Principal & Director: Melissa Cochrill, mcochrill@rockfordschools.org
Assistant Director: Missy Baines, mbaines@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
Thank you
Dear early childhood families,
Thank you -- for taking time out of your busy schedules to meet with your child's teacher during this past week.
Thank you -- we appreciate you taking the time to connect about their growth, progress, and experiences at school. Building strong partnerships between home and school is an important part of supporting each child's learning and development.
Thank you -- to our newly formed PTO for taking care of our teachers and staff during our late conference nights! We appreciate you organizing meals and making sure everyone was well-fed after long days of meeting with families.
Thank you -- to our families for supporting our library by shopping at the Scholastic Book Fair! Your purchases help put books into the hands of our students and provide valuable resources that benefit our school and our learners. Thank you for helping us continue to build a love of reading and keep our library growing!
Thank you -- for your continued support, involvement, and partnership. We are grateful to be part of your child's early learning journey!
Important Dates
November 9
- 6pm Rockford Board of Education Meeting (Admin Building)
November 10
- 10AM - 12:45PM Picture Retake Day (more details included in this newsletter)
November 11
- 1:15pPM Early Release for DK
November 16
- 6:30PM Rockford Early Childhood Programs PTO Meeting
November 19
- 6PM Fall Family Night (Full Day Preschool only)
November 25-29
- NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Picture RETAKE Day
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 from 10AM - 12:45PM
Picture Retake Day for ALL Early Childhood Programs will take place on Tuesday, November 10, from 10:00 AM–12:45 PM.
Students attending school that day: If your student needs their picture retaken, our staff will make sure they get their photo taken during the school day.
Students not attending school that day: Families are welcome to drop in anytime between 10:00 AM and 12:45 PM to have their student's picture retaken.
When you arrive, please check in at the main office, and we'll direct you to the right location!
Thank you!
Rockford Early Childhood Programs PTO
Next Meeting: Monday, November 16 at 6:30PM
Join our new PTO board and find out how you can support and get involved with the Rockford Early Childhood Programs!
Thank you so much for your interest and your willingness to help!
Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures
Preschool 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.
Please use extra caution when crossing Lewis Street—drivers may have limited visibility. Hold your child’s hand and cross carefully.
DK/Preschool Pick-up in PM
Enter the Pick-Up loop from Norwood Street, not Sigsbee.
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. Please avoid large gaps between vehicles.
Hold your provided family sign where staff can clearly see it.
All students should enter the car on the side closest to the sidewalk.
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.
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.
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
Family Resources
Everyone needs a little help sometimes—and we’re here to help! ♥
From food assistance and community resources to free counseling services, there are many resources available to support you and your family. Explore the resources below, or reach out to us anytime. We’re happy to help connect you with the right support and point you in the right direction.
- Hand2Hand Permission Slip
This program helps provide a student with food for the weekends and is intended for families who currently may be experiencing a financial burden. - School Assistance Program
This program provides mental health support, confidential counseling services, financial training, elder care, legal consultation, infant feeding support, real estate consultations, and more. - Feed West Michigan Website
This website provides you a list of all of Kent County's resource centers and support facilities, particularly around their mobile food pantry schedule in real time.
