Amie Santillán- Principal
asantillan@rockfordschools.org
Justin Eckert - Principal Administrative Assistant
jeckert@rockfordschools.org
Jenny Bradley - Administrative Assistant
jbradley@rockfordschools.org
Address: 3900 Kroes NE, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Phone: (616) 863-6374
Fax: (616) 866-7132
News from Sra. Santillán
Dear Roguewood Families,
It has been such a joy welcoming our students and staff back this week after Spring Break. The building quickly filled with energy, smiles, and stories from time spent with family and friends. There is something special about this time of year, and it was clear right away that our students returned ready to learn, reconnect, and finish the year strong.
Next week ,students in 3rd through 5th grade will begin M-STEP testing, and we are so proud of the hard work and growth they have shown throughout the year. This is simply a chance for them to share what they have learned. Your encouragement at home makes a meaningful difference.
We are also excited to begin Kindergarten Screening next week as we start welcoming our future Roguewood Rams. Meeting our newest learners and their families is always a highlight, and it reminds us how fortunate we are to be part of such a caring and connected community.
In the next few week, you will begin to see many field trips and special experiences on the horizon. This season is always a busy one, but it is also one of the most exciting parts of the school year. It is a time when we pause to reflect on how much our students have grown, continue to build on the strong momentum we have created together, and begin thoughtfully planning for next year
Enjoy this wonderful Michigan Spring weather!
Amie Santillán, Proud Principal
examples in Excellence
Please join us in celebrating Josie S, she was nominated for Examples in Excellence here at Roguewood.
An "Example in Excellence" is not necessarily a star athlete or academic, but someone who shows strength of character and a willingness to go out of their way to help others.
April Character Trait: Courage
Definition: The ability to do something that frightens you.
Challenge: Step out of your comfort zone and act with kindness even when you're scared. Sit with someone new or try a new activity!
Made by our 1st grade students.
Courage is....trying even when it's hard, being brave, believing you can do it, trying something new.
La valentiá es.... intentar algo dificil.
Courage is....facing your fears with confidence, being BRAVE!
La valentiá es...intentar algo nuevo, decir la verdad, hacer cosas duras e importante
Mileage Club
Mileage Club is back and we are looking for volunteers! This is a great way to connect with your kid at their afternoon recess! Please consider helping our crew out--- no experience needed!
Link here!
As a reminder, mileage club is always optional to our students. We have lots of serious runners, but we also have kids that just love to walk a lap or two per session and then head back to the playground. All are welcome!
Earth Day Challenge
Hop on over to our social media pages and share a picture or comment about your activity on the Earth Day post. Remember to include your student's first name, teacher name and grade in the comments.Don't have social media? Send us an email at RoguewoodPTO@gmail.com with a picture or story so we can enter you in the raffle. If sending an email, please inform us if we have permission to share your picture or story. Entries will be accepted April 1st - April 24th. Winner will be announced on April 27th.
We are asking for one parent from each grade to spearhead organizing one day of the week (5th grade parent to organize the daily snack cart!).
This role is meant to be the main communicator for the grade level parents; the parent rep will organize any food, fun, or gifts for the teachers on their designated day and be responsible for getting other parent helpers to make it happen!
If you are interested in this, please sign up for the appropriate grade here https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080545A4AC2BABFE3-63400001-2026#/
Please fill in the Summer Support form if you would like additional support for the summer.
The Michigan weather has taken a toll on our Little Free Library in front of the school. Books have been removed and we are exploring options to repair or replace this much loved fixture.
Roguewood Talent Show Auditions
Is your 3rd, 4th, or 5th Grade student ready to showcase their talents and shine on stage?! We are excited to announce that the 2026 Roguewood Talent Show auditions will be on Wednesday, May 13!
See the attached informational letter with all the details your student needs to know about auditioning - including a form to complete and return to Mrs. Rito by Friday, May 1.
