Cannonsburg Newsletter
cub crawl launch dinner
Fuel Cannonsburg's mission: Every ticket purchased 100% goes directly toward our Cub Crawl fundraising goal and our annual school budget. Come enjoy dinner with family and friends and help kick off our Cub Crawl together while helping give our students an incredible head start! Together we can launch something amazing!
- Wednesday, September 9th 5:30pm OR 7:00pm seating times
- Each ticket includes The Famous Corner Bar Hot Dog, a salad bar and pretzel bites.
- $12.50 per person
- Advanced ticket purchase is required and space is limited
- Please purchase tickets here
Cannonsburg & District calendars
Please view the calendar below to keep up to date on all of our upcoming dates and events!
Ride K-12 App
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.
picture day!
September 25th is our Fall Picture Day! To pre-order your student's pictures visit www.mylifetouch.com. Cannonsburg's picture day code is: Z3CWHDTVE.
PTC board update
Your Parent Teacher Committee Members for 2026-2027 are:
- Jen Hahn, President
- Kiersten Toth, Vice President
- Ashley Huff, Treasurer
- Lizbeth Brenneman, Secretary
- Meredith Willey, Trustee
The committee looks forward to partnering with our incredible teachers, staff, students and families to make a positive impact for our wonderful school and community! Email us at: ptcburg@gmail.com
Cannonsburg Cubs Spirit wear
Show your Cub Pride by purchasing Spirit Wear!
- Available NOW at https://www.foresthillsoutfitters.com/cannonsburg
Family questionnaire
We value all families having opportunities to be involved in the education and activities within our school community! We also understand that life has different seasons and availability varies for everyone. Please share your interests and availability so we can better partner with you to support our students and school. Our PTC & Teachers will use this information to focus & support involvement.
Additionally, many families have asked for ways to connect with other families in our school, and our PTC would like to offer a PTC Student Directory that families can opt into. ONLY those families that want to participate and provide information will be included and receive a directory.
VOLUNTEERING & BACKGROUND CHECKS
Do you or a family member plan on volunteering here at Cannonsburg throughout the school year? (Field trip chaperone, mystery reader, classroom support, mileage club, classroom celebrations, etc.) If so, you will need to fill out a background check on the RPS website.
If you have already filled out a background check previously, it will need to be done again. Background checks need to be run for each volunteer each school year.
Medication Drop-off
If your student(s) will need medication at school, drop them off to our office staff.
The nursing forms can be found on the RPS website and are linked below. Please remember these documents MUST be current to the 26/27 school year and signed by both a parent and physician.
Medication should be dropped off in its original container.
Back to school checklist
- Complete your PowerSchool parent login and student verification: Details on how to complete this task are in the article below. It is IMPERATIVE to complete the verification if you want your student to participate in school related events like field trips and picture day. This is also where you can add other guardians/emergency contacts, let us know of any changes to medical history, address changes, and other important information. PowerSchool: Everything You Need To Know
- For students with daily or emergency medications, review our nursing policies Nursing Services – Rockford Public Schools, fill out appropriate paperwork and drop medications off to the office before or on the first day of school. Please note: all medication forms must be signed by both a physician and a guardian.
- Kindergarten families: email (ncurtis@rockfordschools.org) or Diane Karasiewicz (dkarasiewicz@rockfordschools.org), or drop off hearing and vision screening results prior to first day of school.
- Review school supplies list here:Supply List for Cannonsburg Elementary
- LABEL EVERYTHING! Water bottles, hoodies, coats, shoes, hats, lunch boxes...everything!
birthday treats and celebrations
- We look forward to celebrating our students’ birthdays and will honor each student with a shout-out on the announcements birthday board, as well as special moments throughout the day with the classroom teacher and peers.
- RPS school policy is no food birthday treats. You are welcome to send in a book for the class or a non-food item, such as indoor recess game. We promise to make our birthday students feel special on their big days. Unfortunately, if food items are sent in they will not be able to be distributed.
- If your student is celebrating with classmates outside of school, please only send invitations to school when all classmates are included. This helps to avoid hurt feelings.
Thank you for your support with our Birthday Celebration procedures.
