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Bridge Bulletin
November 17, 2023
Principal Chat
Thanksgiving is upon us and we have SO MUCH for which to be thankful - first and foremost, we are thankful for YOU for making the decision to CHOOSE Bridge as the place to send your children. With so many options out there, neighborhood schools, online schools, charter schools, and even homeschooling, choosing the right educational placement for your kids is a daunting task. In the olden days, you opened the door and kids walked to school or got on the bus - there was no thought or choice involved. Now, you have lots of choice.
We take the task of educating your kids, and providing them a safe, positive and supportive environment, seriously, and appreciate the "thank yous" when we get it right and the feedback when we miss the mark. There are a lot of moving parts and a lot of kiddos with different needs and we work hard to juggle all of this for your kids. This is a job that is filled with "heart payments" every single day and the reason any educator gets up and shows up - YOUR kids provide those heart payments, and for that we are THANKFUL beyond measure!
We are also SO thankful for having the lowest educator turnover rate of any school around. Just like the family survey, we also conduct staff surveys and our staff surveys show our staff LOVE working at Bridge. In fact, we have had a few staff leave Bridge and then, quickly decide the grass wasn't actually greener and return to Bridge in different positions. Bridge doesn't pay better than other schools or companies, and as a charter school, we can't match the benefits a district school can offer; however, we have a unique culture and environment which our employees describe as "family". It is this Bridge "family" that fills my heart with THANKS every single day!
SKATE NIGHT
Another huge thanks is the family participation at our family skate night! We had 561 Bridge participants at our fall skate night! Bridge hosts TWO skate nights each year. Part of our dress down donation helps fund skate night - we have to pay to rent the facility and pay for the token cards. But, it is an excellent way for our kids and families to connect outside of school.
Our next skate night is in May. These are FREE events for families. Entry is free for all, and If you bring a scooter, skates or rollerblades you can skate or scooter all night for free! For a small cost, parents can pay for their kids to upgrade for an all event pass to allow them to bounce, play laser tag and play in Pirate's Cove, or for a couple of bucks, parents can rent skates and join their kids around the rink. See further below for some pictures of skate night fun.
This week we highlight our amazing kindergarten teachers - Ms. Call, Ms. Lovett and Mrs. Eschler. Please read our STAFF HIGHLIGHTS below about these amazing ladies and all the great things they do for our kindergarten kiddos at Bridge.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
NO SCHOOL
- November 20 - 24 (Thanksgiving Break)
- December 18 - Jan. 1 (Christmas Break)
- January 15 (Martin Luther King Day)
- March 7 and 8 (Parent Teacher Conferences)
UPCOMING EVENTS
- November 29: 5th and 6th Grade BASE Championship Martial Arts Visit
- January 23: Math Night FREE Dinner 6:00 - 7:30 pm
- March 6 - 8: Parent Teacher Conferences
Please keep reading for more information about this past week and events for the upcoming weeks.
As always, thank you for CHOOSING Bridge and sharing your kids with us! We know you have lots of options in education and we are honored that you have made the choice to have your students attend our awesome school!
Lani Rounds
Principal
Reverse Field Trips
A "reverse" field trip has become all the rage, especially since COVID when schools weren't able to leave the school and visit places. Since COVID a few classes have been outside of the school on field trips; however, with the exorbitant cost of bus rental, nearly $1,000 for one grade, and the concern for safety, taking students to crowded public places, many of our grades have opted for reverse field trips. A revers field trip is where the place a school would normally visit, brings the field trip to the school. Sometimes there is a charge, sometimes they come for free.
Last week, Thanksgiving Point came out to visit 3rd grade. They brought their staff members, and tulip bulbs. Students learned about tulips, got to dissect tulip bulbs, and then, each student got to plant a tulip bulb in the front of the school. This week, Loveland Living Aquarium visited 4th grade. Students learned about animals, adaptation, and then, got to meet, hold and pet snakes, lizards and other reptiles.
Later this year, kindergarten and 2nd grade plan to bring Scales and Tails to their classes for students to learn about and to touch and hold all kinds of creatures including spiders, huge snakes, tortoises and lizards.
LOST AND FOUND
Lost and found items, from the playground, classrooms and the rolling bin at the front of the school, will be left under the front portico during the Thanksgiving break. This will give parents NINE days to come to the school, sort through the items and take the coats and jackets that belong to their kids. The items that are left will be donated when we return from break. Nine days - we will assume that after nine days you are not interested in retrieving the items that belong to your family and would like them to be donated to a different family.
Skate Night at Classic Fun Center
Few Spots in the Lottery Opening Soon - Offering Military Preference
Check In System
FFVP - Weekly Snacks
We are super grateful to have this program at Bridge.This program is designed to give kids the opportunity to try fresh fruits and vegetables that they may otherwise not have an opportunity to try.
Kindergarten Teachers
Mandee Call
Hi Bridge Families! My name is Mandee Call or Ms. Call as the kids know me. I am the kindergarten lead teacher. I have been with Bridge since we opened our doors in August 2020. Before coming to Bridge I taught at Head Start for 11 years.
I absolutely love teaching kindergarten. The kids are so honest which can be good and bad, but the good certainly outweighs the bad. If you are ever feeling down, just come hang out with our students and you will leave feeling on top of the world.
When I am not teaching or planning lessons, you will find me hanging out with my six daughters, two dogs, and three cats. We like to do just about anything together, but the pool or beach is a favorite for all of us.
Angie Eschler
Hello my name is Angela Eschler. I have a masters degree in elementary education and an undergrad in family studies. For 15 years I did daycare in my home while I raised my kids. When my youngest went to kindergarten, I went too! I have three sons, one daughter, and a daughter in law. My husband Ed and I have lived in Roy for 23 years, but I come from a little farming community in Idaho called Dingle.
Briley Lovett
Visible Learning - Thoroughness
I will -
- Plan my work.
- Pay attention to details.
- Make a list so I don't forget.
- Finish what I start.
- Clean up along the way.
By using these visible learning traits each day students will become lifelong learners who are set up for success. Please use this same verbiage at home and recognize when your student is using this trait.
2023-2024 Calendar
Volunteers
- Cutting Watch Me Learn tickets (stop by the office).
- Pulling weeds in the rock areas and park strips (we have all the area in front of the school and up 4800 S along the school fence).
- Sorting construction paper into like colors (stop by the office).
- Using rakes and shovels to redistribute the gravel from the bottom of the retention area in front of the school to the top area to cover the black landscape screen.
- Parking lot duty before and after school (just check in at the office, put on a yellow vest and talk to Travis in the crosswalk for instructions).
Once your family has volunteered 30 hours they can stop by the front office and ask for a VOLUNTEER FROG. There is no formal tracking program - just track the hours yourself. Then, write your family's name on the frog and tape the frog on our volunteer pond in the front foyer.
If you want to volunteer but do not have the time, you can donate $90 to cover the 30 hours. If you choose to donate, complete the volunteer form. You can donate in the office or by using our DONATE icon on the home page of our website.
Volunteering or donating is OPTIONAL and is not required to be a student or a parent of a student at Bridge Elementary.
Excuse an Absence
Weber Human Services - Stabilization and Mobile Response (SMR)
Maintaining a School Climate that is Free of Harassment and Discrimination
Bridge Elementary is committed to maintaining a school climate that is safe, welcoming, and free of harassment and discrimination. The School prohibits all forms of harassment, and it does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, marital status, or disability.
We encourage anyone who believes they (or someone else) have been subjected to harassment or discrimination at the School to file a complaint with the School’s Principal, Lani Rounds. The School will promptly investigate and resolve all such complaints in accordance with School policy.
If you would like to learn more about how the School handles complaints of harassment or discrimination, please review the School’s Notice of Nondiscrimination, Civil Rights Policy, and Bullying and Hazing Policy on the School’s website at https://www.bridgecharter.org/policies-procedures
Title I
Bridge Elementary receives our Title I funding based on the percentage of students that qualify for free or reduced lunch. For this reason we encourage ALL families to apply for Free/Reduced lunch through Aspire to ensure every single student receives the services needed, including access to free or reduced meals if appropriate.
Title I provides avenues for parent input and participation. We do this through our surveys and the link to the form on our website which allows parents to submit questions and suggestions.
You can find more information about Title I as well as a form to ask questions or provide suggestions regarding Title I, on our website at:
Who to Contact for What
Student Support - Stacey Archuleta - Stacey@BridgeCharter.org
- Morning Supervision and BASE
- Behavior Support and Bullying
- 504 Plans
Lead Secretary - Lalani Williams - Lwilliams@BridgeCharter.org
- Aspire
- Lottery
- Registration
Social Worker - Chelsea Silverwood - Chelsea@BridgeCharter.org
School Nurse - Vicki Ross - Vicki@bridgecharter.org
Special Education
Dianne Kelsey Lead SpED Teacher - Dianne.Kelsey@BridgeCharter.org
Julie Christensen SpED Director - Julie@BridgeCharter.org
ELL Coordinator - Nichol Lloyd - Nichol@BridgeCharter.org
Meal Issues - Jodi Jensen - Jodi@BridgeCharter.org
Classroom Teachers - see website - https://www.bridgecharter.org/teachers
- Daily activities for your child
- Student progress
- Questions about student schedule
About Bridge Elementary Charter
Email: info@bridgecharter.org
Website: bridgecharter.org
Location: 4824 Midland Drive, Roy, UT
Phone: (801)499-5180
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgeCharter