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,
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible PTO for organizing the Fall Fest in September! The event was filled with laughter, community spirit, and fall fun for everyone. We enjoyed games, face painting, a petting zoo, treats, an outdoor family movie, and so much more. It was a perfect way to celebrate the season and bring our school community together. We are so grateful for the hard work, creativity, and time our PTO and volunteers put into making it such a memorable event.
Next week Thursday, we’ll be hosting our annual Pumpkin Run! Students have been preparing through Mileage Club, running laps outside and building their endurance each day. It has been truly inspiring to see the determination and joy in our runners. We’ve watched students persevere through challenges, set and crush personal goals, and even surprise themselves with new personal records. Some of our runners have developed a love for running they didn’t know they had.
We’re also excited to announce our 2nd Annual Monster March on Friday, October 31st. On this fun day, students will parade in their Halloween costumes around the soccer field. Parents are invited to come watch the fun. You can line the outside of the field and enjoy as each class takes their turn in our school-wide Monster March. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the season together as a Roguewood community.
Thank you, Roguewood families, for your continued support and enthusiasm. It is such a joy and priveledge to be a part of this community.
Have a wonderful weekend!
❤️
Amie Santillán
Principal, Roguewood Elementary
Character Trait of the Month: Respect
Each month, we focus on a character trait. This month’s focus is RESPECT.
Looks like:
- Sharing and taking turns
- Using kind hands and keeping hands/feet to yourself
- Taking care of materials, school spaces, and other people’s things
- Looking at the person speaking
Sounds like:
- Saying “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me”
- Using kind, polite words
- Listening without interrupting
- Apologizing when you make a mistake
Feels like:
- Feeling safe and included
- Feeling calm and cared for
- Knowing others value your ideas and space
- Everyone being treated fairly
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, at recess, helping 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 here ■ 11:20am - 12:50pm
- Lunch Recess - Sign up here ■ 11:50am - 1:00pm
- Afternoon Recess - Sign up here ■ 1:50pm - 3:25pm
students of the Month for Kindness
Spanish Speakers of the Month
Picture Retakes
Picture Retakes are on October 22nd.
If your student needs to have their photo re-taken, please make sure to communicate that with their teacher and please make sure they arrive to school on time!
Also, if you have a pre-ordered package, that package needs to be returned to school on re-take day.
parent/teacher conferences
We are looking forward to conferences on Monday, November 3rd and Thursday, November 7th. To streamline scheduling, all conferences will be in-person.
Follow the below steps for scheduling your conferences!
You can book conferences with your child's teacher using the Fall Conference Booking link below:
You can also scan this QR Code:
After filling out your information, you will be able to identify teachers by the grade they teach in the dropdown menu as well as special teachers and ancillary staff. When you choose a grade, you will be able to choose your child’s teacher and a time that works for you. You can go through this process for each of your children. We suggest that if you have multiple children, please put a gap of time between the meetings. You will then get an email confirmation with your time.
Please note that we will not have child care available on either date.
RAM Out - for Pediatric Cancer
The 2nd Annual RAM Out Pediatric Cancer Football Game is coming up on October 24. If you would like to purchase a Youth T-Shirt to wear to the game please see the information below on how to purchase one.
Football Game Youth T-Shirt Sales
- What: Youth Size Large T-shirts for $10, grants entry to 10/24 Varsity Football Game (Please note: limited adult sizes will be available for students/parents; Cash or Venmo as payment)
- When: Sunday, October 19 @ 4 - 7 pm and Monday, October 20 @ 5 - 7:30 pm
- Where: Look for our AAF Tent @ Rockford High School / Freshman Center parking lot
More information can be found on our social media channels and shared with your network:
- www.facebook.com/AnnisArmyFoundation
- www.instagram.com/annis_army_foundation
- https://x.com/AnnisArmy25
Kindergarten Dental Screening
Tuesday, October 14th our kindergarten students will participate in dental screening which is now required for all kindergarteners. The screening is non-invasive and is just a visual inspection by a trained professional. No poking or prodding.
What is the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Program (KOHA)? FAQ
Michigan requires the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) [Public Act 316 of 2023] to help improve school readiness and raise awareness on the importance of good oral health. Similar to hearing and vision screenings, the oral health assessment takes no longer than 5 minutes to look for signs of tooth decay or infection by a licensed dental professional at no cost to you.
If you would prefer your child is screened by your dentist please bring this Oral Heath Assessment to your dentist office to have them complete
pumpkin run
On October 16 Roguewood students will participate in our Annual Pumpkin Run
K – 2nd will walk/run from 10:30-11:10 a.m., students will take part in a fun run around the soccer field. They will jog or walk 4 laps (1 mile). At the finish, all students will receive a treat, and we will also hold a pumpkin giveaway (10 winners).
