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Bridge to Home A weekly publication about Bridge Elementary School by PTA volunteers
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September 27, 2010 Vol. 15, Issue 6
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Upcoming Events |
2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR: MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Sept 28, Tues, 5:30-7:30 pm (raindate Sept 30)Family Pizza Night & National Geographic World Map Tour
Sept 28 OR 29
Big Backyard Basics Training (see details below)
Sept 30, Thurs, 8:45-10:30 am
Newcomer's Breakfast at 69 Prospect Hill Road
Sept 30 and Oct 1
Bridge Fall Big Backyard Training for parents (see
details below)
Oct 3, Sun, 11 am Hayden Lower Field
Hastings Elementary 1st Annual Harvest 5K Run/Walk
Oct 6, Wed
International Walk to School Day
Oct 8, Fri
No School: Professional Development Day (per revised LPS calendar)
Oct 10, Sun
Safe Routes to School Fall Cleanup, 1-3PM
Oct 11, Mon, Columbus Day No School
Oct 15, Fri 7:45 a
Site Based Council Information Meeting in the library
Oct 16, Sat, Noon-3:00 pm RAIN OR SHINE! Walk
for the Arts
October 24, Sun, 3-4:30 pm
Lexington PTA-Sponsored Parent Forum: "Working Together: A Community Response to Student Stress, Church of our Redeemer, 6 Meriam Street, Lexington Center
Oct 30, Sat
(raindate October 31) Family Photo Day
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Jokes of the Week
| Q. What did the glue say to the teacher? A. "I'm stuck on you."
Q. Why was the music teacher so good at baseball? A. Because she had the perfect pitch.
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Sign Up to Get More Info
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The Bridge School List Serv acts as an emergency email contact list that enables the school to contact
parents quickly (for example, health alerts, school closings due to snow, water
main breaks, etc). It also provides information about district-wide Lexington Public School events. You can sign up by going to the signup page on the Bridge website.
A Yahoo group has been set up for parents to share information, ask questions, and post information (e.g. babysitting, after-school activities, looking for ice skates, etc). To join, either go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bridge_02421/join- OR - send an email to [email protected].
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Next B2H Deadline |
NEXT DEADLINE: Thursday, September 30, 5 PM
Articles must
be approved by Mrs. Colella or be from authorized Bridge School and/ or
PTA sources. Please submit by email (preferably in text format only) to Aimee Burstein at [email protected].
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Student Absence Line
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call (781) 861-2510 press 6, then press 1
Parents should call Bridge School by 8:30am when their child is going to be absent or late.
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Last Chance to Update Your Directory Info!
| Now is your last chance to get your information in the Bridge School Directory! Each Bridge family should have received an email verification of their directory information. If you have not received a verification, please submit your information at http://bridge.lexingtonma.org/PTA/directory.php. Deadline is Wednesday 9/29. Thank you! Questions? Contact Directory Chair, Jane Chang at [email protected].
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Parking Reminder
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Please remember that there is visitor parking in the
front of the building and in the side parking lot. There is no visitor parking
in the rear of the building. If you are picking up a walker, please park in the
designated visitor parking spots. It is too dangerous to have cars in motion in
the rear of the building during dismissal. Thank you!
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Principal's Corner
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Bridge School is
pleased to welcome three new classroom teachers to our staff this year; I would
like to take this opportunity to introduce you to these talented educators.
Betsy Conway-Grade
2: Ms. Conway grew up in Westford, MA. She attended Boston College, where she
majored in sociology. Upon completion of her Master's degree from Simmons
College, she began teaching in Franklin, MA. After three years of teaching both
grades 1 and 2, we were fortunate to have Ms. Conway join the Bridge School
staff. Her past experiences, coupled with her enthusiasm, have helped to make
her transition to Bridge a smooth one. In addition to teaching, Ms. Conway
enjoys running, playing tennis, dogs, and visiting the beach. She "is very
excited to be here at Bridge." Kirsten Davis-Grade
K: Ms. Davis grew up in Franklin, MA and attended Colby College. She spent two
years as an apprentice teacher at the New Canaan Country School in Connecticut. Last year, Ms. Davis earned a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from
Lesley University and completed her student teaching in Cambridge, MA. Ms.
Davis enjoys running, baking cupcakes, and playing kickball. She has eased into
her role as a Kindergarten teacher here at Bridge and has quickly become an
active member of our staff. Megan Hinton-Grade
4: Ms. Hinton received her undergraduate degree at Loyola College in Maryland. She earned her Master's degree at Boston College. Ms. Hinton's teaching
experience prior to coming to Bridge was in the fourth grade at both the
Bartlett School in Waltham and at the Josiah Haynes School in Sudbury, MA. Ms.
