Al Reickard - Principal
Jesús Santillan- Assistant Principal
jsantillan@rockfordschools.org
Nick Davis-Athletic Director/Student Activities
Jennifer Domagalski-Athletic Director/Student Activities
jdomagalski@rockfordschools.org
Address: 397 E Division Rockford, MI 49341
Rockford Public Schools Website
Phone: (616) 863-6300
A Note from Mr. Reickard
As we head into November, it’s hard to believe we are already approaching the end of Trimester 1! The weeks have flown by, and our students and staff have accomplished so much. I continue to be proud of the way our NRMS community shows up each day, supports one another, and works to make North Rockford Middle School a great place to learn and grow.
November is a great time to focus on gratitude, growth, and the RAMS Way. We want our students to take ownership of their learning, put forth their best effort, learn from mistakes, and keep pushing themselves to improve. As we approach the end of the trimester, we will continue to emphasize the importance of making each hour and each day count. There is still plenty of time to strengthen skills, improve habits, ask questions, and finish the trimester strong. Small, positive choices made consistently can lead to big results!
November also gives us a chance to pause and recognize the people and experiences we are thankful for. I am incredibly grateful for our dedicated staff, supportive families, and amazing students who make NRMS such a special community. Thank you for partnering with us, encouraging our students, and helping us live out our commitment to excellence each and every day.
As we head into the Thanksgiving season, I hope each of you finds time to slow down, enjoy family and friends, and appreciate the good things happening all around us. Let’s keep building momentum, celebrating our wins, and showing what it means to be a RAM!
Have a wonderful November, and as always, Go Rams!
Mr. Reickard
Principal, North Rockford Middle School
Dear North Rockford Middle School Families,
As part of our continued work to strengthen a safe, supportive, and positive learning environment for all students, North Rockford Middle School is asking all families of students in grades 6–8 to complete our Family Climate Survey.
This survey is an important part of our implementation of our schoolwide Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for behavior. Earlier this year, we shared our commitment to creating a school culture centered on respect, responsibility, kindness, and belonging. Your feedback will help us better understand the experiences and perspectives of our families as we continue improving our systems of support for students.
The survey will provide valuable insight into areas such as:
School climate and culture
Communication and family partnerships
Student support systems
Safety, belonging, and connectedness
Your voice matters, and the information gathered will help guide future decisions and improvements at NRMS. The survey should only take a few minutes to complete, and all responses will remain confidential.
All students and staff will be completing this survey on Wednesday, November 11, during RAM Time. The survey closes at 11:59 P.M. on Friday, November 13, 2026.
The link will be emailed to families on Wednesday, November 11.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to ensure every student feels valued, supported, and successful at North Rockford Middle School.
Warmly,
Al Reickard Jesús Santillán
Principal Assistant Principal
Support Our NRMS Staff!
We’d love your help providing snacks, drinks, and supplies for our amazing middle school staff during meetings and special gatherings.
If you’re able, please sign up below to donate an item. Every contribution big or small makes a difference and is so appreciated by our staff. The October 5th & January 25th Sign-up is for Parent-Teacher Conferences. If you have any questions please email Rebecca at: rspringer@rockfordschools.org
Thank you for helping us take care of the people who take care of our kids!
Help Wanted!!
We’re looking for 1–2 enthusiastic adults every Monday from 10:30 A.M.–12:05 P.M. to help run the RAM Shop, where students cash in their Positive Behavior Dollars for fun prizes. Your time and energy make a huge difference—help us keep the excitement going and support positive behavior in a meaningful way!
Order your yearbook today!
STUDENT DROP-OFF/PICK-UP PROCESS
If you choose to drop your child off and/or pick your child up from NRMS, you are required to use the Lincoln Street Entrance.This is the entrance used to access the student drop-off zone and athletic parking lot. Please do not drop your student off in front of the building. This is a safety issue with busses.
DROP-OFF TIME (ATHLETIC PARKING LOT)
7:10 am to 7:35 am
- Doors will open at 7:10 am
- Breakfast is available starting at 7:10 am
- Student hallways open at 7:25 am
- School starts at 7:40 am
PICK-UP TIME (ATHLETIC PARKING LOT)
- School dismisses at 2:30 pm
- Students should be picked up prior to 3:00 pm unless they are in athletics, attending a club, or with a teacher.
Lost and found
Please Label Student Items
Our lost and found table is already full!! To help us return items quickly, please make sure your student’s water bottle and lunch box are clearly labeled with their name.
Unclaimed items are placed in the vestibule, so please encourage your student to check there if something is missing.
All items will be donated the 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month.
Thank you for helping us keep things organized!
Got a middle schooler looking for something fun to do downtown Rockford on early release days?
We’ve got the perfect plan! We are offering $15 DIY candles, snacks + drinks, and a cozy spot to hang with friends after school.
Kids can choose their candle color, toppings, and fragrance for a one-of-a-kind creation. Candles require 1 hour hardening in order to take home. Name and phone number required to ensure pickup completion.
attendance at nrms
A Few Friendly Reminders
Scheduling Appointments
Whenever possible, please try to schedule appointments outside of school hours. This helps us minimize interruptions to the school day and allows our teachers to maximize valuable instructional time. We truly appreciate your help with this!
Picking Up Your Student During the School Day
If your student needs to leave school during the day, please have them stop by the main office when they arrive in the morning to pick up their pass. Sending a note with the time they need to leave is also helpful, especially in case they forget their scheduled pickup time.
Having students come to the office ahead of time helps us avoid calling classrooms and interrupting instruction.
When you arrive to pick up your student, please wait in the vestibule and sign your student out on the sign-out sheet. We will have your student meet you there.
If Your Student Is Sick
If your student is sick or will be absent for the entire school day, please leave a message on our attendance line at 616-863-6300. Please include the reason for the absence and clearly spell your student's first and last name.
Thank you for helping us protect instructional time and keep our school day running smoothly!
“Strive for Less Than 5”
Transportation Information
Dear Rockford Community:
We are pleased to introduce you to My Ride K-12, a mobile app where you can access your student’s secure data at the touch of a button. Access to real-time data helps your student to be at the right place at the right time.
My Ride K-12 capabilities include the following:
- Stop location, assigned route, and scheduled pick up time
- GPS geolocation push notifications, giving estimated time of bus arrival and information concerning bus status changes
- Real time communication and messaging
- Secure and confidential log in
- Android/iOS app and web version available
The app is available for up to four users per student. If you would like to opt out of this platform, please contact transportation to have My Ride K-12 disabled for your student.
To access My Ride K-12 for your student, you will need to complete the set up by following the directions included in the Parent User Guide. Users will need their student’s ID number and Last name to link to their student. Please follow the Parent User Guide for instructions on how to access and use the app and web version. Please allow your phone to send notifications from this app and remain logged in to receive district notifications.
We trust this will be a helpful tool for you! Should you have any questions or concerns or would like to limit or remove access for your student on My Ride K-12, please contact the transportation department at 616-863-6328.
Rockford Public Schools
Transportation Department
Important dates
November 11: Early Release @ 12:30
November 13: End Of Trimester 1
November 25-27: No School- Thanksgiving Break
MS Athletics
Click the button below to access all of our Middle School Athletics information! It will take you right to their website:
If you would like to contact North Rockford Middle School's Athletic office please email Kara Dault at:
After-school sporting events
Please note that students are not permitted to remain at school after dismissal to wait for a sporting event to begin. Students must leave school grounds at the end of the school day and may return later with a parent/guardian to attend the event.
