Matt Zokoe - Principal
mzokoe@rockfordschools.org
Address: 6849 Young Avenue, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Phone: (616) 863-6340
Quick Information
- Conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, and Thursday, February 27. Both nights will be in-person conferences, yet we will help support phone or virtual conferences as needed. Please reference the newsletter email if you have not yet signed up for a conference.
- Girls On The Run teams are nearly full and registration is closing. There are spots for just 6 additional students on a first come, first served basis. If you are interested in participating, please register as soon as possible. https://www.gotrwm.org/5k-kent
- NWEA Family Reports have been sent home from school today. For more information about MAP growth, please see the family letter attached to the newsletter email or visit https://www.nwea.org/parent-toolkit/.
Winter Reminders!
Attendance
Absences MUST be called in or emailed to the front office. When leaving a message, you must include the following :
Warm Clothing
We highly encourage all students to dress for the weather and wear the outer clothing that they bring to school. This includes hats, mittens, boots, snow pants, and coats. We ask that all students bring boots to school each day from Thanksgiving through Spring Break. Conditions change quickly and our playground often goes from muddy to snowy to just plain wet in a matter of hours. Due to this, students will be removing their outdoor foot attire when they go into the classrooms. Therefore, all students must have a pair of shoes at school along with their boots.
Feel free to pack an extra pair of socks and sweatpants in your child's backpack during the winter months. Don’t forget to put your child’s name on coats, snow pants, boots, etc. Thank you!
OutDoor Learning
Hello families! 
Soon we will be joining Mrs. Dzirbowicz outdoors for a lesson about animals in the winter. Temperatures may be low, so let’s talk about one of the golden rules for enjoying our outdoor lesson adventures: wearing the right clothing for the cold!
Why is it so important?
When we’re warm and dry, we can focus on exploring, playing, and learning in nature.
Here’s a quick checklist to keep everyone safe and warm:
Base Layers: Thin, thermal tops and leggings are a game-changer! They trap heat without being bulky.
Mid Layers: long sleeve t-shirts, joggers, Fleece or woolly sweaters for extra coziness.
Outer Layers: Waterproof coats and pants to keep the wind and snow out.
Accessories: Hats, waterproof gloves, and thick socks are a must.
Footwear: Sturdy waterproof boots with good grip keep little explorers steady and dry.
Top Tip: Dress in layers—it’s easier to peel one off if we get too warm!
Nature is even more magical when we’re ready to embrace it!
Zoo School Comes to Lakes
Book Fair is coming! Students will shop within their class time but also have the opportunity to shop during our family nights. Please note the shortened time for Thursday evening.
Volunteers are needed! Please visit our Daily Volunteer Sign Up if you are able to help with set up, tear down, or student shopping. Thank you!
5th Grade Library Helpers were rewarded for helping to put away books and got to spend some extra time with Phoenix!
Thank you Mr. Lindloff for joining us as Watch D.O.G. last week!
Place your yearbook order today!
Paper orders forms were sent home recently. If you would like a new paper copy, please contact the office to have one sent home with your student.
You can also purchase online. Lakes Yearbook ID is 14560825. Please make sure to enter your student's name and teacher for correct delivery. Extra yearbooks are not ordered so make sure to place your order by April 11th.
Can't recall if you already placed an order? Please email Kathy Low (KLow@rockfordschools.org) to check your status.
Volunteer Opportunities
Daily Volunteers
We now have some daily volunteer opportunities for families to help foster our Lakes Community. Please visit the link for additional details and to select a time slot.
Book Fair Support- varied times! We need help setting up, tearing down, and most importantly - helping students to shop during the day and plan how to spend!
Lunchroom (11:30 am - 12:50 pm) - How to support in the lunchroom:
- Walk around and interact with students.
- Help open lunch materials.
- Review lunchroom procedures to help with the end of the lunchtime.
- Push the trash bin around to gather trash materials.
- Play a game with the 5th-grade students at their table.
- Encourage students to walk to recess.
Lunch Recess (11:10 am - 1:00 pm) - How to support at lunch recess:
- Play or organize a game.
- Encourage positive play.
- Help with chalk art.
- Walk around with a group of students.
- Organize a coloring table.
- Support the quiet area with quiet area activities.
Last Recess (2:15 pm - 3:30 pm) - How to support at last recess:
- Play or organize a game.
