North Rockford Newsletter
Al Reickard - Principal
Jesús Santillan- Assistant Principal
jsantillan@rockfordschools.org
Nick Davis-Athletic Director/Student Activities
Jennifer Domagalski-Athletic Director/Student Activities
jdomagalski@rockfordschools.org
Address: 397 E Division Rockford, MI 49341
Rockford Public Schools Website
Phone: (616) 863-6300
A Note from Mr. Reickard
September 2026
Dear NRMS Families,
There is something special about the first days of a new school year.
After a summer of quiet hallways, empty classrooms, and a building that feels just a little too still, it has been wonderful to see NRMS alive again! The sound of students talking in the hallways, laughter coming from classrooms, teachers welcoming students, and the energy that comes with a fresh start are reminders of what makes North such a special place.
As I have walked through our halls these first few days, I have been incredibly proud of what I have observed. Students are learning routines, reconnecting with friends, meeting new people, and beginning to discover what this year can become. Our staff has brought tremendous energy, patience, and enthusiasm to the start of the year. Thank you to our entire NRMS community for helping us begin the year with such a positive spirit.
This year, we will continue to build our school around the RAMS Way: Respectful, Accountable, Motivated, and Solution-Oriented. These aren't simply words on a poster. They are choices we make every day.
We show Respect when we treat others with kindness, listen when others are speaking, and encouraging others around us.
We are Accountable when we take ownership of our choices and our learning.
We are Motivated when we give our best effort, even when something is difficult.
We are Solution-Oriented when we focus on what we can do to make a situation better.
Our academic focus this year will also challenge students to take greater ownership of their learning. We will continue to emphasize Clarity, Evidence, and Student Ownership of Learning. Helping students understand what they are learning, recognize evidence of their progress, and take an active role in determining their next steps.
My challenge to every student is simple: Don't just go through the school year, make the most of it. Try something new. Ask questions. Take a risk. Help someone. Learn from mistakes. Celebrate your growth. And remember that every day is another opportunity to become a little better than you were yesterday.
To our families, thank you for trusting us with your children and for partnering with us in their success. Middle school is an important time of growth, and we are excited to walk alongside our students and families throughout the journey.
The halls are alive again, and we are just getting started.
Let's make it a great year, Rams!
Mr. Reickard
Principal
North Rockford Middle School
Support Our NRMS Staff!
We’d love your help providing snacks, drinks, and supplies for our amazing middle school staff during meetings and special gatherings.
If you’re able, please sign up below to donate an item. Every contribution big or small makes a difference and is so appreciated by our staff. The October 5th & January 25th Sign-up is for Parent-Teacher Conferences. If you have any questions please email rspringer@rockfordschools.org
Thank you for helping us take care of the people who take care of our kids!
Help Wanted!!
We’re looking for 1–2 enthusiastic adults every Monday from 10:30 A.M.–12:05 P.M. to help run the RAM Shop, where students cash in their Positive Behavior Dollars for fun prizes. Your time and energy make a huge difference—help us keep the excitement going and support positive behavior in a meaningful way!
Don't wait to order your Yearbook at the lowest price of the year!!
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.
Lost and found
Please Label Student Items
Our lost and found table is already full!! To help us return items quickly. Please make sure your student’s water bottle and lunch box are clearly labeled with their name.
Unclaimed items are placed in the vestibule, so please encourage your student to check there if something is missing.
All items will be donated the 1st & 3rd fridays of the month.
Thank you for helping us keep things organized!
Got a middle schooler looking for something fun to do downtown Rockford on early release days?
We’ve got the perfect plan! We are offering $15 DIY candles, snacks + drinks, and a cozy spot to hang with friends after school.
Kids can choose their candle color, toppings, and fragrance for a one-of-a-kind creation. Candles require 1 hour hardening in order to take home. Name and phone number required to ensure pickup completion.
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.
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
Important dates
September 04-07- NO SCHOOL Labor Day
September 15- Picture Retake Day
September 16- Early Release @ 12:30
September 30- Early Release @ 12:30
MS Athletics
Click the button below to access all of our Middle School Athletics information! It will take you right to their website:
If you would like to contact North Rockford Middle School's Athletic office please email Kara Dault at:
After-school sporting events
Please note that students are not permitted to remain at school after dismissal to wait for a sporting event to begin. Students must leave school grounds at the end of the school day and may return later with a parent/guardian to attend the event.
attendance at nrms
A Few Friendly Reminders
Scheduling Appointments
Whenever possible, please try to schedule appointments outside of school hours. This helps us minimize interruptions to the school day and allows our teachers to maximize valuable instructional time. We truly appreciate your help with this!
Picking Up Your Student During the School Day
If your student needs to leave school during the day, please have them stop by the main office when they arrive in the morning to pick up their pass. Sending a note with the time they need to leave is also helpful, especially in case they forget their scheduled pickup time.
Having students come to the office ahead of time helps us avoid calling classrooms and interrupting instruction.
When you arrive to pick up your student, please wait in the vestibule and sign your student out on the sign-out sheet. We will have your student meet you there.
If Your Student Is Sick
If your student is sick or will be absent for the entire school day, please leave a message on our attendance line at 616-863-6300. Please include the reason for the absence and clearly spell your student's first and last name.
Thank you for helping us protect instructional time and keep our school day running smoothly!
“Strive for Less Than 5”
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!
Medication Drop-Off
If you have medication that you would like to drop off, 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
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! Your student can have their ID card reprinted in the library for $3.
Lockers and Backpacks
All students are 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!
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.
SRO Scoop
Welcome back to another exciting school year! My name is Officer Pam Downing, and I am honored to serve as a School Resource Officer for the district. My primary mission in the district is to ensure that our schools remain a safe, secure, and welcoming environment where every student has the opportunity to learn and grow. This is my 5th school year, and I’m very excited to be back for another year!
My role goes beyond security; I am here to build positive relationships with our students. You will see me in the hallways, the cafeteria during lunch, and at various school events. I am a resource for students who have questions, need guidance, or just want to chat.
To help us maintain a secure campus, please keep the following in mind as the year begins:
If You See Something–SAY Something: If you or your child see or hear something concerning, please reach out to me or the main office immediately. Open communication is our best tool for prevention.
Traffic Safety: Please be mindful of school zone speed limits and follow all drop-off and pick-up procedures to keep our students safe during busy transit times.
Bus Safety: Already this year, there have been traffic incidents involving a school bus, as well as drivers passing stopped buses. Please be extra vigilant in the mornings and afternoons when buses are out and about. Below is a helpful infographic for when vehicles need to stop for a bus.
I am incredibly proud of the spirit and pride in our district. I look forward to working alongside you to make this the best year yet for our Rams.
If you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please do not hesitate to contact me; my contact information is found below:
Officer Pam Downing
School Resource Officer
pdowning@rockford.mi.us
616-866-6300
616-866-9557
Counseling Corner
Mrs. Koops-Fikse and Mrs. Hughes 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 Hughes
NRMS Counseling Dog
Smudge
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 Chromebooks 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 their 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 to 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.
- Chromebooks need to be charged to 100% most nights to function properly.
- Ask them to help remind their student(s) to power off and charge the Chromebook each night.
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!
Helpful Links
Recent Newsletters
North Rockford Middle School September 2026 
