Bridge Bulletin

This week we had an amazing assembly provided by Utah Military Academy. They brought their Honor Guard, armed and unarmed drill teams and their choir. Our kiddos were SO fantastic and respectful as the UMA students performed. Our kiddos even sang the National Anthem with the UMA school choir.

Our school doesn't have a terrific set up for large assemblies - we squeeze half the school in the gym at one time and students sit on the floor. However, our kids were BEYOND fantastic, even squished together for 30 minutes, and for this reason the entire school earned a FREE Dress Down Day on Tuesday, April 16 (the day after the assembly).

On Monday we get to have another assembly. This one will be provided by Roy City Fire Department!

AFTER SCHOOL PICK UP - We have noticed a HUGE increase in the numbers of parents parking across the street from the school (along the canal fence) to pick up students. This is EXTREMELY dangerous especially for those students whose parents do not get out of the car and simply motion their children across the street. PLEASE CEASE and DESIST NOW! It is SO dangerous - people drive fast - people aren't observant - people are distracted on their phones. If you are in a hurry to get your kids and think parking across the street hurries up the process, park your car, come into the school and check your students out a few minutes early. Yes, they will miss some important stuff BUT they will be safe! Additionally, parents who park on 4800 S near the intersection at Midland Drive are blocking traffic turning from Midland onto 4800 S. This creates a HUGE backlog in the parking lot as people are unable to pull out onto 4800 S safely.

We have met with the city manager and police and we do not qualify for a crosswalk (too close to the corner) and do not have enough walkers to qualify for a crossing guard. We REQUIRE every single person to take the safety off our kiddos seriously and refrain from parking along the canal fence and attempting to cross Midland Drive.

INCOMING KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS - an email has been sent to ALL registered kindergarteners for next school year. The email provides information to sign up for Kindergarten Round Up.Please check your email and sign up ASAP (K Round Up is May 17). If you did NOT receive an email please contact Lalani Williams Lwilliams@BridgeCharter.org

COMMUNITY CONNECTION CORNER - Please read further below for Ms. Chelsea's words of wisdom. This week she is talking about the power of letting our children fail - productive struggle is a trait that all individuals need to learn in order to navigate life successfully.

FIELD DAY is coming soon. It is hard to believe but we only have 10 school weeks until this school year ends. Our Field Day is a huge party complete with bouncy toys, a magician, games and prizes, face painting, a fabulous lunch and water games.

We are requesting donations of the following items for Field Day. Bring any items into the office.

• Cans of soda (any kind especially the fun flavors in Shasta or the other off brand names)
• Prizes kids can win at the Games. IDEAS - new toys from kid's meals, items bought in bulk at Zurchers or Oriental Trading, bulk items from the Dollar store.

You can also donate through Amazon using this link to select your order:

https://a.co/3JNZEkG

HIRING STAFF FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR - Please see our website https://www.bridgecharter.org/open-para-educator-positions for a listing of all positions. Interested applicants should email a resume to Lani@BridgeCharter.org and schedule an interview using this link:

INTERVIEWS

YEARBOOK - Please see below for information to order the yearbook. The school does NOT have yearbooks to purchase - you MUST order your yearbook online. The last day to order is May 1, 2024. Click on the picture further down in the newsletter to order your student's yearbook.

STAFF HIGHLIGHTS - This week we highlight our special education Para-Educators. Please read further below in the newsletter for information about these amazing people that help our students!

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

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

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

• Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day)

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Monday, April 22 - Roy City Fire Department assembly 9:00 am
• Friday, April 26 - Scales & Tails 2nd grade (reverse field trip)
• Tuesday, May 14 - Classic Skate Night 5:30 - 8:30
• Friday, May 17 - Kindergarten Round Up for all incoming kindergarteners (email invite sent)
• Thursday - May 30 - Field Day (last day of school and short day)
• Wednesday, June 26 - 5 pm FREE Skating at Neptune Skating in Ogden

Our past due lunch accounts total nearly $13,000!!! It breaks my heart that we cannot offer free lunch for everyone, but that is a decision that our legislators need to make. Sadly, at the end of the year overdue balances are absorbed by the school's budget meaning less money available for curriculum, instruction and salaries.

If you are looking for a place to donate, PLEASE consider donating to our Happy Go Lucky account to help with overdue balances. You can donate at the office with a check or cash or online using our DONATE icon. We are a 501(3)(c) organization and your donations are tax deductible!!

To help reduce this deficit we are going to have a Staff vs Student fundraiser (we have 100 staff and 550 students). Staff and students are encouraged to bring their loose change, or even loose dollar bills 😀 to drop in the blue 5 gallon bottles labeled STAFF or STUDENTS, in the front foyer. This will begin on Monday, April 29 and end on Friday, May 17. We will count the money the week of May 20. The group with the most funds collected (STAFF or STUDENTS) will earn a FREE dress down day the ENTIRE last week of school and a Fat Boy ice cream sandwich on Wednesday, May 29.

