North Rockford Newsletter

North Rockford Middle School Back to School Information

Al Reickard - Principal

areickard @rockfordschools.org

Jesús Santillan- Assistant Principal

jsantillan@rockfordschools.org

Jennifer Domagalski-Athletic Director/Student Activities

jdomagalski@rockfordschools.org

Address: 397 E Division Rockford, MI 49341

Website: www.rockfordschools.org

Phone: (616) 863-6300

Dear NRMS Parents and Students:

Welcome to the 2025/2026 school year! We are excited to kick off the year and get students back into the building. On August 25, we plan to welcome over 900 students to NRMS and our staff can't wait to get started.

In order to prepare for the upcoming school year, we have scheduled an in-person orientation for our students on August 19. Make-up orientation is August 22 for those who cannot make it on August 19. Depending on the volume of students, the "Open House" student orientation process should take 45 minutes to 1 hour.

During the orientation, students will be photographed and will receive a student ID badge. All students will need an ID throughout the year to check out textbooks, use library materials, and purchase lunch. Please remind your student to dress for a school photo.

Student schedules will become visible in Family Access the morning of orientation. Please make sure that your child brings a printed copy or screenshot of their schedule with the locker information. Schedules will only be printed at orientation upon parent request.

Once students receive their ID, they can check out a school-issued Chromebook in the library. Students may elect to look around the building, find and organize their locker, and locate first trimester classes.

If you'd like to make an optional donation for staff and student recognition, please bring cash or personal check (made out to North Rockford Middle School). Students who make a $25 or greater donation receive a t-shirt. These funds are used to fund various activities, supplies, food and prizes throughout the year.

Prior to the student orientation, please complete the student verification process in Family Access, once it becomes live on Wednesday, August 13.

NRMS OFFICE HOURS: If you have any question, please don't hesitate to call our office starting August 11th at (616) 863-6300 8:00am-3:00pm. We are here for you!

Thank you,

NRMS Administration

Orientation Dates & Times

All orientations are open house style and should take your child less than an hour to complete. Student schedules will be available on Family Access for NRMS Students on Tuesday, August 19th.

7th & 8th Grade Student Orientation

Tuesday, August 19th 8:00 am - 11:00 am

6th Grade Student Orientation

Tuesday, August19th, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Make-up Orientation, Grades 6th-8th

Friday, August 22nd, 8:00 am - 11:00 am

Student Orientation Stations

School Pictures/Student IDs (Gym)
Laptop Pick Up (Library)
Locate Classrooms
Practice Locker Combination
RAM Pride: Yearbooks/T-Shirts/Family Donations (Atheltic Lobby)
Spanish Immersion Booth (SI Students Only)

*Medications can be dropped off in the Main Office.

*Counseling services will be available in the Counseling Office.

Family Access Accounts/Student Verification

Once again, RPS will use an electronic system for the verification of student information. Parents will be able to submit changes to demographic information using Family Access. Parents will receive an email outlining the steps to be taken to review and submit any changes to phone numbers, and other relevant information. We highly encourage all families to set up a FA account, as it is the district’s main source of communication with parents. Please visit our website at www.rockfordschools.org & click on the Family Access link (upper right-hand side) or please feel free to contact the main office for additional assistance.

Instrument Fitting Information

Band/Orchestra fittings for 6^th graders from 9 am-1 pm on August 19. These will be for those students who have not yet had a band/orchestra fitting. Here are the links to both Sign Up Genius pages:
Band Fitting on 8/19: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B45A8AD2CA3F85-nrms4
Orchestra Fitting on 8/19: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B45A8AD2CA3F85-56712942-nrms

Picture Day is coming on Tuesday, August 19!
You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTM8P3JQ. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.

Parent Helpers Wanted:

Help us make the Picture Day smooth and effortless. Contact the office if you'd like to volunteer at Picture Day.

Supply Lists

ID Cards

Student ID cards are issued to all students and should be carried at all times during the school day and at school-sponsored events. The ID card is not only for identification purposes but is also used to check out library materials, for the school lunch program, and more!

School Lunch Accounts and e-Funds

1. Can I view my child’s account?

You have access to view your child’s Food Service account via Family Portal. This is available 24/7 throughout the school year. Through this portal you have access to view your child’s daily purchases, deposits, apply parental restrictions as well as send a payment without a fee.

2. How can I make a payment on my child’s account?

Using Family Portal or E-Funds allows you to make a payment of your discretion without any processing fees.
Payment may also be brought directly to our office, located in the High School, 4100 Kroes Street. Additionally, you can send money with your child to their respective school or through the mail. All checks should be made payable to Rockford Food Service. When sending payment through the mail, please mail to the attention of Kristin Novak at Rockford High School, 4100 Kroes Street NE, Rockford, MI 49341.

We encourage all families who may qualify for Free/Reduced Meals to complete the application online to receive any additional benefits that may be associated with their account, which may include benefits both in and out of school. This information is also helpful for our school funding.

For additional information, please use the RPS Food Service Website LINK.

STUDENT DROP-OFF/PICK-UP PROCESS

If you choose to drop your child off and/or pick your child up from NRMS, you are required to use the Lincoln Street Entrance. This is the entrance used to access the student drop-off zone and athletic parking lot.

DROP-OFF TIME (ATHLETIC PARKING LOT)

7:10 am to 7:35 am

Doors will open at 7:10 am
Breakfast is available starting at 7:10 am
Student hallways open at 7:25 am
School starts at 7:40 am

PICK-UP TIME (ATHLETIC PARKING LOT)

School dismisses at 2:30 pm
Students should be picked up prior to 3:00 pm unless they are in athletics, attending a club, or with a teacher.

