Bridgewater Bear Tracks

"On Nov. 5, 2024 the Northfield School District will ask voters to consider authorizing bonds to Reimagine Northfield High School. The high school facility faces numerous problems. This referendum will address these problems because the proposal is Safe, Smart, and Sustainable. Go to our website to get additional information regarding the bond referendum. Or better yet, attend a presentation or come to one of our high school tours!"

It is time for our 1, 3, 5 free hearing and vision screenings on September 26. Please read the following letter for more information and the option to opt-out.

Please call the Bridgewater attendance line if your child is going to be absent from school. This number can be accessed 24 hours a day. 507-664-3306 is the number and this is at the top of your Bridgewater magnet that you received at your Family Conference. We will place a phone call to families that we don’t hear from by the morning; this is done for the sake of safety. Thank you for your help!

Here is a short video regarding pick up and drop off procedures. Please ignore if your child rides the bus to and from school. Thank you!

It is always best when you establish a consistent routine with your child to follow at the end of each school day. If you have a change in plans, please send a note with your child just in case there is a guest teacher that day. During the day, calls may be made to the Bridgewater Office; please don't rely on sending an email to your child's teacher after noon as teachers don't always have time to check email while they are teaching. Please call before 2:30. If a student does not have a note, they will be sent on their normal route.

Please call the Bridgewater Office (507-664-3300) if you will be late to pick up your child at the end of the school day. Late is arriving after 3:35. We do our very best to be understanding, and yet we have work to complete in the after hours so we may also go home. It is disheartening to have children waiting in the office after 4:00 with no phone call, an apology or a simple thank you. It isn't fair to your child. Just know that we will never blame your child for your lateness, and we will keep them safe.

Please send your child with a bike lock to lock their bike when they ride their bike to school. We have had some bikes stolen in the past, and this is not what I want for your child. Better to be safe. I would appreciate students parking at the larger bike racks on the flagpole side of the building. Bike helmets are also highly recommended.

Project Friendship is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that pairs children in grades 2 - 7 with a student mentor from Carleton College or St. Olaf College for a 2-4 year mentoring relationship. Mentoring has lasting benefits to any child including increased self-esteem, better performance in school, and stronger interpersonal skills. Plus, fun for both the child and their mentor! Click here for more information.

Here are six tips to make this year the best that it can be:

1. Make sure that your child gets plenty of sleep at night.

2. Communicate with your child's teacher.

3. Be positive about the school experience and staff.

4. Ask your child about the best part of his/her day.

5. Expect minor glitches at the beginning of the school year; it takes time to get the routine in place.

6. Speak up if you see or hear something that is questionable; we are all responsible for making school a safe environment.

Please know that any dogs outside of your house belong on a leash by law. I know you have a wonderful dog, but please don't take the chance of an accident happening by having them off leash, especially on school grounds. Thank you!

We have handicap parking spaces at Bridgewater (as well as in the community) that are strictly for those who have a handicap placard issued by the State of MN. Please don't use these just out of convenience. The handicap buttons at the doors of the school and many other places of business are for use by those who are in a wheelchair or are on crutches. Please help us teach our students not to use these buttons out of convenience. I totally understand using them if your hands are full, but otherwise, no. Thank you!

The Raider football team will be playing against Rochester John Marshall at 7:00 p.m. TONIGHT. The elementary students have done a great job in the past at home games, and it would be wonderful to see the same happen this year. Just a simple reminder that students need to be accompanied by an adult, and that adult is responsible for supervising their own child while at the game. Students should not bring items to throw or play with during the game. Come to watch the game and let others watch the game too. Go Raiders!!

Community School offers a comprehensive support system, combining academic instruction with social services, youth programs, and health services to enhance learning and community well-being. We provide clubs from Monday to Thursday, giving students additional opportunities for growth and engagement. Community School will begin on September 30th, 2024, and end on May 15th, 2025. Make sure to sign up early since there is limited space! Registration can be found here: https://forms.gle/ntNB4tiQ5KMcJ6yD7.

We are still looking for Educational Assistants to supervise students in the cafeteria during lunch time from 11:00-1:15. Visit the Northfield employment site to view all openings. Here

The lunch menu for each month will be provided in the newsletter.

There are many activities that children and adults may access during the course of the year. Don't forget to check the numerous opportunities from the Northfield Community Education Program: https://northfieldschools.org/communityeducation/

Oct 8---Bridgewater Booster Club Meeting 6:00-7:00 pm in the BW Media Center

Oct 17 & 18---No School, MEA Break

Nov. 1 & 4---Teacher Preparation-End of 1st quarter

Nov 6---Picture Retake Day

Nov 11---Veterans Day Assembly

Nov 12---Bridgewater Booster Club Meeting 6:00-7:00 pm in the BW Media Center

Nov 27---E-Learning Day

Nov 28 & 29---Thanksgiving Break-No school for students

World-Class Learning for Elementary Students, Bridgewater Elementary School, situated on a 14-acre campus just south of downtown Northfield, is a K-5 public school serving approximately 570 students. It serves the neighborhoods on Northfield's southern side, Dundas, and the rural area south of Highway 19 and west of Highway 246. Students benefit from an active parent-teacher organization, Bridgewater Booster Club (BBC) and many parent volunteers.

The staff is intensely dedicated to offering a high-quality, well-rounded education that strives to meet the specific needs of each student. We focus on empowering our students in their academic and social emotional learning along with building a solid foundation for their educational journey in partnership with families.

Main Office Number: 507-664-3300

Attendance Line: 507-664-3306

Address: 401 Jefferson Parkway

Web page: northfieldschools.org/schools/bridgewater-elementary/

Email: nantoine@northfieldschools.org