Bridgewater Bear Tracks
Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe, Try Your Best
November 15, 2024
Attendance Letters
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.
Parent Drop-Off Reminder
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!
Veterans Day Slideshow
Here is the link to the Veterans Day Slideshow created by Mrs. LaVoy:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QpkeXwe6CpzWZm5cdOgfc2EyCHTC5eDw/view?usp=sharing
We had a wonderful group of Veterans in attendance along with other guests. Our students did an amazing job of honoring our Veterans!
Yahoo! Books, Books, and More Books!
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.
Dress Warmly
The temps are dropping and it is time to pull out the warm winter clothing. Please make sure your child's name is in their clothing in case they get lost.
~A Message from the BW Student Council~
POP CAN TABS
Bridgewater Student Council Representatives will be collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. This program supports families facing the serious illness of a child at the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, MN. Collecting pop tabs is a small gesture, but can make a big difference in bringing joy and comfort to families! Please drop off pop tabs in the "house" collection box in the Commons any time throughout the school year!
Thank you for your support!
~ Bridgewater Student Council ~
Community School Presents:
Grandparents' Day
We will be celebrating Grandparents/Special Person Day on Tuesday, November 26th. You will receive information from your child’s teacher regarding the specific activities. We will provide coffee for our special guests. The parking lot will be full, and we will allow grandparents to park in the parking lots, the fire lane and the bus loop as long as cars are moved by 3:15 pm, in time for dismissal. Please don’t forget to notify your child’s teacher if you are allowing grandpa, grandma or special person to take your child home with them; we cannot allow them to go without your permission.
Kindergarten: 9:00-9:45
First Grade: 1:00-1:30
Second Grade: 8:30-9:00
Third Grade: 2:30-3:00
Fourth Grade: 10:30-11:00
Fifth Grade: 2:00-2:30
E-Learning Rehearsal - Nov. 27
As we all know, Minnesota can have some days when it makes it tricky to come to school because of all the snow. 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.
Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
Nov. 28-Dec.1 is Thanksgiving Break with no school for students and staff.
~A Message from the Bridgewater Booster Club~
BBC Open Board Positions
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!
December Band and Orchestra Concerts
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
Winter Walk - Thursday December 12
Join us in celebrating the 26th Annual Winter Walk! Experience downtown Northfield by candlelight! Stroll through, unique shops, dine at fine restaurants, enjoy caroling, sleigh rides, storytelling, luminarias, decorated store fronts and much more!
PE Corner Happenings
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
Head Start Free Corner (@ the CAC)
Check it out below!
YMCA Programming
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.
Breakfast with Santa
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
November Lunch Menu
The lunch menu for each month will be provided in the newsletter.
Fall Breakfast Menu
Activities
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/
Upcoming Events
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
School Calendars 24-25
Helpful Numbers and Links
Attendance Line
507-664-3306
Benjamin Bus
507-645-5720
BW Main Office
507-664-3300
Nurse
507-664-3305
Non-Discrimination Statement
Bridgewater Elementary School
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/