Bridgewater Bear Tracks

We are seeing a higher number of students out due to illness. The most common diagnoses are influenza A , strep throat and pink eye. We don’t like to encourage students to stay home longer than needed, but we are seeing secondary infections and relapses when students return to school before they are well enough.

Here are some guidelines to help with your decision if you are not sure whether you should send your child to school; students in these situations should stay home:

• If your student has had a temperature of 100.0 degrees or higher in the past 24 hours

• If your child has vomited within the past 24 hours

• If having your student at school would significantly put others at risk for catching your student’s illness

• If your student will not be able to participate or focus on academics

If you have questions about when to send your child to school, please call our school nurse. Thank you for cooperating to keep our students healthy at Bridgewater Elementary.

We have numerous mittens, hats and sweatshirts in the lost and found. Labeled items are so much easier to return to the owner. Keep in mind that many of us shop at the same stores, so you can imagine how many pairs of black snow pants we have.

Winter Break is December 22nd-Jan 1st with no school for students. The Bridgewater Office will also be closed. Please remind your child to bring home their winter gear over break so they can play outside.

Erin Soderberg Downing is coming to Bridgewater Elementary on January 26th, 2024! See order form below, and please note that her new book Just Keep Walking is a preorder (it won't be out until two weeks after she comes). Order forms are due DECEMBER 21.

See fliers for more information!

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!

All items that remain in our lost and found will be donated over winter break. If your child is missing anything, please come over in the next two weeks to look for them in our main entryway. 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 give your child the gift of sleep.

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

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, 2:00-2:45PM

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 THIS 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 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!

Winter 1 Programming: Registration Opens Soon!

o Our new slate of youth program offerings will open in December for registration!

From a Spanish Language Club to Basketball, Volleyball, and more, we want to

see your students participating in afterschool programming at the Y. Registration

for members opens on December 18 th and for the community on December 20 th .

Keep an eye out for more program details to come!

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!

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, 9:00-10:00

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