3rd-5th will walk/run from 1:00-2:00pm., students will participate in a 5K (3.1 miles) during school hours. This is meant to be a fun and exciting event for everyone! Students may run, jog, or walk the course. Walkers will stop at the 1.2-mile mark so we can hold our pumpkin giveaway (10 pumpkins). Pumpkins will also be awarded to the top five finishers in each grade (boys and girls divisions). All students will receive a treat at the finish line.
Important Note for Parents Parents may attend only if they are volunteering or running with their child. If you plan to run with your child, please complete the runners’ form below.
Pumpkin Run Volunteers needed!
Mrs. Joyce is organizing an amazing event, but parents can help make it even more fun! We are looking for a few items to bring this event to life.
Please consider signing up to donate items here.
Volunteers Needed to help make our Pumpkin Run successful.
If running with your child, please arrive at
- 10:20 for K-2 Sign up to Run/Walk with your child
- 12:50 for 3-5 Sign up to Run/Walk with your child
Halloween festivities
We are excited to celebrate Halloween on Friday, October 31! Parents are invited to join us for our Halloween Parade at 2:45pm - students will be walking around the soccer field.
Parents are welcome to line the parade route, cheer, and take photos as students pass by.
Costume Guidelines
Students may wear all or part of their costume to school on Friday, October 31. Check with you student's teacher for more information.
Please keep comfort in mind for sitting in class, riding the bus, and participating in normal school activities.
For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, no weapons, scary costumes, fake blood, or frightening images. Students with these items will be asked to remove them.
Party Donations
If you are sending in items for classroom celebrations:
Please drop items off by the morning of October 31 (you may send them in earlier that week).
Label donations with your child’s teacher’s name, and staff will deliver them to the classroom.
Thank you for helping us make this a safe and fun day for all of our students—we can’t wait to celebrate together!
Holiday Help
There are those times in life when knowing people are thinking about you just makes things a little easier. Your Roguewood Families would really like to share some love and resources with your family this holiday season.
Please consider filling out the Holiday Help Form BY 10/20/2025 if your family is in need of support. All information will be kept strictly confidential. Our Office Team and school Social Worker will collect all request forms and share those requests (item requests only, no names will be shared) with our families who would like to help/sponsor. Families receiving donations will need to send a family member to pick up the donations on Wednesday, December 17.
Extra Clothes For our Care Closet
We are in need of pants and shorts with elastic waistbands for our care closet - for both girls and boys - all sizes needed. We are also in need of new underwear in size 4/5 for boys.
Standard Response Protocol that we will be using now.
HB 4096, the Revised School Safety Code, has been introduced to provide common language for schools during emergencies. Here is an overview of the FIVE actions schools may take when addressing emergencies.
LOCKDOWN - The term "lockdown" should be used when there is an existing threat in or at a school building or a threat is expected to arrive in or at a school building imminently. Secure in a room, confirm the door is locked, and move to a place of cover away from the door and any windows.
SECURE MODE - Determined when a LOCKDOWN, as described, is not necessary, but heightened security and awareness are needed due to a potential EXTERNAL threat. Instruction continues in a normal manner, but access to the school building and movement within the building is highly restricted.
SHELTER - This is used when it is safer to be inside the building than outside. Common situations where this is used would be severe weather approaching or some type of hazardous materials incident in proximity to the school.
EVACUATION - Deals with the need to evacuate the building as it is no longer deemed safe to occupy for any variety of reasons, like fire, chemical spill, gas leak, etc.
HOLD - Hold is utilized when there is a need to have students and staff remain in their classrooms as staff address a concern or issue (medical, student in crisis) in a hallway or common area. Students are released when the office announces all clear.
For more information about our SRP resource, please visit the https://iloveuguys.org/ website.
Unified Arts (Specials)
STEAM Night Volunteer Sign Up
Your support makes both our classroom learning and STEAM Night possible—we look forward to working together to create amazing experiences for our students and families!
Mrs. Anderson
Music
Save the Date for our RGW Music Concerts! All 2nd-5th Grade students will have a Winter Music Concert this year and K-1st Grade students will perform in the Spring!
Library
The library is looking for book-loving parent volunteers who are interested in helping shelve books in the mornings! Preferred hours: M-F, 8:15am-9:00am (you can volunteer for one morning or multiple days - whatever works best for you!)
If you are interested and available, but cannot come in during the time listed above, feel free to reach out to me with your availability!
Please reach out to Jen Libiran at jlibiran@rockfordschools.org.
Activity Pass Information
Activity pass forms due Friday, September 26th. If your student could benefit from financial assistance, consider utilizing the partial payment option or contact Mrs. Bradley and/or Mrs. Eckert in the office for sponsorship information.
