Adam Burkholder - Principal
aburkholder@rockfordschools.org
Derek Dillon - Assistant Principal
Jennifer Domagalski-Athletic Director/Student Activities
jdomagalski@rockfordschools.org
September 2026
Dear ERMS Families,
We are off to a great start at East Rockford.
There is a noticeable energy that comes with the beginning of a new school year. Students are reconnecting with friends, building relationships with teachers, settling into new routines, and beginning to find their place within our school community. It has been great to see our classrooms and hallways filled again with the activity and enthusiasm that make East such a special place.
Throughout these first few weeks, we have been especially impressed with how our students have responded. They are learning expectations, navigating new challenges, and doing a fantastic job of starting the year on the right foot. Our staff has also brought tremendous energy, patience, and commitment to creating a welcoming and productive environment for students. Thank you to our families and the entire ERMS community for your role in helping us begin the year so positively.
This year, we will continue to build our school around the RAMS Way: Respectful, Accountable, Motivated, and Solutions-Oriented. These are not simply words on a poster. They are choices we make every day.
We show Respect when we treat others with kindness, listen to others, and encourage those around us.
We are Accountable when we take ownership of our choices, our actions, and our learning.
We are Motivated when we give our best effort, even when something is difficult.
We are Solutions-Oriented when we focus on what we can do to improve a situation and move forward.
Academically, our focus this year is on helping students take greater ownership of their learning. We will continue to emphasize Clarity, Evidence, and Student Ownership of Learning by helping students understand what they are learning, recognize evidence of their progress, and take an active role in determining their next steps.
Our challenge to every student is simple: Do not just go through the school year. Make the most of it. Try something new. Ask questions. Take a risk. Help someone. Learn from mistakes. We firmly believe that learning starts from a willingness to make mistakes and we will always work to celebrate growth. Every day is another opportunity to become a little better than you were yesterday.
To our families, thank you for trusting us with your children and for partnering with us in their success. Middle school is an important time of growth that helps set the trajectory for the years ahead, and we are excited to walk alongside our students and families throughout that journey.
The halls are alive again, your students are doing a fantastic job, and we are just getting started.
Adam Burkholder
Principal
East Rockford Middle School
Support Our ERMS Staff!
We’d love your help providing snacks and drinks for our amazing middle school staff during meetings and special gatherings.
If you’re abl
e, please sign up below to donate an item. Every contribution big or small makes a difference and is so appreciated by our staff. If you have any questions please email sdurfee@rockfordschools.org
Thank you for helping us take care of the people who take care of our kids!
No orders will be accepted after this date, no exceptions.
We must order on time to receive delivery before the end of the year. This is a hard deadline from the publisher.
Order here:
Use the ERMS school order # 25248
Good afternoon, 6th Grade Parents!
Today, your student received a permission slip for our upcoming 6th Grade Middle Mania event. For your convenience, I have also attached a copy to this email in case you need another copy.
Middle Mania is a special event just for our 6th graders and will feature GIANT inflatables, open gym, and more! It’s a great opportunity for students to have fun, be active, and enjoy some time with their classmates.
We are also looking for parent volunteers to help make the event a success, as well as donations of water bottles for our students. If you are able to volunteer or donate water, please sign up using the Sign-Up Genius link below.
Donations can be dropped off in the main office.Thank you for helping us make Middle Mania a fun and memorable event for our 6th graders! We truly appreciate your support.
6th Grade Middle Mania Sign-Up Genius
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Christine Lyon
Student Council Advisor
attendance at ERMS
Policy for picking up your student DURING the school day:
Please have your student come to the main office to pick up their pass when they arrive at school in the morning. A note stating the time they need to leave is helpful in case they forget the time they are leaving. This policy is to discourage calling into classrooms and interrupting teacher instruction. When you arrive to pick up your student please wait in the vestibule for them and sign them out on our sign out sheet.
If your student is sick or unable to attend school for the whole day please leave a message on our attendance line 616-863-6140 stating the reason for the absence. Please spell your student's first and last name.
"Strive for less than 5"
