Bridgewater Bear Tracks
September 4th, 2026
First Day of School
Tuesday, September 8th is the first day of school for students. Please mark this on your calendar. We are excited to have the Bridgewater Bears return!
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.
Parents who are with their child on the first day should also wait on the playground. We do not have a lot of sidewalk space in the front of our building and we ask parents not to congregate in this area. Mrs. Benhart and Mr. Danielson will be helping with cars in our drop off line. If your child requires extra time to get out of the car, pull ahead of the loading zone sign.
For the first few days at 8:18 Mrs. Benhart and Mr. Danielson will dismiss our Kindergarten students to enter the building. The first week of school Kindergarten parents are allowed to walk their child to the classroom. We will have a number of staff outside and in the commons area to help students get to their rooms. Once the Kindergarten students get into the building, Mrs. Benhart and Mr. Danielson will start dismissing other grade levels to enter.
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 #11.
Breakfast Information
Students may enter the building only if they are having breakfast starting at 7:50. Breakfast is served from 7:50-8:20.
Lunch Information
Students have the option to select the alternative meal lines if they do not like the featured meal on the menu. A cold sandwich meal is available including whole wheat turkey or whole wheat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. These meals include a fruit, a vegetable and a milk choice.
The salad meal includes a fruit choice, a whole grain bread option and a milk choice.
Please Note: Salads will not be available the 1st week of school. We will start having salads on Sept 14th.
Salad of the Day:
Monday: Grilled Chicken Caesar
Tuesday: Chef
Wednesday: Taco Salad
Thursday: Crispy Chicken
Friday: Mandarin Chicken
Lunch Visitors
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.
Snack Cart
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. Save time by printing out and bringing in the form during Family Conferences, or pay online using Rev-Trak.
Bus Information
New This Year
Bussing Information Now Sent via My Ride Parent App: Starting this school year, bussing information will be provided to families via the My Ride Parent App. Benjamin Bus will not be sending out bus cards this year, so this will be the sole way for families to obtain bussing information aside from calling Benjamin Bus.
When adding your student to your profile you will enter their unique "Student ID" 9 digit number required by the district to find your student. This information is available in Skyward under the "Student Information" tab. If you need assistance, please contact Benjamin Bus at (507) 645-5720.
Registration Forms
🚌 Reminder: 2026-27 bus registration forms due
Bus Registration forms for the 2026-27 school year went home with students the week of May 18. The online option will not be available until after September 11. If your student did not receive a form, you may call Benjamin Bus at (507) 645-5720 to request transportation for the 2026-27 school year. Please submit your transportation requests by August 10 for service to begin September 8. Requests received after August 10 will not be processed until after September 15.
Transportation Fee
State statute requires districts to transport students who live two miles or more from their school. Northfield Public Schools charges a fee for transportation between the previous transportable boundary and up to two miles from school. This recommendation was approved as part of the priority-based budget reductions on April 28, 2025.
Here are the details:
The fee is $250 per year per student, with a family cap of $500.
Fee area:
Elementary students: 0.75 miles to 1.99 miles from school
Secondary students: 1.0 miles to 1.99 miles from school
Families that qualify for Educational Benefits (Free/Reduced Lunch Form) will have their bus fee waived
NEW - A Pay-to-Ride Option is now available for families residing in areas not currently eligible for transportation due to their close proximity to school and who would like their student to ride the bus. This option is contingent on space and routing availability. Please fill out a transportation form, and Benjamin Bus will notify you if you are eligible.
Families who filled out a blank form should contact the district office at (507) 663-0600 to determine whether they will be required to pay a fee.
If you have questions about the fee, contact Amy Stowe, Accounting Generalist at (507) 645-3440.
Families who are required to pay a fee will be able to pay online starting August 15, 2026.
Northfield Public Schools and Benjamin Bus are committed to providing safe transportation to and from school while ensuring a sustainable financial model into the future.
Skylert/School Messenger System
Northfield Public Schools utilizes this communication system for general announcements, meal account updates, and emergency messages. Skylert/School Messenger System uses the information you have in Family Access for these communications. View our guide for registering and configuring Skylert below:
Technology FAQ's
For assistance with school technology, please use the links below to access all technology support systems:
Important Dates
September Events
September 8: First Day of School
September 8: Booster Club Meeting
September 9: One Hour Late Start (Wednesday)
September 11: Sprit Day (DJJD) & Defeat of Jesse James Day Assembly
Dress as a Cowboy/Cowgirl and enjoy a performance celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Defeat of Jesse James
September 15: First Fire Emergency Drill
September 18: School Bus Safety Demonstration
September 24: Fire Emergency Drill
September 25: Spirit Day (National Comic Book Day)
September 25: Kindness Retreat
Dress as your favorite superhero or comic book character
October Events
October 2: Spirit Day (Northfield Homecoming)
Dress in your favorite Northfield Raider gear or favorite Northfield sports team
October 6: Picture Retakes
October 8: Hold Emergency Drill
October 12: Secure Emergency Drill
October 13: Fifth Grade 5k
October 13: Booster Club Meeting
October 15-16: MEA Break (No School)
October 23: Fire Emergency Drill
October 23: Spirit Day (Hat or PJ Day) Pay $1 to the BBC to wear a hat or PJ's for the day
School Pictures
School pictures were taken during Family Conferences. To place an online order for pictures, please visit the Strawbridge website and enter Bridgewater’s access code: PX505349 under “Order Pictures & Yearbooks.” Placing an online order by September 7th will ensure free deliver to the school when pictures become available. Placing an online order after September 7th will be subject to a delivery fee from Strawbridge.
Attendance & Absence Procedures
Attendance Matters
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 an 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.
Medical Information
Medications
Please make sure to share medical needs for your child with Nurse Lucy Archibald. Any and all medications need to go through her as well. Please do not send medications on the bus with students.
Nurse's Email: larchibald@northfieldschools.org
Nurse's Phone: 507-664-3305
Thank you!
Immunizations
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.
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 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
To Report a Late Arrival
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)
Call the main office number (507-664-3300)
If your student arrives after 8:25 a.m., they will need to be checked-in by a parent in the office before heading to class.
Picking Students Up 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.
Changes to End of Day 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.
*Please do not leave messages on the attendance line for changes to the end of day pick up routine.
Before & After School Child Care
Kid Ventures
Please feel free to contact Kid Ventures for information on before or after school child care for your elementary student.
Volunteer Information
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.
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
Web page: northfieldschools.org/schools/bridgewater-elementary/