Bridge Bulletin

Halloween is fast approaching! Several grades plan to have a Halloween party and if there is food provided, you will receive a permission form from your child's teacher. Other grades provide Halloween themed learning activities. Halloween is our biggest fundraise of the year - it is a $5 dress up day and students can donate $5 to wear their Halloween costume. We do not allow masks or look-alike weapons. The blow-up costumes are fun but experience has shown it is extremely difficult for students to navigate the school, classroom and stairs with these types of costumes. NOTE - if a student does not donate $5 they can still wear a costume. Another note - Friday, November 1 is a teacher workday and there is NO SCHOOL.

2025-2026 CALENDAR - thank you to everyone who completed our calendar survey. This information was used to create our 2025-2026 school calendar which has been approved by our board. You can find the new calendar at the bottom of the page on our website at:

https://www.bridgecharter.org/calendars

FREE MARTIAL ARTS NOVEMBER - The link to sign your student up for November martial arts is now open. See further in the newsletter for more information.

FAMILY SURVEY DATA - The family survey data has been gathered and analyzed. This data will also be shared with our Board at November's board meeting. Thank you for the feedback. We use this information to help us make changes to improve our program at Bridge. You can find the results further down in the newsletter.

TUESDAY TALK and TALENT - we are still looking for some student talent videos to share at our Tuesday Talk in November. If you would like your child's talent shared, please see the Tuesday Talk information further below.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION - Ms. Chelsea, our social worker, provides a fabulous Community Connection every other week to help support kids and families. See below in the newsletter for ideas to remember "Don't take it personally" when kiddos are experiencing overwhelming emotions.

ICYMI - this is the link to our website for all previous news bulletins:

https://www.bridgecharter.org/bridge-bulletinb

Please keep reading for more information about this past week and events for the upcoming weeks.

As always, thank you for CHOOSING Bridge and sharing your kids with us! We know you have lots of options in education and we are honored that you have made the choice to have your students attend our awesome school!

Lani Rounds

Principal

NO SCHOOL

• Friday, November 1 (teacher workday)
• November 25 - 29 (Thanksgiving Break)
• December 19 - January 3 (Winter Break)
• Monday, January 20 (Martin Luther)
• February 14 and 17 (teacher workday and President's Day)
• March 6 & 7 (parent teacher conferences)
• April 14 - 18 (Spring Break)
• May 26 (Memorial Day)

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Halloween $5 Costume Donation Dress Up Day - October 31
• Fall Back Time Change - Sunday, November 3
• December 10 - "EllaMental" play for 4th - 6th grade
• Roy Fire Department Assembly - February 24, 9:00 - 10:00 am
• FREE Skate Night at Classic - February 27, 5 - 8 pm
• Parent Teacher Conferences - March 6 & 7
• Road to Success reading program ends - March 24
• Yearbooks on Sale - April 1 thru April 30
• Field Day (yearbooks, last day of school, short day) - May 29

FREE martial arts offered by Master Jason of Joeson Martial Arts! Joeson Martial Arts rents space from Bridge Elementary for their martial arts program and have graciously offered to provide free lessons for Bridge Elementary students. Classes are NOT supervised by Bridge staff and are implemented and supervised by staff of Joeson Martial Arts.

Classes are for one month and a student can sign up for EITHER Tuesday or Thursday evening, 4:45 - 5:30 pm. The sign up is first come first served and in order to offer this to as many students as possible, students may not sign up for consecutive months. For example, a student can attend in October but cannot sign up for November. Classes begin in October. To learn more about Master Jason's program visit this link: https://jmafit.com/

This is the link to the sign up. Spots are limited to the first 20 students.

MARTIAL ARTS SIGN UP

Bridge provides many opportunities for students to develop their social emotional learning. We do this through our Second Steps program which is delivered to our students in a whole group setting by our social worker, Chelsea Silverwood. You can find more information about Second Steps on our website under Curriculum and Assessment or use this link: SECOND STEPS

Students also participate in a community meeting each day at school in which they work to share ideas to help strengthen their classroom community. Additionally, students participate in our visible learning program where they learn how to embrace traits of a good learner and are rewarded using Watch Me Learn tickets for exhibiting these traits.

