Bridges Community School

Bridges Breeze

11/21/24

Looking for a way to connect to MAPS? We strive to connect our community to our district and schools. Subscribe to this newsletter to get the current information and links to events.

Follow MAPS Facebook and Instagram for student celebrations:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISD77MAPS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isd77maps/

MAPS Website: https://www.isd77.org/

Bridges BAC Website: BAC website link: : https://bridgesbears.weebly.com/faq.html

News and Updates

Principal Update

"Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and fulfilled life." Jack Canfield

This is a month that certainly reminds me of how grateful I am for our partnerships with students, families and our community. We are so fortunate to have a building full of students ages 5-12 that are constantly learning and growing academically and socially.

The lifeskills that were taught in November are: Responsibility, Safety, Active Listening and No Put Downs. We continue to work on applying these life skills at home and school!

I am grateful for the families I was fortunate to see during conferences this week! It is always a gift to connect, learn student strengths and areas of growth! Thank you for your continued partnership and belief in us!

A couple of reminders:

There is no school next Tuesday - Friday (Nov. 25 - 29).

Our next early release is on Wednesday, Dec. 11. Here is the form to fill out for gap care: https://forms.gle/PtEvnfPXLeALUko1A

Working Together, Mrs. Rittmiller

You Matter!! 11/12/24

Isaac W. - K, Thea K. - K, Teddy F. - 1, Huxley F. - 1, Timothy S. - 2, Lawson B. - 2, Ben M. - 3, Lauren C. - 3, Mason N. - 4, Mackenzie S. - 4, Landry P. - 5, Nityan S. - 5

You Matter! 11/19/24

William O. - K, Leland M. - K, Connor C. - 1, Oakes S. - 1 ,Samuel W. - 2 ,Elena E. - 2 ,Justin D. - 3, Petra W. - 3, Leah W. - 4, Isaac R. - 4, Kendall H. - 5, Henry T. - 5

Mrs. Ehlers Matters! - Special Education

Mrs. Ehlers s most excited working with all of her students at Bridges. Outside of school she enjoys walks with her dogs, reading, traveling and time with her family.

Mrs. Fitzloff Matters! Art Specialist

Mrs. Fitzloff is most excited about working at Bridges this year after her sons went to Bridges and she loves teaching the new projects . Outside of school she enjoys going to her sons sporting events, traveling and being outdoors.

Ms. Emma Matters! - Special Education Paraprofessional

Ms. Emma s most excited about workign with our students and the friends she has made at Bridges. Outside of school she reading a great book or relaxing.

Mrs. Conetta Matters! Grade 3 Teacher

Mrs. Conetta is most excited about teaching in our community school due to the size and connections with families and students. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling with her family!

Conferences and Progress Report Update for 2024-25

MAPS elementary schools will be changing the timing of Progress Reports to increase the frequency of scheduled communication with families about student achievement. Starting in the fall of 2024, Progress Reports will occur at different times than Parent Teacher Conferences. Parent Teacher Conferences will continue to be held in November and March, and Progress Reports will be completed in January and June. This change will provide an opportunity for families to receive communication four times during the school year, and families will have an understanding of their child’s progress at the end of the school year.

Families will be able to see their child’s progress report through the Parent Portal in Infinite Campus. If families are unable to access their child’s progress report online, they can request a paper copy by contacting the office at their child’s school.

2024-2025 Dates for Conferences and Progress Reports

November 2024 Parent-Teacher Conferences

January 29, 2025 Progress Reports

March 2025 Parent-Teacher Conferences

June 10, 2025 Progress Reports

Special Education teachers will report progress toward IEP goals and objectives in January and June, following the same timeline and frequency as general education reporting.

All School Meetings

We have All School Meetings on Fridays during the school year starting in the gym at 8:30 am. Parents/guardians are invited to attend. We discuss our life skill, have spotted awards and many times there is an interactive game or speaker.

Focus Schools Update

We are proud to continue our commitment as a community-focused school! Current students will retain their enrollment, ensuring a smooth transition into the next school year.

For new or interested families, the application window for the 2025-26 school year is:

Key Dates:

Application Window: November 25, 2024 – January 24, 2025
Notification of Enrollment: February 14, 2025
Deadline to Accept or Decline: March 1, 2025

*If you do not accept the enrollment seat your child has been awarded by the March 1st, 2025 deadline, the seat will be offered to the next applicant on the waitlist.

The enrollment process will be managed through our Infinite Campus portal. Detailed instructions on how to complete the application, including participation in the lottery drawing, are attached.

We invite all families to join us for enrollment and informational sessions to learn more about our school and the application process.

Key Dates:

Family in-person sessions: December 10th, 2024 @ 9:30am & 6:00pm
Family virtual session: December 18th, 2024 @ 11:45am -

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/noq-wowx-hae

Thank you for your continued support of Bridges Community School where we inspire young learners to explore and appreciate the world’s diverse cultures, perspectives, and challenges through experiential, inquiry based learning.

Our DREAM team had a tour of a Global Academy in New Brighton this week and we worked the day away to plan our 5 year plan and then what will ensure a wonderful year for our K-5 students in year 1. Here are our 6 pillars to Support Global Studies:

1. Connections with Places

2. Connections with Community

3. Connections with People

4. Connections with the Global World

5. Connections with the Past

6. Connections with the Environment

BAC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bridges Holiday Apparel Store

Running through December 2 | Delivery prior to MAPS holiday break

Due to popular demand, and in partnership with B.Stark, we have a Bridges apparel store up and running again! Orders are due through Monday, December 2, so that your purchases can be delivered to school prior to our holiday break. A flyer (attached) was sent home yesterday. To purchase apparel, please follow this link. If you would like your order to be held at school, please select that option when checking out. A portion of apparel sales benefits our school.

New this year is an opportunity to support a family in need. We are looking to purchase a small stock of branded apparel for students who cannot afford it. Suggested sizes are Youth Medium & Large. To participate, you can either purchase an extra item of your choice (and drop it off at the office once delivered) or you can send a monetary donation to BAC (cash or checks made out to BAC are preferred, as Venmo and PayPal have fees). These items will be distributed at the discretion of our school office.

Mental Health Hub

The Greater Mankato Mental Health Hub has launched! This hub was developed by Greater Mankato Area United Way's Youth Mental Health/Suicide Prevention Committee and is hosted by the Center for Rural Behavioral Health at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

The hub is meant to be a tool for parents and caregivers to easily find information on crisis support, local mental health services, parent education, and more.

Find more information HERE.

Save the Date!

November:

Nov. 21 - Stuff-A-Truck Ends

Nov. 21 - Conferences (3:20-7:00)

Nov. 25 - Read & Feed (More information will come from Classroom teachers)

Nov. 26-29 - No School/Thanksgiving Break

December:

Dec. 5 - MSU Science at Bridges/Grades 3-5 (1:00)

Dec. 10- Family Informational Focus School Sessions @ Bridges (9:30am & 6:00pm)

Dec. 11 - 2 Hour Early Release

Dec. 16 - BAC Meeting (6:30)

Dec. 18- Virtual Family Informational Focus School Session (11:45am)

Link: https://meet.google.com/noq-wowx-hae

Dec. 23-Jan. 1 - No School/Winter Break

Looking for a Recess/Cafeteria Supervisor & Resource Paraprofessional

Our team of caring, passionate, and committed professionals wants you! Applying for available positions is simple, fast and secure. Our online application system allows you to start and save an application, submitting it when you are sure that it’s complete. We have current openings as a resource paraprofessional and a lunchroom/recess supervisor for 2 hours a day!

Find your next career here in MAPS!