Bridges Community School
Bridges Breeze
4/2/26
Bridges Office Phone Number 507-387-2800
Secretary (Amanda Robinson), Health Assistant (Holly Kelly), Principal (Jody Rittmiller)
Message from the Principal
Dear Bridges Families -
Dear Families -
We have begun the time of the year to connect with families in conferences, show what students know in the science fair, and see what our students have learned either in NWEA (K-2) and MCA (3-5). Each spring, Minnesota students take statewide assessments to provide a snapshot of their academic progress. These assessments help our school and the state ensure that all students are meeting Minnesota’s academic standards. The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) are state-required assessments that help us measure student progress in Reading, Mathematics, and Science (Grades 5 and 8).
The Reading, Math, and Science assessments are scheduled for the following dates:
Reading MCA: Grades 3-5, April 13-17
Math MCA: Grades 3-5, April 20-24
Science MCA: Grade 5, April 27-28
Panorama: April 8-30
Electronics Policy: Students are not permitted access to personal electronic devices, smart phones, watches, etc. during testing. Students will be required to put away or remove any personal electronic devices. This aligns with our district device policy as well.
Please encourage students to get a good night’s sleep and eat a good breakfast the morning of the test.
Our next All School Meeting will be on Friday, April 10.
Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and for sharing your wonderful children with us.
Partners in Learning,
Mrs. Rittmiller
We Want Your Feedback
Our district values your feedback! We are surveying MAPS families during the month of April to gain insight into your perception of our school and district effectiveness. To ensure we continue to provide high quality, rigorous learning experiences that meet the needs of our learners and prepare them for college and career, we need your feedback. We want to know what you think.
To administer these surveys, we have partnered with Panorama Education to conduct our 2025-26 Family Survey. Panorama safeguards your privacy, keeping your responses confidential. The survey shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to complete, and will be a valuable source of information for us as we work to make our schools and district as good as they can be.
You may complete the survey online between April 2, 2026 and April 30, 2026 using a computer, tablet, or smartphone by visiting the website: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/mankato and entering your school’s access code:
[4535674153]
We thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses. If you have any questions about the survey administration, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Bridges Community School (507-387-2800)
Thank you,
Jody Rittmiller
Yearbook Ordering - Order by April 10th
Early Release - Wednesday, April 8th
Please complete this form to let us know what your plans are for early release. School will dismiss at 12:50. This form needs to be completed every month for staffing purposes.
Autism Acceptance Week - April 6-10
You Matter - Students and Staff are recognized each week!
Tuesday, March 24
Tuesday, March 31
You Matter Staff
Ms. Madison (Playground Supervisor) and Mrs. Christ (OT)
Mrs. Schmadeke (Assessment Specialist) and Ms. Kazynski (Social Worker)
Miss Maggie (Reading Corps) and Miss Mayo (Math Corps)
Mr. Adam (Evening Custodian) and Ms. Bridget (Evening Custodian)
Student Safety Reminder: Drop-off & Pick-up
To keep our students safe, please follow these rules during arrival and dismissal:
Pull to the curb: Never stop in the middle of the street to let students out. Please park on the side of the road or wait for a spot to open.
Keep Bus Lanes Clear: Do not park or idle in the designated bus lanes at any time. Cones will be out, please do not park in the designated bus lanes as they need to get in and out. Thanks for your understanding.
Spaghetti Dinner
Summer ACES
Grade 5 Information
🛑 TRIP INFO MEETING
What: Student/Parent Meeting for the Field Trip
When: April 16 @ 6:00 PM
Where: Auditorium
🌲 THE BIG TRIP
What: Up North Minnesota History Field Trip (Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Duluth)
When: April 29 – May 1
🎉 THE PARTY
What: 5th Grade Celebration
When: May 14 @ 1:30 PM
Where: Gymnasium & Cafeteria
We look forward to seeing you there!
Mental Health Hub
The hub is meant to be a tool for parents and caregivers to easily find information on crisis support, local mental health services, parent education, and more.
Find more information HERE.
Save the Date!
April:
Apr. 2 - Spaghetti Dinner/Kato Ballroom (5:00-7:30)
Apr. 3 - No School/Good Friday
Apr. 8 - 2 Hour Early Release (12:50 Dismissal)
Apr. 14 - Planetarium (1st Grade)
Apr. 16 - 5th Grade Trip Student & Parent Meeting (6:00pm)
Apr. 17 - Pen Pal Visit (4th Grade)
Apr. 22 - The Works Museum (2nd Grade)
Apr. 24 - MN Zoo (3rd Grade)
Apr. 29-May 1 - 5th Grade Trip
May:
May 1 - Principal's Day & School Lunch Hero Day
May 4-8 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 4 - 5th Grade Visit to DMMS/PWMS
May 5 - Bridges Spring Concert (9:30 & 1:30)
May 12 - End of Year Picnic/All School (11:00-2:30)
May 13 - 2 Hour Early Release
May 14 - 5th Grade Celebration (1:30)
May 15 - Awards Day at All School Meeting
May 18 - Last Day of School
Looking for a way to connect to MAPS? We strive to connect our community to our district and schools. Subscribe to this newsletter to get the current information and links to events.
Follow MAPS Facebook and Instagram for student celebrations:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISD77MAPS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isd77maps/
MAPS Website: https://www.isd77.org/
Bridges BAC Website: BAC website link: : https://bridgesbears.weebly.com/faq.html