Visible Learning - Reflection and Enthusiasm Activities

Second Steps Lessons

Skate night is always a blast! We had just short of 450 Bridge students, friends and family attend on Wednesday night. Our next skate night is February 27.

Thank you for your time completing the survey. We had a 37% response rate which is a decent number to get an idea of where we are doing well and where we need to improve. Our goal is to hit 90% for every data point. This is the overall data:

• Know who to contact for what I need - 94%
• I receive enough communication - 100%
• Environment that helps my child feel safe and supported - 98%
• I know about FFVP (fresh fruit and vegetable program) - 88%
• Educational needs are met - 98%
• Teacher communication timely and effectively - 99%
• Teacher Reports in Student Progress - 95%
• Received Link for the PLP - 91%
• Invited to a PLP meeting (grades 1-6) - 78%
• Principal (Lani Rounds) - communication and support - 99%
• Assistant Principal (Sara Tucker) - communication and support - 95%
• Office staff - communication and support - 99%
• Student Support Specialist (Stacey Archuleta) - communication and support - 99%
• Recommend Bridge to Others - 94%

TOP THREE REASONS FAMILIES ATTEND BRIDGE

1. We like the model with personalized learning through small group instruction and computer aided instruction.
2. We like the flexible seating and all the movement throughout the day.
3. We like all the security features (cameras, locked doors, ballistic glass, artificial intelligence weapons detection system).

AREA FOR IMPROVEMENT

Parking Lot - once again the parking lot at pick up is the biggest area for improvement. We have all kiddos loaded into cars by 3:45 pm, Monday - Thursday. The primary issue is the back up on 4800 S and at this time there is no way to remedy this problem. The school west of Bridge (Country View) is now released at 3:20 pm which may be causing some of the back up. Something we can consider for next school year is to adjust our beginning and ending times to release before Country View or after. If this is the direction we consider, a survey will be sent to families to gain their feedback.

Top suggestions are expansion of the parking lot, letting kids out at staggered times, and opening the back gate on Midland Drive.

• Expansion - the only way to expand is to take away some of the play area.
• Staggered Times - nearly 75% of our students have siblings in other grades. Staggered times do not work because parents would still be waiting for their other students.
• Back Gate on Midland - Midland Drive will be expanded in the future. UDOT will not let us use this gate. It is for emergency vehicles only.

When students arrive late to school - even when parents check them in, they are given a "late slip" The late slip says, "Have a nice day!" This is not a "ticket" or punishment as some parents mentioned in our survey, but rather a way to notify teachers that the child's attendance has been updated by the office. This is the least intrusive way we have found to let teachers know the child has been accounted for and their lunch preferences noted.

Our charter suggests families donate 30 hours per year at the school. This event will allow you to earn FOUR hours for every family member that attends and helps. For example, if mom, dad, grandma and two kids attend, that's worth 4 hours X 5 people = 20 hours!

Helene Lam, Miss Roy 20224, visited classrooms to launch the "Road to Success" reading incentive program. Students will track their at-home reading minutes on a monthly form and turn the form in at the end of each month. Miss Roy will gather the forms on the first Tuesday of the following month and enter the data into Beanstack. Once students hit certain milestones their teachers are notified and the students are provided a prize! At the end of the school year, one lucky winner at Bridge will win a brand new bike! You can find more information about this program, including the amazing sponsors, at:

https://www.rtsutah.org/about-us/our-story/

The research is very clear - in order to become a fluent reader, a skill essential to lifelong success, students need to practice reading! "Learning to read takes practice. Loving to read takes enthusiasm."
Schools cannot do this alone! We can provide students with instruction on how to read and provide them with some practice, but in order to become proficient readers, students MUST practice reading at home.

The recommendation is 20 minutes daily outside of school. This can include a student reading aloud, an adult or independent reader reading to a younger reader, or an independent reader reading silently with the child being provided an opportunity to discuss their reading. Kids can read to their dog, cat, guinea pig, siblings, parents, grandparents, etc. They can record themselves reading and then listen to it again. They can re-read a paragraph or page to improve their fluency and decoding skills. Visit the link below to find ways to help your child improve their reading and develop a love for reading.

As an added bonus, minutes can be tracked for the Road to Success reading incentive program!

