Director: Melissa Cochrill - mcochrill@rockfordschools.org
Principal: Mindy McGinn - mmcginn@rockfordschools.org
Address: 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
January 19, 2026
No school - Martin Luther King Jr. Day/Staff Professional Development
January 29, 2026
6:30 pm: Parent Involvement Meeting
February 2, 2026
5:30-7 pm: Parent Information Night for Child Development Lab (CDL - located behind Rockford HS)
5:30-7 pm: Parent Information Night for Community Education Preschool, Montessori, or Spanish Preschool (Admin Building - 350 N. Main Street)
February 3, 2026
6-7:30 pm: Parent Information Night for Full Day Preschool (Parkside Early Childhood Center - 156 Lewis St.)
February 4, 2026
Early release day for DK
February 13-16, 2026
No School: Mid-Winter Break
We need your feedback!
Rockford Public Schools belongs to our entire community—families, students, staff, and neighbors alike. The future of our schools impacts not only the education of our children, but the strength and vitality of our community for decades to come. Following the November election and the outcome of the recent bond proposal, the district is seeking to better understand community perspectives, concerns, and priorities through this survey. Your voice matters, and your feedback will help shape the direction of future planning.
This survey is designed to gather honest input about trust, communication, transparency, priorities, and future facility needs. We are seeking to learn how information was communicated, what matters most to you when it comes to school facilities and investments, and what might build greater confidence in future proposals. Whether you supported the bond, opposed it, or felt unsure, your perspective is essential to improving how decisions are developed and shared.
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
Nominate a Teacher!
Super(-intendent) Substitute!
One of your teachers may be selected for a well-deserved day off with our own super substitute, Dr. Matthews! Once a month, Dr. Matthews will be trading his Superintendent’s office for the classroom and stepping in to substitute for a day.
How it works:
Each $10 donation to the Rockford Education Foundation nominates a teacher to win a day off while Dr. Matthews takes over the classroom. All donations support REF educational grants, celebrate our incredible educators, and give Dr. Matthews a front-row seat in the classroom.
- $10 = 1 entry to nominate a teacher - multiple entries gladly accepted!
- Teachers may nominate themselves or a colleague
- One winner will be drawn monthly, January–May 2026
Growing with you and our community
The Rockford branch of Kent District Library will be undergoing construction soon. The library will more than double in size and improve accessibility with wider doors and aisles, barrier-free and family restrooms (including adult and baby changing stations), closer accessible parking, and a drive-up book return.
Here is what you can expect during the process:
- January 17 – Last day that the current Krause Memorial Branch will be open. Last day to pick up holds, return materials and use the book drop. Please pick up/drop off items by 5:00 PM. You may choose any of the other 19 KDL locations to return materials.
- February 2 – The temporary location will open at the Rockford Community Cabin (220 N. Monroe St, Rockford, MI 49341 - just around the corner from Parkside!). This location will be a new option for hold pickups, named “Krause Temporary.”
The temporary location hours will be as follows:
- Monday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Friday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
November or December 2026: Goal for the library to be open in renovated space!!!
More info: https://kdl.org/growingkrause/
Office Reminders
Extra Clothing
As the seasons change, take a moment to swap your student's extra clothing from t-shirts & shorts to long sleeves and pants.
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 winter 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 an Rockford Early Childhood staff member? Want to spread a little sunshine? Here are our staff's favorites!
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.
As mornings grow darker, 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.
The Rockford Education Foundation invites you to The Taste on March 5, 2026. This is REF's annual signature event, serving up amazing support for education through great food, drinks, and community partnership. It will be held at 6:00 pm at The Gilmore, located at 5179 West River Drive.
The Taste hosts many local restaurants and businesses. Learn more, sign up to sponsor or purchase tickets online.
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 this link.
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).
