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Bridges Breeze
Friday, December 1, 2023
Dear Bridges Families -
Coming back after a little break is wonderful to see all of the students faces and get back into a routine of learning and friendships. We have had a little up and down with temperatures inside and outside the building. Please continue to send layers of clothing, especially as we enter the winter months!
This week our 4th and 5th graders learned about the Bridges Spelling Bee that will take place on Friday, Jan. 26 at 12:30 in the Auditorium. Students that are interested in participating can let the office know or classroom teachers and we will send home a packet of information and the word lists. Also next week, students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade learned about the Bridges Science Fair. If your child would like to participate, look for a green sheet to fill out and return stating permission is granted! We will then send home a Science Fair packet to start the planning of the project. Our Bridges Science Fair will be on Thursday, March 7th in the gymnasium. Last year, we had over 50 projects done by individuals and partners! It was a great event!
Together in Learning! Mrs. Rittmiller
School begins at 8:10 am. Please call if your student will be absent.
Staff Spotlight for the week
Mrs. Copeland - Grade 2 Teacher
Mrs. Giesen - Media Specialist
Mrs. Giesen is excited about this year and getting to know the students and staff at Bridges. So far, they have been so welcoming and kind.
Outside of work she enjoys watching her daughters sports activities and of course, reading!
Ms. Hansen - Grade 2 Teacher
Outside of school, she enjoys being with her family and cooking.
We Matter!!
Update from Mrs. Olivo
Each month we focus on a different social-emotional topic for classroom counselor lessons. See below for more information on what we have been discussing in your child’s class! In October our focus was emotions. In November we have focused on uncomfortable emotions (i.e. anger, sadness and anxiety) and tools that can help us with those feelings.
Kindergarten and First Grade:
In October we focused on emotions and read “A Little Spot of Feelings”. Students learned:
Every day is full of emotions. Everyday we all experience lots of different feelings.
All feelings are okay. Some feelings are comfortable and others are uncomfortable.
Facial expressions and body language give clues about how a person is feeling.
In November we focused on sadness and read “ A Little Spot of Sadness”. Students learned (taken from the book):
Everyone feels sad sometimes. Sadness shows up when we feel upset, disappointed or experience loss.
Feeling sad is okay, but we don’t feel good when it stays too long or becomes too big.
Crying, frowning and moping are all clues someone is sad.
Things that can help us when we are sad: crying, kindness, care and love from others, having fun, being creative, talking to someone we trust, taking deep breaths
Second and Third Grade:
In October we focused on emotions and The Zones of Regulation. Students learned:
Everyday is full of emotions. We all have feelings – and lots of them! They are a normal and healthy part of being a person.
All feelings are okay. Feelings can be organized into different Zones depending on how they make our body feel. These Zones help us know what to do with our feelings so we can make safe choices.
Green Zone: feel happy, ready, focused, relaxed, calm. You feel your best in the Green Zone and do your best learning in the Green Zone.
Blue Zone: feel sad, tired, sick, bored, hurt, alone. You feel low and slow and need rest or energy.
Yellow Zone: feel nervous, frustrated, excited, silly, energetic. You feel like your body is moving fast and you need to slow down.
Red Zone: feel mad, out-of-control, overwhelmed, unsafe. Red Zone is where you have big feelings. Your body is out-of-control and you need to stop.
Triggers are things that put us in the Blue, Yellow or Red Zone. Different people react differently to triggers. For example some people are excited when school is canceled because of snow and others are disappointed.
In November we focused on coping tools that can help us feel better when we have big or uncomfortable feelings. Students created a paper “toolbox” with six different tools that can help them when they are in the Blue, Yellow or Red Zone.
Some examples of coping tools include:
Taking deep breaths: breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth
Moving your body: exercise, stretches, activities
Finding your calm with relaxing activities: listening to music, reading, talking to a friend or family member, spending time with a pet or stuffed animal
Getting creative: writing, drawing, coloring, building, playing
Talking to someone who supports you: parent, grandparent, classroom teacher, principal, counselor, friend or other trusted adult or person
Using positive self-talk/affirmations: This is tough, but so am I. I don't have to be perfect, I just have to give it my best. This hurts so I will be extra kind and gentle towards myself. All I need to do is take one step at a time and breathe.
Fourth and Fifth Grade:
In October we focused on emotions and The Zones of Regulation. Students learned:
Everyday is full of emotions. We all have feelings – and lots of them! They are a normal and healthy part of being a person.
All feelings are okay. Feelings can be organized into different Zones depending on how they make our body feel. These Zones help us know what to do with our feelings so we can make safe choices.
Green Zone: feel happy, ready, focused, relaxed, calm. You feel your best in the Green Zone and do your best learning in the Green Zone.
Blue Zone: feel sad, tired, sick, bored, hurt, alone. You feel low and slow and need rest or energy.
Yellow Zone: feel nervous, frustrated, excited, silly, energetic. You feel like your body is moving fast and you need to slow down.
Red Zone: feel mad, out-of-control, overwhelmed, unsafe. Red Zone is where you have big feelings. Your body is out-of-control and you need to stop.
Triggers are things that put us in the Blue, Yellow or Red Zone. Different people react differently to triggers. For example some people are excited when school is canceled because of snow and others are disappointed.
In November we focused on uncomfortable feelings (i.e. anger, sadness, anxiety). We spent time identifying how an uncomfortable emotion feels and processing things that can help us with that emotion. Students created “guidebooks” to help them process anger, loneliness, sadness and worry.
As always, please reach out with questions or concerns! I am happy to support your child however I can at school!
LOST & FOUND
Please check out our lost and found. There is a lot of clothing that will be donated on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 if not picked up! Thanks!
Snow and Flu Season Information
Snow and flu season are just around the corner! In preparation, here are two important resources that are available on the ISD77 website for your review:
Flu Information for Families - provides influenza information
Weather Related Information - includes details on where to find out about weather related closings and late starts. Please note the NEW MAPS Helpline: 507-387-6046.
Please contact your child's school with any questions or concerns.
Backpack Food Program
The BackPack and Power Pack Food Programs are free programs providing students in grades K-8 with weekend food packs containing breakfast, lunch and a snack for each day off of school. As of right now, food packs will be delivered weekly directly to a students backpack while they are at lunch or on break. Sign up today to give your child an additional boost of nutrition.
Dates to Remember:
December:
Dec. 8 - Children’s Theatre/Grinch (K-1)
Dec. 13 - 2 Hour Early Release (12:50)
Dec. 13 - Heggies Pizza Pick up 12:50-6:00 PM (5th Gr)
Dec. 14 - Viking Age Presentation (3rd Gr)
Dec. 15 - Kiwanis Holiday Lights/BAC
Dec. 18 - Site Council Meeting (3:00)
Dec. 19 - Game Day (3rd Grade)
Dec. 25-Jan. 2 - No School/Winter Break
Principal & Administrative Assistant
Amanda Robinson, Administrative Assistant
Email: jrittm1@isd77.org
Website: https://bcs.isd77.org/
Location: 320 Garfield Avenue, North Mankato, MN, USA
Phone: (507)387-2800