Bridgewater Elementary Updates

Bridgewater Families,

I am so honored to be serving you as the new principal at Bridgewater. I've heard amazing things about the Bridgewater community and can't wait to get to know you and your students. I served as a 2nd grade Compañeros teacher here in Northfield for 6 years before going to Faribault to serve as an Elementary Principal there for three years. As a leader, serving people is at the forefront of my purpose.

My family consists of my husband, Trey, who is a special education teacher, Brinley (4), and Dru (2). I also have a dog, Maverick who was a COVID puppy and rescue from Texas. We are a big sports family and enjoy spending time with family and friends.

I look forward to learning more about what's going well at Bridgewater and your hopes for the future. I hope to see you at our "Popsicles with the Principal" event on August 18th from 5:00-8:00 pm. Bring the family if you're able!

With gratitude,

Ashley Benhart

This year we will be holding Family Conferences on September 2nd from 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and September 3rd from 7:30-11:30 a.m. The family conferences are designed to help students and families meet with teachers and get set up for the upcoming school year. A sign up will be available for a 15 minute meeting with your child’s teacher. We offer one time slot per student. Information about your child’s class placement will be sent by email August 20th and links to to sign up for Family Conferences will be included.

Students will be having their school photos taken at Family Conferences on September 2nd and September 3rd. Photos will be taken by Strawbridge and more information will be sent to families prior to September 2nd. This option provides parents/guardians an opportunity to be with their children and reduces missed class time during the year. Families who cannot attend Family Conferences to have photos taken may have their child’s photo taken in October on the retake date.

Please take a moment to review this online resource (Student Citizenship Handbook) for parents and students. The annual notifications for families are linked here for your reference as well.

If you do not want your child’s Directory Information to be released (name, address, phone number, photograph in yearbook or class photos, etc) please be sure to sign a copy of the Denial of Release of Directory Information form. A copy of the form can be found below. Copies of the form will also be available in the Greenvale Park office during Family Conferences.

Bridges to Kindergarten is a free summer program held at each of the elementary schools in August to help ease the transition into kindergarten and provide a boost in readiness skills, such as listening, working in groups, orientation to classroom routines as well as academic activities focused on literacy and math. Bridges to Kindergarten is taught by licensed kindergarten and early childhood teachers. Children are placed in the neighborhood school they will attend. If needed, transportation is available! For more information, call 507-645-1232 or contact Sara Line at sline@northfieldschools.org.

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.

Bus Registration

Bus Registration forms for the 2026-27 school year went home with students the week of May 18. The online option will not be available until after September 11. If your student did not receive a form, you may call Benjamin Bus at (507) 645-5720 to request transportation for the 2026-27 school year. Please submit your transportation requests by August 10 for service to begin September 8. Requests received after August 10 will not be processed until after September 15.

Transportation Fee

State statute requires districts to transport students who live two miles or more from their school. Northfield Public Schools charges a fee for transportation between the previous transportable boundary and up to two miles from school. This recommendation was approved as part of the priority-based budget reductions on April 28, 2025.

Here are the details:

• The fee is $250 per year per student, with a family cap of $500.

• Fee area:

• Elementary students: 0.75 miles to 1.99 miles from school

• Secondary students: 1.0 miles to 1.99 miles from school

• Families that qualify for Educational Benefits (Free/Reduced Lunch Form) will have their bus fee waived

• NEW - A Pay-to-Ride Option is now available for families residing in areas not currently eligible for transportation due to their close proximity to school and who would like their student to ride the bus. This option is contingent on space and routing availability. Please fill out a transportation form, and Benjamin Bus will notify you if you are eligible.

• Families who filled out a blank form should contact the district office at (507) 663-0600 to determine whether they will be required to pay a fee.

• If you have questions about the fee, contact Amy Stowe, Accounting Generalist, at (507) 645-3440.

• Families who are required to pay a fee will be able to pay online starting August 15, 2026.

If you are not certain that you turned in a bus form, contact Benjamin Bus at 507-645-5720. They are happy to check this for you. If necessary, they are available by phone to help you get set up for transportation. Benjamin Bus will continue to provide SAFE and professional transportation to all students.

Immunizations for 26-27

As we look forward to the 2026-2027 school year, we want to remind you that all students must meet the state and district immunization requirements for school attendance, as outlined in School Board Policy 530. The deadline for compliance is October 14, 2026. Students who do not have up-to-date immunization records or a valid exemption form on file by this date will be excluded from school until the requirements are met.

You may check what immunizations your child has or may need by selecting this link.

To ensure your child may continue attending school without disruption this fall, please complete one of the following as soon as possible:

• Obtain Required Immunizations: Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider or contact Rice County Public Health at 507-332-6111 to inquire about upcoming free clinics. Once immunizations are completed, submit the documentation to the Health Office at your child’s school.

• Submit a Completed Exemption Form: Print the exemption form linked here.

• For medical exemptions: Your healthcare provider must complete and sign the form.

• For non-medical exemptions: Complete the appropriate section and have the form notarized.

• The required immunizations are listed directly on the form.
  
  

Documentation may be delivered in person, emailed to your child’s school building, or faxed to the school your child attends. We encourage families to address this requirement promptly to avoid any disruption to your student’s learning. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the school office.

Northfield Public Schools supports healthy eating choices. Please see the attached wellness letter. If you are interested in purchasing snack cart for your child (optional), please see the information below. Save time by printing out and bringing in the form during Family Conferences, or pay online beginning August 3rd.

Elementary Parent Wellness Letter

Healthy Snack Cart Letter

Healthy Snack Cart Sign Up Form

Our schools offer healthy meals each day. We are part of Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program. All students can get one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day at school.

Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important! Your child(ren) may qualify for other benefits like reduced fees for school sports & activities. Your application may also help the school qualify for education funds, discounts, and other meal programs.

For menus, pricing and complete nutrition information please visit: Child Nutrition Service

Milk Prices

Milk is included in the price of a breakfast and lunch meal. Students who take milk only at meals will be charged $0.50 per carton. Please know that if your child is bringing lunch from home and ordering milk they will be charged $.50.

New Breakfast Bag Announcement

If your student would like school breakfast we will be serving breakfast trays in the cafeteria from 7:50 a.m until school starts. We will have a limited number of breakfast bags available for students who have arrived after 8:20 a.m, who have checked in with the office and have received a tardy slip. We look forward to serving your children healthy, nutritious and delicious breakfast this school year!

August 17-21: Bridges to Kindergarten
August 18: Popsicles with the Principal
September 2: Family Conferences and School Pictures
September 3: Family Conferences and School Pictures
September 8: First Day of School
September 9: One Hour Late Start (Wednesday)

Kid Ventures is a child-focused, enrichment and care program that incorporates a fun atmosphere in a safe setting where children can explore interests and make new friends. Click the button above to learn more.

All volunteers in our school buildings are required to complete a confidentiality acknowledgment, plus an informed consent form that grants permission for the district to conduct a criminal background check. Click the button above to learn more.

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/