Jeremy Karel - Principal
jkarel@rockfordschools.org
Address: 405 Summit Ave, Rockford, MI 49341
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Phone: (616) 863-6366
a note from mr. Karel
Classroom Valentine's parties are on February 13th this year, as we have mid-winter break February 14th and February 17th! Each individual classroom teacher will create a time that works within their classroom schedule on this day to celebrate. Teachers will be asking for some assistance in planning the short celebration that will include a snack and activity. We thank you for your willingness to donate to your child's classroom.
We are looking forward to having students have a great time together. The following are some helpful guidelines.
- All food items must be store-bought.
- All items for the celebration should be dropped off to school by the morning of February 13th. Feel free to drop items off any day that week.
- When dropping off items, please label with the classroom teacher’s name, and staff will deliver the items to the classroom.
hitch's happenings
Phew! My first few weeks at Valley View have been quite the adventure! I've been diligently sniffing around, learning every nook and cranny of the building. Meeting new friends has been a highlight! It didn't take long to settle into a routine either, greeting students in the morning, classroom visits in the afternoon, and cozy naps in my new bed at school are my new norm! Valley View feels like home already, filled with new sights, scents, and most importantly, friends to share them with.
If you'd like to keep up with all of my pictures, stories, and happenings, you can follow me on Facebook (Hitch's Happenings) and Instagram (happiesthitch).
Hugs from Hitch!
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
upcoming events
February is mail month!
Every February, Valley View hosts a fun-filled "Post Office" event! Students can participate by writing letters to, and receiving letters from, friends in any classroom across the building. Many classrooms take this opportunity to practice writing and addressing letters, and the kids absolutely love getting mail!
Parents can join in on the fun too by writing letters and dropping them off in the “mail basket” located in the front vestibule. Just make sure the envelopes are addressed with the student’s name, teacher, and room number. A directory will be available in the front vestibule to help with this.
Mail is sorted and delivered by our second graders during their lunch recess every Tuesday and Thursday.
DK: Mrs. Cole, room 5
DK: Mrs. Heiss, room 6
K: Mrs. Bowman, room 4
K: Mrs. Lanham, room 3
K: Mrs. Young, room 2
1: Mrs. Johns, room 11
1: Mrs. O'Rourke, room 12
2: Mrs. Dome, room 20
2: Ms. Reisen, room 19
3: Mrs. Carr, room 27
3: Mrs. Farnham, room 26
3: Mrs. Sweatt, room 25
4: Mrs. Bascom, room 14
4: Mrs. Kruisenga, room 15
5: Mrs. Brenner, room 16
5: Mr. Westveer, room 17
Save The Dates:
PTO meetings will all be at 7:00 pm in the library on the following Wednesday dates:
February 12th
March 12th
April 16th
May 14th
Book vending machine dates:
Our book vending machine dates are set for the rest of the year! Students can bring in two gently used books each month to earn a gold book coin. Gold coins are used in the vending machine during book swaps. Students can choose one book from the machine to take home and keep. Dates for the exchange are February 21, March 21, April 25, and May 16.
Happy reading!!
Conferences
Conferences are scheduled for February 25th and 27th from 5-8pm. Both evenings will be held in person at Valley View.
We encourage you to secure your spot by signing up via the following link:
spring concert!
Our Valley View Musicians have begun practicing for our The Nature of Music spring concert which will take place in the evening at the Rockford High School auditorium April 17! More information will be coming closer to the big day, but you will not want to miss this fun evening! Our Kindergarten and 1st grade will perform together, 2nd and 3rd, and 4th and 5th! We can’t wait to sing for you!
Jamie Saincome
Valley View Music Educator
Valley View Book fair
Dear Families,
Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to connect with your child over the thrill of bringing home new books to dive into again and again. Studies show that kids read more when they choose books for themselves. And fostering a love of independent reading leads to a wide variety of benefits—including academic success and improved mental health.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Book Fair:
Dates: Friday, February 21st to Friday, February 28th
Location: Valley View Library
Family Event schedule and location: Tuesday, February 25 and Thursday February 27th (4:30-7:30pm)
There’s even more info on our school’s Book Fair homepage:
While you’re there, set up a Book Fair eWallet, the digital payment account that allows your child to shop for books at the Fair without cash. Then share your eWallet link so friends and extended family can add funds.
When you fund an eWallet, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a giving initiative called Share the Fair™. Your contributions directly support our students who need help buying books from the Fair.
Many of us still remember the rush of finding the perfect book at a Scholastic Book Fair. I hope you’ll join your child at our school’s Fair and share a reading experience they’ll remember forever.
Happy reading,
Jeremy Karel, Principal
PS: Need one more reason to visit the Book Fair? Every purchase at the Fair benefits our school
full steam ahead!
We are full STEAM ahead in 2025! Students have continued their learning of robotics and coding. DK-2 students have been using the Sphero Indi Robots to code with colors. 3-5 students began block coding using the Sphero Bolt.
We began our journey into kinesthetic LEGO builds with our BricQ and LEGO STEAM Park kits. Students will have second building opportunity in the near future as well.
Students will have another opportunity to practice their Engineering Design Skills with our next round of Makerspace. Each grade level will be presented with a build challenge that will extend their recent learning in their CKLA curriculum. Please consider sending in a few donations to replenish our Makerspace carts throughout the week. We are looking for empty tissue boxes, beanie baby size stuffed animals, fabric, stuffing, thread, embroidery, and empty two-liter bottles. Thank you!
YEARBOOKS
Don't forget to order your yearbooks! Visit ybpay.com today! Valley View's code is 14568525.
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. 
save the date
The Rockford Education Foundation is hosting their annual spring gala – The Taste. This event highlights the great work that the Rockford Education Foundation does as a partner with our district. If you can participate in this event on March 6, we would encourage you to make your plans now. Information can be found on the Rockford Education Foundation website: Home : Rockford Education Foundation
cold and flu season guide
As many of you are already aware, there has been an increase of illness in our community. To help prevent the spread of illness, including influenza, we would like to partner with you. Please remind your children to wash their hands frequently and cover their mouths when coughing. The question frequently comes up of when to keep a child home from school. Listed below are guidelines for the Rockford Public Schools.
A child should stay home from school and their physician should be consulted if he/she has any of the following symptoms:
- A temperature of 100.4 or greater
- Green or yellow discharge from nose or eyes
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Cough or sore throat lasting longer than two days
- Rashes or eruptions
- Breathing difficulties
- Any other medical concern
Students should remain at home until symptom or fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication. If student has been seen by a physician, and they have been deemed not contagious, a physician’s note must be provided to the school indicating such in order for the student to return to class. As always, the best way to reduce your and your students’ risk of infection is to practice good hand-hygiene.
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.
