Matt Zokoe - Principal
mzokoe@rockfordschools.org
Address: 6849 Young Avenue, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Phone: (616) 863-6340
From the Desk of Mr. Zokoe
Lakes Families,
We have completed our first week of the 2026-27 school year. Thank you for your partnership this year as we learn, grow, and work to become the best versions of ourselves. I cannot wait for a great school year!
This year, we are continuing with our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in the area of behavior. In our MTSS-B model, our students have a focus on being R.A.M.S. Our R.A.M.S. acronym stands for Respectful, Accountable, Motivated, and Safe. Our students will work on being R.A.M.S. Additionally, we focus on monthly character traits in our DENS. Our character traits include kindness, respect, integrity, generosity, gratitude, empathy, initiative, perseverance, and courage. Our DENS are how we have divided up our school to build a multi-grade community. DENS have an identifying color and will meet together 2 times a month to help grow in our focus of being R.A.M.S. here at Lakes and in our community.
We’re excited to return to one of our favorite school traditions this year—classroom parties! These are special opportunities for our students, teachers, and families to celebrate together.
Our classroom parties are scheduled for:
October 30 – Halloween
December 17 – Holiday
February 11 – Valentine’s Day
Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll send information to families about how you can sign up to participate in one of the three parties. We’ll be able to have a maximum of five parents/guardians per classroom for each party.
To give as many families as possible the opportunity to participate, each family may sign up for one party per child during the school year. This will help ensure that we can have a variety of parents and guardians represented at our celebrations.
We’re really excited to build on this tradition for our students, parents, and staff! Parent volunteers will help with planning, organizing, and running the parties, which will also help take some of the load off our classroom teachers.
More information and sign-up details will be coming your way in the next couple of weeks. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Thank you for your continued partnership,
Matt Zokoe
Picture Day
Picture Day is coming on Thursday, September 17!
You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTNVPKGM. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
Flyers have not yet arrived to Lakes but will be sent home as soon as they arrive.
Parent Helpers Wanted:
Help us make the Picture Day smooth and effortless. Contact Mrs. Low in the office if you’d like to volunteer at Picture Day.
Lakes PTO
Hello and Happy New School Year from the Lakes PTO!
Have you asked yourself, “What IS the PTO, anyway?” Simply put, we are a group of volunteers that plan yearly events and activities to enrich the student and staff school experience, such as:
Family events Donuts with Grown-ups, Lakes-a-palooza
In-school activities like Assemblies, cultural events, popcorn days, community service
School spirit & Student recognition T-shirts, Den Challenge rewards
Outside school activities Field trips and associated transportation costs
Staff resourcing & support Monthly staff appreciation events, staff grants and stipends
Everything you need to know about us can be found on our website. Follow along with the fun on Facebook or Instagram (@LakesPTO). Interested in getting involved? Fill out a no-commitment interest form and we’ll be in touch! We would love to connect you with a volunteer opportunity that you’re passionate about and works with your busy schedule. Don’t have time now? Join anytime throughout the year. As a reminder, you must have a background check submitted AND approved prior to volunteering in the school. This must be completed each year. Click here to submit your form.
We have two Board positions available if you’re interested in taking a leadership role. There are no specific qualifications required; we invite and encourage anyone who is enthusiastic about taking a more active role in the PTO to apply! Board members are selected via vote by active voting members.
VP Community Service Oversee all Community Service-oriented events and activities, working in partnership with each Volunteer team to successfully execute PTO events
VP, Community Events Oversee all Community Events-oriented events and activities, working in partnership with each Volunteer team to successfully execute PTO events
Share Your Student's T-shirt Size by Sept. 5
Every student receives a free Lakes tshirt for the 26-27 school year! Please click here to provide your student’s shirt size. We hope to distribute there the first week of October, so please don’t delay! Many thanks to INDY FRANKLIN, Lakes third grader, for submitting her winning design for the t-shirt during last year’s contest.
