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!"

Picture day is FRIDAY. Have students prepared to SAY CHEESE!

Please know that any dogs outside of your house belong on a leash by law. I know you have a wonderful dog, but please don't take the chance of an accident happening by having them off leash, especially on school grounds. Thank you!

We have handicap parking spaces at Bridgewater (as well as in the community) that are strictly for those who have a handicap placard issued by the State of MN. Please don't use these just out of convenience. The handicap buttons at the doors of the school and many other places of business are for use by those who are in a wheelchair or are on crutches. Please help us teach our students not to use these buttons out of convenience. I totally understand using them if your hands are full, but otherwise, no. Thank you!

The Raider football team will be playing against Rochester John Marshall at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13th. The elementary students have done a great job in the past at home games, and it would be wonderful to see the same happen this year. Just a simple reminder that students need to be accompanied by an adult, and that adult is responsible for supervising their own child while at the game. Students should not bring items to throw or play with during the game. Come to watch the game and let others watch the game too. Go Raiders!!

Please note the Snack Cart is offered as a fee-based option for families, but it doesn't start until Monday, Sept. 9th. You may wish to send a snack with your child the first week of school. The form to sign up and pay for Snack Cart is attached below.

When coming to Bridgewater, please make sure to enter off of Division Street/Hwy 246 and exit onto Jefferson Parkway. We have had some near misses, and we don't need anyone to start the year with an accident.

Please know that most elementary students have no need to carry a cell phone or electronic device. These devices become susceptible to theft and distraction for students. Students who do need to carry a cell phone or a hand-held electronic device to school must have them turned off and stored out of sight during school hours. These devices may not be used to talk, take pictures, play games, record or text during school hours, including recess. Remember, the school is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen phones or other electronic devices brought from home.

We are happy to have you join your child for lunch. Please give us two weeks to set the routines for the students before you come in. 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. Thank you for understanding!

Visitors are allowed in the building during the school day, and must check in the office. Unfortunately, this does not mean that parents are able to walk children to class. We are doing our very best to keep our students safe, and we will meet them at the front door to make sure they get to the correct room. Thank you for understanding!

Students should arrive no earlier than 8:00 a.m. each day (9:00 a.m. on Wednesdays) unless they are eating breakfast. Students arriving for breakfast may be dropped off starting at 7:50. Students will go to the playground for morning recess including those who are finished eating breakfast. Kid Ventures is an option for childcare before and after school; this is fee-based and your child must be registered before they may access this program. We will have staff inside the front door who will help your child find their way to the classroom or to breakfast.

When you pull up into the drop-off lane, please pull ahead as far as you can before letting your child exit your car. If there is a long line, please don't wait until you are directly in front of the door before letting your child out of your car. There is enough space for at least eight cars to drop off at the same time, and children can walk up the sidewalk to the front door or playground.

The end of the day is a busy time. You can only imagine trying to dismiss 565 students at the same time in an organized fashion, making sure students get to the correct place. These are the things that keep me awake at night and give me nightmares. We dismiss at 3:20 pm each day. It is most helpful if you arrive to pick up your child after 3:00 p.m.

As in the past, we will provide you a car-tag for your child. Please write your child's name and grade clearly on this tag, and place it so that it is visible through your windshield. This way you will drive up, we can read your child's name and make sure that your child gets to your car. Please keep your car-tag displayed until your child is in your car. Also, remain in your car and in line. This is similar to a drive through, where you place your order and receive your happy face. Please be patient, alert and courteous. Everyone has a schedule with places to go. We are trying our best! Safety First!

Students who live within the walking boundaries should leave home no earlier than 8:05 a.m. each morning. Leaving at this time will keep them out of the way of high school traffic, and this is a safety concern. Crossing guards will be at their post at Raider Drive and Jefferson Parkway in the morning at 8:00 a.m. (9:00 a.m. on Wednesdays), and at 3:20 p.m. in the afternoon. Students should always cross with the patrols and not at other places on Jefferson Parkway. Please talk to your child about going directly to school in the morning and directly home in the afternoon. We have found several students at the park in the afternoon since they didn't walk directly home.

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. Make sure to sign up early since there is limited space! Registration can be found here: https://forms.gle/ntNB4tiQ5KMcJ6yD7.

The crew from the Defeat of Jesse James Days were here today. Our students were a great audience!! Here is the link to find additional DJJD activities for the 75th year celebration: https://www.djjd.org/

Please take a moment to review this online resource (Student Citizenship Handbook) for parents and students. The annual notifications for families are linked here for your reference as well.

If you do not want your child’s Directory Information to be released (name, address, phone number, photograph in yearbook or class photos, etc). Please be sure to sign a copy of the Denial of Release of Directory Information form. More information and a copy of the form can be found on the district website. Copies of the form will also be available in the Bridgewater office during Family Conferences.

We are still looking for Educational Assistants to help with our students with special needs and to supervise the cafeteria during lunch time. Visit the Northfield employment site to view all openings. Here

We welcome volunteers in our classrooms, and look forward to many smiling faces helping our students and teachers. Teachers will communicate volunteer needs or you can fill out a form to volunteer here. In addition, to serve in our classrooms, the district requires everyone to fill out an ANNUAL background check found here: English/Spanish. Thank you in advance for supporting us!

Here is the link to pay for fees: Bridgewater School Fees

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

Sept 13---School Picture Day

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

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

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