Welcome to the 23-24 school year at Bridgewater Elementary! Please know that Bridgewater is your school, and we are thrilled to partner with you to educate your child. We are always open to your input, suggestions and comments in our quest to improve your school!

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!

The entrance to Bridgewater is on Division Street/Hwy 246, and the exit is onto Jefferson Parkway. The front door to Bridgewater is Door 1, not the doors by the flag pole in the bus loop. Please call the office at 507-664-3300 if you need help.

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!

Updated handbooks that contain important information regarding our policies and practices as a district are now posted on the district website. Please review all applicable handbooks with your students so that they are prepared to be good citizens of our learning community!

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.

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. Fall Breakfast menu

September Lunch (Eng) September Lunch (Span)

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).

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!!

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. 12---BBC Meeting-6:00 pm BW Media Center

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