Forms and payments can be completed through this link : https://www.cognitoforms.com/RoguewoodPTORPS/ActivityPassPopcorn
Activity Pass
pto AND sPANISH iMMERSION bOOSTERS nEWS/UPDATES
2025-26 PTO Board
Introducing Roguewood's PTO Board for the 2025-2026 school year.
President- Justin Rito
Vice President- Lee Ann Brunetz
Secretary- Christina DeYonker
Treasurer- Megan Stelzer
Events Coordinator- Liz Gear
Volunteer Coordinator- Rachael Considine
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.
THANK YOU, ROGUEWOOD for joining us at Fall Fest! We had a great time and hope you did too! If you have any fun and amazing pictures you’d like to share, we would love to see them! Feel free to share them with us on Instagram or Facebook, or email them to us at RoguewoodPTO@gmail.com
At the Roguewood PTO meeting this week, members discussed and passed the budget for the 2025-2026 school year. The final budget will be posted to our website for reference; meeting minutes can also be found on the website.
Upcoming PTO meeting dates for the year: December 9th, February 10th, April 14th, May 12th. Proposed agendas will be sent via email 2 weeks prior to the meeting date. We look forward to seeing you there!
Conference Meals
It feels like the year just started, but conferences are right around the corner! These make for long days for the teachers and staff. Help us give them a bit of energy by providing dinner these evenings! Sign up here to bring in items or help with set up & clean up. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080545A4AC2BABFE3-winter
Popcorn Fridays!
Payment can be made with the activity pass form. If you have already submitted your form but would like to add on a popcorn pass, please contact us at RoguewoodPTO@gmail.com so we can assist you. Want to help make popcorn days a success? Sign up here to be a popper! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080545A4AC2BABFE3-popcorn1#/
Warm Fuzzies
Warm fuzzies are up and running for the 2025-2026 year! This is an opportunity for families to shower Roguewood teachers and staff. This is not funded by the PTO, but rather a gift from families who choose to participate. Ideas that have been done in the past include charcuterie tray, hot cocoa bar, stock the fridge, catered lunch, etc. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080545A4AC2BABFE3-58430285-warm
Feel free to reach out to any board member with questions or concerns. You can contact us via email, facebook, or through our website.
Email: RoguewoodPTO@gmail.com
Website: www.RoguewoodPTO.weebly.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16y7dU7Gdc/
2025-2026 SI Boosters Board
Introducing our Rockford Spanish Immersion Board for the 2025-2026 school year.
President - Jessie Salo
Vice President - Kendra Brubaker
Secretary - Nicole Villegas
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
Calling all Watch D.o.g.s.
Purpose of Watch D.O.G.S.
- 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
- 11:00am - 1:00pm - Recess
- 1:00pm - 1:40pm - Personal Lunch
- 1:40pm - 3:30pm - PM Recess and Dismissal
Reminders
OFFICE REMINDERS
Absences MUST be called into the office 616.863.6374 or emailed to the front office - jbradley@rockfordschools.org
Please leave a message on our general voicemail box if you are calling after hours. Whether you are reporting an absence on our voicemail or email, the State of Michigan requires us to know the following:
Student's name and teacher
Reason for absence - if it is an illness we need to know the symptoms of the illness - vomiting, coughing, fever, cold, diarrhea, lice - whatever the reason may be
Do You Need to Drop Something Off?
If you have an item that needs to get to a student, simply drop it off on our bookcase in our vestibule and provide the student’s name and classroom on a Post-It note. We will make sure it gets where it needs to go.
Transportation and busing
My Ride K-12 App
NO CELLPHONES OR SMART WATCHES
- Students with a cellphone may not use them during the school day, and they should be stored in the child’s backpack at all times.
- Please do not text or call your student on their device during the school day. Communication should go through the office.
- Students with smartwatches should have their device set to school mode, which disables distracting smartwatch features—like calls, messages, and games—while keeping essential safety tools active.
- Students should not be wearing earbuds or other noise-canceling headphones unless it is a documented accommodation.
Thank you for your help with this!
LABEL EVERYTHING - SEND IN EXTRA CLOTHES
To avoid your student’s clothing from going into the lost and found PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING!!! Label all coats, boots, mittens, hats, etc. Labeling items will ensure they will back it back home!
ALL students should have a change of clothes in their lockers. Our Care Closet only has a few outfits for students to borrow and bring back. We tend to run out as the year goes on.
School 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!
Community News or Events
Hand2hand
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
At Tapestry Rockford, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive and succeed. We are driven by the belief that even the smallest act of kindness can create a ripple of positive change. With a passionate commitment to making the world a better place, we have established a platform where individuals from all walks of life can come together to make a difference. 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.
