Bridgewater Bear Tracks

Dear Families,

As you know, the district will hold a bond referendum election on November 5, coinciding with the general election, to reimagine Northfield High School. This bond referendum represents an important decision for our community. The district aims to ensure that voters are well-informed about the purpose and impact of this referendum.

The referendum aims to improve the high school facility in numerous ways. As a summary, the referendum has three questions:

• Question 1: Proposes $95.38 million for a new multi-story classroom addition, retains and renovates about 60% of the existing building, some demolition, and new HVAC systems at the high school. It addresses outdated classrooms, limited natural light, energy efficiency, building climate control inadequacies, and security issues due to the building's layout.

• Question 2: Adds a $18.725 million expanded gymnasium to address space shortages for athletics and community activities.

• Question 3: Allocates $6.975 million to upgrade the HVAC system installed as part of Question 1 to use geothermal technology, saving utility costs and prioritizing environmental sustainability.

The district has conducted over 90 educational events to ensure an informed electorate. Visit https://northfieldschools.org/reimagine to learn more.

One more tour of the NHS facility is on Saturday, Nov. 2, beginning at 10 am. Please enter at Door No. 10 and meet in the media center.

I also want to remind you about Carleton College’s historic pledge of $2 million toward the academic facility improvements that are part of Questtion 1. If the first question passes, Carleton’s pledge becomes a gift and the district will bond for $2 million less to fund the projects.

Finally, make sure you have a plan to vote! You can learn your polling location at the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.

Please direct any questions about the referendum to Superintendent Hillmann. Be an informed voter!

There is no school for students TOMORROW, November 1 or Monday, November 4; these are Teacher Workdays.

The Lost & Found will be donated tomorrow (Friday). Bridgewater is open until 6:00 p.m. tonight if you need to take a look. We donated locally so the items stay in the community to help those in need.

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, Nov. 3rd. Don't forget to turn your clock back one hour for one extra hour of sleep.

I just want to thank all of the parents who attend activities for your child at school and on field trips! I know that it is not possible for everyone to attend, and yet your presence is greatly appreciated! You are wonderful partners in your child's education!!

Our clothes closet is getting a little low on a few things. Any donations of the following items would be much appreciated:

Boys sweatpants sizes 12 and 14

Girls leggings size 10

Girls winter jackets sizes 10 and 12

Boys and girls snow pants sizes 10 and 12

Waterproof gloves and mittens all sizes

Just send or bring donated items to the office. Thank you in advance!

Bridgewater Gear is for sale until November 4th, through Larson's Printing. You may go online to see the items: https://larsonsprinting.itemorder.com/ and enter the sale code: BRIDGE24 to make your selection. Attached below is the flyer and QR Code.

Wednesday, Nov. 6th is Picture Retake Day in case your child was absent and missed Picture Day.

In person fall conferences are returning this year and will be held on November 7th and November 12th from 3:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. The Book Fair will be held November 11-15th. Looking forward to seeing some of you then!

Don't forget to set up your student's eWallet account for cashless, stress-less shopping. Friends and family can even contribute funds! Start exploring together and set up your eWallet here: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/bridgewaterelementaryschool

Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A9AF22A7FDC70-52823575-scholastic

Our annual Veterans Day Assembly will be held on Monday, November 11th at 9:00 a.m. in the gymnasium. If you have a loved one who is currently serving or has served in the armed forces, please consider emailing a photo of him/her to be included in our 2024 Veteran's Day Slide Show. The slide show will be included in the assembly. All families and Veterans are welcome to attend. We will only accept digital photos in .jpeg format. Please email your photos to Kayla LaVoy at: klavoy@northfieldschools.org no later than Friday, November 1st. You will receive a confirmation email in return indicating that we received your photo.

We will be celebrating Grandparents/Special Person Day on Tuesday, November 26th. You will receive information from your child’s teacher regarding the specific times and activities. We will provide refreshments in the commons area for our special guests. The parking lot will be full, and we will allow grandparents to park in the parking lots, the fire lane and the bus loop as long as cars are moved by 3:15 pm, in time for dismissal. Please don’t forget to notify your child’s teacher if you are allowing grandpa, grandma or special person to take your child home with them; we cannot allow them to go without your permission.

Kindergarten: 9:00-9:45

First Grade: 1:00-1:30

Second Grade: 8:30-9:00

Third Grade: 2:30-3:00

Fourth Grade: 10:30-11:00

Fifth Grade: 2:00-2:30

Did you know that the YMCA sends a van to Bridgewater to transport students to the Y after school for programs? The programs that are just starting are: Afterschool Basketball, Afterschool Volleyball, Afterschool Soccer, and Afterschool Gaga Ball. All of these are for students in Grades 1-5.

Go to northfieldymca.org or call 507-645-0088 to register.

Operation Joy, a community-wide gift sharing program of Community Action Center (CAC), is set to take place on Wednesday, December 11, 2024! Through the generosity of hundreds of individual donors and dedicated volunteers, approximately 1,000 Northfield area children from over 500 households will receive gifts through Operation Joy this year. Gifts are available for children birth through age 18 who may be needing additional support this holiday season.

If you would like to receive support this holiday, please register before November 15:

>> online: visit https://communityactioncenter.org/holiday-programs/

>> in person at

Community Action Center

1651 Jefferson Parkway

Northfield, MN 55057

If you would like to support Operation Joy, donations can be made in the following ways:

>> online: visit https://communityactioncenter.org/holiday-programs/

>> mail: send a check directly to:

Community Action Center

℅ Operation Joy

1651 Jefferson Parkway, Suite HS-200

Northfield, MN 55057

To help with our planning, donations are appreciated by Friday, November 15.

For more information about Operation Joy, please visit: communityactioncenter.org/winter-holiday. If you would like to help make quilts or fleece-tied blankets, or have any other questions related to Operation Joy, please contact Lisa Percy by email at percy.lisa@communityactioncenter.org or

phone at (507) 664-3506.

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/

Nov. 1 & 4---Teacher Preparation-End of 1st quarter-No School for Students

Nov. 3---Daylight Saving Time

Nov.5---Don't forget to vote

Nov. 6---Picture Retake Day

Nov. 7 and 12 - Fall Conferences 3:30-5:30

Nov. 11---Veterans Day Assembly 9:00 a.m. in the gymnasium

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

Nov. 11-15 Fall Book Fair

Nov. 26 --- Grandparent's Day

Nov. 27---E-Learning Day-No in-person school for students

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

Dec. 6---First Grade Field Trip to The Children's Theater

Dec. 10---All 5th Grade Band Concert @ GVP

Dec. 12---Band & Orchestra Concert 2:05 in the Bridgewater gym

Dec. 16---Gingerbread House Day for Kindergarten 9:30-10:30

May 16---Boosterthon Fun Run

June 5---Fifth-Grade Graduation

Attendance Line

507-664-3306

Benjamin Bus

507-645-5720

BW Main Office

507-664-3300

Nurse

507-664-3305

The Northfield School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, including gender identity or expression, or disability and prohibits discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in employment. You can learn more at: https://northfieldschools.org/about/departments/human-resources/ under the Title IX tab.

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