Bridge Bulletin

Here we are, finished with our second week of school and our first week of testing. This week kiddos spent a lot of time showing what they know through multiple measures of literacy and math assessments - some computer based, some one on one testing and some regular paper-based assessments. This data is super important for our teachers to begin their groupings for small group instruction, differentiated station work and for our K-4 grade P90 reading program to begin.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

NO SCHOOL

• September 4 - Labor Day
• September 22 (Teacher work day)
• October 9 - 13 (Fall Break)
• November 20 - 24 (Thanksgiving Break)
• December 18 - Jan. 1 (Christmas Break)

UPCOMING EVENTS

• August 21 - Sept. 1 - Assessments
• August 30 - School Pictures (in uniform)
• Sept. 8 - Advisory Rotations Begin (grades 1 - 6)
• Sept. 11 - P90 Reading Begins (K-4)

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

For the next two weeks students will be working on assessments that will help us determine their levels in reading, math and writing (grades 3 - 6). This data is essential for teachers to know how to group students for small group learning and to know which skills students need to work on. Data from the assessments will be included on the student's beginning of year (BOY) progress report and their personalized learning plan (PLP) for grades 1- 6 and the kindergarten learning plan (KLP) for our kindergarten kiddos. (The KLP is brand new this year!!!)

Some assessments are required by the state board of education and other assessments are used internal to Bridge. Once we have all of the BOY data we will post the information on our website and in our newsletter.

Below are a gallery of pics of our kiddos completing some of their assessments.

These are the assessments and the purpose:

• KEEP (Kindergarten) - Basic kindergarten skill assessment for literacy and math (state) - given one on one with students
• Acadience Reading - basic reading skills assessment used K - 6 (state required K - 3) - given one on one with students
• Acadience Math - basic math skills assessment used K - 6 (state required K - 3) - given one on one for kindergarten and 1st grade, paper pencil test for grades 2 - 6
• Imagine Learning Literacy - over all literacy assessment used K - 6 (Bridge) - computer based
• Imagine Learning Math - over all math assessment used K - 6 (Bridge) - computer based
• Utah Compose - writing assessment for grades 3 - 6 (Bridge) - computer based assessment for scoring
• BEPS - this is a diagnostic phonics assessment. The state requires a diagnostic tool for all students who score "at risk" on Acadience reading in grades 1- 3. At Bridge we use it for a majority of our 1 - 3 grade students and our struggling 4th grade students to help us group and plan for our P90 reading groups. (More about P90 in another newsletter.)

This isn't a conversation we want to have and it certainly isn't where we want to spend our education money, unfortunately, it is the reality we live in.

This week Bridge added another layer of school safety by installing an artificial intelligence weapons detection system. This system is designed to identify exposed handguns and long guns on our campus. It is software installed on strategically placed cameras both inside and outside the school. It does NOT see through clothing to identify concealed weapons but will alert immediately if the weapon is removed and in the vicinity of one of the cameras installed with the AI software.

If a weapon is detected the system sounds an extremely loud alarm in the foyer which can be heard both inside and outside the school. It sends an immediate alert to staff computers and phones. Staff use the EduTrax app for alerts. Eventually, the system has the capability of notifying police. Currently, staff would call 911 upon an alert. The system is designed to deter a would-be shooter with the loud alarm, speed up the time staff and students are moved to safety, and reduce the emergency response time.

Bridge's IT team is also working with Roy City PD to tie our school cameras into their "Real Time Crime Center" so in the event of ANY emergency dispatch has real time camera access of our school to help keep everyone safe and to diffuse the emergency as quickly as possible.

This is new system just part of the MANY safety measures Bridge has in place. Roy City PD just did a walk thru with us this week to help identify any other vulnerabilities and we are super lucky we have so many safety measures in place including locking doors, fully enclosed and gated property, security cameras, safety lamination on vulnerable glassed areas, check in system which scans the sex offender registry, and now the AI weapons detection system.

School pictures will be taken on August 30 for all students. Student MUST wear their school uniform for pictures. In the spring they will have additional pictures taken in which they can wear their "own" clothes. Fall pictures are used for the yearbook and for student name badges. We use Bell Photographers. After pictures are taken you can order them using the form students bring home or order them online using this information.

Order Online = BellPhoto.com

Webcode = BridgeESFall23

Power Chess is a private program, not affiliated with Bridge, that rents space from Bridge on Fridays for an amazing after-school chess program. Power Chess begins September 1st. You can learn more about this awesome program and register your student on our website under Community Events: https://www.bridgecharter.org/community-events

Once again Bridge was awarded the FFVP grant this school year! The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is offered by USDA and is an important tool in their efforts to combat childhood obesity. The program has been successful in introducing elementary school children to a variety of produce that they otherwise might not have the opportunity to sample.

We are super excited to have this grant at Bridge to provide our students with access to a fresh fruit and vegetables as a snack 2 or 3 days each week, outside of their regular lunch options. Ask your kiddo about their snack - perhaps they will have found a new fruit or vegetable they want you to buy at home. This week our kids received fresh peaches for our first FFVP snack.

