Bridge Bulletin

Here it is, December! Just a few short weeks until Christmas break. In fact, not counting today, we only have two more Fridays in school before we check out until the new year. Then, it's a long winter until our next break in April. Speaking of breaks and calendars - the survey for parent input for our 2024-2025 calendar will be sent soon. Please use this opportunity to give your input. We use majority rule to determine where to place our fall, spring and winter breaks and to help determine the start and end dates for school.

INTENT TO RETURN TO BRIDGE - Today, Friday, December 1, we sent an email regarding your intent for your student to return to Bridge next school year. It sounds crazy that it's only December and you need to think about August already; however, our lottery will open after the new year and we need to know how many spots are available to the general public. First, we fill the spots with the current students who intend to return. Then, we fill the spots with their siblings, including their new kindergarten siblings. Finally, we open the remaining spots to the public. Unfortunately, if you do NOT complete the necessary steps to re-enroll your student, your spot will be given away. Procrastinators WILL be sent a couple of emails and a phone call or two, but then, we have to give up at some point and assume you don't want your student to return to Bridge - that's when the spot is put back into the general lottery. This happens on January 21. PLEASE check to see that Aspire has your correct email as that is how you receive the intent to return information as well as how you register for the upcoming school year. If you do NOT intend for your students to return to Bridge next school year, the email also has a link to a form for you to complete.

This week we highlight our amazing 1st grade teachers - Ms. Wangsgard, Mrs. Jensen and Mrs. Hill. Please read our STAFF HIGHLIGHTS below about these amazing ladies and all the great things they do for our 1st grade kiddos at Bridge.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

NO SCHOOL

• December 18 - Jan. 1 (Christmas Break)
• January 15 (Martin Luther King Day)
• February 2 (Legislative Day - Teacher Professional Development)
• February 19 (President's Day)
• March 7 and 8 (Parent Teacher Conferences)
• April 1 - 8 (Spring Break)

UPCOMING EVENTS

• December 15: $2 Donation Dress Down
• January 23: Math Night FREE Dinner 6:00 - 7:30 pm
• March 6 - 8: Parent Teacher Conferences

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

Bridge's unique learning model requires we have a lot of staff members to help our teachers and our students. In our staff workroom we have a vinyl quote that states, "Although our roles are different, our value is the same." Every employee at Bridge, from those who answer phones in the office to those who keep the lunchroom clean, play a critical role in the success of our school, and the success of your student.

Bridge chooses to use para educators to assist our teachers instead of just teacher aides or teacher assistants . Para educators are highly qualified based on the standards determined by the Utah Board of Education and must have either a minimum of an associate's degree, 48 college credits, or pass the Para Pro Praxis test.

Para educators at Bridge work with our students providing supervision, small group instruction, assessment, progress monitoring, individual or small group support, all under the direction of classroom teachers. Para-educators provide supervision during specials allowing our teachers the time to prepare, plan, collaborate and analyze data (PPCD) in order for teachers to personalize instruction and activities for students. We could not do this without our para educators and are thankful everyday for the role they play in our students' success.

BALLISTIC GLASS Earlier this year we applied for a $95K safety grant to install ballistic glass in our front doors, kindergarten doors, recess doors, morning greeter glass and doorbell glass. Areas we felt were the most vulnerable to access. We were awarded the grant! In January the board will approve the purchase at our board meeting and then we will begin the process of procurement and installation.

MORE SECURITY CAMERAS In the classrooms, kivas and library we have cameras that are part of our Audio Enhancement system. These cameras are awesome; however, they are designed for instructional purposes and require teachers to set up record times throughout the day in 45 minute blocks. It is a cumbersome, time consuming method to set up a recording, upload the recording to a viewing platform, and then review the recording. As such, we don't use the cameras to their full capacity. We have determined a better use of these cameras would be to have 24 hour access as security cameras.

It has taken some time, but our IT company has figured out a way to integrate our classroom cameras into our security system and once this is operational, we will have 24 hour access to these cameras. This will bring our campus-wide security camera system to 41 including interior and exterior cameras. This will greatly increase coverage in the event anything untoward happens at the school. Video footage from classroom, kiva or library cameras will NOT be displayed on the monitor in the front office.

In our Family Handbook you can find information about the procedures to view or request access to video footage. The Family Handbook is on our website LINK TO HANDBOOK

PROPPED DOOR ALERT We are also in the process of adding a system that will alert us if a door has been propped open for a set amount of time. This will help us ensure all of our doors remain shut and locked during the school day unless they are deliberately propped open to move items in and out, for example if the kitchen is getting a delivery.

