Bridges Breeze

Friday, August 2, 2024

Dear Bridges Families -

We have just turned the calendar to August which means the school year is just around the corner! There is a lot of excitement and change with staffing, the construction of the building, and the addition of choice schools for 2024-25. Bridges is continuing to dream about Bridges 2.0. Rosa Parks and Jefferson Elementary Schools will be joining us in becoming choice schools for the 2024-25 school year.

What is a “choice” school? A school choice is a program or policy that allows students to attend a school other than their assigned public school. "Choice" schools have a specialized focus or theme.

What will be different next year? While we are always reflecting to improve our practices from year to year, we will be thinking through what is working and what else would make Bridges an attractive school for students, families and staff. We will begin to develop our plan to be ready to execute and implement at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Will there be an additional "theme" for Bridges? This is still undecided. We may expand what we are currently doing or add a "theme."

Why more "choice" schools in MAPS? During Classroom to Boardroom sessions and input given last year from staff, families and our community, data suggested families desire for choice in education.

Will families have an opportunity to give input? Yes, we will be asking for input from families and our community. Please be on the lookout for electronic surveys that will be sent out via email and/or text messages through Infinite Campus.

Our goal is to keep everyone informed as we navigate this process. One of the best ways for you to stay informed will be to read The Bridges Breeze newsletters sent out twice a month as well as communications from Mankato Area Public Schools.

Working Together,

Mrs. Rittmiller

Reminder

School Supplies are purchased for all students by our Bridges Advisory Council (BAC Parent Group). BAC asks for a fee at the start of the school year to cover the costs. Scholarships are also available.

Construction Progress

The old office has been rebuilt to be a fabulous special education classroom ready for this fall 2024. The new office is coming along. Unfortunately, due to the rain and need for changing a couple of things on the plans, the new office is now due to be complete in October. We will have a temporary office and health office across from our old office to begin the school year.

Picnic in the Park -

August 28 (6:00-8:00) Wheeler Park

**This is for all Bridges students, families, and staff! Come for a little while or stay for the whole evening!

September 3 and 4 - Entrance Conferences

Staffing update for fall

Principal: Jody Rittmiller

POSA: Tabatha Miller (Bridges/Jefferson/Rosa Parks)

Secretary: Amanda Robinson

School Nurse: Holly Kelly & Rachel Mariner

Teaching Staff:

Neely Hagedorn – Kindergarten

Mandy Shaw – Kindergarten

Michelle Modrow – First Grade

Mary Jane Hollerich – First Grade

Chelsea Copeland - Second Grade

Bretta Hansen – Second Grade

Tricia Conetta - Third Grade

Sandy Hatlestad – Third Grade

Tim Hatlestad - Fourth Grade

Jeremy Olson – Fourth Grade

TBD - Fifth Grade - Congrats to Mandi Carleton. She will be a mentor coach for fall 2024 at Roosevelt and Rosa Parks.

Jenny Reed – Fifth Grade

Renee Ehlers- Special Education

Annakeiko Reichel - Special Education

Megan Fitzloff - Art

Karla Giesen - Media

Kristin Baty & Sarah Chambers - Music

Jeremy Burger – Phy Ed

Elizabeth Zarn - STEM

Kenzie Tinaglia - MLL

Jen Kluntz - Mentor Coach

Annika Olivo– Counselor

Custodian Maintenance:

Michael Stoeckel - Head Custodian

Student reports are live in Infinite Campus.

Student reports are live in Infinite Campus.

What does this mean? You can access your student's test data from the parent portal anytime you log in. Data is updated throughout the year as testing windows close and data is final. Local and State Assessments that your child has taken throughout their time MAPs, are readily accessible as well as available for you to download and print. Please read the following document and video to see how to access your student’s data.