RVA Newsletter
On behalf of the RVA staff, I am excited to welcome you to the start of the 2026/2027 school year!
A new school year is so exciting! We all get a fresh start and a new opportunity to accomplish great things as we grow together in community. This year, students will be exposed to many future options and positive steps forward will be made.
Rockford Public Schools is transitioning to PowerSchool for our student records. The district website has the most updated PowerSchool information, including how to set up your parent account. There is also an updated FAQ.
It is going to be a great year! We can't wait to greet students at the door on the 24th!
On behalf of the RVA Staff,
Jenny Thompson Deur
Director of Adult and Alternative Education
Back to SchooLFAQ:
How do I make sure my student has a schedule on the first day, with the PowerSchool transition?
Returning students: You must create a Parent Portal account before completing the Returning Student Registration. If you received the Parent Portal email but did not receive the "Rockford Public Schools Returning Student Registration" email, you should still be able to access the registration forms by following these steps:
1. Log in to your Parent Portal account.
2. Select the student you wish to register from the top left of the Navigation page.
3. Select the Returning Student Registration icon on the left side.
4. Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
5. Select Begin Forms.
6. Complete and submit the Returning Student Registration.
7. Return to the Parent Portal and repeat this process for any additional students by selecting their name at the top left of the Navigation page.
New students: Please complete the enrollment link emailed to you.
If internet access is unavailable for you, or you would like help completing these forms online, please call the office and set up a time to come in and use the district computers and internet. We are happy to help!
If for some reason your plans have changed and you will not be attending River Valley this fall, please call the office at 863-6324.
How do I know what time the bus comes, if it is needed?
Busing information including bus number, bus stop location, and pick-up times will be available in PowerSchool.
Students will ride the listed bus to the Rockford Freshman Center, where they will get on bus #51, the RVA shuttle bus. The shuttle bus leaves RFC between 7:25 and 7:30 AM. Afterschool, the shuttle bus will pick students up at RVA at 2:18 and drop them at the RHS 10-12 building where they will catch the bus that takes them home.
What will the first day be like and how will students know where to go?
We will greet you at the door and welcome you back to school! You will find your name on a class list, outside the room of your first-hour teacher. He/she will have your schedule for the day.
What school supplies do I need?
Please bring pens, pencils, and a notebook. :)
What about school breakfast and lunch?
There is no cost to families for school breakfast or lunch this year! It is still very important, however, for families to complete the Education Benefits form. This form benefits students in other ways, as it is used for various state and college benefits.
Breakfast packs of cold cereal, a snack, and juice will be available for students. RVA receives a hot lunch entrée daily from RHS. The menu is located on the RPS website. Of course, students may bring their own food and drinks as well. We have a refrigerator and microwaves in the kitchenette.
It is important to fuel bodies and minds for productive work at school! :)
How are you doing? People care and want to help!
Hand 2 Hand can help with food and toiletry needs.
RVA has an amazing staff, social worker, and mental health liaison who can listen and connect you to resources!
Ele's Place is a community based organization with the mission to create awareness of and support for grieving children and their families.
How can I make this year successful?
With Rockford's trimester high school system, students are expected to complete 2.5 credits (5 classes) each trimester, for a total of 7.5 credits each year. Students will begin the year with 5 classes, which should be completed by November 13. While November 13 seems like a long way off, trimesters are about 12 weeks long, so each week, students should be completing about 10% of each class, to finish on time. Completing this work will require students to make progress on assignments and activities in every class, every day!
Setting goals and making action plans is a key part of earning credit and graduating on time! During the first weeks of school, students will meet with their assigned teacher/advisor to set long-term and short-term goals for completing classes by November 13!
How do I know how my student is doing from day to day?
RVA courses are run through either Schoology or Edgenuity. Schoology courses are RPS teacher created and directed. If you want to know how your student is doing in these classes, log in to Schoology. Using a parent log in, parents can see messages and course information. However, if you want to see what your student has completed and what grades they have earned so far in classes, the best way to do that is to log in as your student. Students have access to the course gradebook which includes a list of assignments that need to be completed, showing scores earned on work that has been turned in.
