Amie Santillán- Principal
asantillan@rockfordschools.org
Address: 3900 Kroes NE, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Phone: (616) 863-6374
Fax: (616) 866-7132
Justin Eckert - Principal Administrative Assistant
jeckert@rockfordschools.org
Jenny Bradley - Administrative Assistant
jbradley@rockfordschools.org
News from Sra. Santillán
Happy Friday, Roguewood Families!
These past two weeks have been full of opportunities to welcome you into our school, and I am so grateful for the time we have shared!
Thank you for coming out for our Halloween parade and cheering on our students. We have also been so excited to see more families coming through our doors to volunteer. Having so many of you here for Halloween parties was especially special. It is so sweet to see the kids’ faces light up when they get to share their school with their families. It means a lot to them to have you here! It feels good to have you in our building, sharing in the magic of your child’s day and this elementary school experience.
Thank you, too, for making time for parent-teacher conferences. There is nothing better than welcoming you into our classrooms to share what your child is learning and how they are growing. We appreciate the conversations, questions, and partnership that help us support your children together.
To the families who graciously donated conference meals for our staff, we thank you! Those meals make long conference evenings feel a little easier and our staff feel very appreciated. A big shout-out to the Brunetz family, Mr. Planck, and Mr. Bergsma who made a personal pizza for every staff member on Monday night and delivered them! With Italian music, personally delivered pizzas, and refreshments mixed on the spot, you turned dinner into an experience. What a thoughtful way to take care of our team!
One reminder: our Lost and Found is getting out of control! If your child is missing a sweatshirt, jacket, lunchbox, or water bottle, please encourage them to take a look. When you are in the building, please stop by and check, too. Adding your child’s name to their belongings helps us get those items back where they belong.
I would like to extend a huge shout out to our incredibe PTO who has been instrumental in making of our Fall season so special. They have helped us with Open House, Fall Fest, Trunk or Treat, Conference Meals, organizing volunteers, supporting families and staff, and helping foster a warm and inclusive culture. They stepped in on hot days with popcicles and water, they pop popcorn, start events early, stay late and never stop thinking and planning for the next fun thing. It is a LOT of work and is means so much to us. We couldn't be the Roguewood we are without their incredible passion, drive, and support. If you are not involved in the PTO, I would encourage you to join in. It is a really special group of people.
Thank you for all the ways you show up for our Roguewood community. I hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend with your family!
Warmly,
Principal, Roguewood Elementary
Students of the Month
Spanish Speaker of the Month
Roguewood Helping Hands – Holiday Support
The holiday season is a time for giving, and our Roguewood community is here to help! Through our Helping Hands program, we hope to spread a little extra love and support to families who may need it this holiday season.
If your family could use some assistance, please complete the Holiday Help Form by Friday, November 6, 2026.
All identifying information will remain strictly confidential. Only anonymous requests will be shared with our PTO to help coordinate donations.
Donation Pickup: Wednesday, December 16, 2026. Families receiving donations will need to arrange for a family member to pick up their items.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Roguewood office.
We are grateful to be part of a school community that takes care of one another!
Early Student Pickups
We want to make early pickups as smooth and efficient as possible for everyone! Here are a few helpful reminders about how our early pickup process works.
Let Us Know Ahead of Time
If you know you’ll be picking your student up early, please feel free to email both their teacher and the front office.
- For the teacher: This gives them a heads-up so they can have your student packed up and ready to go in their classroom.
- For the front office: This helps us keep track of who will be leaving early and who we should be expecting throughout the day.
When Will My Student Be Called Down?
If your student is in their classroom, we will wait until you arrive in the vestibule (just outside the front office doors) before calling them down.
If your student is at recess, specials, or lunch, we will begin locating them about 5 minutes before you plan on picking up.
Keep in mind that it may take a few extra minutes to find your student, get them back to their classroom to gather their belongings, and then have them head to the office.
Why Do We Do It This Way
We want students to spend as much time in their classrooms learning as possible, rather than sitting in the office waiting to be picked up. We also know that your time is valuable, so we do our best to make the pickup process as quick and smooth as possible while minimizing interruptions to the school day.
Roguewood Spirit Days!
Get ready to show your school spirit! We have some fun dress-up days planned throughout the school year. Mark your calendars and join in the fun!
November 20 – Lions Day
Go Lions! Wear your Detroit Lions gear or blue and silver!
December 18 – Stuffy Day
Bring your favorite stuffed animal to school!
January 29 – 90's Day
Throw it back to the '90s!
February 1 – 100th Day of School
Celebrate 100 days of learning!
February 11 – Red and Pink Day
Wear your favorite red or pink!
February 26 – PJ Day
Come to school in your cozy pajamas!
March 17 – Shamrock Day
Wear your green!
March 26 – Hat Day
Top off your outfit with a fun hat!
April 16 – School Spirit Day
Show your Roguewood pride! Go Rams!
April 30 – Freaky Friday
Students dress as teachers and Teachers dress as students!
May 21 – USA Day
Wear your red, white, and blue!
We can't wait to see everyone's school spirit throughout the year!
STEAM DONATION REQUESTS
Retired technology donations needed! We are collecting old, non-functional electronics for students to disassemble at our "reverse engineering" STEAM night station. Please send items in by November 13th.
Lost and Found
Everything will be donated on MONDAY 11/9!
Please take a minute to stop in and look through! We have tons of unclaimed items looking for their homes!
Thanksgiving Break
School will be closed November 25th, 26th, and 27th.
yearbook Orders
Get your yearbook orders in now! Yearbooks will arrive in May.
Roguewood's Yearbook code is 14559827
Help Us Add Some Fun to Recess!️
Our Roguewood playground could use a little extra fun! We've had some student requests and have put together an Amazon Wish List with a few of playground toys and activities to help keep our students active, engaged, and having fun during recess!
If you'd like to help, please take a peek at our wish list. Every donation, big or small, is greatly appreciated!
Thank you for helping make recess even more fun for the kids.
Hearing and Vision Screenings
The Health Department will be visiting Roguewood November 30–December 3 to conduct hearing and vision screenings for students.
Hearing screening grades- K, 2, 4
Vision screening grades - 1, 3, 5
ROCKFORD STEAM NIGHT 2026
Mark your calendars!
Our annual Rockford STEAM Night is coming up!
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
5:30–8:00 PM
Rockford High School
STEAM Night is an evening filled with hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math experiences for Rockford elementary students and their families.Students will have the opportunity to explore, create, experiment, and try activities hosted by teachers, community partners, high school students, and other volunteers.This year will be our first STEAM Night at Rockford High School, and we are excited to bring our elementary students and families to a new location!If you or your National Honor Society student would like to volunteer at STEAM night you can sign up here:
STEAM Night 2026 – Volunteers Needed!
Big Ideas Need YOU!
STEAM Night is coming up, and we are looking for volunteers to help make the evening a success!
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Time: 5:30–8:00 PM
Location: Rockford High School
This year, we are using ONE volunteer sign-up for both students and adults.
Student Volunteers:
Volunteer hours can count toward National Honor Society (NHS) or Junior National Honor Society (NJHS) service hours.
Parent & Adult Volunteers:
We need help running activities, welcoming families, assisting students, setting up, and cleaning up.
Whether you're a parent, high school student, middle school student, or community member, we'd love to have you join us!
Sign Up to Volunteer:
Thank you for helping us create an exciting night of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math for our Rockford students!
STEAM Night 2026 – Create Your Own Tie-Dye T-Shirt!
Get creative at STEAM Night! Pre-order your Rockford STEAM T-shirt and turn it into your own colorful tie-dye creation during the event!
How It Works:
Order Online: Purchase your T-shirt online by October 30, 2026.
Pick Up at STEAM Night: Pick up your pre-ordered T-shirt at the tie-dye tables.
Tie-Dye Your Shirt: Visit the tie-dye station to create your own unique shirt to take home!
