Blake Bowman - Principal
bbowman@rockfordschools.org
Michelle Smyth - Administrative Assistant
msmyth@rockfordschools.org
Tania Gordon - Administrative Assistant
tgordon@rockfordschools.org
Address: 8100 Courtland, Rockford, MI 49341
Phone: (616) 863-6342
January character trait: empathy
Definition: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another
Challenge: Focus on something you have in common with a person who bothers you
Reflection: Our job is to care about others without stopping to inquire if they are worthy
February Days Off
- Wednesday, February 5th: Early Release Day - 1:30pm
- Friday, February 14th & Monday, February 17th: Mid-Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
- Wednesday, February 26th: Early Release Day - 1:30pm
upcoming field trips
Wednesday, February 12th our 5th graders will go to Rockford Lanes for their Valentine's Day bowling party! This is a student only field trip, chaperones will not attend.
Thursday, February 13th our 4th graders will travel to Devos Performance Hall to see the Grand Rapids Symphony perform! This is a student only field trip, chaperones will not attend.
hopper's happenings
Hopper has been very busy on this short 1-day week catching up on work and pets!
5th Grade Math Review
Hopper joined 5th graders during math review when they can take breaks to pet him. He guaranteed himself more pets by laying on top of their work!
Playing in ECSE
Our Early Childhood students played "night night" with Hopper and showed him all their cool toys!
Just Saying "Hi"
And of course, letting students say "hi" in the hallway!
conferences
Parent/Teacher conferences are Tuesday, February 25th & Thursday, February 27th. All conferences will be in-person. More information and instructions on how to sign up will be sent to families via email mid-February.
Valentine's day parties
Classroom Valentine's Day parties will be Thursday, February 13th. Unfortunately, parents cannot attend, this includes room parents. Teachers will communicate their expectations for party supplies and valentines.
yearbook candid photos
Photographers will be here Tuesday, February 18th to take candid photos of students for the yearbook during class, lunch, & recess.
schoolstore
This year we are partnering with SchoolStore to raise funds for essential tools our students and teachers need to succeed! This fundraising campaign kicks off Tuesday, January 21st. Students will bring home a packet where you will find important information about a safe and easy way your family can help our school get the essential tools our students and teachers need to succeed. It also tells you how your child can win fun prizes just for helping!
office Reminders
Playground Pals
Our “Playground Pals” Program is designed to support our playground staff with extra supervision during lunch recesses.
Playground Pals will take place every Tuesday & Thursday December 3rd – May 29th from 11:30am-1:00pm. As a volunteer your role will be to ensure safe play for all students on the playground, encourage positive interactions, and promote positive sportsmanship. You will receive a quick training of playground rules and procedures beforehand.
For this program, you MUST have an active Volunteer Consent Form on file for the 2024-2025 school year. Once you have completed it please email Michelle Smyth msmyth@rockfordschools.org.
This program allows for lots of parent volunteers so please sign up for a day or two!
Birthday Treats
We know how special birthdays are and the excitement students have when they get to bring in a treat and celebrate with their friends but just a reminder that birthday treats should be non-food items. We want all students to enjoy these treats and unfortunately those with food allergies can't always have what is brought in. Please reach out to your student's teacher to coordinate a birthday treat before dropping it off in the office. Thank you for your cooperation.
Yearbook Orders
You can now order a 2024-2025 yearbook online using the Meadow Ridge Yearbook ID Code: 14558525. Please note these are separate orders from picture packages; yearbooks are not included in picture day packages. Order deadline is April 1, 2025.
Meadow ridge Elementary PTO Updates
The Meadow Ridge PTO presents the annual SPRING CARNIVAL Friday, April 25th! Save the date & look for more information coming soon!
Meet the Team!
- President: Lacey Jonassen
- Vice President, Fundraisers: Beth Zelski
- Vice President, Non-Fundraisers: Whitnie Snodgrass
- Treasurer: Samantha Huitema
- Secretary: Kristin Morrison
We are here for you!
Upcoming Events:
Monday, January 27th: Funds for Friends
We’d love your support at The Score, again! Our Meadow Ridge Community was so supportive and we had such a successful fundraising night, they offered us TWO spring nights.
Upcoming events
- Monday, January 27th: Funds for Friends at The Score - 5pm-10pm
- Wednesday, January 29th: Eating Disorders Wellness Presentation - 5:30pm-8:30pm RHS Auditorium
- Friday, January 31st: PTO Popcorn Friday
- Monday, February 3rd: Managing Anxiety Wellness Presentation - 7:00pm-8:00pm via Microsoft Teams
- Wednesday, February 5th: Early Release Day - 1:30pm
- Friday, February 7th: PTO Popcorn Friday
- Thursday, February 13th: Kindergarten Enrollment Opens
- Thursday, February 13th: Valentine's Day Parties
- Friday, February 14th & Monday, February 17th: No School - Mid-Winter Break
- Tuesday, February 18th: Yearbook Candid Picture Day
Wellness Presentations
Eating Disorders
"Eating Disorders: Hiding in Plain Sight," will be taking place on January 29th, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Rockford Public Schools Auditorium, located at 4100 Kroes Street NE, Rockford, MI 49341. The event is free to attend and offers 2.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for eligible participants. It is designed for professionals, students, parents, and other interested parties. The program includes several key presentations. Dr. Daniel Schellenberg, Medical Director at Forest View Hospital, and Hilary Fowler, MSN, PMHNP, CPNP, from Sanford Behavioral Health, will present on "The Hidden Medical Consequences of Eating Disorders." Anna Flores, Doctor of Clinical Nutrition from Authenticity Recovery, will discuss "Recognizing the Signs and Responding with Support." The event also features a panel discussion titled "From Diagnosis to Recovery: Real-Life Tools for Managing Eating Disorders," with panelists from Authenticity Recovery, Forest View Hospital, and Sanford Behavioral Health. Participants can register by scanning the QR code on the flyer or by contacting Kelly Stone at kstone@sanfordhouse.com.
Managing Worry and Anxiety
The Pine Rest School Assistance Program, in partnership with Rockford Public Schools, is hosting a live stream presentation titled “Managing Worry and Anxiety” on February 3, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM via Microsoft Teams. This event will help participants learn how to distinguish between normal worry and anxiety versus conditions that may require treatment. It will also provide practical skills to limit the impact of worry and anxiety in daily life, along with strategies for adults to help children and adolescents navigate anxiety. To join, click the “Join the meeting now” link provided. For more information, contact Pine Rest at 800.442.0809 or email eap@pinerest.org. Additional resources are available at pinerest.org/eap. This presentation is brought to you by Pine Rest, Rockford Public Schools, and the Rockford Education Foundation.
School assistance program (SAP)
Access support today!
Say “I have an SAP with Rockford Public Schools” when you call 800.442.0809 and press “1.” Every RPS family member in your household is eligible. The Rockford Education Foundation (REF) has proudly partnered with Rockford Public Schools to provide expert counseling, therapy, and resources through Pine Rest’s School Assistance Program (SAP).
grasp
GRASP is a correspondence program for students in Kindergarten through 8th grades which helps students maintain reading and math skills while they are on summer break. The fees for the summer of 2025 are $26 for one subject or $48 for both subjects for each student. You can enroll your student for the book version (grades K-8) or the optional online version (grades 4-8) by completing the registration and payment online. 
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.