First PTO Meeting is September 10th, 7:00PM at Lakes (Room 25)
No prior participation needed to attend. We welcome all parents, families and staff to learn more about the PTO and the different ways to get involved at our kick-off meeting. Agenda will be shared on our website and Facebook page the week of the meeting. Please note: We understand that time is scarce. We are committed to meetings that last 90 minutes or less this year.
Join us for Donuts for Grown-ups on September 18th, 5:30PM at Lakes
Our first family event of the year! Enjoy donuts and cider with Lakes families, friends and staff on the school playground. This is a simple way to connect with other parents and families at the beginning of the school year. Please email us if you have special dietary needs, so we can make appropriate accommodations.
Let’s Glow Crazy Activity Pass Fundraiser Launches September 21st
This is the primary way we will fund our planned initiatives this year. If you are a returning parent, you may notice that this is different from what we have done in the past. Previously, donations were collected through the payment of a set "Activity Pass" amount for each student. This year, we have decided to use a digital platform to collect donations without a set amount per student. This allows your family to opt into participating if you so choose and give what you can to support our efforts. It also gives you the opportunity to invite friends and extended family to participate as well. We are SO excited to share how to participate, and the exciting variety of prizes available to those who sign up to raise funds. Please watch for more information soon!
Do You Wanna be a Pop Star? Sign up to Volunteer for Popcorn Days!
Nothing butter than to start your day making a delicious popcorn treat for students & staff. You can even personally deliver popcorn to the classroom(s) of choice- a great way to surprise your kiddo! We have four dates available this year: sign up HERE.
Join the PTO!
Join our team of parent volunteers as we enhance the learning and educational experience of students and staff at Lakes Elementary. Work alongside fellow parents, get to know Lakes teachers and staff while making a positive impact on our school. Click HERE to fill out a no-commitment interest form!
Helpful Links
How to Volunteer
Step 1 : Get involved! Contact the PTO for volunteer opportunities, become a daily volunteer, sign up to be a Watch D.O.G., or check your teacher's newsletters for additional classroom opportunities.
Step 2 : Complete a RPS background check online. Background checks can take 2-3 weeks to process so please complete it early! Names are not cleared until teachers, PTO, or volunteer coordinators know that you are coming in. So DON'T hesitate to sign up for a volunteer opportunity, but DO make sure that you have completed the online form this school year! Forms must be resubmitted each school year.
Step 3 : This one is on us! We'll contact our security department to run your background check, and then you will receive an "All Clear" email!
Step 4 : Bring your driver's license on your volunteer day! Scan the back of your license, smile for a picture, and we'll direct you down to your classroom or volunteer space.
Thank you for supporting our Lakes community!
Rockford Book Bus
There is a collection box in the vestibule. Our vestibule is open for drop-offs from 7:00 am - 5:30 pm. The box will be collected on September 11th. Please have all Book Bus Books returned by that date. 
Lakes Recycling Initiatives
NexTrex Plastic Recycling
The program has been revamped and our goal is now to collect 250lbs of plastic EACH quarter.
- Produce bags, grocery bags, ice bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags - Plastics that can stretch.
- Way to go Lakes! For the last two quarters, we have reached our goal of 250lbs each.
- With your summer collections arriving, we have already reached over 70 pounds to start this year.
Papergator Recycling
Papergator use can continue throughout the summer! The green dumpster is located in the side parking lot. Papergator can accept office/school papers, newspapers, junk mail, magazines, shredded paper, and cereal boxes (paperboard that can be torn), etc. Please note, wrapping paper (without sparkles) can be donated to Papergator for all your Holiday party cleanup!
Pop Can Tabs
Pop can tabs are collected in the office and sent to the Ronald McDonald House. Please bring to Mrs. Low in the office.
Upcoming Dates
- 9/4: No School
- 9/5: T-shirt sizes due to the PTO
- 9/7: No School
- 9/10: PTO Public Meeting at Lakes - 7pm
- 9/16: Early Release at 1:30pm
- 9/17: School Picture Day
- 9/18: Donuts with Grown Ups
- 9/30: Early Release at 1:30pm
Important Links
After the Bell - Rockford Community Services Registrations
School Assistance Program Information
School Lunch Offerings or the Nutrislice App on your mobile phone
