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
September Character Trait: kindness
Definition: the quality of being friendly, generous or considerate
Challenge: let someone go in front of you in line
Reflection: you will never regret being kind
Early release days
- September 30 - 1:30pm dismissal
- October 14 & 28 - 1:30pm dismissal
Upcoming field trips
2nd Grade - Friday, October 2nd: John Ball Zoo
3rd Grade - Outdoor Learning at Edgerton Trails
- McCormack - Thursday, October 15th (AM)
- Petsch - Thursday, October 15th (PM)
- Schlaudt - Friday, October 16th (AM)
Kindergarten - Friday, October 16th: Schwallier's Country Basket
Picture Day
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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.
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) or view the electronic flyer for more information.
PE NEWS
Welcome back Rockford students and a special welcome to those who are new to us. This year is once again going to be filled with many activities and skills that will help develop and challenge the student’s minds and abilities. We want the student’s time spent with us each week to be a positive and enjoyable experience. Not only will we teach important skills, but will also incorporate exciting games using those skills. We also want you to know that we will do our very best to keep everyone safe.
For the months of September and October, the DK-1st graders will be developing their Soccer skills as well as playing games and activities to help progress their skills. They will also be working on loco-motor skills and playing various tag games. The 3rd-5th graders will be engaging in fitness testing as well as Soccer skills and real game experience. We are looking forward to a great year together!
Yours in Sport Fitness and Fun!
Mr. Kooiker
STEAM News
Welcome Back to STEAM!
We are so excited to kick off a new school year in the STEAM classroom! I can’t wait to see all of the creativity, curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration that will happen this year. Our STEAM students have so many exciting challenges and projects ahead!
Help Us Stock Our STEAM Classroom
We are still collecting clean, gently used and recyclable materials to use for our STEAM challenges and projects throughout the year. Students can drop donated items off outside the STEAM classroom. Every little bit helps give our students more materials to design, build, test, and create!
Parents, We’d Love Your Help!
We are also welcoming parent volunteers in the STEAM classroom! Volunteers are a huge help as students work through hands-on challenges, build projects, and explore new ideas. If you are interested in volunteering, please check out the September STEAM volunteer sign-up below. There are several opportunities throughout the month!
Thank you for supporting our STEAM program and helping make these hands-on learning experiences possible. I’m looking forward to an amazing year of creating, collaborating, and problem-solving with our students!
Elyse Anderson, Dawn Bailey and Chris Pitsch - MDR STEAM Teachers
Please consider bringing items to support our STEAM program! Our wish list of items include:
Craft sticks, beads, cotton balls, Kleenex boxes, small plastic containers, pom poms, cereal boxes, cardboard tubes, bubble wrap, lids and caps, fabric, show boxes and straws. Please send items clean and dried. THANK YOU!
office Reminders
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.
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.)
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!
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.
Meadow ridge Elementary PTO Updates
Walk-A-Thon Registration!
Walk-a-thon is only a few weeks away, October 9th! Register your student (Identifier Code: 5f5b9e32d90d0) and family members can order a matching t-shirt! All MDR students receive a shirt, no order necessary.
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!
Volunteers Needed!
It's Walk - AThon time and many hands make light work!
Please see the link for the sign up genius about where we need hands and volunteers to make the day a success!
Field Trip Dues
Thank you to our 2025-2026 Walk-a-thon Platinum Sponsors!
Upcoming events
- Friday, September 25th: Popcorn Friday
- Wednesday, September 30th: Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal
- Friday, October 2nd: 2nd Grade Field Trip to John Ball Zoo
- Friday, October 2nd: Popcorn Friday
- Friday, October 9th: Walk-a-thon! - 9:00-11:00am
- Wednesday, October 14th: Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal
- Thursday, October 15th & Friday, October 16th: 3rd Grade Outdoor Learning at Edgerton Trails
- Friday, October 16th: Kindergarten Field Trip to Schwallier's Country Basket
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.
