Bridges Community School

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This has been another exciting week! Students have learned all routines and the school is full of learning! Friday, October 4th is our Walk-a-thon! Please see the message below about more details.

Our next early release is Wednesday, Oct. 9. If you would like gap care from 12:50-2:50, please take a moment to fill out this survey: https://forms.gle/amSDC7k6hJQj6vhYA. Please fill out the survey for each child every month. If a survey isn't completed, we will send your student home as the normal plan would be.

Next week we begin our life skills. Our first life skill is Truthfulness. The following week, community groups will begin. Community groups are a wonderful time for our K-5 students to learn, play and grow together. We will have our first All School Meeting from about 8:30-8:50 in the gymnasium. If it works out, please join us.

Working Together, Mrs. Rittmiller

Each week we celebrate students and staff with a "YOU MATTER" shout out! Each student and staff member matters and brings unique ideas, talents, and gifts that make Bridges so special! Please celebrate this amazing group of people this week!

Adriana D., Mia M, Blakely B, Hayden G, Evelyn F, Sophia C, Kamyah F, Esme M, Gabby M, Illy A, Noah R, Suyeon K

Mayo is excited to get to work with Bridges students this year! Outside of school, she enjoys building with legos.

Mr. Hatletad is the most excited to teach and learn with his students this year. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, woodworking and going to the Farmer's Market.

The Innovation Team has met twice since our last update to provide input on the choice school models. We have reviewed both family and staff survey results and begun exploring various school model options as we continue developing Bridges 2.0.

During the first meeting, the team reviewed survey results from staff and families and identified key priorities for the school model choices, including:

• Personalized (Individualized) Learning/Differentiation

• Experiential Learning

• Hands-on Learning

• Growth Mindset

• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

We held our second task force meeting on Wednesday, September 25. During this meeting, the team began examining different choice school models, discussing the benefits and drawbacks of each as they relate to Bridges Community School. Results from the Bridges family survey were also part of this evaluation.

Last Friday, the same family survey completed by Bridges families was made available to all MAPS families, giving them the opportunity to provide input on key features and characteristics of choice school models.

Our next task force meeting will be on Tuesday, October 8. Please continue reading the newsletters for more information and opportunities to share feedback as we move forward with this exciting opportunity for our families and staff.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work through the process of digitally sharing student performance data from the MCA Test(s). We are currently collaborating with our software company to get each student’s Individual Student Report loaded to Infinite Campus.

I wanted to inform you that we anticipate the student reports will be available later than usual within the state-determined communication window.

I will keep you updated as we work on this project.

Tyson J. Walker, Academic Standards & District Assessment Coordinator

We will meet at the parking lot on the corner of Spring Lake (entrance off of Lakeview St) at 7:35 and head to Bridges around 7:45. Two or more volunteers will lead the groups on bikes/skates/roller blades/scooters etc... from Spring Lake Park to Bridges. Mr. Burger will be at school by the playground entrance with a table. On the table there will be food gift certificates that each student gets for participating. Also each students should write their name and class on a piece of paper so that they will get a chance for their name to be drawn for prizes for participating in this fun event. If students are not able to ride from home or Spring Lake then they can jog or walk 2 laps on the ALPS trail and they can also be entered into the drawing.

Thanks again for all the volunteers, staff, students and parents who make the fun event possible,

12:30-1:45 - Students will be doing stations with their classroom (BAC is looking for voluteers to support the stations) Link for sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FACAA23A1FAC07-51309130-2024#/

1:45 - Warm-Ups on the Green Space by the playground.

**Families are welcome to walk a lap or two with your child/ren.

**Please check in with the teacher if you plan to walk with your child/ren.

2:25 - Prepare for dismissal

Each year, BAC updates the email list to current families only. This switch will be made mid-September. Please sign up here: https://forms.gle/nroMgmadFMNDUoMZ6 if you haven't done so. At least 50 Bridges families are still missing from the list. You need to sign up even if you are currently receiving BAC emails.

Take a moment to see the photos! The interior is going through inspection and final touches and furniture are being added! Please look for an announcement when door 1 and the new office is open soon!

Mankato Area Public Schools uses a variety of digital tools to support student learning. Technology vendors and software is utilized to support work as we help all students develop the skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world.

We have an inventory of our curriculum, testing, and assessment tools posted on our district website at bit.ly/4835DET (or directly to our Learn Platform page bit.ly/3R9xvRB). This list is maintained and communicated annually to all families at the start of the school year.

Please reach out to your building principal for additional questions regarding the use of the specific digital tools in classrooms. Please reach out to MAPS technology department regarding data, privacy, and vendor inquiries of the specific digital tools.

Sincerely,

Jody Rittmiller, Bridges Community School Principal

Angie Potts, Director of Educational Technology

Students are encouraged to maintain a routine of safety and communication with their parents.

Student cell phones/electronic watches must not be used and will be stored in their backpack throughout the entire school day. Bridges staff is not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen cell phones or devices.

Tech toys and favorite toys from home should be kept at home. Toys can distract from learning and interrupt instruction.

Bridges staff cannot ensure the safety of the child’s prized possessions so a policy of keeping them at home has been established.

“Sharing” is a valuable learning tool that promotes public speaking and dialogue. Each teacher has a classroom policy for such activities and toys brought for that purpose should remain in the backpack or stored in the classroom for safekeeping.

Weapons of any kind; toy, real or artifact can not be brought to school at any time. If an artifact is questionable for an enhanced learning experience contact Jody Rittmiller, Principal for permission.

Lost and Found

If your child loses anything at school, be sure to have him/her check the Lost and Found in the hallway outside the lunchroom and check with office staff.

Students should place found items in the same area.

Items of value should be dropped off at the office. Money found will be kept for a period of time and if unclaimed may be rewarded to the student who found it.

Lost and found will be shared quarterly at all school meetings. Parents are welcome to search the lost and found for missing items at any time.

Lost and found items not claimed by June 30th of the current school year will be discarded or given to charity.

Bridges staff is not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen treasures.

Here is the Bridges Handbook for your review

Find more information HERE.

Our team of caring, passionate, and committed professionals wants you! Applying for available positions is simple, fast and secure. Our online application system allows you to start and save an application, submitting it when you are sure that it’s complete. We have current openings as a resource paraprofessional and a lunchroom/recess supervisor for 2 hours a day!

Find your next career here in MAPS!