Order Deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026
Order Your T-Shirt Here:
Don't miss out on this fun, hands-on STEAM Night activity!
staff favorites
Surprising a staff member is easy with this online file full of everything our Roguewood staff loves! Download it or save it for later when you're out shopping for holidays, a birthday, appreciation week or just a sweet treat to make their day!
Volunteer Opportunities
Do you want to volunteer at Roguewood? We would love to have you join us. We welcome you here. We always welcome support in both our lunchroom and recess spaces within the day. Volunteerss will be helping with activities that will allow our students to continue to grow in social situations here at school. Your participation is greatly appreciated as we look to launch these volunteer opportunities. Volunteerss must complete the online background form and check in at the office when volunteering at RPS.
Thank you, in advance, for your support! Sign up here: Lunch and Recess Volunteers
Lunchroom (11:00 am - 1:00 pm)
How to support in the lunchroom:
- Walk around and interact with students.
- Help open lunch materials.
- Review lunchroom procedures to help with the end of the lunchtime.
- Push the trash bin around to gather trash materials.
- Encourage students to walk to recess.
Lunch Recess (11:00 am - 1:00 pm) or Last Recess (1:50 pm - 3:25 pm)
How to support at recess:
- Play or organize a game.
- Encourage positive play.
- Help with chalk art.
- Walk around with a group of students.
- Organize a coloring table.
- Twirl Jump Ropes.
Volunteer Consent Forms
As a reminder Volunteer Consent Forms expire each year in July. Please complete your application now! (This form must be on file to chaperone a field trip and/or volunteer at building events.)
WATCH D.O.G.S.
Calling All Roguewood Dads & Father Figures!
Be a WATCH D.O.G. at Roguewood!
We are excited to welcome WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) to Roguewood Elementary!
WATCH D.O.G.S. is an opportunity for dads and father figures to spend time at Roguewood while serving as positive male role models for our students. Our WATCH D.O.G.S. volunteers help create a welcoming, safe, and connected school community. While they are in the building, they are an extra set of eyes, ears, and helping hands, supporting our focus on school safety and security while building positive relationships with students. During your time at Roguewood, you may:
- Join students at recess or lunch
- Assist with dismissal, or other school activities
- Encourage students and celebrate them for being great Roguewood RAMS
- Provide an additional positive adult presence throughout our school
Why WATCH D.O.G.S.?
Our students benefit from having caring adults who show up, take an interest in them, and model what it means to be Responsible, Accountable, Motivated, and Safe. You don't need any special experience—you simply need a willingness to show up, connect with kids, and be a positive presence at Roguewood.
Interested in being a WATCH D.O.G.?
We would love to have you! Use our Sign-Up Genius to choose a day that works for you. Watch D.O.G.S. Signup. You MUST fill out a Volunteer Form too.
Thank you for helping us make Roguewood a place where everyone belongs, everyone matters, and everyone is loved.
GO RAMS!
Cannonsburg Ski/Snowboard punch pass
Cannonsburg’s Punch Cards are back and offer discounted lift tickets so that K–12 students can enjoy winter activities to the fullest!
To purchase online, visit Cannonsburg’s website, click on "Tickets and Passes" and select punch cards. Fill out your information — INCLUDING your school sponsor and school name.
School Sponsor: Tania Flikkema (Roguewood Elementary)
For questions, please email Tania Flikkema at: tflikkema@rockfordschools.org
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: Lindsay Medendorp
- Vice-President: Lee Ann Brunetz
- Treasurer: Megan Stelzer
- Secretary: Christina DeYonker
- Outreach Coordinator: Rachael Considine
- Events Coordinator: Elizabeth Gear
Conference Meals
Thank you for helping us support teachers and staff this week with meals on conference nights! If you have not yet done so, please check the vestibule for any dishes or utensils that may be yours!
Roguewood Tshirts
We had great feedback on the new Roguewood spiritwear shirts at fall fest! We do still have some available for purchase in adult and youth sizes S - XL for $10 each.
If you would like to purchase, please complete an order form here:
PTO meeting
Join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, November 10th at 7 PM in the Roguewood library. We will be having updates on our budget, recent events, and upcoming events.
