Lakes Newsletter

Lakes Elementary Newsletter May 16th

Principal Matt Zokoe

Matt Zokoe - Principal
mzokoe@rockfordschools.org

Address: 6849 Young Avenue, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org

Phone: (616) 863-6340

Quick Information

LAST CHANCE : As we begin to consider next school year, parents/guardians are invited to share some information about their student(s) to help inform our class placements for the 2025/2026 school year. Please complete this form by May 16th.
Relay for Life Event Calendar for tonight!
Thank you to Mr. Buikema, Mr. Andrews, and Mr. Nash for joining us as Watch D.O.G.s over the last few weeks. We are so thankful for your support.
From the STEAM Team: A heartfelt thank you to all the families who volunteered their time and donated supplies to support STEAM this year. Your generosity and enthusiasm made so many hands-on learning opportunities possible for our students!
As we begin planning for next year’s STEAM Night, we are gauging interest from families who might like to help out. If you're interested in being involved, please take a moment to fill out our short interest survey:
STEAM Night Interest Survey
Do you have some inflatable costumes that you are willing to share? Staff is looking to spread some extra joy at the end of the year. Please let us know if you could help!
Mileage Club has been a wonderful success but more volunteers are needed. Please see the sign up below and join us. We have just 4 days left!
Want to keep the Run Fun going? Team Orphans Kids for Kids Run is almost here!! Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 10:00 am (Summer Parade starts at 11). Register at www.teamorphans.com
- Kids 12 and Under (parents can run with kids FREE)
- 1 Mile all on the white pine trail
- Timed Race with age group prizes
- $30 includes a tech shirt
- Food and drinks for the whole family afterwards.

2 young female students pose with their dad

Last Chance to Purchase!

You're Invited to Rockford Family Night at the West Michigan Whitecaps!

Support Rockford Public Schools and kick off your summer with the Whitecaps. A portion of each ticket bought will be donated directly back to the schools.

Purchase Whitecaps Tickets Here

West Michigan Whitecaps Rockford Family Night. Tuesday May 20th at 6:05pm. Gates open at 4:50pm. Tickets: $18 each of $24 with a hotdog and soda included. Only tickets purchase through this online portal will count towards the Rockford fundraiser. https://fevo-exterprise.com/event/Rockfordfamily25

Steam Wish List May Edition. Small Boxes (shoe), Plastic Containers, Cereal Boxes, Fabric. Clean and dry recycled items and paper towel rolls are always welcome.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Background Checks

Daily Volunteers :

We now have some daily volunteer opportunities for families to help foster our Lakes Community. Please visit the link for additional details and to select a time slot.

Lunchroom (11:30 am - 12:50 pm) - How to support in the lunchroom:

Walk around and interact with students.
Help open lunch materials.
Review lunchroom procedures to help with the end of the lunchtime.
Push the trash bin around to gather trash materials.
Play a game with the 5th-grade students at their table.
Encourage students to walk to recess.

Lunch Recess (11:10 am - 1:00 pm) - How to support at lunch recess:

Play or organize a game.
Encourage positive play.
Help with chalk art.
Walk around with a group of students.
Organize a coloring table.
Support the quiet area with quiet area activities.

Last Recess (2:15 pm - 3:30 pm) - How to support at last recess:

Play or organize a game.
Encourage positive play.
Help with chalk art.
Walk around with a group of students.
Organize a coloring table.
Support the quiet area with quiet area activities.

Dads of Great Students

Who can participate: Fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures.

Watch D.O.G.S can serve full days (8:15 am - 3:45 pm) or half days (pm option). Watch D.O.G.S can be assigned to classrooms as needed by the teachers, perform recess duty, complete ground checks, or other various tasks. When possible, Watch D.O.G.S will have the opportunity to work with their students or their student's classrooms. However, they may also be called to serve in a separate space as needed.

Watch D.O.G.S. Facebook

PTO Corner

Upcoming Events

Ending Soon! Silent Auction and Online Fundraiser

Visit www.linktr.ee/lakespto to place your bids by Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 11:59PM ET!

Win unique items and experiences from a range of local businesses who have so graciously donated. Event proceeds are used directly to enrich student and staff educational experiences throughout the year, including activities like field trips, cultural arts, assemblies, classroom supplies and more.

FOOD & DINE Uccello’s, Timber’s, Bostwick Bakery, Corner Bar, Amore Trattoria Italiana, Perrin Brewing, Cowlicks

GET ACTIVE BattleGR, Rockford Lanes, Goldfish Swim, Fowling, Blythefield Acres Pool, MVP Athletic, Twisted Hot Yoga, Bostwick Barefoot Ski, AAA Canoe Rental, SCOR

EXPERIENCES Cannon & Courtland Twp fire truck rides, Circle Theatre, Frederik Meijer Gardens, Binder Park Zoo, West Michigan Whitecaps, Ginkgo Leaf Acupuncture, PrinciPAL for the Day

SWEET SWAG Grand Rapids Gold, Detroit Tigers, MSU and UM Athletics

EXTRA EXTRA Bailey’s Quick Lube, Douglas Photography, Memories by Mandy, Swift Printing
Public Meeting Minutes : We held our last public PTO meeting on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Please click the link to read.

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 all while making a positive impact on our school. We have a variety of elected, leadership and general volunteer roles available for the 2025-26 school year. Click Here to fill out an interest form!

Helpful PTO Links

Rockford Booster Bucks
Follow the PTO on Facebook or Instagram
PTO Linktree
PTO Email

Recycling Initiatives

Flyer for PaperGator recycling showing accepted materials. Accepting school/office paper, news paper, junk mail, hard and soft cover books, magazines, shredded paper, paperboard (cereal box), wrapping paper without foil or sparkles. No accepted is plastic, metal, glass, or garbage.

Flyer for Recycling Beyond the Bag. Recycle your household bags and wrap into Trex's Earth-friendly composite decking and railing! From the store produce bags, store bags, and ice bags. From your pantry Ziploc and other recloseable bags, cereal box liners, case overwrap, and bread bags. From your front door newspaper sleeves, dry cleaning bags, bubble wrap, and plastic e-commerce mailers. trex.com/recycling 1-800-Buy-Trex

NexTrex Recycling

Bins located in front vestibule. All bags should be clean and free of food or other debris.

Produce bags, grocery bags, ice bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags - Plastics that can stretch.
We've collected over 279 pounds of plastic!

Papergator Recycling

Green dumpster located in the side parking lot.

Office/School papers, newspaper, junk mail, magazines, shredded paper, and cereal boxes (paper board that can be torn), etc.

Popcan Tabs

Can be turned in to the front office. Collected and sent to Ronald McDonald House.

Adventure Awaits Rockford Book Bus. Join us this summer for fun reading adventures.

Book Bus Schedule

Book Bus Website

Enrollment is Open

Enrollment for the 2025/2026 school year is open. Children who turn five years old on or before December 1, 2025 are eligible to enroll for the 2025/2026 school year. In order to take advantage of an early placement screening, please enroll your Developmental Kindergarten -or- Kindergarten-age child before June 1, 2025. Please visit www.rockfordschools.org/enrollment// to review the online enrollment procedures and required documentation.