Bridgewater Bear Tracks

"On Nov. 5, 2024 the Northfield School District will ask voters to consider authorizing bonds to Reimagine Northfield High School. The high school facility faces numerous problems. This referendum will address these problems because the proposal is Safe, Smart, and Sustainable. Go to our website to get additional information regarding the bond referendum. Or better yet, attend a presentation or come to one of our high school tours!"

The next tour of Northfield High School will be held on Monday, October 7th from 6:00-8:00 pm. Enter Door #10 and meet in the Media Center. These tours are the best way to see the high school for yourself and receive valuable information.

There are a lot of activities taking place for Homecoming Week next week. Here is a short list in case you would like to watch the teams play:

Tues., Oct. 1st---Soccer: Girls Varsity vs Winona at 7pm-Lace for the Cure, Memorial Field

Thur., Oct. 3rd---Volleyball vs Austin 7 pm, NHS gymnasium

Fri., Oct. 4th---Football vs New Prague, 7 pm, Memorial Field

Sat., Oct. 5th---Soccer: Boys Varsity vs Richfield, 1 pm , Memorial Field

All elementary students are welcomed and encouraged to attend Friday's homecoming football game when the Raiders host New Prague and to show school spirit by cheering for the Raiders! Students are reminded that all school rules are in effect at all High School events. Students must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Students who buy a ticket for the game and then leave the stadium will need to purchase another ticket to re-enter. The idea is once you are in the stadium, please stay until you plan on going home. Balls and other similar items are not allowed at the game and will be taken. Throwing any items and other disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. Please come and WATCH the game and cheer on the Raiders!

The Homecoming Spirit Bus will be visiting Bridgewater on Tuesday, Oct. 1st at 8:50. Our students will get to see the Homecoming Royalty along with the cheerleaders, band and others from NHS! Students are encouraged to wear their Raider or Bridgewater Gear for the Pep Rally!

A big thank you to the Lion's Club and the St. Olaf Nursing Department for partnering with us this week for our Vision and Hearing screening for grades 1, 3, and 5!! Thank you also to BBC President, Beau Nielsen for helping to bring students to and from classrooms! Nurse Lucy did a great job of organizing all of the facets of this event!

Drop-in Homework Help & Reading Buddies / Ayuda con las tareas escolares y práctica de lectura

Looking for extra help with your studies? The Northfield Public Library offers free homework help and reading practice for K-12 youth!

Starting Saturday, September 28, you can get assistance from experienced Carleton student tutors on:

• Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Sundays: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

No appointment needed—just drop in! Tutoring is available in all subjects and in both English and Spanish. Whether it's homework assistance, language learning, or study skills, we’re here to support your learning journey.

Ayuda con las tareas escolares y practicar la lectura

Para los jóvenes de kinder al 12º grado: obtén ayuda de estudiantes tutores experimentados de Carleton los días sábados de 10:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. y los domingos de 2:00 p.m. a 4:00 p.m. No es necesario hacer una cita, simplemente acércate. Todas las asignaturas son bienvenidas. La tutoría será disponible en inglés y en español

The Social Skills Improvement System Brief + Mental Health Scales (SSIS SEL screener) is a short screener that is completed by a student (grades 3-12), or their teacher (grades K-2). The screener takes between 5 and 8 minutes to complete. The focus of the scales is a student’s social emotional learning (SEL) (including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making) and emotional behavioral concern (internalizing and externalizing). The purpose of this online screener is to identify areas of strength and emotional behavioral concerns in students. This will help inform teachers and school leaders in planning Social Emotional Learning (SEL) instructional and programmatic supports for students. If you do not want your child to participate in the screener, here is the link to the family opt out form in English and in Spanish.

Community School has the amazing opportunity to partner with Heath Finders to provide our students with free dental appointments. Appointments will be about 20 minutes long and held during the school day. Students who qualify are those who do not have insurance or currently have MA coverage.

Flyers were sent home with students to parents or guardians this week. The due date for the flyers is October 4th, next Friday, and appointments will be held on Thursday, October 10th. The flyer is attached below.

