Bridge to Home                                         Bridge Mural
   A weekly publication about Bridge by PTA volunteers
          January 10, 2011                                                                           Vol. 15, Issue 21
 
Bridge Elementary School
55 Middleby Road, Lexington, MA  02421
Web Site:  http://bridge.lexingtonma.org
(781) 861-2510


Upcoming Events For January and February
Jan 8-16 at Lexington Society of Arts and Crafts
2011 K-12 Visual Arts Show (see below)

Jan 11, Tues 10-11 am
Concert of the 4th & 5th grade strings, 5th grade band, & 5th grade chorus in the Bridge gym

Jan 12, Wed

SRTS Walking Wednesday


Jan 12, Wed 9-11 at Cary Hall

3rd grade trip to hear Lexington Symphony Orchestra


Jan 12, Wed 1 PM at 25 Bridge Street

International Festival Committee Meeting


Jan 13, Thurs 6:30-7:45 pm

Family Word Night -- K- Grade 2


Jan 14, Fri

Last day to submit Box Tops for classroom Box Top Contest


Jan 17, Mon

No School -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 


Jan 19, Wed

ACT presents Pumpernickel Puppet Theatre for Grades K and 1


Jan 20, Thurs 6:30-8:00 pm

Family Word Night -- Grades 3-5


Jan 21, Fri 6:00-8:00 pm

Bridge School Pizza/Movie Night


Jan 25, Tues 6:30-7:45 pm

1st Grade Family Math Night


Jan 26, Wed

Last day to submit Bookmark Contest entries to Mrs. Allen


Feb 1, Tues 6:30-7:30 pm

Kindergarten Math Night


Feb 2, Wed

SRTS Walking Wednesday


Feb 2, Wed 3:15-4:00 pm

YES Program Spring Session Begins


Feb 4, Fri 7:30-10:30 pm

Casual Winter Ball FUNdraiser at Waxy O'Connor's


Feb 8, Tues 6:30-8:00 pm

Third Grade Math Night

Jokes of the Week
Q: How do you scare a snowman?
A:  You get a hairdryer!

Q: What does a Snowman take when he gets sick?
A:  A chill pill!
Save the Date -- Winter Ball on 2/4
WHAT:     A Casual *Winter Ball* FUNdraiser!
WHEN:    Friday, February 4th, 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
WHERE:  Waxy O'Connor's on Hartwell Ave., Lexington
WHY:      A PTA FUNdraiser --  for The Bridge School  
              "Wishing Well"

Bridge School Community parents -- Let's have a Ball AND grant some wishes!  Mark your calendars for 2/4/11 and enjoy a casual, fun-filled evening of exciting Auctions - Raffles - Music & More!

Watch for Updates!  Tickets go on sale soon!  We'll have a Ball!  We'll Grant Some Wishes!
Save the Date -- Spring Fling is 4/1
Spring Fling 2011 -- Bridge's annual dancing and dessert party -- will take place on Friday, April 1.  See you there!
Morning Meeting
On Monday 1/10 we will have a Morning Meeting Assembly focusing on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Students in Ms. Childs/Ms. Bean's third grade class will present, along with students in Mrs. O'Reilly's first grade class.
Archived B2H
Starting with the 8/6/2010 issue, past Bridge to Home issues are now archived on the Bridge website.  
Next B2H Deadline
NEXT DEADLINE:  Thursday, January 13, 5 PM  

Please submit by email (preferably in text format only)
to Aimee Burstein at [email protected].  Articles are subject to approval by Principal Colella or be from authorized Bridge School and/or PTA sources.
In This Issue...
Principal's Corner
2010-11 Mini-Grants Awarded
Library Volunteer Still Needed
Wishing Well News
Come View Our Bridge Artists 1/8-1/16
Notes from the Music Department
Bridge School International Festival
Family Word Nights Begin 1/13
Last Day to Submit Boxtops 1/14
ACT Presents Pumpernickel Puppet Theater 1/19
Movie Night Shows "UP" on 1/21
Family Math Nights Begin 1/25
Bridge School Library Bookmark Design Contest
Please Donate to Our Casual *Winter Ball* and Auction!
Get Discounts and Support Bridge
Register for Stop and Shop A+ Rewards
Eco Bridge at Lunch
Student Absence Line

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.

Cafeteria Info.
Lunch: $3.25
Milk only: $0.75


View this month's menu from Chartwell's


Subscribe to receive weekly B2H e-mail

Lost and Found
Please remember to label your child's clothing and belongings (especially hats, gloves, coats, lunch boxes, etc) with his/her last name.  This helps us connect forgotten clothing and lunch boxes with their owners.  Please remember to periodically check the lost and found.  We will be donating the articles of clothing that are unclaimed at the end of each month.   Thanks for your help!
Parking Reminder
Due to safety reasons and bus traffic, there is no visitor parking in the back parking lot of the school.  There is visitor parking on the side and in the front of the building.  We thank you in advance for your help in keeping the students of Bridge safe. 
Dismissal Reminder
Due to traffic flow and safety concerns, during dismissal time, no left turns onto Middleby are permitted.  Thank you for adhering to this rule. 
Principal's Corner

Happy New Year!  I hope you had a restful and relaxing vacation.  As the students and faculty gear up for the second half of the year many exciting activities and milestones will occur. 

 

During the month of January, the teachers spend a portion of their time reassessing students in order to differentiate curriculum to meet students' needs.  Literacy assessments such as the Developmental Reading Assessment and Aimsweb are completed system wide.  This data allows teachers to further understand where students are in their understanding of concepts and are thus able to plan accordingly.

 

MCAS assessments will begin in March for grades 3-5.  A letter specifying the exact dates for each assessment will be provided.  People often ask, "Are you teaching to the test?"  The answer is "no".  Our philosophy is that we provide students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for such an assessment.  However, the assessment does not drive our instruction, student need does.  Lexington has a comprehensive curriculum that enables our students to achieve at high levels on the MCAS, and other assessments, and prepares them for future success in school and in the world. 

 

Finally, students will be engaged in many exciting classroom activities from the fourth grade Mexican Fiesta in the spring, to the first grade science unit of balls and ramps, to the fifth grade presentation from Channel 7 meteorologist Chris Lambert. 

 

There is much to look forward to this year and we are excited to be back and in the swing of things again.

Principal Margaret Colella

2010-11 Mini-Grants Award Over $5700

The Bridge School PTA Executive Committee is pleased to announce the Mini-Grant recipients for 2010-2011 school year which were awarded in late December.  Over 40 Mini-Grant requests were submitted to the PTA totaling over $11,000.  The Mini-Grants Committee reviewed each request in detail and awarded over 25 requests totaling over $5,700.  In addition, the Committee made recommendations to help the faculty identify other funding sources for their requests such as the Teacher's Purse, the Wishing Well, or Room Parents.  The Playground Committee was able to fund playground equipment requests by Mrs. Sciaretta and Mrs. Gates.

 

2010-2011 Bridge School  PTA Mini-Grant  Recipients

 

Mrs. Allen

Library floor chairs

Ms. Baronofsky

Headphones

Mrs. Bean

Kindergarten Music

Mr. Bosbach

Portable BOSE sounddock for Gym

Ms. Broach

K-5 Book Closet

Mrs. Colby

Guided Reading Books

Mrs. Colby/Mr. Pittman

Guided Reading textbook

Ms. Croy

Hook Books Library

Mrs. Diamant

Headphones

Mrs. Gates

Anti-bullying games

Mr. Harney

Fill Your Bucket books

Mrs. Kelley

Math Centers

Mrs. Litchfield

Pencil grips

Ms. Murray

Printing press cart

Ms. Nebus

Vocab games

Mrs. O'Reilly

Headphones

Mr. Pittman/Ms. Arena

Camcorder

Mr. Plamondon

Guided Reading sets

Resource Room Staff

Children's Speaking Dictionary

Mrs. Schadler

ELL Newcomers Kit I & II

Ms. Side

Music "Star Wands"

Ms. Spohrer

Story grammar markers

Mrs. Welsh

School Psych play materials

 

 

2010-2011 Playground Committee Recipients


Mrs. Gates/Mrs. Sciarretta                              Recess Equipment for all Grades

