Bridges Community School
February 2019
Mark Your Calendars
Jan. 29 - Bridges Showcase Night
Jan. 30 - 4th Grade Science Museum Visit at Bridges
Feb. 1 - Bridges Spelling Bee
Feb. 5 - MSU Theatre Performance at Bridges
Feb. 7 - CogAt Testing (2nd Grade)
Feb. 8 - North Mankato Taylor Library (3rd Grade)
Feb. 12 - Two Hour Late Start
Feb. 12 - Site Council Meeting
Feb. 13 - Bridges Lottery
Feb. 15 - BAC Museum Night
Feb. 26 - Science Fair
Mar. 8 - No School
Mar. 11 - Spring Conferences & Book Fair 3:30 - 8:30
Mar. 12 - Two Hour Late Start
Mar. 13 - Young Writers and Artists Conference (Grades 3-5)
Mar. 14 - Spring Conferences & Book Fair 3:30 - 8:30
Mar. 15 - North Mankato Taylor Library (3rd Grade)
Mar. 15 - Planetarium at East HS (1st Grade)
Dress for the Weather
When Spring rolls around we have students continue to wear coats or jackets until the temperature reaches above 50 degrees.
We do allow 3rd-5th grade students to decide whether they need a jacket or not at 50+ degrees. Our policy for the younger ones when it reaches 50+ degrees is to follow your lead. If parents send them in a coat or jacket, they are expected to wear it. Once we hit 60+ we do allow them the opportunity to choose to take it off when they are at play.
Snow Days
Bridges Cell Phone Policy
Bridges Parent Pick Up Protocol
All students are dismissed at the end of the day at 2:40. Teachers dismiss ACES students from their classrooms at 2:35 and take the rest of the students outside to line up for pick up. Students are dismissed to their bus line at 2:40 and walkers are dismissed.
Parents wishing to pick up early from school or parents who pick up at the end of the day must follow the protocol to ensure your child’s safety.
Students are dismissed by their classroom teacher to a parent or legal guardian.
Parents wishing to have an alternative adult pick up their children must notify the office of who that person is so the office can notify the teacher. (Routine alternate adult pick ups can be set up at the beginning of the year.)
Babysitters - please leave their name and days for pick up with office staff.
Grandparents - please leave their name with office staff.
Friends - when student is going home with another family. (We cannot have other parents volunteer to take a student home without parent permission.)
Relatives - please leave name with office staff.
We cannot release students to adults other than the parent or guardian without notification even if the child is able to identify the adult.
We will release a student to an adult registered as an emergency contact in the event we cannot get in touch with the parent or guardian.
Parents calling in to let us know they are running late must understand that their children will be brought to the office at 2:45 and should be picked up as soon as possible. Late pick up cannot be a habit or pattern due to business that is conducted after student hours by Bridges staff. ACES is available for routine or daily late pick ups.
From the School Counselor, Mrs. Olivo
This month in my lessons we have been talking about friendship skills and how to make and keep friends. In Kindergarten we focused on what a good friend is (someone we can help, share with, and have fun with). We also talked about how it is okay for friends to disagree with each other. In First Grade we talked about how to be friendship makers. We talked about what a good friend is and that everyone should have a say and a turn in friendships. We focused on how we can be friendship makers on the playground, at lunch and in our classrooms. In Third and Fourth Grade we put our friendship knowledge to the test by working collaboratively in groups to play the "How to Make and Keep Friends Game Show". Students worked together to answer questions and demonstrate important friendship skills. In Fifth Grade we focused on peer pressure (what it is and what someone can do when they are dealing with peer pressure). Students were able to share their thoughts and opinions with their classmates in this discussion. Next month our focus is Zones of Regulation (emotional regulation).
We also welcomed a couple of Mankato West High School students as volunteer mentors to Bridges this month through the Scarlets and Bears Mentoring Program. We are excited to have them as part of our school day! While at Bridges, our mentors will work with individual students and small groups of students to get to know them, have fun with them and provide additional support. A letter was sent home with all students with an overview of the program. We are excited to be able to partner with Mankato West in that program this year.
As always, please reach out to me if you have questions or concerns. You can reach me at
507-207-5238 or by email at aolivo1@isd77.org.
Annika Olivo
Rain Days and Below Zero Days
Students should enter door 2 on rainy days and below zero days in the morning between 7:45-8:00. They can go to the auditorium where they will have staff supervision until time for school to begin. The main entrance, door 1, will be opened at 8:00a.m.
Students will remain in their rooms on rainy days and below zero days until 2:40 pick up. Parents should pick up their children in their classrooms at the end of the day. Bus students will be excused when buses arrive and ACES will be excused at 2:40.
Students will have indoor breaks and recess on rainy days and below zero days.
Illness and Attendance
If your child has had a fever or has been vomiting, we ask that you keep them home 24 hours after symptoms are gone without medication. Please call the school office attendance line: 207-5204 if your child is ill or has a doctor's appointment and will be in after. Please contact the school office if your child will be out of school or late for any reason. If you let your child’s teacher know through email, please email Tammy Hayes as well at thayes1@isd77.k12.mn.us
Head Lice: Please report so the office is aware of it. District Policy states parents are notified if three cases are in one classroom. A request to treat is made by the school nurse. Parents are not mandated to pull their child from school for treatment but it will be advised.Late Start Days
Lunch
Parents are welcome to eat lunch at any time. Please let the office know by 9:00a.m. on the day that you plan to eat. Lunch for parents and visitors is $3.75. We do not have any cash in the office so please bring correct change. Parents and siblings may not use student pin numbers.
School lunch times:
Kindergarten - Lunch 11:00-11:20 Recess - 11:20-11:40
First Grade - Lunch 11:30-11:50 Recess - 11:50-12:10
Second Grade - Lunch 11:15-11:35 Recess - 11:35-11:55
Third Grade - Lunch 11:45-12:05 Recess - 12:05-12:25
Fourth Grade - Recess 11:40-12:00 Lunch - 12:00-12:20
Fifth Grade - Recess 11:50-12:10 Lunch - 12:10-12:30
Community Group and All School Meeting
Bridges Community School
320 Garfield Avenue, North Mankato
Phone: 507-387-2800 / Fax: 507-387-3143
Lead Teacher: Robin Courrier
Secretary: Amanda Robinson
Nurse: Tammy Hayes