Students will receive a paper copy of this letter in music classes throughout this week.
We can’t wait to see the amazing talents and creativity that our Roguewood students will showcase this year!
~The Roguewood Talent Show Team
KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN
Kindergarten enrollment for the 2026/2027 school year is now open. Children who turn five years old on or before December 1st, 2026 are eligible to enroll in DK and Kindergarten. All enrollment information can be found on our website at Enrollment Procedures - Rockford Public Schools.
grasp
Registration for the 2026 GRASP Program is now open. See the attached document for more details or contact Community Services 616-863-6322.
Planning on moving?
As we begin preparing for the next school year, we want to make sure our records are accurate and that every student is set up for success on day one. If your family is planning to move over the summer, whether it is just down the street or out of the district, please notify the front office as soon as possible.
Why do we need to know?
- In-District Moves: We need to update your contact information and ensure your child is assigned to the correct bus route and/or attendance zone.
- Out-of-District Moves: We can help streamline the transfer of records to your child’s new school to ensure a smooth transition.
- Class Planning: Helps us finalize staffing and class sizes.
How to Notify Us
- Email: jbradley@rockfordschools.org
- Phone: 616.863.6374
- In-Person: Drop by the office between 8-4
Note: If you are staying put, no action is needed! We look forward to seeing you back in the fall.Thank you for helping us stay organized!
Calling all Watch D.o.g.s.
Purpose of Watch D.O.G.S. is:
- To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
- To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.
Mondays & Fridays:
- 11:00 am-1:00 pm - Recess
- 1:00 pm-1:40 pm - Your Lunch
- 1:40 pm-3:30 pm - PM Recess and Dismissal
Volunteer Opportunities
At Roguewood, we believe our school is strongest when families and staff work together. We are excited to welcome families into the building and invite you to be a part of our school community. Whether you can lend a hand in the cafeteria or at recess, help with PTO sponsored events or in the classroom helping your teacher, your presence makes a meaningful difference for our students.
Please consider volunteering in the following areas:
Tuesdays & Thursdays
- Lunchroom - Sign up to be a lunchroom volunteer ■ 11:00am-12:50pm
- Lunch Recess - Sign up here to be a lunch recess volunteer ■ 11:00am-1:00pm
- Afternoon Recess - Sign up here to be an afternoon recess volunteer ■ 1:50pm-3:25pm
Rockford Eats: Supporting our schools and community
The Rockford Education Foundation (REF) is excited to announce the Rockford Eats Gift Card Fundraiser, running from April 20 to May 1, 2026! This unique opportunity supports Rockford students and lets you savor the best of our local dining scene. With each $100 donation to REF you’ll receive a $50 gift certificate to one of our fantastic restaurant partners of your choice!
Your generosity fuels local education initiatives and helps sustain the restaurants that make our community special. Gift cards will be mailed by REF the week of May 11, 2026.
Whitecaps night
You're invited to support Rockford Public Schools and kick off your summer with the West Michigan Whitecaps!! Enjoy a fun night out and know that a portion of each ticket bought will be donated directly back to our schools. Game information: Tuesday May 19th at 6:05pm. Ticket prices are $20.50 per ticket or $26.50 with a hotdog and soda included. For more information or accessible seating needs, please contact Tyler Glave at TylerG@whitecapsbaseball.com. To purchase tickets please visit
Dr. Matthews, Substitute Teacher
One of our staff members 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 teach 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
Social Media Safety
The Rockford Education Foundation is sponsoring a "Social Media Safety" virtual event on April 21, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM via Microsoft Teams. Hosted by Alisha Meneely, Government and Community Outreach Director for the Michigan Child Protection Registry, this session is designed to provide parents with essential tools and knowledge to protect their children in a constantly changing digital landscape.Key topics to be covered include:
- Practical home safety steps to keep children protected online.
- Insights into popular apps and the tactics used by predators and traffickers.
