Parkside Newsletter
Director: Melissa Cochrill mcochrill@rockfordschools.org
Principal: Mindy McGinn mmcginn@rockfordschools.org
Address: 156 Lewis Street Rockford, MI 49341
Phone: (616) 863-6360 Fax: (616) 866-2327
Administrative Assistants:
Julie Palmieri jpalmieri@rockfordschools.org
Jamie Brown jbrown@rockfordschools.org
DROPOFF & Pickup Reminders
Dropoff in AM
Please do not park or stop on Lewis Street, as the front curbs must remain open for our Early Childhood Special Education drop-offs.
All drivers need to park in the Lewis Street parking lot and walk students into school.
As mornings grow darker, please use extra caution when crossing Lewis Street—drivers may have limited visibility. Hold your child’s hand and cross carefully.
Pickup in PM
Hold your Family Sign high until you get a thumbs-up from our door greeters, Meera and Mariano.
Pull forward all the way to the cone in the pick-up circle (or as far as the next car) to keep traffic moving smoothly.
Be patient with our students. Their little legs take time to cover distances in this big building! They may also be coming from different places (playground, bathroom, cafeteria, etc.), so it might take a few extra moments for them to reach you. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding.
Preschool Family-Teacher Conferences
November 2025
Rockford Early Childhood Programs will be holding Family-Teacher Conferences in early November.
Conferences for DK and ECSE have already taken place this past week. Thank you so much to families for taking the time to connect with your child's teacher. We truly appreciate you taking the time to meet with your child’s teacher, share insights, and strengthen the home-school connection that supports your child’s growth and success.
Conferences for Preschool (for programs taking place at Parkside, the Admin Building, and the CDL) will take place the week of November 10.
Thank you for your continued partnership! We look forward to discussing your child’s growth and progress.
picture re-take day with lifetouch
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Thank you to everyone who participated in Picture Re-take Day!
The Lifetouch pre-order code will no longer work, but here are some instructions for those who want to order photos from our Re-take Day.
- The photos should be available to view in 3-5 days (hopefully by early next week).
- Families can order photos on mylifetouch.com. Create an account or login with the Lifetouch Code: EVTWMFX3X
- When you go to order your pictures, enjoy 10% off your order with the code: F2510OFF
- Orders and classroom composites will be sent home to families after Picture Day.
Thank you!
STEAM Night
Mark your calendars! Our annual STEAM Night is coming up on Tuesday, November 11th from 5:30–7:30 PM at East Rockford Middle School.
Please note the important updates: the date has changed from November 4th to November 11th (due to voting day), and the location has moved from the Freshman Center to East Rockford Middle School. More details can be found on this flyer.
In addition, our STEAM program is still collecting recyclable materials to support student projects. We are currently accepting cardboard tubes, plastic containers, cereal boxes, plastic water bottles, and corks. A flyer with more details is down below.
Thank you for supporting our students as they explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math!
Upcoming Events
- November 10-14: Preschool Family-Teacher Conferences
- November 11: Picture Day Make-Ups (@ PKS ECC)
- November 11: STEAM Night at East Rockford Middle School (more info below!)
- November 12: Early Release Day 1:30 Dismissal (DK)
- November 26-28: No School Thanksgiving break
- December 10: Early Release Day 1:30 Dismissal (DK)
- December 22-Jan 2: No School Winter Break
Stuffed Animals Needed
Thank you for your help and thank you to all who have already donated!!!
Office Reminders
Extra Clothing
As the seasons change and weather cools down, take a moment to swap your student's extra clothing from t-shirts & shorts to long sleeves and pants.
We recommend that ALL students keep a full set of weather-appropriate extra clothes in their cubby (shirt, pants, underwear, socks, and shoes). Students may need to change due to bathroom accidents, cafeteria spills, or getting wet or dirty at recess.
Weather Alerts
For up-to-date information regarding Rockford Public Schools delays and/or closings, events and safety alerts, send a text message of "Y" or "Yes" to our district’s short code number, 67587. Opt out any time by simply replying to one of our messages with "Stop." Be sure to tune in on icy or snowy mornings!
PLEASE NOTE: Preschool follows the Rockford Public Schools weather closures. If RPS announces a snow day, Preschool will be closed as well.
Staff Favorites
Want to spoil an Rockford Early Childhood staff member? Want to spread a little sunshine? Here are our staff's favorites!
Who do I call if my student will be absent or late to school?
Absences MUST be called into the office 616.863.6360 (press 1 for the Attendance Line).
When you are reporting an absence on our voicemail, the State of Michigan requires us to know the following:
- Student's name
- Reason for absence - if it is an illness we need to know the symptoms of the illness (vomiting, coughing, fever, cold, diarrhea, lice, etc.).
Contact Information
Parkside Early Childhood Center Office/Attendance Line - 616.863.6360
Jamie Brown (Preschool Admin Assistant) - jbrown@rockfordschools.org
Julie Palmieri (DK/ECSE Admin Assistant) - jpalmieri@rockfordschools.org
Transportation Office - 616.863.6328
BAC/Child Care Office - 616.863.6560
Community Services - 616.863.6322
Interested in creating and joining the PTO?
Starting a Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) for the Parkside Early Childhood Center and the Rockford Early Childhood Programs is an exciting new step, and we want you to be a part of it!
The primary goal of a PTO is to create a strong, supportive partnership between our families and staff that enrich the educational experience for every child. This collaborative effort will directly benefit programming by organizing community-building events, providing volunteer support that directly enhances the classroom environment, and acquiring supplementary materials and programs.
A successful PTO means more engaging activities and a stronger sense of community for everyone—our children, teachers, and families. We understand that time is valuable and that means various levels of commitment are possible: you can be an active Board Member or Committee Chair, volunteer for a single event, or simply offer support by sharing your expertise and time when you're able.
Please let us know your level of interest and availability. We look to get the first small-group planning meeting off the ground before the holiday break.
Hand 2 Hand
Hand2Hand's mission is to deliver nutritious food to students over the weekends and on extended school breaks by mobilizing churches, schools, individuals, and businesses to join together, providing hope and opportunity to thrive.
To enroll your loved one, please scan the QR code below or click this link.
A free weekend food opportunity for kids! They will receive 3 breakfast items, 4 snack items, and 3-4 lunch/dinner items, often with a recipe card. The food bags are delivered by the Hand2Hand team so that the students can bring them home on Fridays.
If you have any questions, please email the Hand2Hand organization: permissionslip@h2hkids.org.
School assistance program (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).
