Jeremy Karel - Principal
jkarel@rockfordschools.org
Address: 405 Summit Ave, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Phone: (616) 863-6366
a note from mr. Karel
Dear DK/K parents,
Welcome to Rockford Public Schools! We are delighted to have you join our community. This newsletter serves as your comprehensive guide, offering essential information to ensure your child's successful start to the school year. Whether you were able to make last night's informational meeting or not, please review the details at your convenience. We look forward to supporting your family as you embark on this educational journey with us. As always, should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Warm regards,
Jeremy Karel, Principal
Valley View Elementary
jkarel@rockfordschools.org
(616) 863-6366
SCREENING
All incoming students will be screened prior to placement. Children with a birthdate between September 2, 2021 and December 1, 2021 will be REQUIRED to have the age waiver option completed and on file to be enrolled in school. The link to the RPS Kindergarten Starting Age Requirements & Waiver form is included in your welcome letter.
All screenings will take place at the Administration Building, 350 N. Main St, Rockford, MI. (Please park in the lot off Lewis Street and enter the building through the main entrance on Main Street).
Parent Input form
Please take a moment to fill out our parent input form. We use this information to get to know your student better and find the best classroom fit for their specific learning style.
Childcare
The BAC Program (Before & After Care) provides quality care for RPS school-aged children in developmental kindergarten through fifth grade and is available every school day at all of our elementary schools. This program focuses on enhancing physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development, with recognition of individual interests and talents and promotion of the school as a safe and stimulating place. Table games, crafts, gym time, outdoor play and an afternoon snack are planned each day.
Transportation Information
We are pleased to introduce you to My Ride K-12, a mobile app where you can access your student’s secure data at the touch of a button. Access to real-time data helps your student to be at the right place at the right time.
My Ride K-12 capabilities include the following:
- Stop location, assigned route, and scheduled pick up time
- GPS geolocation push notifications, giving estimated time of bus arrival and information concerning bus status changes
- Real time communication and messaging
- Secure and confidential log in
- Android/iOS app and Web Version available
The app is available for up to four users per student. If you would like to opt out of this platform, please contact transportation to have My Ride K-12 disabled for your student.
To access My Ride K-12 for your student, you will need to complete the set up by following the directions included in the Parent User Guide. Users will need their student’s ID number and Last name to link to their student. Please follow the Parent User Guide for instructions on how to access and use the app and Web Version. Please allow your phone to send notifications from this app and remain logged in to receive district notifications.
We trust this will be a helpful tool for you! Should you have any questions or concerns or would like to limit or remove access for your student on My Ride K-12, please contact the transportation department at 616-863-6328.
Rockford Public Schools
Transportation Department
Nursing Department
We’re also proud to introduce you to our wonderful nursing department! Our school nurses play a vital role in keeping our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn each day. From managing medications to supporting students with specific health needs, they are an essential part of our school community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to them with any questions or concerns — they’re here to help and support your family throughout the year.
Valley View PTO
Welcome to our school community! We’re so excited to invite new parents to join our active and welcoming PTO. Whether you have a little time or a lot, your ideas, energy, and involvement make a real difference in enriching our students’ and staffs' experiences. The PTO is a great way to meet other families, stay connected, and help support fun events and meaningful programs throughout the year. We’d love to have you join us and be part of something special!