- Michigan laws regarding sexting and sextortion and their impact on families.
- The Michigan Child Protection Registry (ProtectMiChild) and how it helps safeguard your child.
- Spreading awareness to keep more families informed.
Flyer attached with link, but you can also join the presentation using this link Social Media Safety
2025-2026 SI Boosters Board
Introducing our Rockford Spanish Immersion Board for the 2025-2026 school year.
President - Jessie Salo
Vice President - Kendra Brubaker
Treasurer - Matt Benander
Secondary Ed. Liason - Amy Sullivan
Spanish Immersion (SI) Boosters
What is the Spanish Immersion (SI) Booster Club?
The SI Booster Club is a group of parent volunteers who raise funds to support the RPS K-12 Spanish Immersion program. Staff submit requests and funds are disbursed throughout the year to support the Spanish Immersion program from kindergarten through high school.
What do we fund?
Spanish Immersion K-12 classrooms at Roguewood Elementary School, North Rockford Middle School, Rockford Freshman Center, and Rockford High School.
Rockford SI Boosters Email: rockfordsiboosters@gmail.com
SI Boosters - Open Position - Secretary Position
Are you wondering how you can be a little more involved? Look no further! Spanish Immersion Boosters Board has a vacancy for the secretary position. If you’re interested in supporting the Spanish Immersion program, staff and classrooms, please fill out this form. We would love to have you join us!!!
Roguewood PTO
To facilitate relations between educators and 
parents to accomplish the same goals of expanding the educational, charitable, literary, scientific and familial needs of both educator and parents.
President- Justin Rito
Vice President- Lee Ann Brunetz
Secretary- Christina DeYonker
Treasurer- Megan Stelzer
Events Coordinator- Liz Gear
Volunteer Coordinator- Rachael Considine
Elections:
Interested in serving on the Roguewood PTO board?
Do you know someone who would be a great representative to our school?
Nominations are now open for the 2026-27 RGW PTO board! Complete this form to nominate yourself or another Roguewood parent to the board! Elections will be held at the next PTO meeting in May.
Thank you for joining us at our recent members’ meeting. We hope to see you at the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 12th!
Summer Send Off! Call for sponsors
RGW PTO is looking for sponsors to help us celebrate the end of the school year! Plans are in motion to bring another fun filled event for students, staff, and friends to Roguewood!
We also are planning to partner with Mrs. Turner as she showcases the amazing artwork the students have created throughout the year.
With just a $100 minimum donation, we will gladly display a yard sign with your company logo or family name, acknowledge your support on our social media channels, and include a sponsorship shout out in the school newsletter.
Contact RoguewoodPTO@gmail.com if you are interested
Assistance Program (SAP)
Say “I have an SAP with Rockford Public Schools” when you call 800.442.0809 and press “1.” Every RPS student, staff and family member in your household is eligible for up to three free sessions. Additional SAP benefits include: free elder care consultation, legal and financial consultation, infant-feeding advice and real estate consultation. Anyone in the household can utilize these resources and it is 100% confidential. Access an online library with over 20,000 resources covering health, finances, legal topics and more. The code to login the library is RockfordPS.
Login Code: RockfordPS
Food Assistance
If your family needs help accessing nutritious meals, there are several local food resources available. Community food pantries and meal programs provide free groceries to anyone in need. Here is a link to all the local resources available to you.
Hand2hand
All of the children within our community deserve to experience a sense of self-worth and have their fundamental needs fulfilled. Our goal, with the help of generous donations, is to provide these items at no cost to those in need.
Tapestry provides cost-free clothing & other basic needs to children in the Rockford, Sparta, Cedar Springs, Greenville & surrounding school districts in northern Kent County. Tapestry Rockford is a Michigan nonprofit approved for IRC Sec.501(c)(3) tax exemption.
If your family would like to shop at Tapestry please give them a call at 616.326.1016 to set up a private appointment to shop.