Cellphones and Smartwatches
We know that cell phones and smartwatches can be helpful for families and older students, especially after school. During the school day, however, these devices can become a distraction and take away from student learning. If your student brings a cell phone to school, we ask that it be turned off, kept in his or her locker, and not used during the school day. Please also avoid calling or texting your student on their device while they are at school. If you need to reach your student during the school day, our office is happy to help, or you can email your student’s teacher. Students who wear an Apple Watch or another smartwatch should also refrain from using the device to communicate during the school day. If a student needs to contact home because they are feeling ill or have a question about their end-of-day transportation or pickup, they should speak with their classroom teacher. The teacher will help them determine the appropriate next steps. Our goal is to keep classrooms focused on learning and minimize distractions. Whenever possible, we encourage families to leave cell phones and smartwatches at home unless a student needs the device for communication after school.
Response to intervention introduction letter
Dear K-5 Families,
Rockford Public Schools is committed to ensuring all students learn at high levels. An important part of our commitment is implementing a comprehensive Response to Intervention (RtI) process to help students develop and increase their literacy skills.
RtI is a structured, multi-tiered approach to help identify and support struggling students by providing high-quality direct instruction and intervention. This approach includes implementation of priority reading standards for content, identification of concepts and skills for student proficiency, and the utilization of assessment data to analyze student progress. RtI is a process to respond in a timely, targeted, and systematic way when students demonstrate the need for intervention. The RtI process includes the following steps:
❖ Step 1: Universal Screening and Assessment Universal screening for all students will be conducted three times per year (fall, winter, spring) ingrades K-5. Common grade level reading assessments will be administered frequently withinour CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) units. These assessments will monitor student progress and identify student proficiency in comparison to grade level expectations.
❖ Step 2: Analyzing Assessment Data Collaborative teams including your child’s classroom teacher, principal, instructional coach, reading interventionist, resource room teacher, speech and language pathologist, and school psychologist will meet to analyze performance on multiple assessments. This information will determine specific instructional interventions for grade level content and/or prerequisite reading skills.
❖ Step 3: Instruction and Intervention The RtI process uses a multi-tiered system of reading instruction and intervention. Each tier has instructional support structures or interventions that help teachers implement research-based curriculum, instructional practices and interventions to improve student achievement.
➢ Tier I Instruction for all students with grade level reading instruction.
➢ Flex Time Intervention for targeted student needs in the classroom with reteaching or extension of grade level content from priority reading standards.
➢ Tier III Intervention for students needing direct, intensive literacy intervention for skills well below current grade level benchmarks.
Additionally, the Michigan Legislature passed the Third Grade Reading Law in 2016 to ensurethat students exit third grade reading at or above grade level. In accordance with this law, the Rockford RtI process will be providing the required assessments, the identification process for students who need intensive reading instruction and intervention, and the instruction to meet individual student needs. The law also requires districts to provide early and regular written communication with parents of K-3 students who are not meeting proficiency targets in reading.
If your child is in grades K-3 and not meeting benchmark through universal screening, classroom assessments, and flex time interventions, we will be contacting you with further information regarding Tier III interventions. Communication will include information about additional services provided for identified students with an Individualized Reading Plan (IRP) and strategies for you to help your child at home (a Read-At-Home Plan) if applicable.
Rockford Public Schools focuses on literacy throughout the school day, but we still need your support. Family engagement plays a vital role in a child’s success as a reader. We look forward to building a partnership with you to develop successful and lifelong readers. If you have further questions regarding the RtI process, please contact your building principal and/or your child’s classroom teacher.
Sincerely,
Michael Ramm
Assistant Superintendent of Instruction
Rockford Public Schools
Mindy Duba
Director of Special Services
Rockford Public Schools
Sharon Wells
Director of Literacy
Rockford Public School
hand 2 hand sign-up
We would like to offer your student the opportunity to participate in a program called "Hand2Hand". This program helps provide a student with food for the weekends and is intended for families who currently may be experiencing a financial burden.
Cannonsburg REMINDERS
Who do I call if my student will be absent or late to school?
- If your student will be absent or tardy, please call the attendance line 616-863-6344 option 1 OR email both the teacher AND Nicole Curtis @ ncurtis@rockfordschools.org or Diane Karasiewicz @ dkarasiewicz@rockfordschools.org
- If a student is ill, you must include the symptoms (or diagnosis) for our weekly health report to KCHD
What if my student is out sick?