One Library Volunteer Still Needed
A volunteer is needed to help in the library every other Monday from 11:15-12:30 starting on January 24.  Training is provided.  Please consider this wonderful opportunity to support our school library!  For more information, contact Cary Morse at [email protected].
Wishing Well News

Each member of the Bridge School staff has been invited to make wishes for their classroom and drop them in the well. The Bridge School PTA will be fulfilling some wishes this year but parents or groups of parents may directly grant wishes if they choose.  You can go to the Wishing Well website for the latest updates.  If you do grant a wish directly to the staff, be sure to let us know so that we may cross it off the wish list on the Web site. If you would like to grant a wish or contribute to the wishing well, kindly contact Shannon Amsler at [email protected].

 

Here is the list of open wishes:

 

Requestor

Item

Estimated Cost

5th Grade

Earbuds for computer class (one per student)


$220

Betty Yee (1st Grade)

Simple Digital camera



Bridge ELL & Classroom Teachers

"Board Maker" - a computer program comprised of various pictures that ELL teachers and classroom teachers would use to help students with limited English in order to help facilitate learning and speaking.


$300

Daniel Garland (5th Grade)

Dust Buster type/hand held vacuum cleaner



Deborah Side (Music)

Audubon bird call collection


$212

Jean Kelley (Math Specialist)

Math Games for 4th & 5th Graders


$200

Jill O'Reilly (1st Grade)

Hands Around the World Rug: 7' 8" x 10' 9"


$315

Jill O'Reilly (1st Grade)

Paper (2 feet x 3 feet)



Jill O'Reilly (1st Grade)

Frames for childrens photographs (1 frame for 24 pictures; 2 for 12 pictures; or 3 for 8 pictures)



Kirsten Davis (Kindergarten)

1-100 pocket chart


$20 (at Lakeshore)

Kirsten Davis (Kindergarten)

Activity Scarves and Wrist Ribbons for imaginative play, movement activities, and "Dancing on the rug" during indoor recess.


$20 (at Lakeshore)

Kirsten Davis, Megan Hinton, Betsy Conway (K, 4th, 2nd)


Lunch Carts


$167

Lisa Diamant (2nd Grade)

Globe



Lisa Diamant (2nd Grade)

Speakers for laptop for class to hear streaming video


$30

Meg Colella (Principal)

More painted four square games on hardtop in schoolyard



Paul O'Connell (Head Custodian)

26 fish & supplies for school fish tank (one fish per class)


$300

Roberta Pelkey (Child Management Specialist)

"Four Way Count Down" wooden game



Roberta Pelkey (Child Management Specialist)

Small Mighty Beans (prizes for Behavioral Contracts)



Russ Bosbach (Phys. Education)

6 indoor soccer balls


$13 each

Russ Bosbach (Phys. Education)

2-4 Giant 48" beachballs


$9.95 each

Russ Bosbach (Phys. Education)

Magnetic Whiteboard Spinner (for his wheel of exercise)


$20.00

Susan Arena  (5th Grade)

Printer cartridges for new printers

$360

 


Come View Our Bridge Artists 1/8-1/16
What:   2011 K-12 Visual Arts Show
Where:  Lexington Society of Arts and Crafts 130 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA
When:   1/8-1/16. Gallery open from 12-4pm, Tuesday-Sunday

Bridge Students with Artwork in Show: Malika Abdimomunov, Sam Andrews, Thierno Barry, Jack Butera, Edie Berndt, Chelsea Cannon, April Chung, Jaeho Chung, Thalys Correa, Amy Darcy, Joey Dudek, Luke Eriksson, Rishi Gollerkeri, Jeffrey Gu, Johanna Guarin, Manu Gunnala, Anna Honohan, Maddie Hughes, Jessica Karson, Linda Kebichi, Miyung Kim, George Horiatis, Alissa Krawczyk, Rachel Kuzetsov, Fiona Lau, Eli Lurie, Marissa Ma, Naoko Maeda, Nora Mabuchi, Justice Matus, Alannah McShine, Katelyn McShine, Irene Mitsiades, Chris Morii-Sciolla, Kalina Nurse, Michael O'Donoghue, Tommy O'Neil, Ella Posey, Amaya Quick, Olivia Reese, James Renfro, Tara Sarma, Sophie Schadler, Neveah Scott, Joshua Smith, Ben Spence, Pauline Steines, Gaia Taig, Carey Tassel, Simone Thornton, Ben Tibbetts, Lindsey Wang, Maya Whitcomb, Sarah Wilner, Rylee Wirtanen, Alex Wu, Laura Xu, Alison Zeng, Eric Zou, and Morgan Zvezdov.

