Recently, the Northfield VFW Auxiliary presented the elementary schools with an coloring contest. The theme “My Beautiful America” was well received, with many students participating. The local Auxiliary judged the pictures, and those winners will be moving on to the District judging in December. We had two winners at Bridgewater, and they happen to be brothers! Congratulations to William and Wyatt! 🎉

This year, we will have a practice online learning day to try to prepare for days when Minnesota winter weather disrupts the ability to provide in-person instruction. The purpose of e-Learning days is to maintain instructional momentum rather than extend the school year later into June.

Our practice day will be Wednesday, November 27: school will be held online from home.

Nov. 28-Dec.1 is Thanksgiving Break with no school for students and staff.

Here is a list of the "extra" holidays that might give some good ideas for non-screen related activities to do as families/groups. Whether it's National "Bake Cookies" Day or National "Dice" Day, get some inspirations for creative ways to spend time at home!

This time of year is a perfect reminder to think of the things that we are grateful for. We are so grateful for the Bridgewater students and families; you all bring so much joy and excitement each day! We are grateful to have a hard-working staff who care about children and teaching them academic and social-emotional learning skills. Our partnership would not work without your involvement and attention to details. Thank you so much for entrusting us with your children!!

Attendance letters are sent out each month to the parents of students who have missed more than eight days of school, irregardless of the absence being excused or unexcused. Please know that these letters are automatically generated, and are sent to you just to inform you of the total number of days. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Morning drop-off is a busy time. Please make sure to pull up against the front sidewalk to drop off your child rather than having them run across the parking lot. I am not trying to be bossy; I just want your children to be safe. Many people are only looking towards the school and don't notice pedestrians coming from the other direction. I would be devastated if something happened to your child. Thank you for understanding!

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing BBC for their incredible contribution to our BW Media Center. With their generous support, our shelves are now filled with a wide array of updated and captivating non-fiction. The BBC's dedication to fostering a love for reading among our Bears is truly commendable, and we are immensely grateful for their commitment to enhancing educational opportunities.

The time has come for two of our current BBC Board Members to step down. Beau Nielsen (President) and Tori Swedin (Treasurer) will be retiring at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. We are searching for a new President and a new Treasurer for the 2025-2026 school year. Please inquire at our front office with questions and/or interest in one of the positions!

Please join us for our upcoming musical performances!

December 10 - All 5th Grade Band Concert

Greenvale Park Elementary, 6:30pm

December 12 - 4th/5th Grade Orchestra & 5th Grade Band Concert

Bridgewater Gym, 2:05PM

December 17 4th/5th Grade Orchestra Concert NMS @ 7PM

Join us in celebrating the 26th Annual Winter Walk! Experience downtown Northfield by candlelight! Get ready for a festive extravaganza with horse-drawn wagons, heartwarming caroling, pictures with Santa and the Grinch, twinkling luminaries, beautifully decorated storefronts and so much more. Exciting additions this year include a Flash Mob, Window, Tree & Gingerbread House Decorating Contests, real-life reindeer, a DJJD Royalty Storytime, and to top it all off—fireworks at 8:45 pm to celebrate the 26th anniversary in style!

November PE Fitness Challenge: Do 20 Push-up and 20 Sit-ups 3 times a week before going to bed.

What’s happening in Physical Education:

October was a great month for Bridgewater Physical Education. November will bring on more fun and exciting activities. We will start the month with two weeks of cup stacking that will work on ambidexterity (being able to use your right and left hand equally well). Towards Thanksgiving break we will then move into Thanksgiving games and relays. Following this will be our Volleyball unit heading into December.

Remember Fit Kids are healthy Kids!

Shoe tying tips HERE

Did you know that the YMCA sends a van to Bridgewater to transport students to the Y after school for programs? The programs that are just starting are: Afterschool Basketball, Afterschool Volleyball, Afterschool Soccer, and Afterschool Gaga Ball. All of these are for students in Grades 1-5.

Go to northfieldymca.org or call 507-645-0088 to register.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon's Breakfast with Santa. Saturday, November 30, 2024 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 500 3rd St. W. Northfield, MN 8:30-10am. $10 per person (ages 0-7 are free); $13 at the door. If there is an active military or reserves parent, one parent gets in for free. $10 will be refunded at the door. Proof of services is needed. For more information and signup, visit http://bit.ly/3YLn1LW

The lunch menu for each month will be provided in the newsletter.

There are many activities that children and adults may access during the course of the year. Don't forget to check the numerous opportunities from the Northfield Community Education Program: https://northfieldschools.org/communityeducation/

Nov. 26 --- Grandparent's/Special Person's Day

Nov. 27---E-Learning Day-No in-person school for students

Nov. 28 & 29---Thanksgiving Break-No school for students

Dec. 6---First Grade Field Trip to The Children's Theater

Dec. 10---All 5th Grade Band Concert @ GVP

Dec. 10---Bridgewater Booster Club Meeting 6:00-7:00 pm in the BW Media Center

Dec. 12---Band & Orchestra Concert 2:05 in the Bridgewater gym

Dec. 16---Gingerbread House Day for Kindergarten 9:30-10:30

Dec. 17 ---4th/5th Orchestra Concert; 7 PM @NMS

Dec. 23-Jan. 1---Winter Break-No school for students

Jan. 14---Bridgewater Booster Club Meeting 6:00-7:00 pm in the BW Media Center

May 16---Boosterthon Fun Run

June 5---Fifth-Grade Graduation

Attendance Line

507-664-3306

Benjamin Bus

507-645-5720

BW Main Office

507-664-3300

Nurse

507-664-3305

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 570 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/

Email: nantoine@northfieldschools.org