Director: Melissa Cochrill - mcochrill@rockfordschools.org
Assistant Director: Missy Baines - mbaines@rockfordschools.org
Principal: Mindy McGinn - mmcginn@rockfordschools.org
Address: Parkside Early Childhood Center, 156 Lewis Street Rockford, MI 49341
Phone: (616) 863-6360 Fax: (616) 866-2327
Administrative Assistants:
Julie Palmieri - jpalmieri@rockfordschools.org
Jamie Brown - jbrown@rockfordschools.org
Thank you!
The Rockford Early Childhood Program Teachers & Staff would like to sincerely thank our wonderful families and community for your kindness, encouragement, and support throughout the year. Your thoughtful notes, generous gestures, and daily partnership mean so much to us.
It is a privilege to work with your children each day, and we are truly grateful for the trust you place in us. Thank you for making us feel appreciated, valued, and supported. Your kindness never goes unnoticed!
IMPORTANT DATES
May 19, 2026
- Family Night at the Whitecaps (details + ticket information listed below!)
May 21, 2026
- Last day for Montessori Preschool
May 22-25, 2026
- No School for all programs - Memorial Day weekend
May 27, 2026
- Last day for Spanish Immersion Preschool
June 2, 2026
- Last day for ECSE
June 4-5, 2026
- Half Day for DK - 12:55pm dismissal time
June 5, 2026
- Last day of Full Day Preschool (summer preschool starts on June 8)
- Last day of DK
Family Night at the Whitecaps
Rockford Family Night is back this year on May 19th! For each ticket purchased through the link below, a portion will be donated back to Rockford elementary schools! Over the past few years the schools have raised over $6,000 total.
Kent district library : Free Weekday Lunches
Kent District Library will once again offer free weekday lunches for children (ages 0-18) at library branches this summer, running June 8–September 4. Most locations will serve lunch from 12:00–1:00 p.m. You can find participating branches, serving times, and additional details here: KDL Summer Food Access Events.
KDL is also partnering with North Kent Connect and YWCA to provide additional food access opportunities, including food trucks and community support events at select branches throughout the summer. The event page above includes all programs tagged “Food Access,” and families can filter by branch to find specific opportunities near them.
Office Reminders
Extra Clothing
As the seasons change, take a moment to swap your student's extra clothing for more seasonally, weather appropriate clothing.
We recommend that ALL students keep a full set of weather-appropriate extra clothes in their cubby (shirt, pants, underwear, socks, and shoes). Students may need to change due to bathroom accidents, cafeteria spills, or getting wet or dirty at recess.
PLEASE BE SURE TO LABEL EVERYTHING! We have over 200 students in our building, which makes for a lot of clothing and gear! We want everything to return to your home at the end of each week!
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!
PLEASE NOTE: Preschool follows the Rockford Public Schools weather closures. If RPS announces a snow day, Preschool will be closed as well.
Staff Favorites
Want to spoil a Rockford Early Childhood staff member? Want to spread a little sunshine? Here are our staff's favorites!
STUDENT ABSENCES
Who do I call if my student will be absent or late to school?
Absences MUST be called into the office 616.863.6360. Press 1 for the Attendance Line.
When you are reporting an absence on our voicemail, the State of Michigan requires us to know the following:
- Student's name
- Reason for absence - if it is an illness we need to know the symptoms of the illness (vomiting, coughing, fever, cold, diarrhea, lice, etc.).
Contact Information
Parkside Early Childhood Center Office/Attendance Line - 616.863.6360; press 1.
- Jamie Brown (Preschool Admin Assistant) - jbrown@rockfordschools.org
- Julie Palmieri (DK/ECSE Admin Assistant) - jpalmieri@rockfordschools.org
- Transportation Office - 616.863.6328
- BAC/Child Care Office - 616.863.6560
- Community Services - 616.863.6322
DROP-OFF & Pick-up Reminders
Drop-off in AM
Please do not park or stop on Lewis Street, as the front curbs must remain open for our Early Childhood Special Education drop-offs.
All drivers need to park in the Lewis Street parking lot and walk students into school.
Please use extra caution when crossing Lewis Street—drivers may have limited visibility. Hold your child’s hand and cross carefully.
Pick-up in PM
Hold your family sign high until you get a thumbs-up from our door greeters, Meera and Mariano.
Pull forward all the way to the cone in the pick-up circle (or as far as the next car) to keep traffic moving smoothly.
Be patient with our students. Their little legs take time to cover distances in this big building! They may also be coming from different places (playground, bathroom, cafeteria, etc.), so it might take a few extra moments for them to reach you. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding.
Hand2Hand
Hand2Hand's mission is to deliver nutritious food to students over the weekends and on extended school breaks by mobilizing churches, schools, individuals, and businesses to join together, providing hope and opportunity to thrive.
To enroll your loved one, please scan the QR code below or click on this link: Hand2Hand website
A free weekend food opportunity for kids! They will receive 3 breakfast items, 4 snack items, and 3-4 lunch/dinner items, often with a recipe card. The food bags are delivered by the Hand2Hand team so that the students can bring them home on Fridays.
If you have any questions, please email the Hand2Hand organization: permissionslip@h2hkids.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).
The program provides:
- Counseling services for family members
- A free online resource library
- Free financial and legal consultations
- Free elder care consultations