RAISING READERS - WHAT PARENTS CAN DO

The state has released the 2023-2024 report card. Bridge works very hard focusing on student growth. We work with the student where they are and help them make progress. This is super important for students who struggle as well as students who are accelerated learners. We are so proud of our students and educators! There are SEVERAL areas of growth in which Bridge exceeded the state averages! There are many other areas the state does not post such as a school's growth in Acadience reading or math in grades K-6 in which we have growth scores that are well above the state averages.

READING ON GRADE LEVEL MAKING TYPICAL OR BETTER PROGRESS

State = 68% Bridge = 71%

RISE GROWTH IN MATH

State = 51%. Bridge = 53%

RISE GROWTH IN SCIENCE

State = 51%. Bridge = 52%

ELL STUDENTS MAKING ADEQUATE PROGRESS

State = 37%. Bridge = 39%

ELL STUDENTS READING PROFICIENCY GROWTH

State = 12%. Bridge = 17%

Yes, we have areas in which to improve and we are working hard to get all of our scores up. In fact, we are even bringing in outside consultants, to help us exceed the state in all areas.

You can use this link to find the report cards for the schools across the state:

https://reportcard.schools.utah.gov/

Christian Worship Center (CWC), in conjunction with businesses and members of the community, will be providing FULL MEAL boxes for Bridge staff and Bridge families in need for Thanksgiving. If your family could use help please use the link below to provide your information. Boxes will be delivered on Tuesday, November 26.

SURVEY LINK

New this year! The first Tuesday of the month, starting in October, we will meet in the gym as a school community, 2:30 - 3:15. During this time one grade will showcase something amazing they have completed and our Frog Squad will provide a message about kindness or one of our Visible Learning Traits. Additionally, students will get to showcase their own talent via a pre-submitted video.

Student talent can showcase any type of talent - singing, sports, dancing, stand up comedy, magic, etc.. The video must be less than one minute long and the content must be school appropriate - for example, if the student is singing the lyrics must be kid-friendly.

Use the link below to complete the Tuesday Talk & Talent form. Videos, or links to videos if you use Vimeo or YouTube, must be emailed to Mrs. Rounds. Mrs. Rounds will notify you once the form is submitted, the video is verified, and a date is selected for the video to be shown during Tuesday Talk.

TUESDAY TALK & TALENT FORM

Social Emotional Learning resources for families and students to promote a stronger sense of self identity, mental health, and create a safer school environment. Our Visible Learning Traits (flexibility, determination, reflection, taking initiative, thoroughness, and enthusiasm) tie into Social Emotional Learning at Bridge!

LINK TO VIDEOS

This week our students got to try Juicy Apples , bananas and Fuyu Persimmons!

This program is designed to give students an opportunity to try a fresh fruit or vegetable they may not otherwise have exposure to. This is a grant from USDA that Bridge is SO fortunate to receive!

Each week students attend a Visible Learning class where they learn about six traits of a good learner - Reflection - Initiative - Flexibility - Thoroughness - Enthusiasm - Determination (RIFTED). Teaching these traits is one way we help students learn to take accountability and ownership of their learning.

Next week students will learn about Initiative - "Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it"

I Will -

• Do what is right before I am told.
• Not put off until later what I can do now.
• Do my part for the team.
• Be a part of the solution rather than the problem.
• Look for ways to help others.

Please discuss these traits at home and help empower your children to take personal ownership and accountability for their own academic performance.

Please take time to complete the Free / Reduced lunch application on Aspire. Once you login to Aspire the application is a link on the right hand side. A family of four can make almost $58,000 annually and qualify for reduced meals. Use this link to find the INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

Use this link to find information on setting up your ASPIRE account or contact the office at (801)499-5180.

Attendance is taken every morning by 8:45 am. The computer identifies all students who are marked "absent" and then, sends a message to all parents if the student is not marked "EXCUSED". This is done for safety reasons as well as to remind parents students must be excused from school if they are absent. PLEASE BE PATIENT - WE ARE USING A NEW SYSTEM.

Absences MUST be excused within 24 hours of the absence, otherwise it is considered "unexcused". Once a child has 7 unexcused absences parents are sent a Notice of Compulsory Education Violation and are required to meet with administration regarding the absences. Once a child has 10 unexcused absences the school can contact the Division of Child and Family Services for educational neglect.

