Bridgewater Bear Tracks

LAST CHANCE - everything is due MONDAY (December 4).

The Student Council is holding a Christmas wrap drive for Operation Joy. Items such as gift wrap, tape, ribbons, bows, gift bags, or tissue paper can be placed in the donation boxes by the Christmas tree in the commons area. Please look for the ornaments your students brought home with items listed to bring.

Join in celebrating the 25th Annual Winter Walk! Experience downtown Northfield by candlelight! Stroll through, unique shops, dine at fine restaurants, enjoy caroling, sleigh rides, storytelling, luminarias, decorated store fronts and much more!

Morning drop-off is a busy time, as many of you know. There is a lot going on, especially with the addition of ice and snow. Please make sure that you stay in the car line, pull ahead to drop off your child, and continue on your way. Don't park and walk across the parking lot unless you have a meeting with someone. This will help keep you and your child safe. Thank you very much!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Family Breakfasts!! We had a wonderful turnout!! We were able to share information about Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Reading Tips, Sleep Tips, and how to connect with staff when assistance is needed. We have to partner with you for the success of your child, and you are great partners!! Thank you!!

School-age children need from 9-12 hours of sleep per night. Children who get less sleep have difficulty focusing and regulating their emotions. It is best to keep a consistent bedtime for children with no electronics in their room. Please help give your child the gift of sleep.

Click here for digital sign up. Please contact Emily Foster at foster5@stolaf.edu with any questions!

Attendance letters are sent out each month to the parents of students who have missed more than eight days of school, irregardless of the absence being excused or unexcused. Please know that these letters are automatically generated, and are sent to you just to inform you of the total number of days. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

To keep our gym floors looking nice and for the safety of all, we ask that every student have a pair of tennis shoes at school for physical education classes. Crocs, sandals, and other slip-on footwear are not safe for the activities. So, please send your child with the appropriate footwear. Thank you in advance for your help with this!

Please join us for our upcoming musical performances!

December 12 - All 5th Grade Band Concert

Greenvale Park Elementary, 6:30 - 7:30 pm

December 14 - 4th/5th Grade Orchestra & 5th Grade Band Concert

Bridgewater Gym, 2:20-3:05PM

December 19 - Elementary Orchestra Concert

Northfield Middle School, 7 - 8 pm

Winter/Spring 2024 registration opens today, December 1, 2023. Browse the Winter/Spring 2024 digital brochure. The winter/spring brochure should be arriving in your mailbox soon!

The holidays and winter break will be here before we know it! We want to spotlight a handful of

offerings for families and students that are great ways to celebrate the most wonderful time of the

year:

Parent’s Night Out: Friday, December 8th , 5:30 – 8:00 PM

o On Friday, December 8th , the Y is hosting a brand-new, special program: Parent’s

Night Out! This program is an amazing chance for parents to get some holiday

shopping done, wrap gifts, go out to dinner with friends, or just have a few hours

of time to themselves! The Y will provide snacks and lead the kids through a

variety of age-appropriate activities, games, and crafts.

Jingle Bell Bash: Saturday, December 16th , 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

o Families and kids of all ages are welcome to join us at the Northfield Y for our

Jingle Bell Bash, a day dedicated to celebrating the winter season and being

together! The Northfield Y will be hosting a Jingle Bell run, Cookie Decorating,

holiday-themed activities in the gym, and more! Families are encouraged to

explore, eat snacks, and participate in all planned activities. Registration is

required for the Jingle Bell 5K, but the Jingle Bell Bash is free to enter!

School’s Out Days: Thursday, December 28th and Friday, December 29th

o Looking for a spot for your students to hang out after the holidays are all wrapped

up? At the Northfield Y, all students grades K-5 are welcome at our School’s Out

Days, a program full of swimming, crafts, gym-time activities, time playing in the

snow, and more! This program is an excellent care option for busy or working

parents when your kids are looking for things to do over the long break!

For more information and to register, visit our website or connect with our Member Services

team in person or by phone: 507-645-0088. We hope to see you soon!

Attached are the lunch menus for December.

There are many activities that children and adults may access during the course of the year. Don't forget to check the numerous opportunities from the Northfield Community Education Program: https://northfieldschools.org/communityeducation/

Dec. 12 --- All 5th Grade Band Concert @ Greenvale Park Elementary, 6:30-7:30PM

Dec. 12 --- BBC Meeting 6-7PM BW Media Center

Dec. 14---4th & 5th Grade Orchestra & 5th Grade Band Concert for students and staff @Bw Gym, 2:00-2:45

Dec. 15---1st Grade Field Trip to the Children's Theater

Dec. 19---Gingerbread House Day-Kindergarten, 9:30-10:30

Dec. 19 --- Elementary Orchestra Concert @ Northfield Middle School, 7-8PM

Dec. 21---BBC Spirit Day: Hat & PJ

Dec. 22-Jan. 1---Winter Break

Jan. 15---Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day-No School for Students and Staff

Jan. 21---BBC Spirit Day: Jersey/Sports

Jan. 22-23---No School for Students-Teacher Workdays

Jan 26---Erin Soderberg Downing Author Visit

World-Class Learning for Elementary Students, Bridgewater Elementary School, situated on a 14-acre campus just south of downtown Northfield, is a K-5 public school serving approximately 560 students. It serves the neighborhoods on Northfield's southern side, Dundas, and the rural area south of Highway 19 and west of Highway 246. Students benefit from an active parent-teacher organization, Bridgewater Booster Club (BBC) and many parent volunteers.

The staff is intensely dedicated to offering a high-quality, well-rounded education that strives to meet the specific needs of each student. We focus on empowering our students in their academic and social emotional learning along with building a solid foundation for their educational journey in partnership with families.

Main Office Number: 507-664-3300

Attendance Line: 507-664-3306

Address: 401 Jefferson Parkway

Web page: northfieldschools.org/schools/bridgewater-elementary/

Email: nantoine@northfieldschools.org