- Encourage positive play.
- Help with chalk art.
- Walk around with a group of students.
- Organize a coloring table.
- Support the quiet area with quiet area activities.
Dads of Great Students
Who can participate: Fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures.
Watch D.O.G.S can serve full days (8:15 am - 3:45 pm) or half days (pm option). Watch D.O.G.S can be assigned to classrooms as needed by the teachers, perform recess duty, complete ground checks, or other various tasks. When possible, Watch D.O.G.S will have the opportunity to work with their students or their student's classrooms. However, they may also be called to serve in a separate space as needed.
Sign Up for Lakes Watch D.O.G.S.
Lakes-A-Palooza Volunteers
Looking for any high school sports teams and/or our Lakes families to volunteer during May 15th's Lakes-A-Palooza Carnival and Art Show! Please sign up with the PTO!
Mileage Club (Coming Soon)
What is it?
- A walking, jogging, running club
- A variety of distance levels can be obtained (5K, 10K, 15K, 20K, 1/2M, 25K, 30K, M, GOLD)
- Each participant receives a personalized QR code to scan after each completed lap on an iPad to keep track of total distance. 2nd-5th grade will receive a wrist band. Kindergarten and 1st will receive a necklace.
- You must commit to at least one day every week!
Who can participate?
- All Lakes students and staff!
When is it?
- April 14th - May 22nd (6 weeks)
- Monday - Thursdays ONLY, no Fridays
- During Lunch Recess
Where is it?
- Outside on our Mileage Club route (see maps posted in the gym). The route follows the entire perimeter of the playground and fields.
How do I join?
- Sign up with Mrs. McClure during your PE time - Deadline is February 27th.
- All participants who sign up will receive their personalized QR code the day we get back from Spring Break which is the first day of mileage club!
How can families help?
- Volunteers are needed to help students scan their QR codes after each lap! A sign up will be coming soon.
PTO Corner
- Lakes-A-Palooza : Volunteers are needed to help run carnival games, supervise the bounce house, and more! Please help us to make this event a success.
Activity Pass Reminder
As you know, your student's Activity Pass is their ticket to field trips and other enriching activities throughout the school year. Here's how that breaks down:
$34 goes toward school-wide activities for students and staff, such as assemblies, field days, staff appreciation and grants, and more.
The remaining amount (varies by grade level) covers field trip entry fees and transportation costs.
- Pay Now online via Paypal or Venmo
- If you are a family experiencing financial hardship, please reach out to Mr. Zokoe for a confidential discussion.
- If you have a business that'd like to donate to the PTO scholarship fund to cover families experiencing financial hardship, please respond to this email for more information.
For students who have not paid, an itemized bill will be sent home to ensure equal opportunities. Thank you for your support!
Lakes PTO and admin
Recycling Initiatives
NexTrex Recycling
Bins located in front vestibule. All bags should be clean and free of food or other debris.
- Produce bags, grocery bags, ice bags, cereal box liners, bread bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags - Plastics that can stretch.
Papergator Recycling
Green dumpster located in the side parking lot.
- Office/School papers, newspaper, junk mail, magazines, shredded paper, and cereal boxes (paper board that can be torn), etc.
Popcan Tabs
Can be turned in to the front office. Collected and sent to Ronald McDonald House.
Enrollment opens 2/13/25
Enrollment for the 2025/2026 school year opens February 13th. Children who turn five years old on or before December 1, 2025 are eligible to enroll for the 2025/2026 school year.
Upcoming Dates
2/14 - 2/17 : Mid Winter Break
2/18 : School Resumes
2/25 : Parent-Teacher Conferences
2/26 : Early Release Day. Dismissal at 1:30pm
2/27 : Parent-Teacher Conferences
4/3 - 4/13 : Spring Break
4/14 : School Resumes
4/16 : Lakes Spring Music Program (Save the Date!)
5/15 : Lakes-A-Palooza (Save the Date!)
Important Links
After the Bell - Rockford Community Services Registrations
Lakes Facebook Page (family only)
School Lunch Offerings : You can also download the NutriSlice App
School Lunch Payments : Make sure to select Family Portal. Lunches are free this year unless your student selects milk only.
Stay in the Know! : Sign up for Rockford Public Schools Alerts on this webpage.
