Ricky Clark - Principal
rclark1@rockfordschools.org

Address: 4100 Kroes, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org

Phone: (616) 863-6030

Mrs. Cates, A.P., Mr. Clark, Principal, Mr. Cavalli, A.P., Mrs. Seelye, A.P.

a note from mr. Clark

Dear Families, 

The 2025-2026 school year has started off strong!  Great things have been happening here at RHS thanks to our amazing staff and student body! In this newsletter, you will be introduced to our office staff, have access to our Teacher Curriculum Videos, Club Fair info, and much more. 




~Meet Our Office Staff~  

We are happy to serve our students and families! 

Our Front Office Staff:  

Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Neumann, Mrs. Dunham



Our Counseling Office Staff: 

 Mrs. Conrad and Mrs. Lamancusa



Our Attendance Office Staff: 

Mrs. Klemish and Mrs. Johnson



A Note From Food Service

The state budget that funds Michigan Meals is not yet finalized. Free meals will continue through September 30, 2025.  We will update you with any information we receive after this date.


Curriculum videos

Click the link below to meet your student's teachers and find out about the curriculum they will be learning.  

10-12 Teacher Curriculum Videos

Freshman Center Teacher Curriculum Videos




Student Parking Permits

If your student drives to school, they need to purchase a parking permit.  Parking permits are sold in the Security Office for 20.00 cash or check. 

SCHOOL PICTURE RETAKE DAY 

If your student missed picture day our would like a retake, our photographers will be here on Thursday, September 18th.

RHS Yearbook INFO

If you ordered a yearbook last school year (24-25), it will be arriving in October.  Yearbooks are shipped directly to your home.  

If you're interested in purchasing a yearbook for the 25-26 school year, please visit yearbookforever.com. In the school name field, enter Rockford High School and be sure to choose Rockford High School in Michigan.  



RHS attendance Information

RHS partners with the KISD Attendance Office to monitor and track student attendance.  We are responsible to follow the attendance process outlined by the KISD. 

Because of the importance of being in class to engage with instruction and classwork, our goal is that every student attends school on a consistent basis. We have the philosophy that a missed school day is missed instruction regardless if it is excused or not and may impact student achievement.  RHS has created communications to inform parents and students of their attendance if we believe the student is trending towards chronic absenteeism.  When needed, RHS will partner with families and students to create an attendance improvement plan.  

Below is information from the KISD Attendance Office that will help us be on the same page regarding student attendance:

1. What is truancy vs. chronic absenteeism?

  • Truancy; ten unexcused absences in a school year. This definition focuses on absences not sanctioned by a parent/guardian, generally a student “skipping school,” and most often may result in charges for the juvenile if other interventions prove unsuccessful.
  • Chronic absenteeism; attendance is 90 percent or less of scheduled days to date.  This definition includes all counted absences even if sanctioned by a parent/guardian.  A student is considered chronically absent when absent, for any reason, for ten percent or more of scheduled school days, measured at any point in the school year, or for lost time equivalent to ten percent or more of scheduled school days. This category of absenteeism, if all interventions are unsuccessful, may often result in charges for the parent/guardian or the juvenile, depending on age and history.

Our office processes truancy and chronic absenteeism referrals in the same way, with one key exception: if court involvement is required, it will only come into play at the third referral. At that point, if the absenteeism pattern persists and the necessary interventions have not been successful, court action may be considered as part of the response.


