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
We need your feedback!
Dear Families,
Our Rockford Early Childhood Programs are dedicated to building a strong foundation for your child’s lifelong school and social-emotional successes.
Through our PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) program, we intentionally teach behavior by modeling it and creating a consistent environment. This helps us prevent challenges before they start, ensuring more time is spent on learning and less on managing disruptions.
We want to make sure the strategies we use at school are helpful for you at home, too.
Please take 3 minutes to share your feedback: PBIS Family Importance and Awareness Survey
Your input helps us create a shared language that supports your child’s growth from preschool to kindergarten and beyond.
Thank you for your continued partnership!
Thank you,
Melissa Cochrill, Director
Mindy McGinn, Principal
IMPORTANT DATES
March 30, 2026
- 6:30pm Rockford Early Childhood Programs - Parent Involvement Group Meeting
- To be discussed: Staff Appreciation Week (beginning May 6th) and the future of our parent organization.
April 2-12, 2026
- No school for DK/ECSE students - Spring Break
Friday, April 3, 2026
- No school for Preschool
April 11-17, 2026
- Week of the Young Child (scroll down for fun activities for you and your family!)
April 13, 2026
- School resumes for DK/ECSE
- Hearing and Vision Screening Makeups
April 22, 2026
- Play and Learn Night for Preschool (more information coming soon!)
Yearbook
It's time to order your 2025-26 Rockford Early Childhood Programs yearbook!
Follow this link: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com
Our Yearbook ID Code is 14563126.
Prices start at $14.00.
March is Reading Month
We are almost to the end of "March is Reading Month!" Any student that turns in a "completed" calendar will get a small goody bag of prizes (i.e. slap bracelet, coupons to local restaurants, etc.). You can download your March is Reading Month Calendar here (PDF).
Here is the final bracket for our "March Madness Book Tournament" with Good Night, Gorilla and Don't Push the Button as the final 2 books!
Week of the Young Child
Celebrate Early Childhood during the ENTIRE month of April -- a special time to celebrate the joy, curiosity, and creativity of young learners. It’s a time to explore, play, and learn together while honoring the bright futures of our youngest students.
Our school will specifically be celebrating The Week of the Young Child from April 13 to 17, 2026.
Family Night at the Whitecaps
Rockford Family Night is back this year on May 19th! For each ticket purchased through the link below, a portion will be donated back to Rockford elementary schools! Over the past few years the schools have raised over $6,000 total.
Registration
Preschool Full Day & Half Day Programs
- Full Day Preschool Enrichment
- Child Development Lab
- Community Education Preschool
- Montessori
- Spanish Immersion
Enrollment
Developmental Kindergarten / Kindergarten
The 2026-27 Early Enrollment Window is now open through April 10, 2026.
Children who turn five years old on or before December 1, 2026 will be eligible to enroll for Developmental Kindergarten (DK) and Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year.
PLEASE NOTE: If on June 6, 2026, your child is a current DK, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), SIP or SSG student, an additional enrollment is not required.
Nominate a Teacher!
Super(-intendent) Substitute!
One of your teachers may be selected for a well-deserved day off with our own super substitute, Dr. Matthews! Once a month, Dr. Matthews will be trading his Superintendent’s office for the classroom and stepping in to substitute for a day.
How it works:
Each $10 donation to the Rockford Education Foundation nominates a teacher to win a day off while Dr. Matthews takes over the classroom. All donations support REF educational grants, celebrate our incredible educators, and give Dr. Matthews a front-row seat in the classroom.
- $10 = 1 entry to nominate a teacher - multiple entries gladly accepted!
- Teachers may nominate themselves or a colleague
- One winner will be drawn monthly, January–May 2026
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
- Transportation Office - 616.863.6328
- BAC/Child Care Office - 616.863.6560
- Community Services - 616.863.6322
Growing with you and our community
The Rockford branch of Kent District Library is currently under construction. The library will more than double in size and improve accessibility with wider doors and aisles, barrier-free and family restrooms (including adult and baby changing stations), closer accessible parking, and a drive-up book return.
The temporary Rockford KDL location is now open at the Rockford Community Cabin (220 N. Monroe St, Rockford, MI 49341 - just around the corner from Parkside!). This location will be a new option for hold pick-ups, named “Krause Temporary.”
The temporary location hours will be as follows:
- Monday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Friday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
November or December 2026: Goal for the library to be open in renovated space!!!
More info: Growing Krause Library link
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!
DROP-OFF & Pick-up Reminders
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.
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.
Pick-up 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.
Hand2Hand
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).
