Freshman Center Newsletter

Winter and spring 2026

As we begin 2026, freshmen have become confident with the daily responsibilities of high school. Each is on a course to become ready for life beyond high school, and each day is a chance to become more prepared for the next steps in education, career and life.

Each person grows and learns at a unique pace, but all can benefit from determining a "next step". Consider which "next step" is right for your 9th grade student, discuss it and work together to help him/her achieve it. Here are a few examples:

• Independent morning wake-up
• Independent morning routine 
• Packing own lunch and/or preparing a meal each week at home
• Timely completion and submission of every assignment
• Tracking appointments, commitments, assignments and tests in a calendar
• Research a prospective career and arrange a related job shadow
• Get a job
• Manage a financial account with a debit card

Mental Health Education Night

Please join us for a cost-free evening dedicated to strengthening our community through mental health education, awareness and connection. Sponsored by Rockford Education Foundation, Rockford Public Schools welcomes over twenty vendors and two guest presenters on important topics. Mental Health Education Night is planned for Wednesday, February 4 from 5:30-8:30 at Rockford High School's Auditorium. Presentations include:

Mariah DeYoung LMSW, CAADC, CCS from Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Her topic is Guiding Youth Through the Complex World of Substances. Chloe Metzger LMSW from Therapy Today Counseling & Consulting on the topic From Panic to Power: Understanding Anxiety Through the Lens of Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy.

COUnseling updates

Happy New Year! In an effort to continue building a strong, supportive school community, RFC will be sending out a monthly school counseling newsletter that brings you important updates, helpful resources, and insights to empower our students’ academic and emotional growth.

• Registration, ARENA: 9th graders will have the opportunity to register for 10th grade classes beginning in early February. Essentially, they will be making a wish list of classes for next school year. In May, students will build their schedules using this “wish list” in ARENA Scheduling where they will choose classes, teachers and periods. This is an exciting time for them but can also be overwhelming. Registration and ARENA must be completed outside of the school day; counselors will be available during FLEX time to help students through the process. 
• KCTC Open House: Interested in learning more about Kent Career Tech Center? While this program is only open to juniors and seniors, all middle school and high school students are invited to attend an Open House on either February 4 or 5 from 5:00-7:00pm. For more information, check out: https://www.thetechcenter.org/   RFC will also host informational sessions during FLEX time this spring!
• Career Day! To develop RFC students' career readiness, it is important to connect students to professionals working in the field of their interests. Our community holds crucial career knowledge, expertise, and relationships that can support our students' growth and development in becoming "career ready." The Rockford Freshman Center will be hosting a Career Speaker Day on Wednesday March 18, 2026 between 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. We plan to hold four, 25-minute sessions in the afternoon and hope to have a great variety of careers for students to explore. If you are willing to create and present, please complete the form linked below by February 5. If you have questions before you make a decision, please reach out to Riley Legge, Jen Lutz, or Kelly Amshey at the Rockford Freshman Center. Thank you for considering this opportunity!
• Want to connect with your teen? Try asking one of these questions the next time you’re in the car, at the dinner table or on a walk!
  1. What high school courses do you think will be the most valuable for learning skills you can use later in life? Have you started your four-year course plan?
  2. If a college were looking at your transcript right now, what story would your grades tell them about your work ethic?

Career Exploration Guest Speaker Form

Happy New Year! 

RFC Counselors     

Jen Lutz (Last names A-K)     

Riley Legge (Last names L-Z)

PSAT Information 

Rockford Freshman Center students participate in state testing on April 22, 2026. Michigan utilizes the PSAT 8/9 and this information provides the state with information about student achievement across schools but also provides invaluable information to each school regarding strengths and areas for growth. PSAT is a trusted standardized test authored by College Board. In Michigan, students take the PSAT in grades 8, 9 and 10. In 11th grade, students take the SAT and multiple additional assessments.

April 22 is a scheduled Early Dismissal for students. Most students will complete the PSAT 8/9 between 10:30-11:00 a.m. Students are welcome to leave campus when their test room is dismissed if they have a ride home. Students who require a bus home will remain at RFC until the busses arrive at normal early dismissal time between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m.

Many freshmen may already have an account with College Board. Parents and guardians are encouraged to engage with their student at home to:

1. Ensure your student has a College Board account.
2. Review your students PSAT score from 8th grade (if applicable)
3. Consider options for strengthening your score through free online tools and resources (available through College Board website.

College Board Website