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 Parents,
Congratulations to Mrs. Karen Michel on her retirement at the end of this year. Karen has been such an essential part of our team and our front office, and saying goodbye is going to be tough. She leaves behind some very big shoes to fill, and I know I’m not alone in saying she’ll be deeply missed—both professionally and personally. Congratulations again, Karen!
We'd like to introduce you to our 2025/2026 Team Valley View roster.
Kindergarten:
Amy Bowman, Kim Lanham, Melissa Young
1st Grade:
Kaley Johns, Katie O'Rourke, Karla Skrobot
2nd Grade:
AnnMarie Dome, Stacie Gregory, Abby Reisen
3rd Grade:
Katie Carr, Elizabeth Farnham, Lindsey Sweatt
4th Grade:
Jen Bascom, Jessica Karsies, Erin Kruisenga, Kelli Walker
5th Grade:
Emma Brenner, Kristin Dunham, Caleb Westveer
Front office: Jessica Yon and Jamie Ward
Instructional Coach: Jane VanNiekerk
Specials: Holly Larson (art), Evie Wroe (library), Jamie Saincome (music), Seth Powell (PE), Sara Brown (STEAM)
Resource Room: Carly McKay and Meredith Dompierre (part time)
Social worker: Katie Gardner
Speech: Riley Pawlanta
Reading Intervention: Jen Hankinson and Sheila Stewart
Food services: Jeannie Couturier
Paraprofessionals will be placed closer to the start of the school year.
Wonder dog: Hitch
Please note: our incoming Valley View Developmental Kindergarten students will ride a shuttle to and from Parkside Elementary. Parkside DK teachers currently are Carolyn Cole and Stacey Heiss.
With one week left in the school year, we want to thank you for your continued support, partnership, and positivity. It's been a wonderful year, and we are so grateful to have shared it with such a fantastic community.
Wishing you all a safe, fun, and relaxing summer!
-Mr. Karel
Congratulations Mrs. Michel!
Congratulations to our Girls on the Run 5K finishers!
The annual 5th grade water battle was a blast! Check out the fun here.
LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL SCHEDULE
6/3: 5th grade field trip
6/4: Lemonade Wars
6/5: Half day - 11:55 AM Dismissal
6/6: Half day and LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - 11:55 AM Dismissal
Medication pickup
It's hard to believe we are only one week away from the end of the year. As we wrap up the year, please remember if your student has any medication here at school, they will need to be picked up no later than Wednesday, June 4th. Our district nurse will be here at our building on 6/9/25 to dispose of any remaining items. Thank you!
PTO UPDATES
Hello Valley View!
What a year it’s been! As we wrap up, I want to give a big thank you to our amazing PTO officers Savannah Cook, Meredith Payne-Froelich, Katie Petersen, and Arielle Sullivan as well as all other parent volunteers who stepped up this year — whether you helped with events, fundraisers, or just showed up with a positive attitude, we truly couldn’t do it without you!
A special thanks to Principal Karel and our fantastic admin team, Jamie Ward and Karen Michel, for always being there to support our efforts behind the scenes.
As we look ahead to next year, we want to keep improving — and we need your input to do that. Please take a few minutes to fill out our PTO survey. Your feedback helps us serve our school community even better.
From your PTO President,
Amanda Neal
Kids fun run
The Start of Summer Kids for Kids Run is June 7th at 10am and starts at the dam downtown Rockford. Admission fee is $30 and includes a tech shirt. Run for fun and then catch the Start of Summer parade at 11am. To register, visit www.teamorphans.com
Field day fun
Big shout-out to Mr. Powell for putting together such an awesome field day, and a huge thank you to all the volunteers who pitched in to make it a blast! Games, hot dogs, and picnicking outdoors—what's not to love? It was an absolute blast for everyone involved!
Rockford Book Bus
The Rockford Book Bus is a magical way to get books into the hands of our kids. Even when students are on summer vacation, reading can take them places! Check out this year's summer schedule on their website but clicking here:
Summer reading at KDL
At Kent District Library, we understand the importance of summer learning, and we’re thrilled to bring back our Summer Wonder Reading and Learning Challenge in 2025. The challenge is fun, simple and free! Here are a few of the highlights of KDL’s 30-Day summer challenge:
It’s the same 30-day goal for all ages—just one convenient log for every family member that encourages learning through the summer.
Completion can be tackled without making regular visits to the library. Tracking progress is simple by using paper logs, KDL.beanstack.org or the Beanstack mobile app.
The program incorporates not only reading but a variety of at-home activity prompts, from writing to science experiments.
Fun in-person events and performances happen every week at our branches, and count toward your 30 day goal! Visit www.kdl.org/summer for all the details.
Check out this adorable video for more information:
Summer learning opportUNITy
Dear Parent/Guardian, 
Throughout the school year, your child has been working on skills in IXL. This innovative learning program allows students to work on essential skills at a pace that works for them.
We are excited to share an IXL summer learning opportunity for your child. To help prepare your child for the upcoming school year, they can work in IXL to complete a Summer Boost Skill Plan. Below you will find details about this resource, how your child can participate in this fun learning experience over the summer, and the reward for their hard work.
Summer Boost Details
When: June 7- July 31
Get Started:
Access IXL
Download the app for Apple products, Android tablets or Kindle Fire OR
Go to https://www.ixl.com/signin/rockfordpsd on a chromebook, laptop or desktop computer
Navigate to Learning- Skill Plans- IXL Plans- locate Summer Boost which is pinned at the top.
Click on the Summer Boost Skill Plan and follow the plan for each day.
Remember to work towards a smart score of 80 or higher.
If you have any questions along the way, please contact Lauren Arnett at larnett@rockfordschools.org.
Guidelines
At least 90% completion
of both ELA & Math Summer Boost Skill PlansCompletion is considered at Smart Score of 80 or higher
Each Skill Plan (ELA & Math) contain 20 skills or days of work. This is meant to be completed in sequential order.
Taking the time to meet these guidelines will help your child get a jump start on the upcoming school year.
For a video on how to access the skill plans click HERE.
Please contact your child’s teacher for their username and password.
Next year planning
- The first day of school for the 2025/2026 school year is August 25.
- Look for a bussing email in July. Any student wishing to ride the bus MUST complete this form.
- Class lists will be posted after August 11.
- Our front office will open on August 11.
- Save the date for our Valley View open house/meet the teacher:
- August 20th
- K-2nd grade 5-6 PM
- 3-5 grade 6-7 PM
- August 20th
- Grade Level Supply Lists can be found on our school website.
