Bridgewater Bear Tracks
Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe, Try Your Best
We have our last set of conferences for the school year on Tuesday, January 27th and Thursday, 29th. Please use this link to register for a 15 minute time slot with your child’s teacher.
https://ptcfast.com/schools/Bridgewater_Elementary_School_1
*Please note that we are using a new registration system. Check the box next to each child’s teacher and press “Submit.” If more than one teacher was selected (you have more than one student at Bridgewater), please select, “These are for more than one student” on the following page. Once you fill in your student’s information and your contact information, you will receive an email with a link to sign up for an available time. If you have any questions, please contact Maria in the Bridgewater Office at 507-664-3301.
Monday, January 19th is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. There won't be school for staff and students for this national holiday.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is more than just a day off from school or work. There is significant meaning behind this day. These are two of the many quotes from Dr. King that I find particularly meaningful: "Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others." "Without love, there is no reason to know anyone, for love will, in the end, connect us to our neighbors, our children and our hearts."
This is a good time to think about others and what we can do to make their lives better. We truly cannot do something for someone else without getting some of the goodness on us. Please take the time to talk with your family about what you can do to serve others even if it is just the smallest of ways. Martin Luther King, Jr. has left an amazing legacy that centers around the value of people, service to others, and speaking up for those who are less fortunate than we are.
This is the eighth year Bridgewater Physical Education classes grades 3-5 will be participating in our roller-skating unit 2/2/2026-2/13/2026. This is a very exciting and educational unit that the students participate in. Thanks to the Bridgewater Booster Club, we have enough funds to cover approximately 50% of the cost. We consider this an in-house field trip, and the cost for the unit will be $7.00/Student. This covers skates, helmet, and wrist guards. All students will be expected to wear a helmet and wrist guards. We do disinfect the helmets, but students are encouraged to bring their own. If you have a financial hardship for the cost of the unit, please let Mr. Bernhard, Mrs. McCabe, or Mr. Pietsch know. All permission and payment will be done online. Please use the QR code or link for payment If you don’t have access to the internet or have trouble with the link please let us know.
https://northfieldschools.revtrak.net/bridgewater/Bridgewater-School-Fees/#/list
Our students enjoy attending Northfield High School events including basketball games, hockey games, etc. These events are most fun for everyone when every child is supervised by his/her own parent(s). Please be mindful of this and do your part to make this an enjoyable experience for everyone. Children should be there to watch the event, not to run around causing a distraction for others. Thank you for understanding!
Thank you for entrusting us with your children!! Your children are a delight and I truly enjoy working with them every day! Please know that children need your presence more than all the presents each year; they crave time with their parents and special adults. We can see this daily through our interactions with them. I wish you the very best over this holiday season! Thank you so much!!
Safety is our top priority. We know drop-off time can be especially busy, but it’s important that everyone follows the same procedures to keep students and families safe and to ensure all students arrive to class on time. Please review these important reminders:
Handicap-accessible parking is reserved only for vehicles with a valid permit.
When using the drop-off lane, please pull forward as far as possible before letting your child out. If your child needs extra time to exit the car, pull all the way forward.
Do not park in the drop-off lane. If you need to get out of your car, park in a designated parking spot and walk your student(s) all the way to the door.
Have your child ready to exit the vehicle quickly and safely.
Drive slowly and use extra caution throughout the parking lot.
Thank you for your attention to this important safety matter.
Yearbooks are ready to order!
1.Visit www.strawbridge.net
2. Enter code: YB32386
3. Select either the standard yearbook option, or select the personalization you would like (personalization is only available for online orders)
All yearbook orders are due by April 3, 2026.
In the event that Northfield Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather, the first full school day cancellation due to winter weather was not replaced with an e-Learning day. Any future school closures during the 2025-2026 school year will be replaced with e-Learning days. Please see the plan for e-Learning days linked below.
To Report an Absence
All absences should be reported by 9:00 AM each day a student is absent.
Call the attendance line and leave a message (507-664-3306) OR
Email: bwattendance@northfieldschools.org
- Student’s full name
- Classroom teacher
- Reason for absence and symptoms if it is illness related
- Phone number to reach you if there are any questions
Please do not leave messages on the attendance line for changes to the end of day routine. Please call the office at 507-664-3300 by 2:00 p.m. instead.
Arriving at School
School starts each day at 8:20 a.m. (except Wednesdays) and dismisses at 3:20 p.m.
On Wednesdays, students start at 9:20 a.m.
Students are allowed to arrive between 8:00-8:20 a.m. (9:00-9:20 a.m. on Wednesdays) if not eating breakfast at school. Supervision will be in place during that time on the playground.
Please do NOT park in the drop off lane. If your child isn't exiting your vehicle right away, please park in the lot and walk them to the building at the appropriate time.
Breakfast (optional for all students) begins at 7:50 a.m. (8:50 a.m. on Wednesdays). Once they are done eating, students will go outside until 8:20 a.m.
Change in End of Day Plans
If your student’s end of the day plans is going to differ from their normal routine (ie. your child will be picked up by mom/dad instead of riding the bus home), please call the main office number (507-664-3300) no later than 2:00 p.m.
*Please do not leave messages on the attendance line for changes to the end of day pick up routine.
The safety of our students is always our top priority. Each year, we practice a variety of safety drills so students know what to do in case of an emergency. This year, our elementary schools will be using the Standard Response Protocol, which includes five simple actions that give everyone a shared language and clear steps to follow. These drills are designed to help students feel prepared, not scared. Families will always be notified at least 24 hours in advance before we hold a lockdown drill.
There are many activities that children and adults may access during the course of the year. Click the "button" below to check out current event, activity, and resource opportunities.
Current opportunities include girls lacrosse clinic, basketball registration, community youth orchestra, girl scouts, and more!
Jan 19--No School-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan 22--End of 2nd Quarter
Jan 23-26--No School-Teacher Preparation Days
Jan 27--Conference Date
Jan 29--Conference Date
Feb 2-13--Roller Skating Unit Grades 3-5
Feb 5--District Choral Festival (4th&5th Grade Choir @ NMS Auditorium), 11:30-3:00
Feb 12--Kindergarten Information Night (For 2026-2027 Kindergarten Families) 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Feb 16--No School-President’s Day/Staff Development Day
Mar 5--3rd Grade Field Trip - History Museum
Mar 6--4th Grade Field Trip - Mill City Museum
Mar 20--End of 3rd Quarter
Mar 23-27--No School-Spring Break
Mar 30--No School-Teacher Preparation Day
Apr 17--2nd Grade Field Trip - Science Museum
May 11--Kindergarten Field Trip - Children’s Museum
May 15--Boosterthon Fun Run
May 22--No School-Teacher Preparation Day
May 25--No School Memorial Day
June 9--5th Grade Graduation (1:15-3:00)
June 10--Last Day of School (2 hour early dismissal)
Bridgewater Elementary School
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 560 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/