DOORS ARE LOCKED Ring the Bell - the bell is located near the window to the left of the front doors and is labeled with pointing arrows. There is a picture of this right here >>>>>>>>>>>>>

Once you ring the bell the office is notified with a phone call and a video. They will verify you are a person that should be admitted to the school. There is NOT a buzzer - the office will talk to you through the speaker and the little light to the right of the door will turn green to notify you the door is open. Then, once you get into the school the office door is ALSO locked. Wait patiently and the office will unlock this door for you as well. Currently, this light does not turn green - we are working to get that fixed. Instead, watch the office staff and they will signal to you to open the door.

Student Check Out - all individuals who check out your child MUST be on the Aspire system and must bring ID to the school. If you need help with Aspire you can ask the front office for assistance (801)499-5180.

Day Care Parking ONLY - The fence along the west side of the north end of the school is for dar care vans ONLY. Please do not park there. These vans have NO WHERE else to park and cannot navigate our parking lot.

Label Jackets and Water Bottles - it is that time of year and our lost and found will start filling up with water bottles and jackets. Every couple of weeks we throw out the water bottles and donate the jackets and lost clothing items. Help us get your items to the right owner and label your kids' items.

We have a few spots available in a couple of grades. Let your friends and family know they can enroll today in our lottery online at: https://www.bridgecharter.org/enroll-today

PLEASE be patient, kind and observant in the parking lot! Today we had several students attempt to cross Midland Drive without an adult and it was super scary. PLEASE do not allow your child to cross Midland Drive without your presence. We need to all to work together to keep our kiddos and families safe. Patience is the best way to make this happen.

We are not be able to have a crossing guard on Midland Drive because of the close proximity to the intersection and stop sign on 4800 south and Midland (just north of the school). Our last visit from Roy City Police indicated that ALL crossings should happen at the stop sign NOT across the middle of the street. Again - PLEASE help us keep our kiddos safe and do not have your children cross the street and if you choose to do so, make sure it is with an adult by their side.

Bridge has a new check in system for all visitors and volunteers. When a person wants to visit or volunteer at our school they will need to produce a current ID - driver's license or state ID and use our check in system at the front desk. The system will ask a few questions and then scan the sex offender database to determine if the individual is legally able to be in an elementary school. You can find the procedures for this system on our website under Visitor and Volunteer Procedures at: https://www.bridgecharter.org/policies-procedures

Bridge Elementary provides FREE after-school programs, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3:30 - 4:30 pm. BASE is designed to extend the student's learning day. BASE will not be held on days when school is released early. Participants also receive FREE dinner but must remain until 4:15 pm to receive dinner. Each day students will participate in activities based on a specific theme.

Monday - Literacy or Writing

Tuesday - STEM (science, technology, engineering or math)

Wednesday - Fine Arts or Movement

Thursday - Natural World - History - Holidays

Students MUST be signed up to attend BASE. ALL BASE changes made after the first day of school MUST be made by calling the school (801)499-5180 or notifying our BASE Coordinator, Stacey Archuleta at Stacey@BridgeCharter.org

At the end of the school day teachers use the sign up to determine which students need to remain for BASE and which students go outside to wait for parent pick up. It is absolutely critical that the BASE form is correct. If your student is on the BASE list they will be kept inside. If your child is NOT on the list they will not be able to remain for BASE and will be sent outside for pick up. If your child remains for BASE and you arrive before BASE is over you must come into the school to check your child out from BASE.

Bridge provides students with delicious and nutritious breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast and lunch require payment and dinner is FREE for students who attend our after- school BASE program. Many students qualify for free or reduced breakfast and lunch; however, parents or guardians MUST complete the online application through the Aspire program.

Accessing Aspire is easy and can be completed by following the instructions on our website at:

https://www.bridgecharter.org/access-student-data

Once you have created an Aspire account you will login and on the right hand side you will select the link for the Free/Reduced Lunch Application. If you are having difficulty accessing Aspire you can call the office at (801)499-5180 for assistance. The application will be processed and you are notified if your child qualifies for free or reduced meals.

Each week students attend a Visible Learning class where they learn about traits of a good learner. For the upcoming week students will learn about the trait "Initiative" - Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it."

• Do what is right the first time 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.

By internalizing visible learning traits 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.

The calendar for next school year is now approved. You can access it on our website using the link below:

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

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for a beneficiary’s future qualified education expenses, including K-12 tuition expenses. 529 plans are sponsored by states, state agencies, and educational institutions, and are authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The plans are designed to encourage saving for future education costs. Earnings in a 529 account grow deferred from federal and state taxes. Withdrawals are tax-free when used on qualified educational expenses.

Earnings on nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty, as well as state and local income taxes.

my529 is a 529 plan established and sponsored by the State of Utah.

You can find more information about a 529 Plan at: https://my529.org/

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.

Lunch payments can be made online or in the front office using cash or check. Payments made in the front office are posted immediately in Aspire. Online payments are not immediately updated in Aspire.

When payments are made online we must complete several steps to get the payments moved to Aspire. We do this every Monday and Wednesday. After we run the online report it takes another day for the money to post to your student's Aspire account. Please allow 3 - 5 days from the day you make the online payment to the day the information posts in Aspire.

The link to make payments online is found on our website by selecting the MEALS icon.

https://www.bridgecharter.org/lunch

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).
• 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 logged 30 volunteer hours they can stop by the front office and ask for a VOLUNTEER FROG. 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.

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

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

Principal - Lani Rounds - Lani@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 Lead SpED Teacher - Dianne.Kelsey@BridgeCharter.org

Nancy Fulmer - Part Time SpED Teacher - Nancy@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

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