Bridgewater Bear Tracks

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. Our goal is to not have to exclude students after October 14th.

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.

School starts at 9:20 a.m. every Wednesday. Please do not drop students off at school prior to 8:50 a.m. (if they are eating breakfast), or 9:00 a.m. if they are not eating breakfast unless they are registered for KidVentures. Thank you!

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.

The hearing and vision screening for 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade students is scheduled for Tuesday October 6th. Please let me know if you want to opt your child out of either screening. Nurse Lucy's email is larchibald@northfieldschools.org

We would like to acknowledge the Northfield Lions Club for the use of their spot vision screener and their trained volunteers who will be assisting with the vision screening. We also appreciate the nursing students at St. Olaf who will be assisting with both screenings.

Lunchtime is a favorite among students! As you can imagine, it takes a lot of practice to get every class into and out of the cafeteria efficiently each day. For that reason, guests will not be allowed to come for lunch for the first two weeks of school as we practice our lunchtime routines.

If you want to each lunch with your child every once in a while, that option will be available beginning Monday, September 21st. Please stop in the office to sign in prior to going to the cafeteria, and then stop in again to sign out before leaving the building.

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.

https://northfieldschools.revtrak.net/bridgewater/Bridgewater-School-Fees/#/list

Elementary Parent Wellness Letter

Healthy Snack Cart Letter

Healthy Snack Cart Sign Up Form

September 16: 1 Hr Late Start (Every Wednesday)

September 18: School Bus Safety Demonstration

September 25: District-Wide Lockdown Drill

September 25: Spirit Day (National Comic Book Day)

September 25: Kindness Retreat

Dress as your favorite superhero or comic book character

October 2: Spirit Day (Northfield Homecoming)

Dress in your favorite Northfield Raider gear or favorite Northfield sports team

October 6: Picture Retakes

October 13: Fifth Grade 5k

October 13: Booster Club Meeting

October 15-16: MEA Break (No School)

October 23: Spirit Day (Hat or PJ Day) Pay $1 to the BBC to wear a hat or PJ's for the day

Attendance Line

507-664-3306

Benjamin Bus

507-645-5720

BW Main Office

507-664-3300

Office Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Nurse

507-664-3305

It is helpful for the office staff to know if your student will be late for school. You can do this one of three ways:

• Leave a message on the attendance line, available 24 hours/day (507-664-3306)

• Email bwattendance@northfieldschools.org

• Call the main office number (507-664-3300)

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.

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.

Parents frequently have questions about when it is appropriate to stay home from school because of illness. Here are some guidelines to help with your decision.

• If your child has had a temperature of 100.0 degrees or higher in the past 24 hours
• If your child has vomited within the past 24 hours
• If your child feels ill enough that he/she would not be able to benefit from school
• If having your child at school would significantly put others at risk for contracting your child’s illness

Please contact your school’s nurse if you have questions. Visit the Health Services section for more information.

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.

We really appreciate everyone working together to help make the process run smoothly. Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe, organized and efficient for our students and families.

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.

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/