Bridgewater Bear Tracks
Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe, Try Your Best

May 8, 2026
Boosterthon Update
Our total for the first week of Boosterthon is $41,222 raised! Keep it up!
Watch this year's teacher video HERE!
Sign-up and donations: MyBooster.com
🏃 Boosterthon Fun Run - May 15th *Spectators welcome!
9:30-10:15 - Kindergarten
10:20-11:05 - 2nd Grade
11:10-11:55 - 4th Grade
12:20-1:05 - 1st Grade
1:10 - 1:55 - 3rd Grade
2:00 - 2:45 - 5th Grade
Stay tuned for more details and follow us on social media for updates!
Volunteers Needed
There are still open volunteer slots available for Boosterthon 2026!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A9AF22A7FDC70-63430114-boosterthon
…here are the important dates on which we need volunteers:
- 5/11-5/15= Daily Prize Delivery
- Friday, 5/15 = Fun Run
IMPORTANT NOTE: All volunteers will be required to complete a background check form... here is the link to complete that form: https://northfieldschools.org/schools/bridgewater-elementary/volunteer/
A Peek Into Our Week
Boosterthon Kickoff
Snapshots of the Week
Staff Appreciation Week-Thank you!
May 6th - School Nurse Appreciation Day
Thank you, Nurse Lucy, for helping the Bridgewater Bears! From crutches to coughs, tummy aches to lost teeth, Nurse Lucy knows just how to help us feel better!
Lunch Visitors
Bridgewater loves our visitors! We want to be welcoming while also safe and respectful. Please see the graphic below and follow the three simple steps to allow for an enjoyable lunch period for all. Thank you for your cooperation!
Mrs. Antoine Retirement Gathering - May 28
May 2026 Sports Announcements
This month's edition includes registration and programming updates from:
- Northfield Community Education
- Northfield Area Family YMCA
- Northfield Lacrosse Association
- Northfield Skating School
https://northfieldsports.org/05-26/
To switch to Spanish, click on the dropdown menu at the top right of the announcement page.
There is a way for EVERY child to play...SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE IN EACH SPORT!
Please contact the Community Action Center of Northfield, 507-664-3550.
DJJD Junior Ambassador Program
🏒 A Note from the Northfield Hockey Association 🏒
We are excited to announce our Try Hockey for Free Day event this summer!
Who: All students in Pre-K through 3rd grade
When:
📅 Monday, July 27th
⏰ 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Where: Northfield Ice Arena
1280 Bollenbacher Drive
Northfield, MN 55057
Why Attend?
This is the perfect opportunity to try hockey—and it’s completely FREE!
✔ All equipment is provided
✔ No experience necessary
✔ Northfield Hockey Association coaches will be on-site
✔ Northfield High School Raiders boys’ and girls’ hockey players will be on the ice helping and
encouraging young skaters
This is a fun, welcoming way for kids to experience the game, build confidence on the ice, and connect with our local hockey community. We can’t wait to see you on the ice!
Come join us and give hockey a try—you might just love it! 🏒
REGISTER HERE: https://tryhockeyforfree.com/event_detail/4791
Bridges to Kindergarten
If you have an incoming kindergarten student, Bridges to Kindergarten is a FREE program that is designed to assist children in making a smooth transition into kindergarten. Children participate in a kindergarten-like classroom experience with early childhood and kindergarten teachers. Register here today! More information is found in the attachment below.
Weather Related School Closings
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.
Attendance Policy
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.
Illness Related Absences
While documentation is not required until after 10 illness absences, it is recommended that parents/guardians provide the school with documentation each time their student misses
school and visits the doctor due to illness or for an appointment. After 10 illness-related absences, medical documentation will be required to excuse any additional illness/appointment related absences.
Personal Absences
Personal days include vacations, family events, or non-school sponsored sports or academic activities, etc. After 5 personal absences, a request must be submitted via Google Form (link below) for any additional personal absences to be excused. Additional absences will be considered unexcused unless approved by the school administration.
School Day Information
Helpful Numbers
Attendance Line
507-664-3306
Benjamin Bus
507-645-5720
BW Main Office
507-664-3300
Office Hours: 7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Nurse
507-664-3305
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.
Safety
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.
Volunteer Information
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. A background check needs to be completed each year in order to volunteer in the schools or chaperone field trips. Please click the link below to complete a background check for the 2025-2026 school year, and allow processing time of 24 hours prior to your event. You can call the Bridgewater office at 507-664-3300 if you have questions.
Community Activities and Resources
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.
Lunch Menus
Upcoming Events
May 11--Kindergarten Field Trip - Children’s Museum
May 12--Bridgewater Booster Club (BBC) Meeting (6:00-7:00 p.m.)
May 12--Band and Choir Concert - Bridgewater Gym (7:00 p.m.)
May 14--5 Grade Field Trip to Riverside Education Days (9:30-2:30)
May 15--Boosterthon Fun Run 🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♂️
May 22--No School-Teacher Preparation Day
May 25--No School Memorial Day
Mary 26--Ag Day
May 28--Parade of Graduates (8:35 a.m.)
May 28--4th Grade Field Trip to JA Hemak Experiential Learning Center
May 28--Retirement Party for Mrs. Antoine - BW Media Center (3:45-5:30 p.m.)
May 29--4th and 5th Grade Track and Field Day
May 29--2nd Grade Field Trip to The Children’s Theatre
June 5--5th Grade Field Trip to the Bell Museum
June 8--Water Fun Day
June 9--5th Grade Graduation (1:15-3:00)
June 10--Last Day of School (2 hour early dismissal)
School Calendars 25-26
School Calendars 26-27
Non-Discrimination Statement
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.
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/