2. What is the difference between counted and uncounted absences vs. excused and unexcused absences?

Uncounted absences refer to situations where a student cannot attend school due to extenuating circumstances. These absences are not included in the calculation of chronic absenteeism and are categorized as follows:

  • Snow days and other non-scheduled school closings.
  • Medical absences not intended for routine illness, even if under a provider’s care, but rather for very serious medical events, such as hospitalizations, these are absences ordered and documented, with hand signature, by a licensed health care doctor, with specific dates school must be missed for medical necessity.  (This also includes significant life trauma, such as an immediate family member death, as confirmed and approved by appropriate school staff.)  Blanket or “under the care of” excuses are not accepted as “medically absent” without an IEP or 504 plan specifically addressing the medical issue and approval of appropriate school staff.  Routine illnesses are, just like for adults at work, counted absences. * See Chronic or Long-Term Medical Policy (IEP’s & 504’s)
  • Court dates required court appearances for student with court documentation, and related detention.
  • Suspensions and expulsions.
  • Funerals
  • Preplanned absences that would not negatively affect the student’s learning and educational performance as determined by the student’s teacher(s) and building administrator in consultation, and attendance is acceptable prior to the planned absences, may be uncounted at the school’s discretion.  Generally, this would include assigned and required learning activities completed before and/or during the absence. It often may also include a report and/or presentation to the class, with a grading rubric established at the planning stage. This should follow your school board policies.

The terms "excused" and "unexcused" are primarily used to indicate whether the school has knowledge of the reason for the absence (e.g., a parent calls in the absence). While knowing the reason for an absence is crucial for student safety, these absences still count toward the attendance standard.

 3. What is Continuing Pattern?

A continuing pattern refers to any student who was referred to the Kent ISD attendance office in the last third of the school year, between March 1st and the end of that school year. If the absenteeism pattern re-emerges in the first third of the following school year (through December 1st), the case can be referred again, and the process picks up where it left off in the spring.

For this to happen, the required interventions must have been completed, and the school must have consistently attempted and documented interventions. Essentially, this is a continuation of the process from spring to fall, rather than starting over.

RHS CLUB FaIR 

Rockford High School offers a wide variety of after-school clubs.  This is a great opportunity to have fun, make friends and learn new things!  Our Club Fair will take place September 16-19 during lunches. 

Link to Club Offerings:  Clubs



School-Issued Device Damage Policy

Students in RPS are afforded the opportunity to access and enhance some learning activities through district provided Chromebooks. Thanks to the support of the 2019 school bond proposal, RPS has been able to support the scheduled purchases of instructional technology for student use. Last year, elementary students received new devices, and this year all secondary Chromebooks are new. Thank you!

To preserve the quality of student devices as long as possible, we educate students about proper care and charge for repair when avoidable damage occurs. Like a textbook, each student is assigned a Chromebook and responsible for proper care. If a device is damaged or lost, a charge will be issued against the student's Family Access account. The charge will reflect Rockford Public Schools' cost to repair or replace the device. It is our hope that the layered approach of informing parents/guardians, educating students, and assigning fees when necessary, will assist to promote a decrease in the amount of overall damage to student devices and increased consistency of student accessibility to learning activities. 

Should a student device be damaged, the initial fees are as follows: 

Chromebook:

 • Broken Screen $30 

• Broken Keyboard (missing keys, etc.) $30

 • Damaged Chassis/Lost Device $200

 • Power Supply (Lost or Not Returned) $15 

iPads: 

• Screen Repair $110 

• Broken/Lost Device $299



bRING YOUR OWN DEVICE

Rockford High School students have the opportunity to continue learning with the support of technology, often called 1:1. Rockford elementary and middle schools issue a device to every student, but at high school, students are encouraged to provide their own device if possible. 

Students who do not bring their own device will have the opportunity to use a school-issued Chromebook. There are insurance options for families who use a school device.

Please see the link below for more information

BYOD requirements 



RHS Athletics

All digital tickets for RHS athletic events may be purchased at GoFan.com or by clicking the link below. Also, you may consider purchasing a family pass, adult pass or student pass for your student by clicking the link below. Student passes for the school year are only $25 so it's a great deal for any student who enjoys attending athletic games.

Click here for GoFan site



OTHER NOTES

Flex Time

Beginning mid September, we are excited to offer an Intervention and Extension period at RHS called Flex time. Please see this link for more information: Flex Time Info

School Supply List