Welcome to the 23-24 school year at Bridgewater Elementary! We have been planning all summer for the return of students to the hallways and classrooms. I hope you have all had a wonderful summer!

We welcome volunteers in our classrooms, and look forward to many smiling faces helping our students and teachers. Teachers will communicate volunteer needs or you can fill out a form to volunteer here. In addition, to serve in our classrooms, the district requires everyone to fill out an ANNUAL background check found here: English/Spanish. Thank you in advance for supporting us!

Families can now complete the educational benefits application online through Family Access. If you wish to complete your application online, you must first login to Family Access. After logging in, click the Food Service button located on the left side of the screen and select a child’s name. Click the applications tab and follow the prompts to complete the application.

https://northfieldschools.org/wp-content/uploads/FRP-Letter-23-24.pdf

Did you know that Educational Benefits is more than just meals? Here are some of the other benefits of qualifying for educational benefits:

1. Free or reduced costs to participate in Community Education activities.

2. Free or reduced cost to participate in district sports and activities.

3. Discounted cost to belong to the YMCA through the CAC.

4. Discounts on fees associated with applying for college, as well as SAT and ACT fees.

5. Reduced fees for technology-related costs such as home internet, wireless, and district device (iPads) protection.

Educational Benefits may also help our school district apply for other funding, resources, and benefits for our school community.

Communication is very important to me, and I want to make sure that you are informed about the events that happen at Bridgewater. I will send out a newsletter every Friday via email and/or text message. You are always welcome to email me if you have questions, concerns or suggestions. Bridgewater is your school and I want you to be a part of your child's education.

On March 17, 2023, Governor Walz signed the MN Free School Meals bill into law. The MN Free School Meals Program is a permanent program that provides state reimbursement to schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program so that students can have one breakfast and one lunch at no cost at school. More information is included here.

Teacher placement information was sent out via email yesterday. Please let me know if I inadvertently missed your child. Requests for changes will not be honored except for extenuating circumstances as this process takes many months. Thank you for understanding!

Bussing information will be sent to your home by August 29th. You will recieve a bright yellow postcard with pertinent information for your child. If you have any questions you can reach Rick Wagner with Benjamin Bus at 507-645-5720 or rwagner@benjaminbus.com.

Benjamin Bus will continue to provide SAFE and professional transportation to all students.

School starts each day at 8:20 a.m. and dismisses at 3:20 p.m. On Wednesdays, students start one hour late at 9:20 a.m. Students are allowed to arrive at 8:00 a.m. (9:00 a.m. on Wednesdays).

2023–2024 School Year

All students need to have a backpack (labeled) daily & athletic shoes on Phy Ed days

**No wheeled backpacks as they don’t fit into the locker**

Kindergarten

**$35 Fee ($30 supply, $5 in class parties) Last Name Begins With:
A-H Paper Dixie Cups
I-P Disinfecting Wipes (2 Containers)

Q-Z 1 Box Each of Quart & Gallon Plastic Baggies
Extra Set Of Clothes In A Labeled Plastic Bag
Small Blanket Or Beach Towel For Quiet Time
Labeled Headphones (NOT Earbuds/NOT Wireless) That Stay at School

1st Grade

**$40 Supply Fee
Disinfecting Wipes (3 Containers)
Labeled Headphones (NOT Wireless) That Stay at School

2nd Grade

**$35 Supply Fee
Facial Tissues (1 Box)
Disinfecting Wipes (1 Container)
Labeled Headphones (NOT Wireless) That Stay at School Pencil Case/Box (Labeled)

3rd Grade

**$30 Supply Fee
Facial Tissues (1 Box)
Disinfecting Wipes (1 Container)
Labeled Headphones (NOT Wireless) That Stay at School

4th Grade

**$30 Supply Fee
Facial Tissues (2 Box)
Disinfecting Wipes (1 Container)
1 1⁄2” Zipper 3-ring binder
Labeled Headphones (NOT Wireless) That Stay at School

5th Grade

**$25 Supply Fee

24 Pencils
12 Pack of Colored Pencils
Facial Tissues (2 Boxes)
Disinfecting Wipes (1 Container)
Labeled Headphones (NOT Wireless) That Stay at School