Popcorn Poppers
Help us make popcorn for the students over the course of the year! We are looking for 3 volunteers on popcorn Fridays to help make popcorn, fill bags, and deliver to classrooms.
*If no spots are available, please sign up to be a backup popper - leave your number and preferred days in the comment section. If you are interested in signing up for multiple days, please ensure your availability for all dates before claiming to allow others to participate as able*
Sign up here: Popcorn Poppers
Warm fuzzies
This tradition helps to support teachers and staff with special treats. Once a month, families donate snacks, drinks, or meals to keep our wonderful Roguewood crew fueled for the day! Whether you are stocking the fridge with drinks, sending pizza, or putting together a hot cocoa bar, the staff will thoroughly enjoy this special day. Sign up on your own or collaborate with others!
*please note, our staff lounge is a peanut and tree nut free zone*
Sign up here: Warm Fuzzies
REMINDERS
Feel free to pack an extra pair of socks, shorts, t-shirt, and sweatpants in your child's backpack. Don’t forget to put your child’s name on coats, rain boots, etc. Thank you!
Weather Alert
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!
NO CELLPHONES OR SMART WATCHES
Students with a cellphone will be asked to turn the phone off and not use them during the school day. Please do not text or call your student on their device during the school day. This creates a distraction to the classroom. We will always help with communication through the office or an email to the teacher if needed.
Students with Apple watches or other wrist devices are asked not use the device to communicate during the school day.
Students who need to contact home because they are ill or wondering about the end of the day pick up should talk to their classroom teacher who will help them navigate next steps of support.
Devices at school are distracting to students during the learning day and we ask that unless your student needs the device to communicate after school that they stay home.
Thank you for your support.
Office REMINDERS
Who do I call if my student will be absent or late to school?
- If your student will be absent or tardy, please call the school phone 616-863-6374 option 1 OR email both the teacher AND Jenny Bradley at jbradley@rockfordschools.org or Justin Eckert at jeckert@rockfordschools.org
What if my student is out sick?
- Absences MUST be called into the office 616-863-6374 or emailed to the front office
- Please leave a message on our general voicemail box if you are calling after hours. Whether you are reporting an absence on our voicemail, 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.
Who do I notify if I have a dismissal change for my student(s)?
- We kindly request that there are no early pickups after 2:45 pm. Our office staff starts getting busy with dismissal duties throughout the building.
- Please be sure to let us know of any dismissal changes PRIOR to 2:00 pm
- To contact us with changes, please call 616-863-6374 or email both the teacher AND Jenny Bradley at jbradley@rockfordschools.org or Justin Eckert at jeckert@rockfordschools.org in the event the teacher doesn’t see the message prior to dismissal.
Where do I find parent communications?
- Our family newsletter and other updates are posted on the RPS website on the Roguewood's page bi-weekly during the school year
- You can also check out the Roguewood's Facebook page and Roguewood's PTC Facebook page
- Please always feel free to call or email the office with any questions
How do I set up or change busing for my student(s)?
- Please contact Transportation directly at 616-863-6328 to set up busing
- We also appreciate your help to support our drivers and remind your students of proper bus behavior
Important Contact Information:
- Office/Attendance Line: 616-863-6374 leave a message on the general voicemailbox
- Justin Eckert (office) jeckert@rockfordschools.org
- Jenny Bradley (office) jbradley@rockfordschools.org
- Principal Santillán, asantillan@rockfordschools.org
- Transportation Office: 616-863-6328
- BAC/Child Care Office: 616-863-6560
Standard Response Protocol
Rockford Public Schools has adopted the Standard Response Protocol, which provides building blocks of a crisis response to a variety of emergencies that can occur during the school day.
Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, Shelter
Click this button to learn more:
School Assistance Program (SAP)
Your SAP Benefits Include
- 3 sessions of free, confidential counseling per episode of care
- In-the-moment support available 24/7
- Free consultations
- Personal Advantage online wellness library
- LMCU+ online financial wellness
- All benefits available to every member of the household
For more information on how to schedule an appointment please visit our district website:
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.
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 to set up a private appointment to shop.
