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 Parents,
Phew...the end of the school year is moving at a breakneck pace. Field trips, field days, art shows, whitecaps games, end of the year celebrations...what an exciting time of year. It was fun to celebrate our school community at family fun night last week. Thank you to our families for always showing up and to our incredible PTO for putting it all together. We appreciate all you do.
Be sure to keep an eye on the calendar for all the good things to come. 13 days of school left.
Have a great weekend,
-Mr. Karel

Unbelievable art
Simply wow. Your students' artistic journey has been incredible with creativity this year. From self-portraits to exploring color, textures, clay, shading, and various materials, they've truly embraced every aspect of art. And those quotes alongside the art (No rain , no rainbows ) add such a personal touch, capturing some very insightful thoughts. It's clear that Mrs. Larson has not only nurtured their art skills but also added warmth and color into their world.
-"I made a heart for Mrs. Larson." Same, Rowan, Same.
family fun night
Thank you to our PTO for organizing such a fun night! Loads of fun was had by all. What a great, successful night!!
Dear PTO:
On behalf of the entire staff, thank you for a truly spectacular Staff Appreciation Week! Your “Traveling Around the World” theme made each day feel like a new adventure, and we were blown away by the thoughtful touches—from the delicious snacks and drink bars to the amazing lunches and fun spirit days.
We felt genuinely appreciated and celebrated, and your hard work and creativity did not go unnoticed. Thank you for going above and beyond to make the week (and the entire year) so special!
With heartfelt gratitude,
Your Valley View Staffers
Relay for Life is today!
Join the fight against cancer at North Rockford Middle School Track at 4pm-10pm.
STEAM
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:
Medication pickup
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Field day!
THURSDAY, MAY 22nd, 2025
VALLEY VIEW FIELD DAY FUN SURVIVAL TIPS
• Students should wear appropriate clothing. Layering is a good idea, not only for cool/hot weather comfort but also for protection from the sun and insects. We suggest shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and P.E. SAFE SHOES (no crocs, sandals please!)
• As we have had in the past, we will have water themed stations. Students will get wet but not drenched from head to toe. With the placement of the stations, students should have plenty of time to dry off outside. Please send an extra change of clothes for students to change into.
• We are not allowed to apply bug spray or sunscreen at school, so we recommend that BOTH are applied prior to coming to school on this day. These products cannot be sent to school with students.
• Hats and sunglasses can be worn for additional sun protection.
• ALL STUDENTS NEED TO BRING A LABLED WATER BOTTLE. Water only please! Sweet drinks attract bees, and we must keep ALL students safe.
We are still looking for parent volunteers to join in the fun and assist with student needs and making sure the field day activities are rocking and rolling!!!
Storywalk®
You may have already noticed the exciting new addition to our school grounds: the Storywalk®! This wonderful project, spearheaded by the talented Mrs. Wroe, celebrates her unmatched creativity and passion for reading. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our community.
The Storywalk® installation has truly been a community effort, involving Eagle Scouts, National Honor Society students, Mrs. Ward, Mr. Westveer, and our helpful 5th grader builders club. It was made possible in part by a generous donation from Momma's Boy Pizza, in memory of a cherished family member who volunteered in our Valley View Library. As the first of its kind in the district, other schools are already showing interest!
Currently featuring nine stations, the Storywalk® will eventually expand to 18 stations along the trail surrounding our outdoor classroom space. Next year, we have some fantastic book selections planned to bring stories to life even more vividly.
We're thrilled to announce that the Storywalk® will be accessible throughout the summer, offering families a wonderful outdoor activity. We hope it serves as a great introduction not only for our new friends joining us from Parkside but also for incoming Kindergarten students, helping them familiarize themselves with our school before they officially start.
Come visit, read, and ENJOY!
Calendar at a Glance
May and June:
5/20: Rockford night at the Whitecaps
5/22: Field Day
5/23: No school - Memorial Day break
5/26: No school - Memorial Day break
5/29: 2nd grade field trip
6/3: 5th grade field trip
6/4: Lemonade Wars
6/5: Half day
6/6: Half day and LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Rockford Book Bus
The Rockford Book Bus is a magical way to get books into the hands of our kids. Even when students are on summer vacation, reading can take them places! Check out this year's summer schedule on their website but clicking here:
Senior parade
Every year, during the final week of school for our senior class, we invite graduates to join us in the senior parade. This cherished tradition is beloved by all ages, serving as a heartfelt farewell to our seniors and an inspiration to our current elementary students. Congratulations Class of 2025; you make us proud!