Important dates

August 19th: Student Orientation (7th/8th-8:00am-12:00pm, 6th 1:00pm-3:00pm)

August 22nd: Make-Up Orientation (8:00-11:00)

August 25th: First Day for Students

August 29th: No School

September 1st: NO SCHOOL / LABOR DAY

September 19th: Early Release @ 12:30 pm

September 16th: Picture Retakes (7:15-9:45 am)

September 24th: Early Release @ 12:30 pm

Medication Drop-Off

If you have medication that you would like to drop off during orientation, our healthcare assistant will be here to assist you. Please bring all medications in their original container. Paperwork will need to be signed in order for our staff to distribute medication. RPS Medication Authorization Sheet

Lockers and Backpacks

All students will be assigned a private locker and expected to use it to hold all their personal belongings, including their backpacks and electronic devices. The elimination of backpacks creates more space in classrooms and will grow our students in organization and planning!

Cellphone/Watch Communications/AirPods/Ear Buds

Instructional time is for learning. With 1:1 computer access at school, cell phones no longer have a place in the classroom. Our students are only permitted to use their cell phones before and after school. During the school day, all cell phones, and earbuds/AirPods are expected to be kept in their locker. Students are required to use wired headphones during the school day to connect to their laptops if sound is required. The purpose of this practice is to eliminate distractions in our classrooms and to help our students stay focused on their academics.

Please note: If a child has an IEP or special circumstance, accommodations may be made through the Counseling Office or IEP team.

Unless explicitly directed by a staff member, students are not permitted to use a phone (or similar device) during the instructional period. This policy extends to our hallways and common areas.

Parents/guardians who need to reach a student during an instructional period may call our main office at 616.863.6300 and we will ensure that the student receives the message. Thank you!

Transportation Information

If you missed the deadline, have questions about registering a new student, or have transportation questions, please call the transportation office at 616-863-6328 or e-mail mpuett@rockfordschools.org.
Only the transportation office staff will be able to fill out the Bussing Form after August 8th.

Dear Rockford Community:

We are pleased to introduce you to My Ride K-12, a mobile app where you can access your student’s secure data at the touch of a button. Access to real-time data helps your student to be at the right place at the right time.

My Ride K-12 capabilities include the following:

Stop location, assigned route, and scheduled pick up time
GPS geolocation push notifications, giving estimated time of bus arrival and information concerning bus status changes
Real time communication and messaging
Secure and confidential log in
Android/iOS app and Web Version available

The app is available for up to four users per student. If you would like to opt out of this platform, please contact transportation to have My Ride K-12 disabled for your student.

To access My Ride K-12 for your student, you will need to complete the set up by following the directions included in the Parent User Guide. Users will need their student’s ID number and Last name to link to their student. Please follow the Parent User Guide for instructions on how to access and use the app and Web Version. Please allow your phone to send notifications from this app and remain logged in to receive district notifications.

Parent Guide Here

We trust this will be a helpful tool for you! Should you have any questions or concerns or would like to limit or remove access for your student on My Ride K-12, please contact the transportation department at 616-863-6328.

Rockford Public Schools

Transportation Department

attendance at nrms

Policy for picking up your student DURING the school day:

Please have your student come to the main office to pick up their pass when they arrive at school in the morning. A note stating the time they need to leave is helpful in case they forget the time they are leaving. This policy is to discourage calling into classrooms and interrupting teacher instruction. When you arrive to pick up your student please wait in the vestibule for them and sign them out on our sign out sheet.

If your student is sick or unable to attend school for the whole day please leave a message on our attendance line 616-863-6300 stating the reason for the absence. Please spell your students first and last name.

"Strive for less than 5"

Athletics

NRMS Athletic Webpage

SRO Scoop

Counseling Corner

Well Minded Matters

Mrs. Koops-Fikse and Mrs. Ohlman are here to support your child! If your child is in need of academic, social, or emotional support, please have them come to our office. We are also available by contacting (616) 863-6313.

NRMS Counselors

Last Names A - L: Karla Koops-Fikse

Last Names M-Z: Angie Olhman

NRMS Counseling Dog

Chillie

Library Loop

CHROMEBOOK CARE:

We want to take a moment to remind you about Chromebook care. When we first issued devices to students years ago, we spent a lot of time reminding students of the ways to keep their Chromebook in good shape. Over time, we’ve gotten away from those reminders, but now that students are required to pay for damaged or lost devices, we want to remind you again:

We recommend that students keep their device in a case when it’s not in your backpack. This provides extra protection in case of a drop.
Please have your child always carry your device with two hands.
Please remind your child not walk around the classroom or your home with your device open. Close the screen so you can carry it properly with two hands.
Do not pop off keyboard keys as they will eventually not pop back on.

Do not touch another student’s device for any reason. You will be responsible for damage that results from an action you take, whether you meant to do the damage or not, so please be careful.

Broken Screen $30
Broken Keyboard (missing keys, etc.) $30
Damaged chassis/lost device $200
Charger $15

If you have any questions, please let us know. We appreciate your support!

Library FYI for families: If you receive a Thursday notification about lost or overdue book and have any questions, please encourage your student to come to the library and ask library staff OR login to their Destiny account in HelloID and see which books on their account need to be returned. If your family needs to pay for a book that was damaged or cannot be returned, your student should bring cash or a check (written to Rockford Public Schools) to the library. Library staff will update the student's account and print a receipt.