Meadow Ridge Newsletter
Blake Bowman - Principal
bbowman@rockfordschools.org
Michelle Smyth - Administrative Assistant
msmyth@rockfordschools.org
Tania Gordon - Administrative Assistant
tgordon@rockfordschools.org
Address: 8100 Courtland, Rockford, MI 49341
Phone: (616) 863-6342
april character trait: Courage
Definition: The ability to do something that frightens you
Challenge: Talk with someone who you have never talked with before
Reflection: Embrace the journey, remember practice makes progress
March Students of the Month
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Kindergarten - Jackson Fahrni
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1st Grade - Charlie Schlaudt
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2nd Grade - Jack DeHaan
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3rd Grade - Jake DeGraff
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4th Grade - Owen Pavlov
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5th Grade - Lillian Shimel
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Rockford Eats
Support Rockford Schools and our community during Rockford Eats!
The Rockford Education Foundation (REF) is excited to announce the Rockford Eats Gift Card Fundraiser, running from April 21 to May 2, 2025! This unique opportunity supports Rockford students and lets you savor the best of our local dining scene. With each $100 donation to REF you’ll receive a $50 gift certificate to one of our fantastic restaurant partners of your choice!
Your generosity fuels local education initiatives and helps sustain the vibrant restaurants that make our community special. Gift cards will be mailed by REF the week of May 12, 2025.
Visit rockfordEDfoundation.org to donate and select your restaurant with Rockford Eats.
Relay for Life Donut Sale
Support our Meadow Ridge Relay for Life team with delicious Krispy Kreme donuts! Student council members will be handing out preordered donuts at student drop-off the morning of Thursday, May 8.
We are selling donuts for $13 a dozen. We are also selling a BOGO card for $24. The BOGO card gets you a free dozen donuts, WITH the purchase of a dozen donuts, 10 different times. This is the best bang for your buck if you love KK donuts!
We will also have single donuts available for $1 the morning of Thursday, May 8 – no need to preorder these. Singles will be available while supplies last.
*If you would like to purchase a dozen but can’t pick up the donuts that day, we can send home the box with your student at the end of the day.*
Please use the link below to preorder donuts or BOGO cards! All orders and money (cash or Venmo) will be due by May 2. Thank you for supporting the Meadow Ridge Relay for Life team!
Slushy Sale
Friday, May 9th Meadow Ridge is partnering with Kent ISD Empower U program for a slushy sale! Slushies will be $1.00 each and sold during all lunches. The money raised will support the various community outings/experiences the Empower U program participates in.
Early Release Days
- Wednesday, April 23rd: Early Release - 1:30pm
- Wednesday, May 7th: Early Release - 1:30pm
Greenfield Village Field Trip
Friday, May 2nd our 5th graders are going to Greenfield Village. Busses leave Meadow Ridge at 6:30am (students should arrive no later than 6:20am)
Busses will return to Meadow Ridge around 4:45pm. Parents/guardians are responsible for picking up students.
Upcoming field trips
- Wednesday, April 30th kindergartens will go to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum.
- Friday, May 2nd the 3rd graders will visit the Capitol Building in Lansing, MI. Important note: this date has been changed.
- Monday, April 28th & Tuesday, April 29th- Outdoor Learning at Edgerton Trails
- Buck = Monday 9:00-11:30am
- Riddering = Monday 11:00-1:45pm
- Van Fleet = Tuesday 11:00-1:45pm
- Wednesday, April 30th - GR Symphony Performance at New Vintage Place (students only field trip, chaperones do NOT attend)
- Thursday, May 1st - Downtown Rockford
If you have been selected to chaperone a field trip you must have an active Volunteer Consent Form on file for this school year.
Hopper's Happenings
I loved hearing about everyone's spring break fun and I want to share my adventures too!
I got my haircut and a nice bath!
Some of my friends came to hang out!
And I visited the Easter Bunny!
office Reminders
Headphones
Reminder that spring testing has begun and students should bring headphones with them everyday.
Whitecaps Family Night
Tuesday, May 20th support Rockford Public Schools and kick off your summer with the West Michigan Whitecaps! A portion of each ticket bought will be donated directly back to the schools.
Playground Pals
Our “Playground Pals” Program is designed to support our playground staff with extra supervision during lunch recesses.
Playground Pals will take place every Tuesday & Thursday December 3rd – May 29th from 11:30am-1:00pm. As a volunteer your role will be to ensure safe play for all students on the playground, encourage positive interactions, and promote positive sportsmanship. You will receive a quick training of playground rules and procedures beforehand.
For this program, you MUST have an active Volunteer Consent Form on file for the 2024-2025 school year. Once you have completed it please email Michelle Smyth msmyth@rockfordschools.org.
This program allows for lots of parent volunteers so please sign up for a day or two!