The Lost & Found is located inside the front doors at Bridgwater. The "stash" is growing with plenty of light jackets, sweatshirts and sweaters. You may want to drop by and take a peek noting that the building is open until at least 6:00 p.m. each day.

We are happy to have you join your child for lunch. Remember that you are welcome to dine with your child/children and two friends maximum. We also appreciate when you help to clean up the space when you are done since we are busy with the rest of the students. If you bring items to share with your child, please make sure that it is just for your child, not the other students due to food allergies. Thank you!

Please click on the button below to pay the supply fee for your child. You can also pay by check or cash in the office. We would like to have these fees collected by September 30th. The online option closes on September 30th. Thank you!

Community School Registration is NOW CLOSED

Community School offers a comprehensive support system, combining academic instruction with social services, youth programs, and health services to enhance learning and community well-being. We provide clubs from Monday to Thursday, giving students additional opportunities for growth and engagement. Community School will begin on September 30th, 2024, and end on May 15th, 2025."

District-Wide Latino Families Engagement Night
Join us on October 15th from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the Greenvale Park Elementary Flex Lab for an engaging evening with Dr. Matt Hillmann

Day of the Dead Celebration - anyone can come!
On October 29th, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Greenvale Park Elementary, we invite you to celebrate Day of the Dead with us! This vibrant cultural event will include crafts, games, and more. Bring your family and friends for a night of fun and tradition!

We are looking for three more tutors for the 2024-25 school year. You can take action in our community by giving your time and talent to help students build their skills and confidence!

Tutors work with students during school hours throughout the school year. No matter if you’re a recent grad, career changer, stay-at-home parent or retiree, you can make a great tutor. With training and on-site coaching, we’ll prepare you to help kids succeed.

Part-time and full-time positions are available beginning in August, October and January. Tutors receive a paycheck every two weeks plus up to an additional $5,100 for college tuition or loans. Tutors 55+ may gift the education award to their child, grandchild, stepchild or foster child.

Additional openings remain in other schools in Rice County. If you know someone this might be a good fit for, please help us spread the word!

Ready to put your passion in action? Learn more at Join.ReadingandMath.org. Questions can be sent to join@ampact.us or call 866.859.2825.

Upcoming Programs at the Northfield Y: Join Us!

· Parent’s Night Out: Friday, September 27th – 6:00-8:00 PM

o Are your kids looking for new fun and activities at the Y – and are you craving a kids-free night as the school year gets started? Register for Parents’ Night Out, a program designed to provide a chance for parents to get some time away while your kids play under the supervision of our caring and enthusiastic staff. Whether you need a night to get some errands and tasks done or simply a chance for some quiet time and relaxation, this program is for you. Kids will be kept busy and engaged with a variety of gym activities, crafts, and a movie throughout the night, all facilitated by Northfield Y Staff Members!

· MEA School’s Out Days: Thursday, October 17th and Friday, October 18th

o Do you want your kids to have fun and stay busy during school breaks like MEA? Join us at the YMCA! Enroll for a fun-filled day of swimming, games, crafts, sports, friends and more! Dropoff runs as early as 7:00 AM and pickup goes until 5:00 PM – register today to secure a spot on our roster!

o Transportation is provided! For students attending Bridgewater and Spring Creek Elementary, the Y offers free, optional transportation after school to get kids from school over to the Y to begin programs! If interested, please contact our Youth Development Team to learn more.

For more information and to register, visit our website or connect with our Member Services team in person or by phone: 507-645-0088. We hope to see you and your students very soon!

We are still looking for an Educational Assistants to supervise students in the cafeteria during lunch time from 11:00-1:15. Visit the Northfield employment site to view all openings. Here

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/

Sept. 30---Community School Begins

Oct 8---Bridgewater Booster Club Meeting 6:00-7:00 pm in the BW Media Center

Oct 10---Dental Clinic for Bridgewater students

Oct 17 & 18---No School, MEA Break

Nov. 1 & 4---Teacher Preparation-End of 1st quarter

Nov 6---Picture Retake Day

Nov 11---Veterans Day Assembly

Nov 12---Bridgewater Booster Club Meeting 6:00-7:00 pm in the BW Media Center

Nov 26 --- Grandparent's Day

Nov 27---E-Learning Day

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

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