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
IMPORTANT DATES
June 2, 2026
- Last day for ECSE
June 4-5, 2026
- Half Day for DK - 11:55am dismissal time
June 5, 2026
- Last day of Full Day Preschool (summer preschool starts on June 8)
- Last day of DK
June 10, 2026
- Start of Summer Full Day Preschool
Start of Summer Kids for Kids Run
Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 9:30am
Calling All Kids 12 & Under - 1 mile, 1/4 mile, and 100 yard dash
Downtown Rockford by the Dam
$30 (includes 3 timed races and shirt) - 100% profits donated towards adoption grants through Team Orphans
Prizes for those who place in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
Register online at https://teamorphans.com/kids-for-kids-run/
Rockford Book Bus
The Rockford Book Bus is gearing up for another summer of reading adventures.
On June 6, you can find the bus in the Start of Summer parade.
On June 13, the Book Bus will be welcoming readers at the Rockford Farmer's Market.
On June 15, the Book Bus officially starts its travels around the Rockford community, visiting schools, neighborhoods, and daycares.
You will want to have your calendars handy so that you can embrace each week's engaging theme and share the joy of reading with others in our community.
Weekly Themes:
- At the Beach
- Animal Antics
- Out of This World
- Magnificent Michigan
- Transportation Station
- Winter in July
- Under the Sea
More Summer Reading
Summer is the perfect time to relax, explore new adventures, and discover great books! We invite all Rockford students and families to participate in #RamsRead 2026, with resources and programs designed to keep students engaged, learning, and growing throughout the summer months.
Visit the RAMS Read 2026 website to learn more, access reading resources, find book recommendations, and start your summer reading journey today. Happy reading, Rams!
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.
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.
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
