Bridgewater Bear Tracks

Daylight Savings will be in effect on Sunday, March 8th. Don't forget to set your clocks AHEAD one hour beginning 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 8th (or before bedtime on Saturday, March 7th)!

We have a multitude of lost and found items that need to be claimed! All items not claimed by Spring Break (end of day March 20th) will be donated.

AmeriCorps Appreciation Week is March 8-14th. We have some amazing ReadingCorps and MathCorps tutors at Bridgewater! We recognize Sue Bolton, Rhonda Pownell, Hannah Misgen, and Shanda Thomas for their dedication to our students and to helping our Bridgewater Bears feel successful in their education journey.

March is looking to be a busy month for PE! We are in our badminton unit this week, followed by cardio and jump roping activities to wrap up the final weeks before spring break!

Kid's Heart Challenge officially kicks off Monday! Students will be sent home with information regarding the Kid’s Heart Program through the American Heart Association. This is an optional fundraiser, but our PE department can earn an equipment gift certificate by half of our students simply creating an account (which does not require fundraising). On the account, students can learn important skills such as hands-only CPR and other valuable information. If you choose, you can create an account by clicking the link HERE.

Bright yellow letters went home with students whose artwork was selected for the 2026 Northfield Public Schools All School Art Show! We have limited space to hang our work and could only take about 80 BW artists. The artwork will be displayed Thursday 2/19/2026 through Saturday 3/28/26 at the Northfield Arts Guild on Division Street in downtown Northfield.

A public reception called the “Imagination Celebration” will be held Saturday 3/7/2026, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. All students, families, guardians, and friends are invited to enjoy the visual art show, theater performances, art activities, and musical performances during this special day of recognizing the wonderful work these students have done. Ms. W will be present in the gallery on this day from 10:00-11:15 a.m.

If you are unable to attend the “Imagination Celebration” you may view the show during regular gallery hours:

Tuesday – Friday: 12 to 5 pm

Saturday: 11 am to 4 pm

Closed Sunday & Monday

https://northfieldartsguild.org/arts/visual-arts-2/galleries/main/

Congratulations and keep up the great work!

Northfield Public Schools encourages district residents to attend a public hearing on Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Northfield District Office Gymnasium to learn more and provide feedback on the board renewal of the 2017 operating levy. Here are the details:

Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026
Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Northfield District Office Gymnasium, 201 Orchard Street South. Enter through door 5 on the parking lot side of the building.

The Northfield School District Board of Education is in the process of considering the renewal of its 2017 operating levy, which is set to expire at the end of fiscal year 2028 and represents approximately $9 million of the district’s annual revenue.

The board has the option to renew our existing operating levy, which is set to expire in 2028, one time under the same conditions originally approved by the voters, as permitted by Minnesota Statute 126C.17, subdivision 9b.

More information can be found here.

Community School is offering Spring Break Open Gym with homework help & tutoring! Open to Northfield Kindergarten–8th grade students. Parents or guardians must sign in students but don't need to stay. See flyer for details. Hope to see you there!

Welcome, New Middle School Families!

We look forward to you and your student attending the 5th Grade Parent Night / WEB event on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Parents and students will report to the Middle School auditorium for a welcome from staff. Students will then be dismissed to meet our awesome 8th grade WEB leaders for some fun activities and parents will have a presentation in the auditorium.

Save the Date:

We will have WEB Orientation for all incoming sixth graders on Friday, August 28th. Please watch for an email with further details this summer.

We are very excited to welcome all of you to our Middle School family. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.

Greg Gelineau
Northfield Middle School Principal

Spring baseball season is just around the corner, and registration is now open for Northfield Youth Baseball In-House programs! We invite all interested families to sign up their players for a fun, active, and rewarding season on the field.

Northfield Youth Baseball offers opportunities for players of all skill levels to learn the game, build confidence, develop teamwork, and most importantly — have fun! Our league focuses on sportsmanship, skill development, and creating a positive experience for every athlete.

⏰ Registration Deadlines:

• Friday, March 6th - Deadline to register for the 9U Tournament Team Tryouts
• Beginning Saturday, March 7th - $50 late fee applied to registrations for T-Ball, Futures (Coach Pitch) and Rookies (Machine Pitch). Register on or prior to March 6th to avoid the late fee.
• Friday, March 20th - Registration for all In-house programs closes

🧢 Who Can Register: Boys and Girls grades K-3
📍 Opening Day: ALL In-House levels is Saturday, May 2nd
🌐 How to Register: To register for the 2026 In-House Baseball Season, please visit the registration link below. Registrations require users to create or sign into a SportsEngine account.

• Registration link: https://northfieldyouthbaseball.sportngin.com/register/form/932190813

❓ Questions about In-House programs or Registration?

Danny DuChene - In-House President - NYBAPresident.InHouse@gmail.com

Missy Spitzack - In-House Director - NYBAInHouseDirector@gmail.com

⚾ Play ball!

March 2026 Sports Announcements

https://northfieldsports.org/03-26/

This month's edition includes registration and programming updates from:

• Northfield Community Education
• Northfield Area Family YMCA
• Northfield Lacrosse Association
• Northfield Skating School

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.

Yearbooks are ready to order!

1.Visit www.strawbridge.net

2. Enter code: YB32386

3. Select either the standard yearbook option, or select the personalization you would like (personalization is only available for online orders)

All yearbook orders are due by April 3, 2026.

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.

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.

Mar 16--All District Band Concert (7:00 p.m.) - Northfield HS Gym - Student call time 6:15 p.m.

Mar 17--Bridgewater Booster Club (BBC) Meeting (6:00-7:00 p.m.)

Mar 19--6th Grade Parent Information Night at Middle School (for this year's 5th grade families) 5:30 p.m.

Mar 20--End of 3rd Quarter

Mar 23-27--No School-Spring Break

Mar 30--No School-Teacher Preparation Day

Apr 14--Bridgewater Booster Club (BBC) Meeting

Apr 17--2nd Grade Field Trip - Science Museum

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

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/