Bridgewater Bear Tracks
Be Safe. Be Respectful. Be Responsible. Do Your Best.
October 14th, 2026
NO SCHOOL - MEA Break October 15-16
Immunization Deadline
If your student is non-compliant Nurse Lucy would have reached out directly.
If valid immunization records or a notarized exemption form are not submitted to the school’s Health Office before October 19th:
Your student will not be permitted to attend classes or participate in school activities.
If your student arrives at school on Monday, October 19th, they will not be allowed to go to class, and we will call you immediately to come pick them up and take them home.
We urgently want to avoid interrupting your child’s education. To ensure your student can remain in school on October 19th, you must complete one of the following immediately:
1. Obtain Required Immunizations Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider or contact Rice County Public Health at 507-332-6111 to inquire about free clinics. Once completed, submit the documentation to the Health Office at your child’s school.
2. Submit a Completed Exemption Form If you do not want your child to receive these immunizations, you must submit a completed exemption form linked here.
For medical exemptions: Your healthcare provider must complete and sign the form.
For non-medical/conscientious exemptions: You must complete the appropriate section and have the form notarized.
Documentation can be dropped off in person, emailed, or faxed directly to your child’s school building.
🥪 New Kindergarten Lunch Option!
Beginning Monday, October 19th, all kindergarten students will have TWO school lunch options each day: hot lunch or peanut butter & jelly!
Each morning, students will make their lunch choice during our morning check-in. Once they've made their selection, they'll need to stick with that choice for the day.
We're excited to offer another lunch option for our kindergarten friends! Please help your child understand that they'll need to make their choice in the morning and stick with it at lunchtime.
5th Grade 5K
Cell Phones and Smart Watches in School
We have seen an increase in cell phones and smart watches in our elementary schools. Because cell phones and smart watches can be distracting, we are reminding students and families that all cell phones and smart watches need to be in a zipped backpack and powered off during the school day. Should you need to get a message to your child during the day, please contact the school office at 507-664-3300.
Lost & Found
Our Lost and Found has grown out of control. Please remind your student(s) to take a peek during the school day. If you are able to stop by and look for familiar items between now and Family Conferences we would greatly appreciate your help in returning everyone's belongings.
Spirit Day Reminder for October 23rd
Parent Pickup Change-Walk Up Parents:
Thank you for continuing to make safety our #1 priority during our dismissal process. We will continue to have students walk down to DOOR #1 to meet parents that are walking up to pick up their students. Please remember to utilize the crosswalk from door #1 to enter the parking lot. Do not walk into the parking lot further down the pickup line in between vehicles.
Fall Conferences
- No School Friday, November 6th (Teacher conference prep day)
- Fall Conferences November 10th and November 19th *Look for a conference sign up link next week.
Book Fair
Tuesday, 11/17: (Set-up) No Purchases
Wednesday, 11/18: Sale 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, 11/19: Sales 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. *Conference Night*
Friday, 11/20: Sales 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. + Tear Down 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
All students will visit the book fair with their class during school. Purchases are optional.
For full details and to create an eWallet, visit our school’s Book Fair homepage:
Veterans Day Assembly & Slideshow
Save the date!
Veterans Day Assembly will be held on Wednesday, November 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the gymnasium. All families and Veterans are welcome to attend.
If you have a loved one who is currently serving or has served in the armed forces and would like to be represented in our slideshow, please submit a picture to our committee at: bw_announcements@northfieldschools.org no later than Monday, November 2nd. We will only accept digital photos in .jpeg format. You will receive a confirmation email in return indicating that we received your photo. The slide show will be included in the assembly.
Grandparents Day
We will be celebrating Grandparents/Special Person Day on Tuesday, November 24th. The parking lot will be full, and we will allow grandparents to park in the parking lots and the bus loop as long as cars are moved by 3:05 pm, in time for dismissal. Please don’t forget to notify your child’s teacher ahead of time 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.
9:00-9:45 - Kindergarten
10:00-10:30 - 2nd Grade
10:30-11:00 - 4th Grade
1:00-1:30 - 1st Grade
2:00-2:30 - 5th Grade
2:30-3:00 - 3rd Grade
Bridgewater Spirit Wear!
Bridgewater Elementary School 2026
You can now purchase your items online in 3 easy steps:
1. Scan the QR code or go online to https://larsonsprinting.itemorder.com and enter sale code: belem26
2. Choose your items and add them to your cart
3. Securely checkout with your credit card
Online Store Deadline: Sunday November 1st, 2026 (11:59pm CST)
Please contact us at Larson's Printing with questions prior to placing an order, as we do not accept returns or exchanges on custom items ordered through the online store.
Larson's Printing
Location: 207 Water St S, Northfield, MN 55057
Hours: Monday-Thursday from 9am-6pm, Friday from 9am-5pm, and Saturday from 10am-4pm.
Phone: 507-645-7238
Email: admin@larsonsprinting.com
Attendance & Absence Procedures
Being at school regularly gives students the opportunity to:
Keep up with learning — Students receive the instruction, practice, and support they need to build important skills and stay on track.
Be part of the classroom community — Students know what is happening, participate in classroom activities, and learn alongside their classmates.
Build strong work habits — Regular attendance helps students develop routines, responsibility, perseverance, and confidence as learners.
Celebrate their accomplishments — Being present gives students more opportunities to experience success, feel proud of their progress, and see what they are capable of.
Discover that they can do hard things — Learning takes practice and perseverance. Showing up each day helps students develop the confidence to tackle challenges and keep trying.
Build a strong foundation for the future — Each day provides opportunities to grow as a reader, writer, mathematician, problem-solver, friend, and lifelong learner.
To Report and Absence
Call the attendance line and leave a message (507-664-3306) OR
Be sure to include the following detailed information:
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 instead. We notify students by 2:00 of these changes.
Personal Absences
Lunch Visitors and Menus
Northfield Youth Sports Collaborative
There is a way for EVERY child to play …
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE IN EACH SPORT
Please contact: Community Action Center of Northfield, 507-664-3550
We encourage you to check each association’s website for the most current information.
This month's edition includes registration and programming updates from:
- Northfield Community Education
- Northfield Area Family YMCA
- Northfield Skating School
- Northfield Swim Club
- Northfield Wrestling
- Northfield Volleyball Club
To switch to Spanish, click on the dropdown menu at the top right of the announcement page.
Volunteer Information
Yearly Background Check
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 2026-2027 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.
Important Dates
October Events
October 14: Immunization Deadline:
October 15-16: MEA Break (No School)
October 23: Kindergarten Windy Willow Farm FIELD TRIP
October 23: Spirit Day (Hat or PJ Day) Pay $1 to the BBC to wear a hat or PJ's for the day
November Events
November 6: No School (Teacher Prep Day)
November 10: Family Conferences
November 11: Veterens Day Assembly 10:00am
November 17: Booster Club Meeting
November 18: Book Fair 9:00-3:00
November 19: Family Conferences
November 19: Book Fair 8:30-7:00
November 20: 8:30-11:30
November 24: Grandparents Day
November 25-27: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
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
Before School
Students may enter the building only if they are having breakfast starting at 7:50. Breakfast is served from 7:50-8:20. Supervision on the playground starts at 8:00. Students that walk or are being dropped off should go directly to the playground if they are not having breakfast. If you take a bus you will be allowed to go in the building only if you need breakfast.
Picking up Students Early
Please contact the office (507-664-3300) if you plan on picking your student up before the 3:20 p.m. dismissal. All students need to be signed out in the office before leaving the building prior to the end of the school day. You can come into the office to pick your student up and sign them out.
Change to Dismissal Routine
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.
After School
If you are picking your child up, make sure you have your car tag on your rear view mirror. Do not remove the sign until your child has entered your car. Dismissal will come from the gym using Door #11. We will bring your child to you, do not get out of your car. Keep pulling forward so the line can continue to move. If you park in the lot and are getting your child, do not block Door #11 or enter the gymnasium. Still hold your car tag sign so we can see it and meet at door #1.
About Bridgewater Elementary
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, Northfield, MN, 55057
Web page: northfieldschools.org/schools/bridgewater-elementary/