Bridgewater Bear Tracks

Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 12th. Don't forget to spring forward. We lose an hour of sleep, so get to bed early!

The District is hosting two public hearings regarding the proposed 2023-24 budget reductions. These meetings will take place at Northfield Middle School from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays, March 16 and March 23 in the auditorium. You will have an opportunity to share your suggestions and concerns with school board members and administrators. Please join us.

Planning is underway for the coming year, and it is time to plan for next year's first-graders. First-grade registration is open and due March 24th. Please complete this form indicating which program you think will be the best fit for your child. Kindergarten families have the option of enrolling in our English-Only or Compañeros program for First Grade. The Compañeros program is a 50/50 program with half of the day taught in Spanish with an emphasis on Spanish Literacy. One section of Compañeros will be offered at each neighborhood school. Should it be necessary, a lottery will be conducted to select students for the Compañeros program at each school.

I have had many questions about a sign at the Bridgewater entrance, and thought that I should provide this information. We are working on a new entrance sign, and will make sure that it is visible and yet not gaudy. We are hoping to have this in over the summer. This should help visitors find the entrance.

We would like to encourage the entire community to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st for 3 of the 21st chromosomes. World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated by Rocking Our Socks. Wearing any crazy, fun patterned, mismatched socks, to show that our differences make us beautiful. The day is to celebrate acceptance and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome and encourage random acts of kindness. We have a surprise video coming for all elementary students in the district which will highlight a few of our students and families personally touched by Down Syndrome. I can't wait for all of us to see this video!!! Let's Rock Our Socks!!

MCA (MN Comprehensive Assessment) testing will begin in April, we ask that you try to avoid scheduling appointments if at all possible during these times as it may interrupt your child completing the MCA test.

• April 10-14: 5th Grade Science Test

• April 17-21: 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Reading Test

• April 24-28: 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Math Test

Yes, we held our Family Engagement Days back in January. However, this does not mean that you are unable to meet with and/or talk with your chid's teacher. You are always welcome to reach out to your child's teacher to set up a time to meet. March 24th is the end of the third quarter and progress reports will be sent home. The partnership between parents and the classroom teacher is very important for the success of all students, and parents are always welcome at Bridgewater!

Attention Bridgewater Families!

Let’s fill our local food shelf and help support families in need by bringing in donations to school!

The Student Council will be helping collect food items at Bridgewater from Monday, March 6th until Monday, April 10th. Simply bring in donations and drop them in the boxes marked “Food Drive” that are placed around school. Donations will then be brought to the food shelf in Northfield.

The top 5 most requested food shelf items are:

1. Shelf-Stable Proteins

2. Fruits and Vegetables

3. Cooking Items

4. Grains

5. Monetary Donations

Did you know people can donate money online also? By visiting communityactioncenter.org/donate you could make a donation right online.

We were able to hold the Kindness Retreat for our fourth-graders today...finally!! This is a great opportunity for our students to learn how to recognize and disrupt bullying and find ways to treat others with kindness and respect. Students learn to take responsibility for the hurt that they have caused others and repair the damage. Ask your child what his/her favorite part was today...and don't accept lunch as an answer.

Spring Break will be March 27th-31st. There will be no school for students and staff, and the Bridgewater office will be closed.

Spring and Summer sports are registering now - join the fun!

Fastpitch softball, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Skating, Soccer, Swim Club, Tennis, Baseball, YMCA & Community Ed activities

The Northfield Sports Collaborative encourages you to check each sports association’s website for the most current information at northfieldsports.org. Make sure to check back each month for up-to-date announcements from each association. Here are the March Announcements.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE IN EACH SPORT

For more information on how to apply for a scholarship, contact: Community Action Center of Northfield, 507-664-355

To make a scholarship donation, click here!

Last Thursday was Read Across America Day. First-Grade Teacher, Pam Charlton, coordinated with the Northfield High School students to have them walk over and read with our students. It was great to see former students and watch the two groups of students interact with each other. Ask your child about this experience. I'm not sure which group of students had more fun!

Attendance letters are computer generated every other week, and then we mail them out. We understand that students get sick and need to stay home from school. We also know that some families have taken vacation and that is why students are out. 99% of families should see this as documentation of absences and tardies, and not panic about the letter. The other 1% will have further contact with us, and we will follow up with you. I hope this helps and makes sense. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions. I don't want this to be a crisis.

We have some great news to share from one of our Bridgewater graduates, Mack Glassing! Mack not only just completed her student teaching to be an art teacher, but she also has two of her paintings on display at City Hall as part of the Renewal Exhibition. The show runs Jan 20-Dec 31, 2023 and upstairs in City Hall there is work from Homeschool student artists! Check out the show and congratulations and keep up the awesome work Mack!

Artfully,

Ms. Woodstrup

The Northfield All School Art Show with the theme “Art Attack” is back this year! Congratulations to the 75 of our Bridgewater artists who had their work selected this year for the NAG art show and they will be bringing home yellow letters with postcards attached this week. We would love to include all of our wonderful artists from Bridgewater, but we have to share the gallery space with the other schools in Northfield and our wall space is limited. The artwork will be displayed Wednesday 2/15/23 through Saturday 3/11/23 at the Northfield Arts Guild on Division Street in downtown Northfield. The address is 304 Division Street, Northfield, MN.
A public reception called the “Imagination Celebration” will be held Saturday, February 25th from 10am -2pm. Students, families, guardians, and friends are invited to enjoy the visual art show, theater performances, art activities, and musical performances during this special day of recognizing the wonderful work these students have created. I will be present in the gallery from 10-11p.m.

I hope that you can attend this event to see the outstanding display of talent by Northfield’s young artists. If you are unable to attend the “Imagination Celebration” you may view the show during regular gallery hours. Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 12–5pm Saturday: 11am–4pm. Congratulations to our BW artists and keep up the great work everyone!

Bridgewater Art Room website: https://bridgewaterartroom.weebly.com/

Northfield Arts Guild website:

https://northfieldartsguild.org/arts/visual-arts/galleries/main/upcoming-exhibits

Hello Families!

After School Programs:

We have continued to have a great time in our after school programs. Thank you for being here right at 4:45 for pickup!

Evening Program:

**THERE WILL BE NO WEDNESDAY EVENING PROGRAMMING MOVING FORWARD.**

Due to lack of staff, Wednesday evening programming at Bridgewater is not available from now until the end of the school year. Thank you for understanding.

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/

Mar. 16---5th Grade Science Museum Field Trip

Mar. 21---Rock Your Socks Day!

Mar. 21---All-District Orchestra Concert at NHS

Mar. 27-31---Spring Break-No School

Apr. 5---MS Counselor Visit with 5th Graders

Apr. 20---5th Grade Parent Night @ NMS

Apr. 28---2nd Grade Science Museum Field Trip

Apr. 28---1st Grade MN Zoo Field Trip

May 4---NMS Choir Tour (5th Grade Attending)

May 8---Boosterthon Pep Rally

May 9---Band & Choir Concert (2:00 & 7:00pm)

May 19---Boosterthon Fun Run

May 30---4th & 5th Grade Orchestra Concert at NMS Auditorium

June 2---Track & Field Day (4th Gr. 9:00-11:30//5th Gr. 12:00-2:30)

June 2---3rd Grade Gibbs Farm Field Trip

June 8---Fifth-Grade Graduation 1:15pm

June 9---Last Day of School (2 hour early release)

World-Class Learning for Elementary Students K-5 Bridgewater Elementary School, situated on a 14-acrd campus just south of downtown Northfield, is a K-5 public school serving approximately 530 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.

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