Absences MUST be called into the office 616.863.6344 or emailed to the front office
Please leave a message on our general voicemail box if you are calling after hours. Whether you are reporting an absence on our voicemail, the State of Michigan requires us to know the following:
- Student's name and teacher
- Reason for absence - if it is an illness we need to know the symptoms of the illness - vomiting, coughing, fever, cold, diarrhea, lice - whatever the reason may be.
Who do I notify if I have a dismissal change for my student(s)?
- We kindly request that there are no early pickups after 3:10pm. Once the parent pick up line starts to form out front, the office staff is busy with dismissal duties throughout the building.
- Please be sure to let us know of any dismissal changes PRIOR to 2:30pm
- To contact us with changes, please call 616-863-6344 or email both the teacher AND Nicole Curtis (ncurtis@rockfordschools.org) in the event the teacher doesn’t see the message prior to dismissal.
Where do I find parent communications?
- Our family newsletter and other updates are posted on the RPS website on the Cannonsburg page bi-weekly during the school year
- You can also check out the Cannonsburg PTC Facebook page
- Please always feel free to call or email the office with any questions
How do I set up or change busing for my student(s)?
- Please contact Transportation directly at 616-863-6328
- We also appreciate your help to support our drivers and remind your students of proper bus behavior
Important Contact Information:
Office/Attendance Line 616-863-6344
Nicole Curtis (office) ncurtis@rockfordschools.org
Diane Karasiewicz (office) dkarasiewicz@rockfordschools.org
Principal Cotter tcotter@rockfordschools.org
Transportation Office 616-863-6328
BAC/Child Care Office 616-863-6560
STUDENT RESPONSE PROTOCOL
Dear Rockford Families,
Rockford Public Schools is deeply committed to the safety and security of our students, staff, and the community we serve. We view safety as a layered approach—built through community involvement, continued district critical incident training, staff and student engagement, family support, and the use of both physical and technological safeguards. At the heart of this work is strong relationship-building. By collaborating with students, families, staff, and law enforcement partners, we foster a climate of trust that allows every student to learn, grow, and thrive.
In response to new state law signed in January 2025, school districts were required to adopt standardized emergency responses and terminology. To meet this expectation, Rockford Public Schools is partnering with the Kent Intermediate School District and the I Love U Guys Foundation to align our protocols with best practices and provide education across our school community.
The I Love U Guys Foundation has developed the Standard Response Protocol (SRP)—an all hazards approach designed for urgent situations. The SRP includes developmentally appropriate lessons that classroom teachers will share with students from Preschool through 12th grade in the months ahead.
Students will learn about the following procedures this fall:
● September: Lockdown
● October: Secure and Hold
● November: Shelter and Evacuate
Families are encouraged to learn more about the Standard Response Protocol by visiting the I Love U Guys Foundation parent handout. Together, we can ensure our students are prepared, supported, and safe.
The safety of our students is our highest priority. By providing age-appropriate tools and clear procedures, we aim to give students confidence while fostering a strong sense of security in our schools. With your partnership, Rockford Public Schools will continue to build a culture of preparedness, care, and support so that every child can learn and thrive.
We would also like to direct you to the Rockford Public Schools Security Team page on the website for information on Michigan Secure Storage Law RPS Security. The secure storage law Public Act 17 of 2023 provides information on the requirements and penalties for storing and securing firearms. There is also helpful information from Project ChildSafe on responsible ownership and having a conversation with your children about gun safety. Please take the time to review this information and have conversations with your children about the Standard Response Protocols and gun safety.
Student Verification
PowerSchool is Rockford Public Schools' new Student Information System. Through the PowerSchool Parent Portal, parents and guardians can access important student information, including:
Student schedules
Attendance records
Grades and academic progress
Contact information
Student forms and registration information
School and district communications
If you haven't already, please create a login and register your student/s. Thank you!
STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Rockford Public Schools: School Assistance Program in partnership with REF and Pine Rest offers couseling services for family members.
Call 1-800-442-0809 press 1 and follow the prompts. Say "I have a SAP with Rockford Public Schools" or schedule online at www.pinerest.org/scheduling/
For complete details please follow the link to the School Assistance Program page:
Cannonsburg Elementary
4894 Sturgis St., Rockford, MI 49341
Phone: (616) 863-6344
Fax: (616) 863-6357
Teya Cotter - Principal
tcotter@rockfordschools.org
