Valley View Newsletter
Jeremy Karel - Principal
jkarel@rockfordschools.org
Address: 405 Summit Ave, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Phone: (616) 863-6366
a note from mr. Karel
Dear Valley View Families,
Yesterday, our fifth graders had the opportunity to enjoy new experiences at the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park, including cross-country skiing, ice skating, and luging. They had an incredible time! Things like bussing to field trips are made possible because of your generous support of our Valley View Voyage. We truly appreciate you—this is an experience they will not soon forget.
As a reminder, if you have not yet signed up for your parent-teacher conference, please do so using the link below. Conference details are as follows:
Tuesday, February 24 and Thursday, February 26
Both evenings are in person from 4:30–7:30 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you!
Warmly,
Mr. Karel
Book fair is coming up
Get ready! Our Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to build your child's home library with new books they'll dive into again and again. Our book fair will be during the week of winter conferences, February 23rd-February 27th. The book fair will be open in the evenings of conferences - Tuesday 2/24 and Thursday 2/26 from 4:30-7:30pm. The easiest way to let your child shop the fair independently is by creating an eWallet. It's easy to set up and easy for others to add funds. For full details, and to create and eWallet, visit our school's Book Fair homepage:
GRASP
Do you want to help your child maintain reading and math skills over summer break? GRASP is an at home program used by families for 50 years!
Grand Rapids Academic Summer Program (GRASP) is a summer math and reading correspondence program that helps scholars in grades kindergarten through 8th retain skills learned during the school year by providing review exercises.
GRASP Curriculum
Teachers and curriculum professionals developed GRASP as a cost-efficient substitute for traditional summer school. Lessons were written to correlate with the Common Core Standards which most states have adopted.
GRASP offers nine lessons to be submitted during the summer - one per week or at a scholar's own pace as long as they are submitted before the final due date. Each lesson reinforces the basic skills typically found in most curricula at that particular grade level. GRASP staff score the lesson and return it to the scholar with comments.
Packets are available for scholars finishing grades K-8 to review their math and reading skills. Scholars finishing grades 4-8 can select online resources instead of the packets.
We recognize our scholars' efforts by awarding a certificate to those who successfully complete at least seven lessons with 70% accuracy. A medal is given to scholars who successfully complete all nine lessons from their packet.
ENROLL HERE:
March is Reading Month!
Believe it or not, March is coming up sooner than we think.
This year, we are doing something fun in addition for reading month. We are looking for some volunteers to sign up to decorate doors around the school. The day to decorate is February 25th, during the Early Release Day afternoon, so students will be surprised coming in the next morning to a transformed school.
There are slots to decorate classroom doors all over the school - more will be added if there is enough interest.
The theme this year is "Animals". Please keep this theme in mind for your door decorations. Since this is reading month, you can do ideas such as Clifford the Big Red Dog or the Rainbow Fish or simply a door decorated with an animal theme with a reading quote.
The large paper rolls at the school will be out in the hallways for use, but all other supplies will need to be brought in with you.
Let's make March a little extra special!
Please note: when signing up, please DO NOT put your student's name. Just teacher's name please!
Save the date
The Rockford Education Foundation invites you to The Taste on March 6, 2026. This is REF's annual signature event, serving up amazing support for education through great food, drinks, and community partnership. The Taste hosts many local restaurants and businesses. Learn more or purchase tickets: The Taste Tickets.
KIDs fun night
Welcome to a night full of games, activities and fun! Join RHS Interact Club for the KIDS FUN NIGHT on February 20th at the Rockford Freshman Center from 6-8:45pm. The cost is $35 for the first child and $30 for additional children. Register at:
Upcoming events
- February 13 - 16: Mid-winter break - no school
- February 17-20: 4th grade field trip (Karsies and Walker)
- February 20: 5th grade field trip
- February 23-27: Book fair!
- February 24 and 25: Parent teacher conferences
- February 28: Skate night at Cedar Rock Sports Plex
Coming soon
Kindergarten enrollment for the 2026/2027 school year opens on February 18th. Children who turn five years old on or before December 1st, 2026 are eligible to enroll in DK and Kindergarten. All enrollment information can be found on our website at Enrollment Procedures - Rockford Public Schools.
Whitecaps night
You're invited to support Rockford Public Schools and kick off your summer with the West Michigan Whitecaps!! Enjoy a fun night out and know that a portion of each ticket bought will be donated directly back to our schools. Game information: Tuesday May 19th at 6:05pm. Ticket prices are $20.50 per ticket or $26.50 with a hotdog and soda included. For more information or accessible seating needs, please contact Tyler Glave at TylerG@whitecapsbaseball.com. To purchase tickets please visit
RPS Skate Night
Join us for the RPS Elementary School family open skate on Saturday, February 28th from 3-5pm at the Cedar Rock Sports Plex. Admission fee is $10 and if you sign in for Valley View, our PTO receives $2. We hope to see you there!
