Bridgewater Bear Tracks

There is NO SCHOOL on Friday, May 22nd (teacher preparation day) and Monday, May 25th (Memorial Day). Thank you!

Didn't order a yearbook but would like one? The few extra we ordered are available on a first-pay basis so as soon as the office receives payment we will add your child to the list. Yearbooks are $21 each and can be paid for with cash (exact amount, please) or check payable to BBC.

Bus registration forms for the 2026-2027 school year are coming home this week! The online option will not be available until after September 11th so it is very important to look for and return the bus registration form by June 5th. If your student does not receive a pre-filled bus form for some reason, blank forms will be available in the school office or you can call Benjamin Bus at 507-645-5720, to request transportation for the 2026-2027 school year.

Track and Field Day for fourth and fifth grade students will take place at the Northfield Middle School Track on Friday, May 29. Please make sure that your child is dressed for the weather, wears tennis shoes, sunscreen, and has water.

Fourth grade = 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Fifth grade = 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

**Interested volunteers - please follow the link.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4BA4A929A7FEC43-63840446-track

Additional Info:

- Please continue to send any ice cream buckets and covers as well as old t-shirts that will be used for a relay.

Our last evening concert of the school year is approaching quickly and will take place on Monday, June 1st at 7:00 pm in the Middle School Auditorium. This concert will feature the 4th and 5th grade orchestras.

Timeline of concert night:

*4th grade: Arrive by 6:15 pm for tuning in the cafeteria and a rehearsal as a combined 4th grade ensemble in the band room.

*5th grade: Arrive by 6:25 pm for tuning and warm-up in the orchestra room

*Concert begins at 7:00 pm, and should be done around 7:30 pm.

*There will be NO salads available the last week of school.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 1--Elementary Orchestra Concert - MS Auditorium (7:00 p.m)

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)

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 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/