteries before donating.
- Electronics should have exposed, accessible screws so students can practice taking them apart.
- Smaller, desk-sized electronics are ideal!
Donations can be sent to the school office or dropped off in a STEAM room by November 13th
We are running low on recyclables!! We are always looking for clean, dry recyclable materials to use for student design challenges.
Some items we can use include:
Cardboard tubes, small plastic containers (yogurt, sour cream, etc.), Kleenex boxes, broken-down cereal boxes, plastic caps and lids, egg cartons, shoe boxes, etc.
If you have materials that might be useful for building, designing, or creating, please send them in! Please make sure all donated materials are clean and dry.
Thank you for supporting STEAM!
Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Pitsch, Ms. Bailey
Hopper's happenings
Another month, another RAMS Roundup, and apparently I still have some things to learn!
This month, my Meadow Ridge friends and I practiced empathy, using our words instead of our behaviors, waiting patiently, and controlling those pesky impulses! Turns out, these skills aren't just for humans! Apparently, I can't just bark when I want something, cut in line for treats, or tackle someone because I want pets! Who knew?!
Across ALL grade levels, we practiced making good choices, thinking about how others feel, and remembering that sometimes our brains need a little pause before our bodies react! Big feelings are okay. Big reactions? We're working on those!
Here's to another month of being Responsible, Accountable, Motivated, and Safe!
Love,
Hopper
office Reminders
Hearing & Vision Rescreening
Kent County Health Department will be back to conduct Hearing & Vision rescreening on November 9th & 10th
BAC Drop-Off
Students attending BAC may be dropped off in the front loop until 8:20am. Buses have restricted access after that.
NEW Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures
Student Drop-Off
- Student drop off starts at 8:25 am.
- Beginning in August of 2026, our drop off zone is to the south of the building. Turn right off the main drive into the building and you will circle around the south side of the building until you pull up by the front. Students will enter on the side of the building.
- For the safety of our kids, please do not drop students off outside of this area as we have staff in specific spots to help with car doors.
- Parents are discouraged from walking their students into the building.
Student Pick-Up
- In August, each family will be provided with two placards to hang from your rear view mirror with an ID number for your family.
- Beginning at 3:30, please pull up to the drop off loop and head around until a staff member identifies your student and radios it inside the building.
- Please pull all the way down the front sidewalk to wait for your students and they will be released from the gym to come find your car beginning at 3:35.
- Parents should not park their car and wait for their student here.
Walkers
If your student is a walker in the morning, they will meet outside at near the bike rack and Papergator. After school, students who walk home will meet their parent at the end of the side walk near the bike rack and Papergator.
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.)
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.
Hand2Hand
We’re a Hand2Hand School! Providing students with nutritious food to take home for the weekends and extended breaks.
Complete the permission form for the 2026-2027 school year.
Meadow ridge Elementary PTO Updates
PTO Meeting
General PTO Meeting: Thursday, November 12th - 6pm in the Meadow Ridge Library
Meet the Team!
- President: Lacey Jonassen
- Vice President, Fundraisers: Erin Kimball
- Vice President, Non-Fundraisers: Whitnie Snodgrass
- Treasurer: Samantha Huitema
- Secretary: Erin Cizauskas
- Digital Secretary: Andrea Fricano
- Digital Media Manager: Julie Andrews
We are here for you!
Thank you to our 2026-2027 Walk-a-thon Platinum Sponsors!
Upcoming events
- Friday, November 6th: Popcorn Friday
- Monday, November 9th & Tuesday, November 10th: Hearing & Vision Rescreening
- Wednesday, November 11th: Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal
- Thursday, November 12th: General PTO Meeting - 6pm MDR Library
- Friday, November 13th: Walk-a-thon "Rockin' in the Dark Party" (students should wear their tie-dye Walk-a-thon shirt)
- Tuesday, November 17th: STEAM Night - 5:30-8:00pm @ RHS
- Wednesday, November 25th - Friday, November 27th: No School - Thanksgiving Break
- Thursday, December 3rd - Holiday Concerts
Cannonsburg punch pass
Cannonsburg’s Punch Cards are back and offer discounted lift tickets so that K–12 students can enjoy winter activities to the fullest!
To purchase, you can visit Cannonsburg during office hours or go to their website. To purchase online, visit Cannonsburg’s website, click on "Tickets and Passes" and select punch cards. Fill out your information — INCLUDING your school sponsor and school name.
School Sponsor: Mia Rybinski (Meadow Ridge Elementary)
For questions, please email Mia Rybinski (mrybinski@rockfordschools.org).
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).
RPS Security Communication
Dear Rockford Families,
Rockford Public Schools is deeply committed to the safety and security of our students, staff, and the community we serve. We view safety as a layered approach—built through community involvement, continued district critical incident training, staff and student engagement, family support, and the use of both physical and technological safeguards. At the heart of this work is strong relationship-building. By collaborating with students, families, staff, and law enforcement partners, we foster a climate of trust that allows every student to learn, grow, and thrive.
In response to new state law signed in January 2025, school districts were required to adopt standardized emergency responses and terminology. To meet this expectation, Rockford Public Schools is partnering with the Kent Intermediate School District and the I Love U Guys Foundation to align our protocols with best practices and provide education across our school community. The I Love U Guys Foundation has developed the Standard Response Protocol (SRP)—an all-hazards approach designed for urgent situations. The SRP includes developmentally appropriate lessons that classroom teachers will share with students from Preschool through 12th grade in the months ahead.
Students will learn about the following procedures this fall:
● September: Lockdown
● October: Secure and Hold
● November: Shelter and Evacuate
Families are encouraged to learn more about the Standard Response Protocol by visiting the I Love U Guys Foundation parent handout. Together, we can ensure our students are prepared, supported, and safe.
The safety of our students is our highest priority. By providing age-appropriate tools and clear procedures, we aim to give students confidence while fostering a strong sense of security in our schools. With your partnership, Rockford Public Schools will continue to build a culture of preparedness, care, and support so that every child can learn and thrive.
We would also like to direct you to the Rockford Public Schools Security Team page on the website for information on Michigan Secure Storage Law RPS Security. The secure storage law Public Act 17 of 2023 provides information on the requirements and penalties for storing and
securing firearms. There is also helpful information from Project ChildSafe on responsible ownership and having a conversation with your children about gun safety. Please take the time to review this information and have conversations with your children about the Standard Response Protocols and gun safety.