With our fully fenced and gated property, extensive camera system, safety film on office windows, locked doors with user only access, AI weapon alert system, ballistic glass, propped door alert system, a morning greeter, check-in system, and staff who are vigilant about keeping kids out of harm's way, we feel we have implemented many, many security measures that other schools have not and we are doing everything we can to provide an environment safe from external forces that may want to inflict harm upon a school.

Kindergarten at Bridge is a full day kindergarten experience. Our kiddos have lunch, access to our fresh fruit and vegetable (FFVP) snack during the day, and can stay for BASE, our after school program Monday - Thursday. Kindergarten classrooms are single, self-contained classrooms instead of the learning pods we have in grades 1 - 6. We have three kindergarten classrooms and each has a licensed teacher and a full time para-educator. In addition, we have Ms. Sarah, our kindergarten computer support person who helps set up the computers, assists the students with login, and ensures the students remain on task while rewarding them with Watch Me Learn tickets.

Although it is not a learning pod, our kinder students still have rotations and personalized learning experiences during small group learning with their teacher and the para-educator during reading and math instruction. They also have an adaptive, personalized learning experience during their computer based learning for 20 minutes each day for language arts and math using Imagine Learning. Since social development is a critical piece of the kindergarten learning experience, our kindergarten students rotate to centers or stations for cooperative play and partner-based activities. Teachers also provide whole group instruction in language arts and math for kindergarteners during "carpet time".

Just like our older students, kindergarteners attend specials each week for fine arts, PE/health, social emotional learning, visible learning, social studies, library, writing and science. Additionally, each of our kindergarten students has a Kindergarten Learning Plan (KLP) which is a simplified version of the Personalized Learning Plan (PLP). Teachers update student progress and share the KLP digitally with parents each month.

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.

This week's fresh fruit and vegetable program brought our students Rockit apples, Sweet Limes and cherry tomatoes.

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.

Hello! I'm Cindi Hill, and I have a genuine passion for teaching here at Bridge! With 15 years of teaching experience, I've worked in intervention, spent a year in 1st grade, and enjoyed 6 years in kindergarten, including 3 wonderful years right here at Bridge. I am currently loving being back in 1st grade.

I studied at Western Governors University, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies K-8, and I am currently pursuing my master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction also at WGU.

I grew up and currently live in Hooper with my husband, Ryan. We are proud parents of two adult children, Ryker who is 24, and Hallie who is 21; both are attending UVU. We have a little shorkie named Ginger. My husband and I share a love for mountain trail rides on our side-by-side and love to shoot sporting clays. I enjoy reading and listening to books, and Diet Dr Pepper is a must have daily. I absolutely love the sun, beach, and ocean, these things bring me such peace.

My favorite aspect of teaching is witnessing the moment when a young student reads a word or a sentence independently for the first time. Their face lights up, and they smile as if they've just won the lottery! There's nothing quite like seeing a child realize their potential. The most rewarding part of my day is the opportunity to relive this moment over and over.

My name is Julie Jensen. I have worked in first grade since 2021. I started as a para and then moved into a teacher position in January 2022. I have loved teaching these little ones. Watching them make connections and begin to grow and flourish just makes it so much fun.

I recently got remarried just after school started (I am now Julie Petersen, but that will change next school year). My husband's name is Steve and between the two of us we have 4 children, two girls and two boys ages 15, 11, 7 and 3. I love spending time with my family no matter if it is inside playing games, movie night or just hanging out or outdoors. In the summer I love to hike but do not get the chance very often. I like camping or going to the park with the children or taking quiet walks. In the last year I have discovered that I love going to the gym. It gives me quiet time and sister time with my two older sisters. I also love to read, have movie nights, when I have time being a little crafty, which isn't very often.

Hi Bridge families,

My name is Barbara Wangsgard. This is my 4th year at Bridge. I started out in Kindergarten and then moved to 1st grade my second year. I have loved getting to know all our 1st graders. It is so cute when my old students stop by to say hi during the day. Before coming to Bridge I taught Headstart for 16 years. When I'm not at school I am either doing homework or spending time with my family. I have 1 sister, 5 brothers and lots of nieces and nephews. When we get together it is loud and crazy, but we have fun!

Each week students attend a Visible Learning class where they learn about traits of a good learner. Next week students will learn about ENTHUSIASM - "Putting my whole heart into what I do."

I will -

• Be an energy-giver.
• Smile.
• Encourage others.
• Treat every job as important.
• Not be discouraged by failure.

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.

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

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

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