Parkside Newsletter

Welcome to parkside Early Childhood Center

Dear Parkside Early Childhood Center Families,

Welcome to the Parkside Early Childhood Center! We are so excited to begin this new journey together. Whether your child is joining us in Preschool, Developmental Kindergarten (DK), or Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), we are honored to be part of their learning and growth this year.

Parkside houses a brand-new center, but it is built on strong foundations—ones formed by dedicated educators, supportive families, and vibrant early childhood programs. As we come together in this new space, we are focused on creating a warm, inclusive community where every child feels safe, valued, and ready to explore the world around them.

At Parkside, we are deeply committed to partnering with families. We believe strong relationships between home and school help children thrive. Our goal is to work together with you to support your child’s development, celebrate their successes, and navigate challenges as a team.

You’ll be hearing from us often through newsletters and updates, and we look forward to your continued connection and involvement. We are excited to get to know you and your child, to celebrate milestones together, and to support one another throughout the year.

Thank you for trusting us to be part of your child’s early years. Here’s to a wonderful start!

With appreciation,

Mindy McGinn, Principal of Parkside Early Childhood Center

Melissa Cochrill, Director of Preschool and Childcare

Director -- Mrs. Cochrill

Hello! My name is Melissa Cochrill, and this fall marks my 10th school year as the Preschool and Childcare Director at Rockford Public Schools. I began my career in education as a 4th-grade teacher and have since had the joy of teaching students from age three up through developmental kindergarten. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I’m very excited for the upcoming school year—both to welcome back returning students and to meet our new families!

My husband, Aaron, and I both grew up in small towns in Michigan’s Thumb area. We now live in the Northview area with our two daughters, Natalie and Lydia. Recently, we rescued an energetic 8-month-old Boston Terrier named Stella, who definitely keeps us on our toes! As a family, we love to travel, kayak, and golf. I also enjoy reading, and I was thrilled when my Little Free Library was recently featured on Fox17 News! 

My true passion lies in working with young learners and watching them discover the excitement and wonder of school. I feel honored to be part of the very start of their educational journey. Our new Parkside Early Childhood Center is ready to help students build a strong first school experience, one that sparks a lifelong love of learning. Please feel free to reach out anytime with questions. I look forward to connecting with you!

Principal -- Mrs. McGinn

Hello! My name is Mindy McGinn, and I am honored to serve as the principal of the Parkside Early Childhood Center. I have worked as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in 3 school districts over 26 years in education. I will begin my 7th year with Rockford Public Schools in the coming school year. I earned my degrees from Central Michigan University and Michigan State University. I continue to learn and grow with each new year. I am thrilled to be continuing my career with the dynamic new Parkside team!

My family resides in Rockford. My husband, Ryan, and I have 3 children: Finn, Nia, and Teague. This summer, we will be traveling around Michigan to visit family, drinking lots of coffee, and camping. I am taking as much time as possible to comb our Michigan beaches for interesting finds. We continue to complete house projects and repairs while getting our children to their orchestra, sports, and camp opportunities. We are looking forward to spending another school year in this wonderful community!

Partnering with students, staff, and families is the most meaningful portion of the work I am fortunate to do! I look forward to building strong connections with you. There will be many new faces around the building this school year in the new center. I am confident the Parkside team will continue to provide a quality experience for students, families, and staff as we get to know each other in August. Please reach out to me or to any of the Parkside staff with questions you have as we approach the school year!

Parkside Arrival and Dismissal information

Revised 8-4-2025

Preschool:

• Arrival:  7:00 am to 8:25 am: 

  • Parents will park in the Lewis Street parking lot

  • Parents will escort their children to the appropriate classrooms

• Arrival:  8:25 am and beyond: 

  • Parents will drop off their students at the office.

  • Staff will escort students to the appropriate classrooms

• Dismissal:  

  • Before 3:00 pm, parents will pick up students in the main office

  • After 3:00 pm, parents will pick up students in the back of the building using their provided family signs

ECSE:

• Arrival:  8:00 am and 11:55 am:

  • Parents will park in the Lewis Street parking lot

  • Parents will escort their children to the appropriate staff members at the main doors

  • Buses will release students to staff members in front of the building near the school sign

• Dismissal:  11:10 am and 3:05 pm:

  • Parents will park in the Lewis Street parking lot

  • Parents will pick up their children from the staff members at the main doors and escort them to their cars

  • Buses will pick up students in front of the building near the school sign

DK:

• Arrival: 8:25 am to 8:35 am

  • Parents will drop students off at the back of the building

  • Staff will support student entry

  • Buses will release students to staff members in front of the building near the school sign

• Dismissal:  3:15 pm

  • Staff will support student dismissal 

  • Parents pick up students at the back of the building using their provided family signs

  • Staff members will release students to buses in front of the building near the school sign