Bridgewater Bear Tracks

Monday, January 15th is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. There won't be school for staff and students for this national holiday.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is more than just a day off from school or work. There is significant meaning behind this day. These are two of the many quotes from Dr. King that I find particularly meaningful: "Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others." "Without love, there is no reason to know anyone, for love will, in the end, connect us to our neighbors, our children and our hearts."

This is a good time to think about others and what we can do to make their lives better. We truly cannot do something for someone else without getting some of the goodness on us. Please take the time to talk with your family about what you can do to serve others even if it is just the smallest of ways. Martin Luther King, Jr. has left an amazing legacy that centers around the value of people, service to others, and speaking up for those who are less fortunate than we are.

Please dress your children warmly for school as the temperatures are going to be very low---normal for this time of year. Warm jacket, snow pants, hat, gloves and boots are needed.

• If you or your child are reading chapter books; use a bookmark.

• Have a conversation: talk to your child as often as possible. Try to use advanced vocabulary as children understand oral language more naturally than reading. Your child understands words spoken to them that they might not be able to read, yet!

• Have your child tell you a story, or you can tell them a story.

• Create a story with your child including his/her name and actions.

• Have your child practice reading signs on the road or at the grocery store.

• Listen to audiobooks in the car.

Winter will be cause for a change in format after our first snow day. For e-Learning days, please remember to submit your child's work to the classroom teacher that day or have your child bring their work in the following day. We mark students present or absent based on the completion and submission of their assignments. Please don't let e-Learning days cause you stress; you are welcome to email your child's teacher or me if you have any questions.

Teachers sent a link to families to sign up for conferences. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher or call the office at 507-664-3300.

Author, Erin Soderberg will be coming to Bridgewater on Friday, January 26th to meet our students. "Erin Soderberg Downing has written more than seventy-five books for kids, tweens, and young adults, including Controlled Burn (a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection) and the forthcoming Just Keep Walking (February 2024), a story inspired by a 100-mile hike she took with her son on Minnesota’s Superior Hiking Trail. She has also written several popular series for young readers: The Great Peach Experiment (a JLG Gold Standard Selection), Puppy Pirates, The Quirks, and Disney's Daring Dreamers Club.

Erin loves reading, swimming, exploring the woods, traveling with her family, and walking around Minneapolis lakes with her fluffy and mischievous dogs, Wally and Nutmeg."

There will be no school on Monday, Jan. 22nd and Tuesday, Jan. 23rd. The last day of the first semester is Jan. 19th, and teachers will be preparing report cards. Report cards will be either distributed during Parent Teacher Conference time (Jan. 23-31) or sent home with students afterward.

February 12 - Kindergarten Tour Night @ 5:30PM, Bridgewater

February 22 - Registration Deadline for Kindergarten (Note: this mailing should have arrived)

https://northfieldschools.org/about/enrollment/

More information to come!

January School’s Out Days: January 15th , 22nd , and 23rd

o Do you want your kids to have fun and stay busy during school breaks? Join us at

the YMCA! All kids in kindergarten - 5th Grade are welcome! Days will be filled

with swimming, games, crafts, sports, friends and more! Program runs from

7:00am - 5:00pm.

Valentine’s Day Dance: February 9th

o Bring your whole family to the Y for a Valentine's Dance filled with music, fun,

family and friends! We will have a photo booth, awesome DJ, snacks and a

Valentine's craft to take home. All Ages Welcome!

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 very soon!

January 22 & 23 are Teacher Workdays. There is no school for students on those two days.

Attached are the lunch menus for January.

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/

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

Jan. 15---Dr. King Community Celebration 7:00 pm @ Emmaus Church

Jan. 19---Dolly Parton Imagination Library Fundraiser-6:30-9:00 pm

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

Jan. 26---Erin Soderberg Downing Author Visit

Jan. 26---BBC Spirit Day: Jersey/Sports

Feb. 12---Kindergarten Tour Night-5:30 pm

Feb. 13---BBC Meeting 6:00pm - BW Media Center

Feb. 15---Choral Festival for 4th & 5th Grade Choir Students (11:00-2:45)

Feb. 19---Professional Development Day-No School for students

Feb. 22---4th Grade Workshop on Wheels

Feb. 23---BBC Spirit Day: Book Character

Mar. 23-Apr. 1---Spring Break

June 5---Fifth-Grade Graduation @ 1:15 pm

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