If your child's balance is overdue, please start paying as much as you can to pay this balance down. Unfortunately, at the end of the year, folks with overdue balances will be sent to collections.

You can STILL apply for free and reduced lunch using your ASPIRE account.

Utah Military Academy is a grade 7-12 charter school in Riverdale. Their drill teams have placed first in every state competition and even recently won awards in Colorado at the Air Force Academy, in a national competition.

The students at UMA - choir, armed and unarmed drill teams, and honor guard, performed at our school to help us celebrate Month of the Military Child. This was a fantastic assembly as our students were able to see the honor guard present the colors followed by the choir singing the National Anthem. Then the armed and unarmed drill teams each performed. The assembly ended with the choir singing each of the songs for the military services.

On Thursday our kiddos and staff participated in the Great Shakeout, earthquake drill. Over the speaker system students listened to recorded instructions explaining how to drop and take cover and fake rumbling to emulate an earthquake. The drill lasted 57 seconds. Our kiddos and staff did AMAZING!

You can find more information for your family at https://www.shakeout.org/utah/

Next week you will receive email, or emails if you have more than one child at Bridge. The emails will include a link to the end of year Family Survey. PLEASE take a few minutes to complete the survey. The data is used to help us make changes to ensure Bridge is providing a safe, positive and engaging academic environment for your students.

Waterford Upstart is an award winning program that helps prepare children for kindergarten. You can register your pre kindergarten student today! https://www.waterford.org/upstart/

For the upcoming school year we are looking for community members to assist us with a review of our Wellness Policy. You can find the current Wellness Policy on our website at https://www.bridgecharter.org/policies-procedures It is the last policy in the document.

If you would like to be part of our Wellness Policy committee, please complete the Google form. We will be in contact in the summer to update the policy.

https://forms.gle/jkRBgWk8XudDu5AK8

Interested applicants should email a resume to Lani@BridgeCharter.org and sign up for an interview using this link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050849ACA62AA3FB6-48763522-interviews

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

At Bridge, instead of having a "maturation night" for 5th grade students which other schools typically do, we opt to provide parents the information so they can determine how much they want to share with their child and at which age they want to share it. For many girls, by the time they are in 5th grade they have already started menstruation and it is a little too late for a lesson on maturation. We believe parents can best determine what students should know about maturation and puberty, and when a child should know it.

Our maturation committee met and reviewed information from different sources. They determined, and our Board approved, to use the maturation information provided by Provo School District. The maturation information includes videos and packets for girls and boys that you can download and share with your child.

This is the link to the MATURATION information.

Once again we were approved for the Kids Read Now grant which sends home FREE books to all of our K-3 students during the summer. Students will get THREE books between June and August which are mailed to the address in Aspire. Teachers will select the books according to the student's reading level.

Parents may OPT OUT of this program by completing this form:

OPT OUT OF KIDS READ NOW

This week's fresh fruit and vegetable program brought our students PURPLE asparagus and Envy apples As we end the year our grant funds are running low so students will only receive two snacks each week.

We are super grateful to have this program at Bridge.This program is designed to give kids the opportunity to try fresh fruits and vegetables that they may otherwise not have an opportunity to try.

My name is Tiffany and I have been working in SpEd for two years. I enjoy working with the amazing SpEd team and students and helping them learn. When I’m not working, I love spending time with my husband, kids, and animals.

My name is Cedar Kelsey, I am 21 years old. This is my first year here at Bridge and I absolutely love it! I've worked in a preschool and a treatment center for teenage boys before coming here. I'm hoping to pursue a career in education. Oh yeah, and my mama is Dianne Kelsey.

I’m Khan Sandoval, i’m a sped para here at Bridge Elementary! I love working and helping the students achieve their goals! When i’m not working with the kids, i enjoy reading a good history book or going biking with my friends on long trails!

My name is Sydnee. I am a para in the SPED department. This is my first year at Bridge and I absolutely love my job. Seeing the kids grow and achieve their goals is so rewarding. In my free time I enjoy being around family and having quality time with the people I love.

I have been with Bridge Elementary for 4 years. I have loved working with the students and teachers and paras/staff through all these wonderful years. It is very rewarding to see everyone learn and grow.

Outside of work I enjoy reading, hiking, being with my family and traveling around and seeing new places.

Crystal - It has been an incredible 3 year journey here at Bridge Elementary and I have loved every moment of it. I get to work with some special kiddos that I hold close to my heart and I am honored to have been given the opportunity to be a part of their growth. I started working with children my senior year. I fell in love with being able to make a difference in a child’s life, whether it be helping them with a challenge or simply being a friendly face. It’s an incredible thing to see a child’s growth and know that you had a small part in it. I am in the process of completing my associates in Early Childhood at WSU. I love spending time with my family. I have an amazing husband and 2 beautiful children. We love doing things as a family such as fishing, hiking, watching movies and swimming. It has been an AMAZING year! Thank you for sharing your beautiful children with us.

