Crestwood Newsletter

Kyle Avink - Principal
kavink@rockfordschools.org
Address: 6350 Courtland Dr., Rockford, MI 49341
Phone: (616) 863-6346

ROCKFORDSCHOOLS.ORG

CRESTWOOD CALENDAR

Do you like to plan ahead?! Check out the Crestwood building calendar for exciting upcoming events specific for our building!!

CRESTWOOD CALENDAR

DISTRICT CALENDAR

The 2025-2026 district calendar can be viewed by clicking the button below:

DISTRICT CALENDAR

EARLY RELEASE DAYS!

Wednesday, February 25th

Students will dismiss at 1:30 pm.

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

BOOK FAIR

OPEN TO FAMILIES DURING CONFERENCES

TUESDAY, FEB. 24TH - 4:30pm to 7:30pm

THURSDAY, FEB 26TH - 4:30pm to 7:30pm

Students may pay by:

EWallet, Cash, Credit Card, Apple Pay, or checks payable to Rockford Public Schools. All purchases will have tax that is NOT included in the price listed. Students will visit during their assigned class time during the day. 

BOOK FAIR WEBSITE

HEARING AND VISION SCREENING

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services requires local health departments to conduct hearing and vision screenings for children in Michigan. Kent County Health Department will provide an initial screen for students, in addition to a rescreen that is intended for children who may not have passed or were absent on the initial screening day.

The initial screening dates for Crestwood are February 23rd – 26th.  Rescreen dates are March 17th & 18th.

Developmental Kindergarten (DK) students will be screened for both hearing AND vision. 

Students in Kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grades will have only their hearing screened. 

Students in 1st, 3rd and 5th grades will have only their vision screened.  

The only action required on your part is to let the Crestwood office know if one of the following situations applies to your student:

1. In order to best protect children, it is imperative that the technicians are informed which children have digitally programmable shunts or implanted medical devices so that hearing screening services are not provided.

2. You would like to refer your student for either hearing or vision screening if they are not already scheduled as stated above.

 Please don’t hesitate to contact the Crestwood office at 616-863-6346 or refer to the attached letter with any questions or concerns.

deadline will be here before you know it! 

Click on the image below to order your 2025-26 yearbook! 

Crestwood's code is: 14581726

DEVELOPMENTAL KINDERGARTEN & KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT OPENS SOON

Click on the image below for more information! 

VOLUNTEER IN STEAM

It has been an exciting start to the year in the Crestwood STEAM classroom! In January, students designed, built, and tested boats, combined engineering with robotics, and explored coding through Scratch and Scratch Jr. In February, we are looking forward to diving into circuits and beginning multi-week projects connected to our classroom CKLA lessons.

I love having volunteers in the STEAM classroom! If you are interested in helping, please sign up using this link:

Volunteer Here

We are always accepting clean and useful STEAM donations, including cardboard tubes, egg cartons, cereal boxes, small plastic containers (yogurt, sour cream, etc.), and shoe or tissue boxes. 

If you haven’t already, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see all the exciting learning happening in our classrooms!

Facebook Instagram

SUPERINTENDENT SUB FOR A DAY! 

Each $10 donation to the Rockford Education Foundation nominates a teacher to win a day off while Dr. Matthews takes over the classroom.  All donations support REF educational grants, celebrate our incredible educators, and give Dr. Matthews a front-row seat in the classroom.

• $10 = 1 entry to nominate a teacher -  multiple entries gladly accepted!
• Teachers may nominate themselves or a colleague
• One winner will be drawn monthly, January–May 2026
• CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE A CRESTWOOD TEACHER!
• 

PTO - STAFF APPRECIATION

On behalf of all of our parents, the PTO Staff Appreciation Committee had the joy of surprising our incredible staff with a festive spread of red and pink themed snacks and drinks in celebration of Valentine’s Day this past week. From sweet treats to cheerful sips, it was a small way to add a little extra love to their day.

Our next staff appreciation will be during conference week on February 24th where PTO will provide a meal for staff the first evening of conferences. All staff appreciation meals and events are paid for by the Activity Pass program and additional parent contributions.

LABEL OR INITIAL

We are already finding gloves, mittens, hats, and even coats left on the playground WITHOUT students' name or initials. There is a 100% return rate if the student's name/initials are in their winter gear. All remaining items get sent to the final destination...Our Lost and Found. 

UPDATES

CRESTWOOD 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 OR email both the teacher AND Laura Greene (lgreene@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 616.863.6346 or emailed to the front office - lgreene@rockfordschools.org 

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 2:45pm. 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 2pm
• To contact us with changes, please call 616-863-6346 or email both the teacher AND Laura Greene (lgreene@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 Crestwood page bi-weekly during the school year
• You can also check out the Crestwood Elementary & Crestwood PTO Facebook pages
• 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:

Crestwood Office/Attendance Line  616-863-6346

Allyssa Shanahan   ashanahan@rockfordschools.org

Laura Greene   lgreene@rockfordschools.org

Transportation Office   616-863-6328

BAC/Child Care Office   616-863-6560

Community Services   616-863-6322

STUDENT RESPONSE PROTOCOL

STAFF FAVORITES

Get to Know Our Amazing Staff 

Our staff works hard daily to support and inspire students and we like to celebrate them. PTO has put together a fun list of all staff favorites from favorite treats to places to eat. This is a great document to save on your phone for special events such as a staff birthday, holidays or appreciation week. 

DOWNLOAD STAFF FAVORITES

REMINDERS

Feel free to pack an extra pair of socks, shorts, t-shirt, and sweatpants in your child's backpack during the spring months. Don’t forget to put your child’s name on coats, rain boots, etc. Thank you!

Weather Alert

For up-to-date information regarding Rockford Public Schools delays and/or closings, events and safety alerts, send a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our district’s short code number, 67587. Opt out any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop." Be sure to tune in on icy or snowy mornings!

NO CELLPHONES OR SMART WATCHES

• Students with a cellphone will be asked to turn the phone off and not use them during the school day. Please do not text or call your student on their device during the school day. This creates a distraction to the classroom. We will always help with communication through the office or an email to the teacher if needed.
• Students with Apple watches or other wrist devices are asked not use the device to communicate during the school day.
• Students who need to contact home because they are ill or wondering about the end of the day pick up should talk to their classroom teacher who will help them navigate next steps of support.
• Devices at school are distracting to students during the learning day and we ask that unless your student needs the device to communicate after school that they stay home.
• Thank you for your support.

FUN AT CRESTWOOD!