Class of 2027
July 31, 2023
Rockford Freshman Center
Kelly Amshey, Principal
Derek Dillon, Assistant Principal
Jen Lutz, Counselor Last Names A-K
Rebecca Dietz, Counselor Last Names L-Z (beginning August 9)
Email: kamshey@rockfordschools.org
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Location: 4500 Kroes Street Northeast, Rockford, MI, USA
Phone: 6168636348
Welcome to the Freshman Center!
We are thrilled to welcome the Class of 2027 to the Rockford Freshman Center! The RFC Staff are incredibly proud to offer a ninth grade experience that nurtures students as they transition from middle school to high school. We have a great deal of pride in our school, staff, students, and community and look forward to working with you next school year.
Next week we will welcome over 600 students from RPS middle schools as well as students from charter schools, parochial schools, home schools, and those who have recently moved to Rockford. Welcome to all!
Please reach out (using e-mail contact information above) if you have questions, comments, concerns or just need to chat. Our first priority is a smooth transition to high school!
Kelly and Derek
Class of 2027 Orientation
AUGUST 9, 2023
Orientation is required for freshmen. Please make every effort to get your student here on the scheduled day. Make-up is August 14 for those who cannot make it on August 9. Please use the link below to sign up for an arrival time.
The general format is described below for your planning purposes:
- School Portraits - During the orientation, students will be photographed and will receive a student ID badge. All students will need an ID throughout the year to check out textbooks, use library materials, and purchase lunch. Please remind your student to dress for a school photo. Parents/guardians may choose to order portraits as well. Please reference the email from Lifetouch or simply order ahead at mylifetouch.com using your student's ID number.
- Chromebooks - Once students receive their ID, they will proceed to the library. Students who are borrowing a school-issued Chromebook will check it out in the library.
- Device Authentication (Chromebooks of Bring Your Own Device) - Students who are bringing their own device (BYOD) for school will bring it to orientation. All students, whether borrowing a school device of bringing their own, will access the RPS wifi for the first time at orientation. This will ensure that the device will work well on day one.
- Learn the Building - Students may also elect to look around the building, find and organize their locker, and locate first trimester classes.
- Monetary Donation (optional) - Donations of cash or check are accepted at orientation and will be used throughout the year for student and staff recognition and activities. Checks can be made out to Rockford Freshman Center. Thank you for considering!
- Drop Off Medications and/or Forms (optional)
There is no formal presentation. Depending on the volume of students, it will take around 20-45 mins to get through all the stations. Parents are welcome to accompany their student, but it is not required.
Bring Your Own Device
Rockford High School students have the opportunity to continue learning with the support of technology, often called 1:1. Rockford elementary and middle schools issue a device to every student, but at high school, students may provide their own device. Please see the information on the district technology webpage for more details about device minimum requirements, etc.
A school-issued Chromebook will be issued to any Student who does not bring their own device. There are insurance options for families who use a school device. This information is also available on the district technology webpage.
Student Schedules
Requests for schedule changes can be met only in the following circumstances AND only if space is available. If you student's request meets one of the four criteria listed below, you can access a Google Form at orientation to request a change.
1. Request to move from an honors course to the general course.
2. Schedule is incomplete.
3. Student schedule is wrong (ex: student enrolled in Algebra, but should be in Geometry).
4. Student would like to change the World Language selection.
Schedule change requests to adjust the teacher/period or to schedule lunch with specific friends cannot be accommodated at this time.
Cell Phones at School
Unless explicitly directed by a staff member, students are not permitted to use a phone (or similar device) during the instructional period. This policy extends to our hallways and common areas.
Parents/guardians who need to reach a student during an instructional period may call our main office at 616.863.6348 and we will ensure that the student receives the message. Thank you!
Lockers!!
Students in athletics and/or PE will have access to lockers in the locker room. Those with instruments will have access to instrument storage in the vocal music room. As always, lockers should be secured with a lock. Prior to coming to school in August, students may want to practice using a combination lock. At orientation, students may want to plan hourly travel, keeping in mind that we have 6-minute passing time.
Drop Off and Pick Up
On scheduled school days, students will arrive at RFC between 7-7:30 a.m. Please note that traffic in and around the freshman center gets quite heavy around 7:15 a.m. Please plan accordingly. Students are dismissed at 2:30 p.m.
9th Grade Students are dropped off and picked up in the lot just west of the building. There is a short loop for parents as shown below.
Lunch
Those who choose to purchase lunch at school must bring their Student ID to lunch. Out of respect for other classes in session, students are not permitted in academic halls during lunch and should bring all necessary materials (i.e. lunch, money, phone) to the lunchroom.
Weather permitting, students will have the option to eat outdoors, and they may choose to bring a blanket or towel to sit upon.