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
HOLIDAY BREAK
Parkside Full Day Preschool is open for select days during Rockford's Holiday Break:
Monday, December 22
Tuesday, December 23
Monday, December 29
Tuesday, December 30
Friday, January 2
If your student will be gone during any of these days, please let your teacher know as soon as possible. We want to make sure we have adequate staffing and breakfast/snacks available.
PLEASE NOTE: There will be NO hot lunch offered on these days. Please pack your child a lunch.
School-Wide Holiday Cheer
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!
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
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
DROPOFF & Pickup Reminders
Dropoff 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.
Pickup 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.
Ordering school pictures
If you didn't get a chance to order school pictures through Lifetouch, there's still time!
1. Families can order photos on mylifetouch.com. Create an account or login with the Lifetouch Code: EVTWMFX3X
2. When you go to order your pictures, enjoy 10% off your order with the code: F2510OFF
Thank you!
Upcoming Events
December 10: Early Release Day - 1:30 Dismissal (DK)
Week of December 15: Preschool Progress Reports sent home
December 20 - January 4: Holiday Break - No School for DK/ECSE; Preschool Full Day programs WILL be open for select days
January 19: No school - Staff Professional Development
Family-Teacher Conferences
November 2025
Rockford Early Childhood Programs held their Family-Teacher Conferences in November.
Thank you so much to families for taking the time to connect with your child's teacher. We truly appreciate you taking the time to meet with your child’s teacher, share insights, and strengthen the home-school connection that supports your child’s growth and success.
Thank you for your continued partnership!
Hand 2 Hand
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).