If you want specific information on how your student is doing in Edgenuity, ask your student for their login information. If you log in as the student, you can see a more detailed report.
Good questions to ask your student include:
1. Are you attending all class sessions?
2. Are you completing at least one assignment in each class session?
3. About how far in each course are you?
4. What are you doing well?
5. What can you do better?
Parents and schools are partners in educating students!
Area Resources
North Kent CONNECT :nkconnect.org
Mobile Food Pantries: https://www.feedwm.org/findfood/
Assistance with housing, food, utilities:
contact 211 by phone or text (800-877-1107), text your zip code to 898211
Youth in need of shelter: The Bridge 616-451-3001 or 877-275-7792 the bridge - Arbor Circle
Please reach out with any questions you have or if there is anything you need!
RVA Team - A caring group of educators dedicated to meeting students where they are and helping students grow and succeed!
Email: jthompson@rockfordschools.org
Website: http://www.rockfordschools.org
Location: 350 North Main Street, Rockford, MI, USA
Phone: 616-863-6324
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/rivervalleyacademy
Other Back to School Information and Updates
Revised RVA Student Guide and Secondary Handbook
Please take a few minutes to read the RVA Student Guide and Secondary Handbook. You will find RVA expectations and detailed suggestions for success, along with the Secondary Handbook and Code of Conduct set by the RPS School Board. After reading, please complete the RVA Student Guide and Secondary Handbook Signature form.
Cell Phone Ban
As I am sure you are aware, personal electronic devices have been banned in Michigan schools during instructional time. Here is a look at our policy:
RVA Electronic Device Policy
Students may utilize devices (cell phones/ipads/tablets/smartwatches) during non-instructional times. This includes before 7:45 a.m., during passing times, during the student’s scheduled lunch break, and after 2:18 p.m.
Cell phone/ipad/tablet/smartwatch use is prohibited in classrooms, hallways, and other common areas during instructional time. This ban includes PTO breaks, as they occur during instructional time. Students will be able to access music with wireless headphones. However, they may not change songs during instructional time. Students will need to create play lists outside of instructional time.
The use of personal electronic devices is prohibited in bathrooms and locker rooms.
Violation of the school policy will result in the following consequences:
1st Offense
Student takes cell phone to the office and teacher writes a behavior report to log the offense. (Failure to follow this reasonable request of a staff member will result in an Insubordination BR.)
The student may retrieve the device at the end of the school day.
2nd Offense
Student takes cell phone to the office and teacher writes a behavior report to log the offense. (Failure to follow this reasonable request of a staff member will result in an Insubordination BR.)
The student may retrieve the device at the end of the school day.
Half-day ISS will be issued for the next day.
Additional offenses: Discipline will be issued in a progressive manner and the student will be placed on phone suspension while at school.
Daily Schedule
Our school day will begin at 7:45 and end at 2:18. Here is a look at the class time schedule: Daily Schedule.
Join us for Open House on September 9, from 5:30-6:30 PM!
We hope you will plan to join us on Wednesday, September 9 from 5:30-6:30 PM, for our Back to School Open House. We can answer any questions you have about the school year and we - staff, parents, and students - can get to know each other. We share common goals; we all want to see our students succeed!
Picture Day is coming!
All students will be photographed for their RPS ID card and parents will have the option to purchase photos. Photos will also be used throughout the year for student recognition. Photographers will be at RVA on October 16.
Athletics
Fall sports tryout information can be found at the Rockford Athletics Website. Fall sports include: Cross Country, Football, Girls Golf, Boys Soccer, Girls Swim and Dive, Boys Tennis, Volleyball, Boys Water Polo. Sideline Cheer, Field Hockey, Girls Rugby, and Equestrian.
