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: initiative
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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Brooklyn - Kindergarten
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Madeline - 1st Grade
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Scarlett - 2nd Grade
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Jack - 3rd Grade
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Jacob - 4th Grade
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Eliza - 5th Grade
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ENROLL NOW
Children who turn five years old on or before December 1, 2026 can enroll in DK and Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 School Year using the link below.

Office reminders
Please remember to include Karen Bathum kbathum@rockfordschools.org on your emails for office and student absences.
art news
MEADOW RIDGE ART SHOW THURSDAY, MAY 7TH at 5:00 pm.

Upcoming events
- Tuesday, April 21: Mrs. Molesta - Kindergarten Field Trip - Blandford Nature Center
- Wednesday, April 22: Mrs. Bier & Mrs. Andrus - Kindergarten Field Trip - Blandford Nature Center
- Friday, April 24: PTO Popcorn
- Friday, April 24: MDR Carnival
- Friday, May 1: Slushie Sale $1.00
Early Release Days/no school
- Wednesday, April 22: 1:30 pm Dismissal
- Wednesday, May 6: 1:30 pm Dismissal
RPS Book Bus - MDR Schedule
Tuesday, June 16 from 10 - 10:45 am
Tuesday, June 23 from 10 - 10:45 am
Tuesday, June 30 from 10 - 10:45 am
**Tuesday, July 7 - NO BUS**
Tuesday, July 14 from 10 - 10:45 am
REf fundraiser
Rockford Eats: Supporting our schools and community
The Rockford Education Foundation (REF) is excited to announce the Rockford Eats Gift Card Fundraiser, running from April 20 to May 1, 2026! 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 restaurants that make our community special. Gift cards will be mailed by REF the week of May 11, 2026.
NEW Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures
Before School:
- Please use the student drop-off line. In the past, we have had ECSE buses in the loop until 8:25. That is no longer the case. So parents, feel free to pull up into our circle as early as 8:15, but remember, kids shouldn't exit your car until 8:25 because we don't have staff available to supervise them until that time. At 8:25, they can get out of your car and enter the building. Hopefully, not having cars wait at the lamppost (like previous years) will cut down on the traffic that reaches out to Courtland at that time of day, but some of that is inevitable. We're a busy school!
- Please don't drop off kids in the parking lot and expect them to find their way to the front of the school. Bypassing our student drop-off line might feel like it saves you a couple minutes in the morning, but our staff has witnessed kids tripping in the parking lot behind cars that are attempting to back up from their spots. It's just not safe. Please use our drop-off line.
After School:
- Please use the line for Parent Pick-Up. Even if it takes a couple extra minutes. This is the safest way to pick up your child.
- Kindergarten Parents can pull into the traffic circle as early as 3:20. We officially dismiss at 3:32, but our kindergarten students are dismissed a little early (around 3:30). We like to load them first before all other students exit the building. (If you have multiple students, including a kindergartner, we'd ask that you wait with the other cars so the kindergarten-only families can board and depart.
- All Other Parents should wait until 3:30 to enter the circle. As you've done in the past, please wait along the right side of our entrance drive (behind the entrance to the bus loop) until 3:30. At that time you can pull forward.
- Please pull all the way forward. Even if you see your child, please pull forward as far as you can to allow us to board as many students as possible at one time. This will help the line move most efficiently.
- If you do insist on parking in the parking lot (not recommended), please come across the crosswalk to pick up your child. Unattended students should not be crossing the road.
- Parents who are waiting for their child to exit the building should remain north of the crosswalk. This allows kids to see their cars and doesn't confuse parents with the staff members who are helping the kids safely get to their cars.
- Use the crosswalk exclusively. No one, staff, students, or parents, should be cutting between cars to get to the parking lot. This is essential!!!
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!
Extra Clothing
It is recommended that ALL students K-5 keep extra, weather appropriate, clothes in their locker (shirt, pants, underwear, socks, & shoes). Students may need to change due to bathroom accidents, spills in the cafeteria, or getting wet/dirty at recess. We no longer have a Care Closet at the building so having these clothes on hand is highly recommended.
Volunteer Consent Forms
As a reminder Volunteer Consent Forms expire each year in July. Please complete your application now! (This form must be on file to chaperone a field trip and/or volunteer at building events.)
Volunteer in our STEAM Classroom
Our STEAM teachers Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Brown, & Mrs. Pitsch love having parent volunteers in the STEAM room!
Meadow ridge Elementary PTO Updates
Hammock Forest
The PTO is going to be adding an addition of a hammock forest to the current outdoor learning space at Meadow Ridge. We are excited to be able to bring this project to fruition and if you would like more information about it or would like to be involved in the process, please email PTO EMAIL.
Mileage Club
Lace up those sneakers and get ready to walk, run or skip! Mileage Club is back for the spring and the students are looking forward to getting all that winter energy out! This is a great time to volunteer and encourage those kids to move their bodies and see their smiles. Mileage Club will be on Mondays and Thursdays from 2pm-3:30pm (students’ last recess) from April 24th thru May 28th.
Click the Link below to volunteer.
Spring Carnival: Friday, April 24th, 5:30-8pm
We are in need of volunteers for our annual Spring Carnival! This is a great community service opportunity if you have another child that needs volunteer hours or if you would like to come run some of the fun, yourself.
Click the Link below to volunteer.
PTO Social Nite:
Information coming soon. Keep your eyes open!
Thank you to our 2025-2026 Walk-a-thon Platinum Sponsors!

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!
SchoolStore Returns
SchoolStore is a fundraising opportunity that Meadow Ridge was presented with once again for 2026, it is not through the PTO.
How does it work?
Families can choose to participate as much as they want. Starting January 26th, the first step is signing up at SchoolStore.net using our School ID: 309230. 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 can 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
School Assistance Program (SAP)
School Assistance Program (SAP)
School Assistance Program (SAP)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).
Dr. Matthews, Substitute Teacher
One of our staff members may be selected for a well-deserved day off with our own super substitute, Dr. Matthews! Once a month, Dr. Matthews will be trading his Superintendent’s office for the classroom and stepping in to substitute teach for a day.
How it works: Each $10 donation to the Rockford Education Foundation nominates a teacher to win a day off while Dr. Matthews takes over the classroom. All donations support REF educational grants, celebrate our incredible educators, and give Dr. Matthews a front-row seat in the classroom.
- $10 = 1 entry to nominate a teacher - multiple entries gladly accepted!
- Teachers may nominate themselves or a colleague
- One winner will be drawn monthly, January–May 2026