Volunteer in our STEAM Classroom!
Kindergarten & 1st Grade with Mrs. Anderson (eanderson@rockfordschools.org)
2nd & 3rd Grade with Mrs. Brown (sbrown@rockfordschools.org)
4th & 5th Grade with Miss Fowler (tfowler@rockfordschools.org)
Lunch Menus
Download the nutrislice app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for an easy way to keep up with the breakfast & lunch menus!
SchoolStore
SchoolStore is a fundraising opportunity that Meadow Ridge was presented with for 2025. It is not through the PTO.
How does it work?
Families can choose to participate as much as they want. The first step is signing up at SchoolStore.net using our School ID: 309230 and then sending emails to family members and friends. This email allows participants to purchase gift cards that go directly to teachers to use on books and materials for their classroom. There is also a code friends and family can use when shopping online at hundreds of retailers and a percentage will come back to the school to use for student activities not funded by the PTO such as materials for classroom instructional experiences.
Every student will receive a "Book Buddy" for signing up and sending 6 emails. Students can earn additional prizes as they earn points (points are based on purchases, families do not need to participate).
Once we reach our participation goal (a percentage of students registered) Meadow Ridge will be entered into a weekly drawing to win a Book Vending Machine!
Information packets are available in the office. If you have any questions please contact Michelle Smyth msmyth@rockfordschools.org
Meadow ridge Elementary PTO Updates
April Birthday Board
Are you jumping with Joy?? We are! For all our Meadow Ridge student and staff birthdays! Make a new core memory, stop by and find your name if your birthday is in April!!
Mileage Club
Mileage club started this week! Meadow Ridge students ran 250+ miles on the first day! Students can participate Mondays & Fridays during last recess.
Meet the Team!
- President: Lacey Jonassen
- Vice President, Fundraisers: Beth Zelski
- Vice President, Non-Fundraisers: Whitnie Snodgrass
- Treasurer: Samantha Huitema
- Secretary: Kristin Morrison
We are here for you!
Thank you to our 2024-2025 Walk-a-thon Platinum Sponsors!
Carnival - Volunteer Opportunities & Donations
Spring Carnival is next week April 25th, 5:30-8:00 pm. Order your wristbands today to save $5. Not sure if you can attend yet, don’t worry wristbands can be purchased at the door!
Many hands are needed to make this event run smoothly for everyone! We need your help! Sign up to volunteer today!
Our raffle is going to be bigger and better this year! So many wonderful items have been donated from our local business and families! Don’t forget, we’ve got the teacher experiences too! Raffle packets will be coming home today. All information can be found on our website too! https://mdrpto.weebly.com/spring-carnival.html
Our grade level themed baskets could use a little help! If you are interested in donating an item or two to complete these we would appreciate it! See our Facebook Page to find the signup links! https://www.facebook.com/mdrpto
We are also looking for sweets walk donations! Must be store-bought, prepackaged items! Bakery cookies, cakes, boxes of candy etc! This was the highlight of the carnival last year, any donations would be greatly appreciated! Donations can be brought to the office Thursday 4/24 and day of carnival 4/25! Please email samhmdrpto@gmail.com if you plan to donate!
Feed the Paper Gator
The Meadow Ridge Paper Gator is hungry again! Save your recycling bins and bring your junk mail, paperboard, newspaper, and any other paper you have. NO CARDBOARD OR TRASH PLEASE!
Family Fun Night
Cedar Rock Sportsplex is hosting a Family Fun Night (open skate & drop-in soccer) on Friday, April 18th for families from 6:00-8:00pm! Make sure to sign in for Meadow Ridge so a portion of admission will be donated back to the PTO!
Upcoming events
- Friday, April 18th: PTO Popcorn Friday
- Friday, April 18th: Family Night @ Cedar Rock Sportsplex - 6:00-8:00pm
- Tuesday, April 22nd: Earth Day
- Wednesday, April 23rd: Early Release Day - 1:30pm
- Friday, April 25th: Spring Carnival
- Monday, April 28th & Tuesday, April 29th: 2nd Grade Outdoor Learning Field Trip @ Edgerton Trails
- Wednesday, April 30th: 2nd Grade Music Field Trip @ New Vintage Place
- Wednesday, April 30th: Kindergarten Field Trip @ GR Children's Museum
- Thursday, May 1st: 2nd Grade Field Trip to Downtown Rockford
- Friday, May 2nd: 5th Grade Field Trip to Greenfield Village
- Friday, May 2nd: 3rd Grade Field Trip to Lansing
- Friday, May 2nd: PTO Popcorn Friday
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).
New student enrollment is now open! Please visit rockfordschools.org/enrollment to review the online enrollment procedures and required documentation.
Kids night out
Students K-6th grade are invited to Kids Night Out at That STEAM Space on Fridays in May.
