Meadow Ridge Newsletter
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
april character trait: Courage
Definition: The ability to do something that frightens you
Challenge: Talk with someone who you have never talked with before
Reflection: Embrace the journey, remember practice makes progress
Staycation ideas
If you're staying local for Spring Break here are some fun things to do!
- Pinball Land - Retro Arcade in downtown Rockford
- Accidental Art - Pottery Painting in downtown Rockford
- John Ball Zoo - Daily Animal Experiences
- Altitude GR - Exclusive Spring Break Prices
- Battle GR - Day Camps & Family Fun Nights
- Frederik Meijer Gardens - Butterflies are Blooming
- Catch a Game!
- Grand Rapids Public Museum
- Saturday, March 29th-Sunday, April 13th themed days every day and free admission for children 17 & under
- GRAM - Free General Admission
- Visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum on Tuesdays from 12pm-5pm or Thursday Nights from 5pm-8pm for free general admission
- Visit the RPS Elementary Art Show at Bishop Hills
- Elementary students around the district have artwork on display at Bishop Hills Elder Care Center. Families can come any day over spring break, please call ahead 616-866-2002
Early Releases & NO School
- Thursday, April 3rd - Friday, April 11th: No School - Spring Break
- Wednesday, April 23rd: Early Release - 1:30pm
Upcoming field trips
- Monday, April 14th - Friday, April 18th our fourth graders will attend Zoo School at John Ball Zoo.
- Friday, April 18th third graders will go to Glow Golf.
If you have been selected to chaperone a field trip you must have an active Volunteer Consent Form on file for this school year.
Battle of the books
The knight returns! Meadow Ridge won the 2025 Battle of the Books (back-to-back champs!) Congratulations to our team and Mrs. Bowen!
Hopper's Happenings
I joined a Kids Have Rights presentation.
I worked on greetings with one of my ECSE friends!
I had lots of fun at recess with my friends in first grade!
Remember to still bring a coat & boots after spring break - Michigan weather is crazy!
office Reminders
Headphones
Spring testing will begin in April after spring break. Students should bring headphones everyday.
Whitecaps Family Night
Tuesday, May 20th support Rockford Public Schools and kick off your summer with the West Michigan Whitecaps! A portion of each ticket bought will be donated directly back to the schools.
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!
Volunteer in our STEAM Classroom!
Kindergarten & 1st Grade with Mrs. Anderson (eanderson@rockfordschools.org)
2nd & 3rd Grade with Mrs. Brown (sbrown@rockfordschools.org)
4th & 5th Grade with Miss Fowler (tfowler@rockfordschools.org)
Lunch Menus
Download the nutrislice app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for an easy way to keep up with the breakfast & lunch menus!
SchoolStore
SchoolStore is a fundraising opportunity that Meadow Ridge was presented with for 2025. It is not through the PTO.
How does it work?
Families can choose to participate as much as they want. The first step is signing up at SchoolStore.net using our School ID: 309230 and then sending emails to family members and friends. This email allows participants to purchase gift cards that go directly to teachers to use on books and materials for their classroom. There is also a code friends and family can use when shopping online at hundreds of retailers and a percentage will come back to the school to use for student activities not funded by the PTO such as materials for classroom instructional experiences.
Every student will receive a "Book Buddy" for signing up and sending 6 emails. Students can earn additional prizes as they earn points (points are based on purchases, families do not need to participate).
Once we reach our participation goal (a percentage of students registered) Meadow Ridge will be entered into a weekly drawing to win a Book Vending Machine!
Information packets are available in the office. If you have any questions please contact Michelle Smyth msmyth@rockfordschools.org
Meadow ridge Elementary PTO Updates
April Birthday Board
Are you jumping with Joy?? We are! For all our Meadow Ridge student and staff birthdays! Make a new core memory, stop by and find your name if your birthday is in April!!
March Newsletter
Please read through the March Newsletter for information on the Spring Carnival and other upcoming events!
Funds for Friends
Don't feel like making dinner the night after spring break? Head to The Score Monday, April 14th to support Meadow Ridge from 5:00-10:00pm! Show this flyer or mention Meadow Ridge.
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!
Thank you to our 2024-2025 Walk-a-thon Platinum Sponsors!
Mileage Club
Mileage club starts Monday, April 14th! Students can participate Mondays & Fridays during last recess.
Family Fun Night
Cedar Rock Sportsplex is hosting a Family Fun Night (open skate & drop-in soccer) on Friday, April 18th for families from 6:00-8:00pm! Make sure to sign in for Meadow Ridge so a portion of admission will be donated back to the PTO!
Feed the Paper Gator
The Meadow Ridge Paper Gator is hungry again! Save your recycling bins and bring your junk mail, paperboard, newspaper, and any other paper you have. NO CARDBOARD OR TRASH PLEASE!
Upcoming events
- Thursday, April 3rd - Friday, April 11th: No School - Spring Break
- Monday, April 14th: Funds for Friends at The Score - 5:00-10:00pm
- Monday, April 14th - Friday, April 18th: Fourth Grade Field Trip - John Ball Zoo
- Friday, April 18th: Third Grade Field Trip - Glow Golf
- Friday, April 18th: PTO Popcorn Friday
- Friday, April 18th: Family Night @ Cedar Rock Sportsplex - 6:00-8:00pm
- Wednesday, April 23rd: Early Release Day - 1:30pm
- Friday, April 25th: Spring Carnival
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).
New student enrollment is now open! Please visit rockfordschools.org/enrollment to review the online enrollment procedures and required documentation.
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. 
