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
FEBRUary character trait: initiative
Definition: Doing something without being asked, because it needs to be done
Challenge: Start your homework or do a chore before you are asked
Reflection: Your attitude determines your direction
conference Bookings
We are looking forward to conferences on Tuesday, February 25th & Thursday, February 27th. To streamline scheduling, all conferences will be in-person.
Follow the below steps for scheduling your conferences! Bookings close at midnight on Sunday, February 23rd.
You can also scan this QR Code:
After filling out your information, you will be able to identify teachers by the grade they teach in the drop-down menu as well as special teachers and ancillary staff. When you choose a grade, you will be able to choose your child’s teacher and a time that works for you. You can go through this process for each of your children. We suggest that if you have multiple children, please put a gap of time between the meetings. You will then get an email confirmation with your time.
Please note that we will not have child care available on either date.
book fair
Students will be able to visit the book fair during their class library time. Additional times for family shopping are below:
- Feb. 24(Mon.) = 3:30-4:00 p.m.
- Feb. 25(Tues.) = 4:30-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 26 (Wed.) = until 3:30 p.m.
- Feb. 27 (Thur.) = 4:30-7:30 p.m.
- Feb. 28 (Fri.) = 8:00-9:00 a.m. for students/families
Report Cards
Report cards will be posted to Family Access on Monday, February 26th. You will receive an email once they are ready to view.
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.
There is also a QR code posted in the lobby you can scan during conferences next week!
february/March days off
- Wednesday, February 26th: Early Release Day - 1:30pm
- Wednesday, March 12th: Early Release Day - 1:30pm
- Wednesday, March 26th: Early Release Day - 1:30pm
Upcoming field trips
Thursday, March 6th our 3rd graders will travel to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. If you have been selected to chaperone you must have an active volunteer consent form on file.
March is reading month
"A Rainforest of Reading"
Students will receive a Reading Log to record their minutes before and after school starting March 3rd. Students will return their signed reading log on the following Mondays: March 10th, March 17th, March 24th.
Wednesdays in March
- March 5th: Step by Step Drawing in Class
- March 12th: Wear Green or khaki/Dress Like an Explorer/Safari
- March 19th: Rotating Reading Classrooms
- March 26th: Bring Favorite Stuffed Animal
- April 2nd: PJ Movie Day
Hopper's Happenings
Hopper got to play with Mrs. Andrus' kindergarten class in P.E. this week! They rode scooters and he pulled them around the gym!
office Reminders
Annual Education Report
The Annual Education Reports are now posted on the RPS website. Hard copies are available in the office upon request.
The district report can be found under the "Academics" drop down and is linked below.
Our building report can be found on the Meadow Ridge landing page in the navigation bar on the right hand side. It is also linked below.
Lost & Found
Our lost & found is overflowing with items, consider looking it over next week during conferences. It is located in the vestibule. Coats, jackets, and sweatshirts are on the clothing rack and smaller items like hats, gloves, and water bottles are sorted on the shelves and in boxes.
Smart Devices
All devices (phones, smart watches, etc.) should be powered off and kept in lockers during the school day. Any communication between parent and student will go through the office. This includes illness, injury, and transportation changes.
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)
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. 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 can 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
Conference Meals
Conferences are next week and we need a little help adding to our staff meals. Please check out the sign up genius, thank you!
General Meeting
Thursday, March 13th - 6:00pm in the MDR Library.
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!
Save the Date!
Meadow Ridge Carnival is Friday, April 25th...details coming soon
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!
February Birthday Board
Wishing a Frappe Birthday to our little Cappuccino, Mocha Latte, Pumpkin Spiced, Caramel Brûlée, Shaken Espresso Meadow Ridge kiddos and staff. Make sure to zip on by and find your cup if your birthday is in the month of February! Adorable board done by: Andrea Fricano
Thank you to our 2024-2025 Walk-a-thon Platinum Sponsors!
Upcoming events
- Tuesday, February 25th: Parent/Teacher Conferences 4-8pm
- Wednesday, February 26th: Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal
- Thursday, February 27th: Parent/Teacher Conferences 4-8pm
- Friday, February 28th: PTO Popcorn Friday
- Thursday, March 6th: 3rd Grade Field Trip - GR Public Museum
- Wednesday, March 12th: Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal
- Thursday, March 13th: PTO Meeting - 6:00pm MDR Library
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. 
New student enrollment is now open! Please visit rockfordschools.org/enrollment to review the online enrollment procedures and required documentation.
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).