I’m Jenn Orton, and I've had the privilege of working at Bridge for the past three years as a para in special education, a role that brings me immense fulfillment. I love being able to support students in their educational and behavioral journey. Outside of work, you'll often find me exploring my passion for the outdoors through activities like hiking, road biking, and paddle boarding.

Aislynn - I have been working in the medical field for 14 years. I am a mom of 5 boys. I am currently in school for Psychology. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, camping, fishing and paddle boarding. This is my first year at Bridge with the privilege of working in the special education section.

I grew up a military BRAT and have been a military spouse for the last 17 years. My husband and I have three children, all in or entering their teen years. After the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom for many years, I returned to work when my youngest entered kindergarten. Since then I have worked in the education field in some way, and am currently completing my degree in education. I am so excited to continue my career at Bridge Elementary and love all of the kids and staff here.

Hi, My name is Ruth Packer, this is my second year at Bridge and I love my Bridge Family. I love working with your kids, and helping them learn and grow! I enjoy spending time with my family, I have been married to my sweet husband for almost 16 years, we have four amazing kids, and two of our kids are currently little bullfrogs at Bridge. In my free time, I love to explore the outdoors with a good hike, I love all things Disney, watching all sorts of good movies, going on fun road trips, and discovering new places to eat. I have enjoyed every moment of working in the SpEd department.

Each week students attend a Visible Learning class where they learn about traits of a good learner. Next week students will learn about Flexibility "Adapting to change with a good attitude".

• Anticipate change.
• Adjust when needed.
• Look for the benefits.
• Finish the job.
• Do what is right.

By using these visible learning traits each day students will become lifelong learners who are set up for success. Please use this same verbiage at home and recognize when your student is using this trait.

Although we have had the visitor check in system since the beginning of September, some parents seem to have not received the information. When you visit Bridge to volunteer or have a meeting with your child's teacher, including a PLP meeting or an IEP meeting during school hours, you MUST bring a valid state ID and scan it into our check in system. The system will complete a background check to ensure the individual is allowed to be on the campus of an elementary school. If the the individual does not pass the background check the child's teacher can come to the office for the meeting. This is just one more step in protecting the safety of all our students.

The calendar for the school year can be accessed on our website using the link below:

https://www.bridgecharter.org/2023-2024-calendar

We LOVE parent and grand parent volunteers at school! If you would like to volunteer, please check with your child's teachers. If you want to volunteer but aren't excited about coming into the school, we have LOTS of opportunity for outside volunteer work including:

• Cutting Watch Me Learn tickets (stop by the office).
• Pulling weeds in the rock areas and park strips (we have all the area in front of the school and up 4800 S along the school fence).
• Sorting construction paper into like colors (stop by the office).
• Using rakes and shovels to redistribute the gravel from the bottom of the retention area in front of the school to the top area to cover the black landscape screen.
• Parking lot duty before and after school (just check in at the office, put on a yellow vest and talk to Travis in the crosswalk for instructions).

Once your family has volunteered 30 hours they can stop by the front office and ask for a VOLUNTEER FROG. There is no formal tracking program - just track the hours yourself. Then, write your family's name on the frog and tape the frog on our volunteer pond in the front foyer.

If you want to volunteer but do not have the time, you can donate $90 to cover the 30 hours. If you choose to donate, complete the volunteer form. You can donate in the office or by using our DONATE icon on the home page of our website.

Volunteering or donating is OPTIONAL and is not required to be a student or a parent of a student at Bridge Elementary.

Absences MUST be excused within 24 hours of the absence. You can do this by leaving a message on the Attendance line at school (801)499-5180 or by using the Excuse Absence online form. You can find this on our website by clicking on the Excuse Absence icon or using the link below:

EXCUSE ABSENCE

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.

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 at https://www.bridgecharter.org/policies-procedures

Title I was initially passed in 1965 under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). It is the largest federal assistance program for public schools. These supplemental funds provide students the opportunity to receive a fair, equitable and high-quality education to help close achievement gaps.

Bridge Elementary receives our Title I funding based on the percentage of students that qualify for free or reduced lunch. For this reason we encourage ALL families to apply for Free/Reduced lunch through Aspire to ensure every single student receives the services needed, including access to free or reduced meals if appropriate.

Title I provides avenues for parent input and participation. We do this through our surveys and the link to the form on our website which allows parents to submit questions and suggestions.

You can find more information about Title I as well as a form to ask questions or provide suggestions regarding Title I, on our website at:

https://www.bridgecharter.org/school-events

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 and Bullying
• 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 SpED Teacher - Dianne.Kelsey@BridgeCharter.org

Chad McBride SpED Teacher - Chad@BridgeCharter.org

Julie Christensen SpED Director - Julie@BridgeCharter.org

ELL Coordinator - Nichol Lloyd - Nichol@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