Cellphone/Watch Communications/AirPods/Ear Buds
Instructional time is for learning. With 1:1 computer access at school, cell phones no longer have a place in the classroom. Our students are only permitted to use their cell phones before and after school. During the school day, all cell phones and earbuds/AirPods are expected to be kept in their locker. Students are required to use wired headphones during the school day to connect to their laptops if sound is required. The purpose of this practice is to eliminate distractions in our classrooms and to help our students stay focused on their academics.
Please note: If a child has an IEP or special circumstance, accommodations may be made through the Counseling Office or IEP team.
Unless explicitly directed by a staff member, students are not permitted to use a phone (or similar device) during the instructional period. This policy extends to our hallways and common areas.
Parents/guardians who need to reach a student during an instructional period may call our main office at 616.863.6300 and we will ensure that the student receives the message. Thank you!
Medication Drop-Off
If you have medication that you would like to drop off, our healthcare assistant will be here to assist you. Please bring all medications in their original container. Paperwork will need to be signed in order for our staff to distribute medication. RPS Medication Authorization Sheet
ID Cards
Student ID cards are issued to all students and should be carried at all times during the school day and at school-sponsored events. The ID card is not only for identification purposes but is also used to check out library materials, for the school lunch program, and more! Your student can have their ID card reprinted in the library for $3.
Lockers and Backpacks
All students are assigned a private locker and expected to use it to hold all their personal belongings, including their backpacks and electronic devices. The elimination of backpacks creates more space in classrooms and will grow our students in organization and planning!
School Lunch Accounts and e-Funds
1. Can I view my child’s account?
- You have access to view your child’s Food Service account via Family Portal. This is available 24/7 throughout the school year. Through this portal you have access to view your child’s daily purchases, deposits, apply parental restrictions as well as send a payment without a fee.
2. How can I make a payment on my child’s account?
- Using Family Portal or E-Funds allows you to make a payment of your discretion without any processing fees.
- Payment may also be brought directly to our office, located in the High School, 4100 Kroes Street. Additionally, you can send money with your child to their respective school or through the mail. All checks should be made payable to Rockford Food Service. When sending payment through the mail, please mail to the attention of Kristin Novak at Rockford High School, 4100 Kroes Street NE, Rockford, MI 49341.
We encourage all families who may qualify for Free/Reduced Meals to complete the application online to receive any additional benefits that may be associated with their account, which may include benefits both in and out of school. This information is also helpful for our school funding.
For additional information, please use the RPS Food Service Website.
Counseling Corner
Mrs. Koops-Fikse and Mrs. Hughes are here to support your child! If your child is in need of academic, social, or emotional support, please have them come to our office. We are also available by contacting (616) 863-6313.
NRMS Counselors
Last Names A - L: Karla Koops-Fikse
Last Names M-Z: Angie Hughes
NRMS Counseling Dog
Smudge
Library Loop
CHROMEBOOK CARE:
We want to take a moment to remind you about Chromebook care. When we first issued devices to students years ago, we spent a lot of time reminding students of the ways to keep their Chromebooks in good shape. Over time, we’ve gotten away from those reminders, but now that students are required to pay for damaged or lost devices, we want to remind you again:
- We recommend that students keep their device in a case when it’s not in their backpack. This provides extra protection in case of a drop.
- Please have your child always carry your device with two hands.
- Please remind your child not to walk around the classroom or your home with your device open. Close the screen so you can carry it properly with two hands.
- Do not pop off keyboard keys as they will eventually not pop back on.
- Chromebooks need to be charged to 100% most nights to function properly.
- Ask them to help remind their student(s) to power off and charge the Chromebook each night.
Do not touch another student’s device for any reason. You will be responsible for damage that results from an action you take, whether you meant to do the damage or not, so please be careful.
- Broken Screen $30
- Broken Keyboard (missing keys, etc.) $30
- Damaged chassis/lost device $200
- Charger $15
If you have any questions, please let us know. We appreciate your support!
school assistance program
Follow this link to get all the information you need for our SAP- School Assistance Program.
Helpful Links
