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
Parkside Picture Day
October 15-16, 2025
Lifetouch will be photographing students and staff from the programs below on October 15 AND 16, 2025. Picture Day will take place in the Library at Parkside Early Childhood Center.
Admin Building Programs
- Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)
- Spanish Immersion
- Montessori
- Community Ed 3s and 4s
Parkside Early Childhood Center Programs
- Developmental Kindergarten (DK)
- Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
- Full Day Preschool 3yos and 4yos
Some special notes for our early childhood families:
- Your teacher will communicate what day pictures will take place for your program/class.
- You can pre-order photos today on mylifetouch.com. Create an account or login with your Picture Day ID: EVT64HGTV
- Orders will be sent home with your student after Picture Day.
If your child is absent on Picture Day, we will be holding a make-up date on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. We will pass along details when they are finalized.
Gentle Pickup Reminders
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.
Family-Teacher Conferences
November 2025
Rockford Early Childhood Programs will be holding Family-Teacher Conferences in early November. More information will be coming soon!
Conferences for DK will take place on Monday, November 3 and Thursday, November 6, both days in the evening.
Conferences for ECSE will take place on Wednesday, November 5 (during the daytime) and Thursday, November 6 (in the evening).
Conferences for Preschool (for programs taking place at Parkside, the Admin Building, and the CDL)will take place on Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14. Your teacher will communicate the exact times conferences will be held.
Parkside will also be holding a Scholastic Book Fair that families can visit after attending your conferences!
Student Verification
For ECSE and DK Students ONLY
The steps for completing the verification process for your child are as follows:
- Click on and login to Family Access via the Parent Portal.
- Click on the "Go to Information Verification for your son/daughter."
- Please complete the steps in order, as listed on the right-hand side of your screen (Please note: Fields in grey can only be edited at the school building with proper documentation). Please select the appropriate drop-down items for each screen. Each step requires you to select "I have completed this step" at the bottom of the screen to finalize your information.
- When completing the School Participation step, click on the link called "School Participation," click "yes" on the pop-up window to complete this step. Enter the proper information and click "Save" in the upper right-hand corner.
- Once all steps have been completed, the final step allows you to submit the information (THIS IS KEY TO FINALIZING VERIFICATION). Once finalized, you will receive an email verification of enrollment. If you do not receive an email, please go back into FAMILY ACCESS to review any missing steps/information.
Note: We highly encourage all families to set up a FA account as it is the district’s main source of communication to parents. Please visit our website at www.rockfordschools.org & click on the Family Access link (upper right-hand side) or please feel free to contact the main office of student’s school for additional assistance.
STEAM Update
Mark your calendars! Our annual STEAM Night is coming up on Tuesday, November 11th from 5:30–7:30 PM at East Rockford Middle School.
Please note the important updates: the date has changed from November 4th to November 11th (due to voting day), and the location has moved from the Freshman Center to East Rockford Middle School. More details can be found on this flyer.
In addition, our STEAM program is still collecting recyclable materials to support student projects. We are currently accepting cardboard tubes, plastic containers, cereal boxes, plastic water bottles, and corks. A flyer with more details is down below.
Thank you for supporting our students as they explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math!
Costume Cookie Run
Rockford Trunk or Treat & Race
Calling all kids 12 & Under -- you are invited to participate in the Costume Cookie Run, sponsored by TeamOrphans.com!
The spooktacular event will take place on Friday, October 24 in the park behind Parkside Early Childhood Center! It's a Halloween celebration you won't want to miss!
4:30-7:00pm
Rockford Trunk or Treat (in the parking lot beside Parkside)
6:00pm
3 Timed Races with Prizes (in the Park behind Parkside)
- 1/4 mile
- 50 yard dash
- Obstacle course
$30 registration (includes long-sleeve shirt)
Let’s Stock the Shelves!
A literacy event to support our schools
The Rockford Education Foundation has partnered with local businesses in Rockford to host Stock the Shelves, a literacy event to support our schools! REF invites you to browse books at Epilogue, enjoy snacks from Thought Design, drinks from Quickwater Coffee, and help fund new books for Rockford schools libraries. The event will take place on Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 6-8pm at Epilogue Books (10 E Bridge St NE, Rockford, MI 49341).
Make a local impact and community connections - one book at a time. There is no ticket admission to this event. Light appetizers will be served and beverages are available for purchase.
Can't make it in person? Donate online to help Stock the Shelves bring more books – and opportunities – to Rockford students!
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).
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.
