Bridges' Program Newsletter

August 2023

Welcome to the 23-24 school year! I hope everyone had an opportunity to recharge over the summer as we reset for another year of learning!

As many of you know, we ended last year with many positive outcomes including: students gaining approximately an entire quarter of learning and teaching time, an “above average” school-wide average growth score on a predictive measure of reading proficiency, students used over 1,000 coping strategies and we supported the transition of 13 students to a less restrictive setting. We applaud our community for these ROCKSTAR outcomes We did this work TOGETHER!

A new and extremely important data point comes straight from you, our families! Our most recent results from the Panorama Family Survey showed incremental increases about what you have to say about our “perceptions and overall social and learning environment of the school” from 66% in 2018 —> 71% in 2019 —>82% in 2023! This is 24% GROWTH, and we owe it to the relationships we have built to support your student. YOU are our student’s most important partners in their educational journey.

The Bridges community will be welcoming several new staff and students as we start the 23-24 school year. We will be introducing new staff members in our upcoming newsletter. Our program will also be continuing our amazing partnership with United Arts Council as we host at least two Artists in Schools throughout the year. We are building a new partnership with Broughton High School Dance Department to continue to integrate Dance as a Special. We will keep you updated about special events.

The Bridges community is thrilled to be collaborating with you and your students this school year!

In partnership as an educator and WCPSS parent,

Heather Boing

Director of the Bridges Program

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COMING EVENTS

August 25th: Meet the Teacher 3-6pm

August 28th: 1st Day of School for students

Monday, Sept. 4th: Labor Day (HOLIDAY)

September 15th- IA Appreciation Day

September 15th- 1st Day of Hispanic Heritage Month

Monday, September 25th- Teacher Work Day (NO SCHOOL)

Friday, September 29th- Q1 Interims go home

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Back to School

Speaking of special events, one of the most important nights is our Meet the Teacher event which will be held on Friday, August 18th. You are invited to the school to see your student’s classroom, meet the staff who work directly with your student, answer any questions you may have and find out what classroom supplies your child or the classroom may need . We use dynamic and innovative structures to enhance learning and teaching at Bridges. We will be continuing with our co-teaching instructional delivery. Your child will be taught by two to three classroom teachers, several Instructional Assistants and our school will have two intervention teachers. Your student’s assigned teacher will be contacting you by phone, Talking Points and/or email by 5pm Tuesday 08.22.23. We look toward to seeing you at Meet the Teacher!

School Schedule

8:00-8:30 Arrival/Breakfast

8:30-9:00 Morning Meeting/Social Skills/CORE Practice

9:00-12:10 Academics/Specials and Recess (grades 1-3)

Academics (grades 4-5)

12:10-12:30 Lunch

12:30-12:45 Midday Meeting and CORE Practice

12:45-2:35 Academics (grades 1-3)

Academics/specials and recess (Grades 4-5)

2:35-2:50 Afternoon Meeting/CORE Practice

2:50-2:55 Pack up

2:55 DISMISSAL

SPECIALS:

Monday- Social Skills

Tuesday- Dance

Wednesday- Media

Thursday- PE

Friday- Circles

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2023-2024 Family Handbook

Family Handbook

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School Supplies

Although we are very fortunate to have most to all classroom supplies that our students and staff may need, below is a list of items that are always in need: