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,
We are excited to share that we have successfully wrapped up Week 3 of school, and there are so many exciting things happening here at Roguewood!
In the last couple of weeks we launched our Positive Behavior Expectations. Our 5th graders did a fantastic job leading skits to model our expected behaviors. Students and staff rotated through different areas of the school, learning together what it means to create a positive and respectful environment at Roguewood. We are earning tickets for our classroom and will have some awesome prizes for tickets earned.
This week, we completed our first round of NWEA assessments. Our staff is eager to dig into the data so that we can continue to meet students where they are and help them grow to their next level of learning.
Our 5th graders have stepped up into more leadership roles throughout the school. We are especially proud to share that their work will be featured in the October edition of the Rockford Rampage.
Our amazing PTO is hard at work planning for our upcoming Fall Fest on September 26. We are so eager to see you ther. Please mark your calendars for this exciting community event!
Important Attachments
Please take a moment to review the attachments included with this newsletter:
Smart Watches – New Guidelines and Reminders
Behavior Academies – Information for families
Have a wonderful Fall Michigan weekend!
❤️
Amie Santillán
Principal, Roguewood Elementary
Character Trait of the Month: KINDNESS
Each month, we focus on a character trait. This month’s focus is KINDNESS — being friendly, generous, and considerate. At the end of the month, one student from each class will be recognized for showing kindness.
Their names will be posted on our school bulletin board and featured in this newsletter!
Picture Day Monday
Picture Day is Monday. Check out the schedule below to see when your student's class will be going down - times are a guestimate.
If your student is in Traditional you will need to use this code when ordering: EVTTDCFR6
If your student is in Spanish Immersion you will need to use this code when ordering: EVTN3767P
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.
Guest Principal Mr. Vincent
Mr. Vincent, who was our guest Principal of the day, met with Rep. Posthumus. AT&T Pioneers partnered with Rep. Posthumus to stuff backpacks and deliver them to various schools in Michigan.
Hand2hand
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!
Breakfast and Lunch Information
The state budget that funds Michigan Meals is not yet finalized. We are hopeful that we will know the funding status of this program by October 1st.
RPS will be providing free breakfast and lunch through September 30th, but there is uncertainty about whether free meals will continue after this date.
Transportation and busing
My Ride K-12 App
Unified Arts (Specials)
STEAM
Join Us for STEAM Night Planning
We are excited to begin planning for this year’s STEAM Night on Tuesday, November 11th! STEAM Night is a fun and engaging evening where students and families explore hands-on activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. To make this event a success, we’d love your support! No STEAM experience is needed—just a willingness to be involved. You can:
- Lead or join a planning committee (volunteers, raffle, food trucks, etc.)
- Help the day of the event
- Connect us with community partners who may want to contribute or participate
If you are interested, please take a moment to fill out our short survey:
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
Fall Fest
Join us at Fall Fest on Friday, September 26th. Enjoy inflatable activities, yard games, face painting and more! RGW PTO will be selling hot dogs, snacks, and drinks as well as cider and donuts for dessert!
We are looking for help to make this event come to life! Sign up here to help! >
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080545A4AC2BABFE3-58460249-rgwfall
Are you a business owner, or know of someone who is? We are looking for event sponsors for fall fest. Contact RGW PTO to discuss sponsorship opportunities starting at just $100 donation.
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.
Popcorn Sign up - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080545A4AC2BABFE3-popcorn1
Warm Fuzzies
Warm fuzzies are back 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: Warm Fuzzies Sign-Up
PTO general membership meeting
Tuesday, October 7th at 7 PM. Join us for our first meeting of the year. We will be discussing the yearly budget, upcoming events, and getting updates from our principal and staff.
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
Watch D.o.g.s.
More information to follow!
Watch D.O.G Sign up Genius
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.
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.
Community News or Events
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.