Congratulations!
Notes from the Music Department
Tuesday, January 11, 2011 there will be a concert of the 4th and 5th grade strings, 5th grade band and the 5th grade chorus.  It will be in the gym from 10am to 11 am.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011 all of the 3rd grades in Lexington including Bridge will go to Cary Hall to hear a presentation and concert put on by the Lexington Symphony Orchestra.  We will leave Bridge at 9:00am and return by 11:00am.  It is partially funded by FOLMADS.

Deborah Side
Music Specialist
Bridge Elementary School
Bridge School International Festival

This exceptional Bridge School tradition, celebrating the school's broad range of cultural diversity, will be held Friday, March 11, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm. 

 

Does your child have a three-minute culturally based performance to share? If so, please contact, Victoria Campos, Performance Coordinator, at [email protected]. Past acts have included Egyptian drumming, Indian singing, Armenian dancing and Tae Kwan Do.  

 

If you would like to host a country table, please contact Una Gillis, Country Table Coordinator, at [email protected].

 

If you want to volunteer in other ways that night, or have other questions, please email Cary Morse, Festival Chair, at [email protected].

 

All are welcome to attend the upcoming International Festival Committee Meeting on Wednesday, January 12, 1 pm at 25 Bridge Street. 

 

Family Word Nights Begin 1/13
FAMILY WORD NIGHT is finally back at Bridge this year!  Mark your calendars to be sure your family won't miss our first year back in a while. We've planned a plethora of problems for you to solve and participate in (like catching the dangling participle!).  Family Word Night pulls in parents and progeny to puzzle out word searches, crosswords, hangman, and other self-paced activities, as well as group story-building and group writing and drawing activities. 

Please plan to arrive by 6:30 pm.  We will start signing people in at 6:20 pm. There are special surprise beginning activities, so don't miss the night!  Our event runs until 7:45 pm on January 13th (K-2) and 8 pm on January 20th (3-5).  Registration forms will be coming home with your child about a week before their event.  A parent must attend with their child.  No siblings please.  Questions? Contact Audrey Roth at [email protected].

Family Word Night Schedule:
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grades: January 13    
3rd, 4th and 5th Grades: January 20
Box Tops Competition Extended Until 1/14
Let's see which class is tops at clipping!

There is still time to get those Box Tops in.  The Box Tops Competition has been extended until Friday, January 14th.  Keep clipping those box tops and help your class win an indoor recess fun pack.  Don't forget to tell your grandparents, friends, and neighbors to clip Box Tops for Education.   

Which products have Box Tops?  So many!  You have received a list and you can also watch your food and products for a rectangle that says "Box Tops for Education."  That's what you want!  Go to this website for a complete list:
http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/clip/Brands.aspx

Questions?  Contact:  Usha Tummala-Narra - [email protected] or Jennifer Pawloski - [email protected].

The 5th grade scholarship fund thanks you!
Back by Popular Demand! ACT Presents Pumpernickel Puppet Theater 1/19
PPT pictureJohn McDonough returns with his Pumpernickel Puppet Theater on January 19th for the Kindergarten and First Grade classes. John is best known for his many voices and original retelling of classic fables. The performance will include a story, a special guest as well as a look behind the scenes at this magical craft. A great way to begin a New Year!!
Movie Night Shows "UP" on 1/21
movie night jpeg

Family Math Nights Begin January 25th
Family Math Nights are returning soon to Bridge.  Mark your calendar!  We're sure to have a great set of events planned for this year following a great 2010 event.  Family Math Nights involve parents and children working together on fun and engaging self-paced and group math activities. 