**Donations of disinfecting wipes & facial tissues for our Specialists and Support Staff are always appreciated! **

**You can pay all your fees online throughout the year: Supply Fee, Lunch & Field Trips

✔ To pay online visit Bridgewater Elementary at: http://northfieldschools.org/Bridgewater and click on ‘Payments’

o Separate checks or exact cash (change not available) can be paid, but online payments are preferred

o Supply fees should be paid by the start of school. Online payment available after 7/1

2023-2024 Bridgewater Elementary Lista de Útiles Escolares

***TODOS LOS ESTUDIANTES DEBEN TENER UNA MOCHILA ETIQUETADA DIARIAMENTE Y ZAPATOS DEPORTIVOS EN LOS DÍAS DE EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA.

(No mochilas con ruedas porque no caben en las taquillas)

Kinder

**$35 tarifa de suministro

Apellido comienza con:

A-H Pañuelo facial (2 Cajas)

I-P Toallitas desinfectantes (2 Contenedores)

Q-Z 1 Caja de bolsas de plástico de un cuarto Y 1 Caja de bolsas de plástico de un galón

Ropa extra en una bolsa de plástico etiquetada

Cobija o Toalla pequeña para tiempo de silencio

Audífonos etiquetados que se quedan en la escuela (NO inalámbricos, NO auriculares)

1er Grado

**$40 tarifa de suministro

Toallitas desinfectantes (3 Contenedores)

Audífonos etiquetados que se quedan en la escuela (NO inalámbricos)

2do Grado

**$35 tarifa de suministro

Pañuelo facial (1 Caja)

Toallitas desinfectantes (1 Contenedores)

Audífonos etiquetados que se quedan en la escuela (NO inalámbricos)

Caja/estuche de lápices (etiquetado)

3er Grado

**$30 tarifa de suministro

Pañuelo facial (1 Caja)

Toallitas desinfectantes (1 Contenedor)

Audífonos etiquetados que se quedan en la escuela (NO inalámbricos)

4to Grado

**$30 tarifa de suministro

Pañuelo facial (2 Cajas)

Toallitas desinfectantes (1 Contenedor)

Carpeta de 3 anillas con cierre de 1 ½”

Audífonos etiquetados que se quedan en la escuela (NO inalámbricos)

5to Grado

**$25 tarifa de suministro

24 lápices

Lápices de color

Pañuelo facial (2 Cajas)

Toallitas desinfectantes (1 Contenedor)

Audífonos etiquetados que se quedan en la escuela (NO inalámbricos)

**¡Siempre se agradecen las donaciones de toallitas desinfectantes y pañuelos faciales para nuestros especialistas y personal de apoyo!**

**Puede pagar todas tus tarifas en línea durante el año; tarifas escolares, almuerzo y excursiones.

✔ Para pagar en línea, visite Bridgewater Elementary en : http://northfieldschools.org/Bridgewater y haz clic en ‘pagos’’

o Se pueden pagar con cheques separados o efectivo exacto (cambio no disponible), pero se prefieren los pagos en línea.

o Las tarifas de suministros deben pagarse antes del comienzo de la escuela. Pago en línea disponible después del 7/1.

Here is the link to pay for fees: Bridgewater School Fees

Tuesday, September 5th is the first day of school for students. Please mark this on your calendar. We are excited to have the students return!!

Family Conferences will take place on Wednesday, August 30th (11:00-7:00) & Thursday, August 31st (7:30-3:30). Links were sent with the Teacher Placement email/text message for you to sign up for the date and time that works best for you. If you have not received a link, email Libby Potter at: lpotter@northfieldschools.org for assistance. You will have the opportunity to meet with your child's teacher, complete paperwork electronically, and discuss the coming school year. You know your child best, and we want to learn from you how to best meet the needs of your child. We also need to know how best to communicate with you in case we need to reach you. Please bring your child with for this conference. Thank you for making this time a priority!

Please make sure to share medical needs for your child with Nurse Lucy Archibald. Any and all medications need to go through her as well. Please do not send medications on the bus with students. Thank you!

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/

Aug 30 & 31---Family Conferences

Sept 5---First Day of School

Sept 26-School Picture Day

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