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
It’s remarkable how quickly January is coming to a close! As we approach February, conferences are scheduled for February 25 and 27, and both evenings will be held in person at Valley View.
We encourage you to secure your spot by signing up via the following link:
On a personal note, thank you for all the birthday love this week. Being an elementary school principal on your birthday is truly something special.
Welcome to the Valley View family, Hitch!
We’re so excited to introduce the newest member of our Valley View family—Hitch! Rockford Public Schools has partnered with Interquest Cares to provide Valley View with a School Counseling Dog. Hitch is an adorable (just look at that face!) 2-year-old, male golden retriever and is here to bring smiles, comfort, and a little extra happiness to our school community. Hitch's official role is "to interact with students in order to bring about positive change in a student's emotional or physical state, diffuse tense situations, and open up new possibilities to the educational environment." We know whether it’s cuddling up during a stressful moment or just wagging his tail to brighten your day, Hitch is always ready to offer a friendly paw and a warm heart. Hitch's human handler will be Mrs. Katie Gardner, our Valley View social worker and will be located primarily in her office.
For those individuals with allergies or fear of animals, we have taken several measures to ensure that the pet dander is kept to a minimum and students will continue to be able to visit Mrs. Gardner's office without interaction with Hitch if desired. If you have a student that has concerns or allergies, please let us know, and we will work to ensure that they feel comfortable and do not have any issues.
We feel so lucky to have Hitch as part of our Valley View team, and we can’t wait for everyone to get to know this sweet, furry companion who’s here to support us all! Keep up to date with all things Hitch in Hitch's Happenings in future newsletters.
upcoming events
February is mail month!
Every February, Valley View hosts a fun-filled "Post Office" event! Students can participate by writing letters to, and receiving letters from, friends in any classroom across the building. Many classrooms take this opportunity to practice writing and addressing letters, and the kids absolutely love getting mail!
Parents can join in on the fun too by writing letters and dropping them off in the “mail basket” located in the front vestibule. Just make sure the envelopes are addressed with the student’s name, teacher, and room number. A directory will be available in the front vestibule to help with this.
Mail is sorted and delivered by our second graders during their lunch recess every Tuesday and Thursday, starting on Thursday, February 6th and continuing through Thursday, February 27th. We’re also looking for parent volunteers to help with sorting and delivering the mail. Please check out the Sign-Up for available dates and times and help out when you can!
Thank you for helping us keep these fun Valley View traditions going!
DK: Mrs. Cole, room 5
DK: Mrs. Heiss, room 6
K: Mrs. Bowman, room 4
K: Mrs. Lanham, room 3
K: Mrs. Young, room 2
1: Mrs. Johns, room 11
1: Mrs. O'Rourke, room 12
2: Mrs. Dome, room 20
2: Ms. Reisen, room 19
3: Mrs. Carr, room 27
3: Mrs. Farnham, room 26
3: Mrs. Sweatt, room 25
4: Mrs. Bascom, room 14
4: Mrs. Kruisenga, room 15
5: Mrs. Brenner, room 16
5: Mr. Westveer, room 17
Save the dates
PTO meetings will all be at 7:00pm in the library on the following Wednesday dates:
February 12th
March 12th
April 16th
May 14th
Book vending machine dates:
Our book vending machine dates are set for the rest of the year! Students can bring in two gently used books each month to earn a gold book coin. Gold coins are used in the vending machine during book swaps. Students can choose one book from the machine to take home and keep. Dates for the exchange are February 21st, March 21, April 25, and May 16.
Happy reading!!
YEARBOOKS
Don't forget to order your yearbooks! Valley View's code is 14568525.
SAP
Access support today!
Say “I have an SAP with Rockford Public Schools” when you call 800.442.0809 and press “1.” Every RPS family member in your household is eligible. The Rockford Education Foundation (REF) has proudly partnered with Rockford Public Schools to provide expert counseling, therapy, and resources through Pine Rest’s School Assistance Program (SAP).
GRASP
GRASP is a correspondence program for students in Kindergarten through 8th grades which helps students maintain reading and math skills while they are on summer break. The fees for the summer of 2025 are $26 for one subject or $48 for both subjects for each student. You can enroll your student for the book version (grades K-8) or the optional online version (grades 4-8) by completing the registration and payment online. 
Reminders
Drop off/pick up
We kindly remind everyone to pull all the way forward in front of the building during drop-off and pick-up times to ensure a smooth and efficient process for everyone. PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR CAR to keep the line moving and to prioritize the safety of all students. Should you need more time with your student, please park your car in the parking lot and walk your student to the entrance. Your cooperation helps us maintain a safe and organized flow of traffic. Thank you for your attention to this important matter!
February early release days
February 5th and 26th are early release days (1:30 dismissal). Midwinter break is February 14th and 17th; there will be no school on those days. Thank you!
Michelangelos in the making!
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In Mr. Westveer's class, students learned about the High Renaissance and Michelangelo in a hands-on way—by creating art under their desks. Inspired by the Roman Sistine Chapel ceiling, they sketched while lying on their backs, mimicking Michelangelo’s process.
The room buzzed with creativity, and lots of giggles, as students gained a deeper appreciation for the challenges and brilliance of Renaissance art. Mr. Westveer’s unique approach brought history to life, turning the classroom into a modern-day Renaissance workshop.
wellness Presentations
Managing Worry and Anxiety
The Pine Rest School Assistance Program, in partnership with Rockford Public Schools, is hosting a live stream presentation titled “Managing Worry and Anxiety” on February 3, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM via Microsoft Teams. This event will help participants learn how to distinguish between normal worry and anxiety versus conditions that may require treatment. It will also provide practical skills to limit the impact of worry and anxiety in daily life, along with strategies for adults to help children and adolescents navigate anxiety. To join, click the “Join the meeting now” link provided. For more information, contact Pine Rest at 800.442.0809 or email eap@pinerest.org. Additional resources are available at pinerest.org/eap. This presentation is brought to you by Pine Rest, Rockford Public Schools, and the Rockford Education Foundation.
Eating Disorders
"Eating Disorders: Hiding in Plain Sight," will be taking place on January 29th, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Rockford Public Schools Auditorium, located at 4100 Kroes Street NE, Rockford, MI 49341. The event is free to attend and offers 2.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for eligible participants. It is designed for professionals, students, parents, and other interested parties. The program includes several key presentations. Dr. Daniel Schellenberg, Medical Director at Forest View Hospital, and Hilary Fowler, MSN, PMHNP, CPNP, from Sanford Behavioral Health, will present on "The Hidden Medical Consequences of Eating Disorders." Anna Flores, Doctor of Clinical Nutrition from Authenticity Recovery, will discuss "Recognizing the Signs and Responding with Support." The event also features a panel discussion titled "From Diagnosis to Recovery: Real-Life Tools for Managing Eating Disorders," with panelists from Authenticity Recovery, Forest View Hospital, and Sanford Behavioral Health. Participants can register by scanning the QR code on the flyer or by contacting Kelly Stone at kstone@sanfordhouse.com.
Enrollment opens 2/13/25
Enrollment for the 2025/2026 school year opens February 13th. Children who turn five years old on or before December 1, 2025 are eligible to enroll for the 2025/2026 school year.
