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
Jennifer Wackerle - jwackerle@rockfordschools.org
Welcome to a new school year!
August is officially here, and we hope your family has enjoyed a safe, restful, and fun-filled summer. Whether you are returning or joining our community for the first time, we are thrilled to welcome you to our Early Childhood family across all three of our program locations!
Our dedicated team members, spanning our Preschool, Developmental Kindergarten (DK), and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) classrooms, have been hard at work preparing safe, engaging, and joyful learning environments for your young learners. Together, as Director and Principal, we are honored to partner with you during these foundational years of your child’s educational journey.
Please review the essential back-to-school information and action items below to help ensure a smooth start to the year, and reach out the team with any support that will be helpful.
Best Regards,
Melissa Cochrill, Director of Childcare and Preschool Services
Mindy McGinn, Principal of Parkside
Important Dates
August 17, 2026
- DK Student Class Placements Posted in PowerSchool
August 19, 2026
- Parkside Early Childhood Center Open House
- 5-6pm DK & ECSE
- 5:30-6:30pm Full-Day Preschool
August 24, 2026
- First Day of School for DK, ECSE, and Full-Day Preschool
September 4, 2026
- No School - Labor Day Weekend
September 7, 2026
- No School - Labor Day
September 8, 2026
- First Day for Community Ed Preschool 3's & 4's
- First Day for Montessori Preschool
September 9, 2026
- First Day for Spanish Immersion Preschool
September 14, 2026
- First Day for Child Development Lab 4's
September 15, 2026
- First Day for Child Development Lab 3's
September 16, 2026
- Early Release Day for DK students
September 30, 2026
- Early Release Day for DK students
Open House
Parkside Early Childhood Center will be holding an Open House for DK, ECSE, and Full-Day Preschool students on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
- 5-6pm: DK & ECSE
- 5:30-6:30pm: Full-Day Preschool
DK Supply Lists
The Developmental Kindergarten (DK) school supply list for the 2026-27 school year is now here! Providing these supplies helps ensure every student has the tools they need to participate fully in the classroom, build confidence, and succeed academically. If purchasing any of the requested items would create a financial hardship for your family, please let your child's teacher know. We are committed to supporting all students and will do our best to help provide the supplies your child needs.
Nursing Notes
If your student is in need of a health care or action plan, please visit our Nursing Services website.
Parents are urged to give medications at home and on a schedule other than school hours if possible. If this is not possible, please review this flyer and complete the required form(s) for your student.
If you have questions, please contact the Nursing Department directly at 616-863-6031, ext 7030.
DROP-OFF & Pick-up procedures
Please familiarize yourself with the Parkside Early Childhood Center Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures for the 2026-27 school year.
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
Additional Important Numbers
- Transportation Office - 616.863.6328
- BAC/Child Care Office - 616.863.6560
- Community Services - 616.863.6322
Office Reminders
Extra 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: All Preschool Programs follow the Rockford Public Schools weather closures. If RPS announces a snow day, Preschool will be closed as well.
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