Hinton has quickly become a collaborative member of the Bridge fourth grade
team. When she is not working, Ms. Hinton enjoys dancing, traveling, and
spending time with friends and family. She is "excited to work with the
fabulous fourth grade team" at Bridge.
Meg Colella Principal
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Giant Map Tours and Annual Pizza Picnic on 9/28
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On September 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, the Bridge School PTA will hold its annual Pizza Picnic Party in the playground. During the evening, parents and families are invited to take 15-minute tours of the Giant Map of Africa in the gymnasium in groups of 40 people at a time. Free tickets to the tour will be distributed on a first come, first served basis at the picnic in the Playground. Socks must be worn as the massive floor map is delicate.
Other activities:
- Make sure you see the slide show from Mrs. Gates and Mrs. Litchfield's summer trip to Zambia!
- Take an African dance class and listen to African music. From 6-7 pm, an African dance will be taught by Janet Farnsworth, along with Jo Hannah Katz's adopted children from Ethiopia.
- Join in a giant soccer ball game.
Bring your blankets and enjoy dining al fresco. You can bring your own picnic or purchase some pizza. Pizza and water are available for sale on a pre-order basis to benefit the fifth grade class activity fund. Order sheets went home in backpacks last week. Order sheets and payment should be left in the 5th Grade Activity Box in the foyer and are due on Monday September 27th.
Raindate is September 30th.
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Newcomer's Breakfast on 9/30
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Are you new to Bridge School? The Bridge PTA welcomes you and invites you for a special Newcomer's Breakfast on Thursday, September 30th from 8:45 - 10:30 at the home of Tricia Weisberg at 69 Prospect Hill Road. It's a great opportunity to meet other parents and ask PTA members questions about Bridge School. Any questions? Contact Tricia at [email protected].
We hope to see you there!
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Bridge PTA Membership Deadline is 9/30!
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The Bridge School PTA needs your help to fund its programs and to participate as a voting PTA member. As of September 26, 2010, 184 out of 377 families, as well as 2 staff members, have already joined the PTA. If you have not yet joined the Bridge School PTA, do it today! Simply print out the form below (or download from the Bridge website http://bridge.lexingtonma.org/PTA/membership.php), fill in your information, and include your $20 membership check and a tax-deductible donation of any amount. Completed forms may be dropped off in the Membership Box in the front foyer of Bridge or mailed directly to Bridge School. Your annual membership funds approximately 50% of the wonderful programs and activities run by the Bridge PTA. We're counting on you to participate by September 30!
All PTA Members will receive a free Bridge Directory in October and a subscription to Bridge to Home email newsletter.
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BRIDGE SCHOOL PTA MEMBERSHIP FORM
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return this form to the MEMBERSHIP box on the PTA table in the
vestibule of the main entrance or mail it to: Bridge PTA, Bridge
Elementary School, 55 Middleby Road, Lexington, MA 02421.
Your Name: __________________________________
Youngest Child's Name: _____________________________________
Youngest Child's Classroom Teacher: ____________________________
Home Address:____________________________________________
Phone Number:_________________________
Email Address:_________________________
Annual Membership Dues: $20
Donation to PTA: $25 $50 $100 Other
Extra Directories: $ ($5 per additional directory, $10 if ordered after 9/30) Total Enclosed: $ Thank You!
Please make check payable to "Bridge School PTA". Donations are tax deductible. Members
will receive one complementary copy of the 2010-2011 Bridge School Directory. The
Directory will be sent home with your youngest Bridge child in October.
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Big Backyard Volunteer Training 9/28-10/1
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The Big
Backyard is a seasonal program that relies on parent volunteers to lead small
groups of children from their child's class on nature walks around Bridge
School. These walks take place outside during the school day in areas around
Bridge. No previous experience is necessary. First time
parents are always welcome. Please see the Bridge website for more details.
Big
Backyard Basics is for parents new to the nature study program, as well as for
those who want an overview of the program and a review of basic environmental
science principles. Fran Ludwig and Karen McCarthy,
K-5 Science Coordinator, will lead the training. For more information, contact Fran at [email protected].
BBY Basic
Training:
Tues.
September 28, 7:00-9:00 PM at the Harrington School Art Room
OR
Wed.
September 29, 9:30-11:30 AM at the Central Office Building, Room 2 (downstairs
conference room) at 146 Maple St. ("Old Harrington").
Training
for specific grade level walks are done seasonally at each school. 2010 classroom walks will take place
during October. If you would like
to lead a Fall walk, please come to the following training:
Thursday,
September 30
Friday, October 1
9:00 -
Kindergarten 9:00 -
Grade 3
10:00 -
Grade 1
11:00 -
Grade 2
Meet at
the Bridge Big Backyard/Parent Resource Room. We will be going outside rain or shine, so please dress
appropriately.