It is super easy to excuse an absence. Either call the office (801)499-5180 and listen for the prompts or use the EXCUSE ABSENCE icon on the front page of our website.

We need YOUR help keeping our kids and families safe! Please be observant, patient and kind when navigating the parking lot. For your safety, and the safety of your kiddos, do NOT park across the street on Midland Drive and attempt to cross through the middle of the road - especially do NOT drop your kids off or expect them to navigate this road without an adult holding their hand. Please do not park in the pharmacy parking lot - it is private property and they are very unhappy with folks who take up the spaces they have for paying customers. The neighborhood to the south of us is undergoing construction and is not a safe place to park. Owners claim it is "private property" and will call law enforcement to have cars moved.

Roy City will not provide us a crosswalk nor allow us to stop traffic on our own. Our school entrance is too close to the corner to allow traffic to stop safely. It is up to ALL of us to make sure our kids are safe! Patience is the key! If you cannot be patient during pick up then please, park your car, come into the school and check your students out a few minutes early. While we hate kids to miss school time, we prefer that they are safe. Another idea is to sign your child up for BASE, then come in at 4:00, after the parking lot is empty, and check your child out of BASE early. They will not get free dinner as they must be present in the gym at 4:15 for dinner, but you will not need to navigate the parking lot during the busiest times.

DAY CARE VANS - Please allow day care vans ALL of the space along the north fence! They cannot navigate the parking lot and get to their next school on time. They NEED this space.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be patient, observant and kind. This is the only way we can make sure all our kiddos and families are safe during drop off and pick up.

Bridge is a member of Utah's Safe UT. SafeUT is a crisis chat and tip line that provides real-time crisis intervention for students, parents/guardians, and educators through live chat and a confidential tip line—right from your smartphone. This also allows students or parents to report potentially violent or concerning issues they see or hear about that may impact the staff or students at Bridge.

You can access the information from our website under RESOURCES at:

https://www.bridgecharter.org/safeut-see-something-say-something

or directly at https://safeut.org/students

Bridge Elementary is committed to maintaining a school climate that is safe, welcoming, and free of harassment and discrimination. The School prohibits all forms of harassment, and it does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, marital status, or disability.

We encourage anyone who believes they (or someone else) have been subjected to harassment or discrimination at the School to file a complaint with the School’s Principal, Lani Rounds. The School will promptly investigate and resolve all such complaints in accordance with School policy.

If you would like to learn more about how the School handles complaints of harassment or discrimination, please review the School’s Notice of Nondiscrimination, Civil Rights Policy, and Bullying and Hazing Policy on the School’s website under RESOURCES at https://www.bridgecharter.org/policies-procedures

Weber Human Services SMR is available for 24/7 crisis support and short-term stabilization. To request help or make a referral, dial 988. Weber Human Service's works with families to improve functioning, develop and maintain healthy communication, and enhance ability to cope with future crisis.

The mission of Bridge Elementary is to provide students with a personalized learning experience and empower them to take personal ownership and accountability for their own academic performance.

Email: info@bridgecharter.org
Website: bridgecharter.org
Location: 4824 Midland Drive, Roy, UT
Phone: (801)499-5180
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgeCharter

Principal - Lani Rounds - Lani@BridgeCharter.org

Assistant Principal - Sara Tucker - Sara@BridgeCharter.org

Student Support - Stacey Archuleta - Stacey@BridgeCharter.org

• Morning Supervision and BASE
• Behavior Support
• 504 Plans

Lead Secretary - Lalani Williams - Lwilliams@BridgeCharter.org

• Aspire
• Lottery
• Registration

Social Worker - Chelsea Silverwood - Chelsea@BridgeCharter.org

School Nurse - Vicki Ross - Vicki@bridgecharter.org

Special Education

Dianne Kelsey Lead SpED Teacher - Dianne.Kelsey@BridgeCharter.org

Julie Christensen SpED Director - Julie@BridgeCharter.org

ELL Coordinator - Sara Tucker - Sara@BridgeCharter.org

Meal Issues - Jodi Jensen - Jodi@BridgeCharter.org

Classroom Teachers - see website - https://www.bridgecharter.org/teachers

• Daily activities for your child
• Student progress
• Questions about student schedule or issues in the classroom