All walk descriptions are available
electronically. If you would like
to volunteer but are unable to make the above training dates, or if you would
like more information, please contact Bridge Big Backyard Co-coordinators
Laurie Curtis at [email protected] or Andrew McKee at
[email protected].
Important
note: All parents who work with
children in the Big Backyard program must have submitted a CORI form and a
picture ID to the Main Office (see Marcia Cavatorta for details) at least 2
weeks before the actual classroom walks.
CORI checks are good for 3 years so if you have submitted a form within
the last 3 years, you do not have to reapply.
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Please help SRS clean up the path on 10/10
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The Bridge School Safe Routes to School (SRS) subcommittee will hold a fall cleanup of the Marrett-Bridge path from 1-3pm on Sunday, October 10. The Marrett-Bridge path is the paved walkway on the north and west sides of the Old Res in Lexington. We will be clearing vegetation from the fence, and clearing the path of dirt and debris, so please bring a flat shovel, leaf rake, or garden pruner. Meet at the Bridge playground. This year we will be part of the 10/10/10 Global Work Party. Contact: Tom Shiple at [email protected].
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Join the Site Council!
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Come join the team! Our first meeting will be held
October 15, 2010 at 7:45 am in the library. We are looking to expand our
membership and we welcome any interested parties to attend this informational
first meeting.
Site Council is a committee that involves parents, staff members, and community members. They work together on various school related endeavors and advise staff members on issues and concerns community and families have. Last year, our Site Council spent the bulk of its time this year exploring ways to increase enrichment opportunities for our students during and after school. Several grade levels have experimented with regrouping students across a grade level regularly or periodically to provide challenge, remediation, or practice learning activities for students. Since parents have expressed interest in after-school, club-type enrichment activities for their children, Site Council is exploring ways to provide interest-based enrichment.
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Walk for the Arts on 10/16
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The Walk for the Arts will take place on Saturday October 16 from Noon to 3 PM. The Walk is an outdoor family event for the Bridge
community. Come to walk, build sculptures, paint faces, participate in drumming
circles and raise money for the arts at Bridge. If you would like to participate in this annual festival, please contact Ami Stix ([email protected]) or Jackie Quint ([email protected])
The Walk for the Arts is the only fundraising event at
Bridge for Arts Created Together (ACT). ACT is a special program that is
independently-funded by Bridge parents and is dedicated to bringing the fine
and performing arts to our students. Programming is developed with the guidance
and support of Bridge faculty to complement the curriculum at each grade-level.
ACT's mission is to introduce your children to a variety of
artistic disciplines ranging from the classical-- spoken word, illustration,
music and poetry to the international--Hawaiian dance and culture, Latin music
and African dance. Special
programs include singer/songwriter Darden Smith's Be An Artist workshop while
fifth graders travel to Boston's Museum of Fine Arts to see first-hand many of
the techniques they have studied in the studio with our art teacher, Lynn
Murray. "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow
up." ~Pablo Picasso
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Support FOLMADS
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Very shortly, parents will be receiving a fund raising letter from FOLMADS, the Friends of Lexington Music, Art and Drama Students. FOLMADS is a non-profit, tax exempt organization that raises money from parents and the Lexington community to support the Lexington Public Schools' visual and performing arts teachers by providing resources that the school system is unable to provide to them.
In recent years, Bridge School has benefited greatly from the generosity of FOLMADS. Last spring, Bridge School was awarded a $3000 grant to build a DVD and video library of world music and dance. This award allowed the elementary music department to buy 75 videos and DVDs about music and dance from Africa, taiko drumming from Japan, Samba from Brazil, Arabic music and dance, and Native and indigenous populations' music and dance from all around the world. It is a treasure trove of cultural resource for the Lexington Public Schools community! In the last 3 years, FOLMADS also has given over $10,000 to the music department at Bridge School to purchase drums, xylophones, gongs, and curriculum materials, as well as to provide opportunities for students to work and interact with professional musicians and dancers from around the world.
We ask that you help support this organization when they do their fund raising. Thank you in advance for your support. Visit http://www.folmads.org/ for more information.
Deborah Side Music Specialist Bridge Elementary School
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2010-2011 PTA Executive Committee Members
CO-PRESIDENTS
Justine Wirtanen
Rebecca Reynolds Moore
CO-VICE PRESIDENTS Victoria Campos Stephanie Mitzenmacher Laura Schroeder Cathy Smith
Guorong Zhu
TREASURER Tricia Weisberg
SECRETARY Suzanne Lau
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Bridge School Office Staff
PRINCIPAL
Margaret Colella
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
John Harney
ADMINISTRATIVE ASST
Marcia Cavatorta
GUIDANCE
Lucia Gates
NURSE
Diane Celi | |
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