Please plan to arrive by 6:30 pm.  We will start signing people in at 6:20 pm. The event runs until 8 pm (7:45 pm for 1st grade and 7:30 pm for Kindergarten).  Registration forms will be coming home with your child about a week before their event.  A parent must attend with their child.  No siblings please.  Questions? Contact Stu Jacobson:  [email protected].

Family Math Night Schedule:
1st Grade: Jan. 25               
Kindergarten: Feb. 1    
3rd Grade: Feb. 8
2nd Grade: Feb. 15
4th and 5th Grade: Feb. 17
Bridge School Library Bookmark Design Contest Deadline 1/26

Join us for the 3rd annual Bookmark Design Contest at Bridge Library.  Students help celebrate our program by designing a bookmark that shows the many activities, lessons, and experiences that we share in our school library. The theme this year is "Think. . .Create. . . Share. . . Grow." Students are learning to Think critically...to Create new knowledge...to Share their learning...to Grow in curiosity as a student.


Entries are submitted in three divisions:


                  Kindergarten - Grade 1                                       

                  Grade 2 - Grade 3

                  Grade 4 - Grade 6


The Bookmark Contest is strictly voluntary.  Students who are interested in participating must obtain an official entry from Mrs. Allen in the library.  Official entries must be submitted to Mrs. Allen by January 26, 2011.


Mrs. Allen, Bridge School Librarian
Please Donate to Our Casual *Winter Ball* and Auction!
CONTACT US *RIGHT AWAY* WITH YOUR GOODS OR SERVICES!

The PTA FUNdraiser committee is reaching out to all Bridge School families for auction items to donate to our Casual *Winter Ball* & Auction to take place on Friday evening, February 4th at Waxy O'Connor's in Lexington.

What is the Casual Winter Ball & Auction? 
It's a new PTA fundraiser event.  All proceeds from the auction go to grant wishes from our school "wishing well."  This event will raise needed funds to support our wonderful Blue Ribbon Award winning school, teachers, and students (yes, students/families can make wishes for the school/classrooms too)!

How can you support the Auction?
Have a Ball -- be creative with ideas for donation!  The usual FUN auction goodies are always appreciated:  event/sports/theater tickets, vacation homes, time shares, country club round, any specialty services such as dance class, cooking class, chef prepared meal, photography, art work, etc!  Your company/business donations are welcome too!

Families interested in donating goods or services please contact Patti Keefe at 781-862-4460 or [email protected], Amy White at [email protected], Shannon Amsler at [email protected],  or Jennifer Pawloski at [email protected].

Your donations are greatly appreciated!  Thank you for your support!
Local Businesses Offer Discounts in Support of the Wishing Well
January is still the season to eat, drink & be merry.  This year, while doing so, you can save lots of money and time AND raise funds for our Bridge School Wishing Well Program.  The Well grants teacher and staff wishes.  Recent grants have included a rug for Mr. Garland's 5th grade classroom and a CD player for Mrs. Yee's 1st grade class.

This season, local businesses have graciously offered discounts and/or donations in support of Bridge School.  While some offers have expired, some last as long as through the end of January, one lasts through the end of February, and one is good until mid-March.  Your child/ren should have brought home the sheet with coupons listing details, and you can also find the information on the Bridge website.

A huge thank you to all the participating businesses for supporting the Wishing Well and Bridge School.
Register for Stop and Shop A+ Rewards and Help Bridge While You Shop
S

What's going on at Lunch? Eco Bridge!

Do you ever wonder about lunchtime at Bridge School?  What are the school lunches like? Does my child eat the lunch I sent for them? What about their friends? And (of course) just how much waste is there at lunch!

 

You can satisfy your curiosity by becoming a volunteer at Waste Free Friday Lunches and work with other fun parents while getting the scoop on the lunch scene at Bridge.  Our volunteers come for one hour blocks to help the kids recycle their trays, milk containers, and plastic, and compost food waste, all the while getting a glimpse into an interesting part of your child's day.

 

Come in and learn the ropes for an hour on a Friday, then volunteer on a schedule that works for you.

 

For more information contact Marcia Gens at [email protected].

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

Bridge School Office Staff


PRINCIPAL

Margaret Colella

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

John Harney

ADMINISTRATIVE ASST

Marcia Cavatorta

GUIDANCE

Lucia Gates

NURSE

Diane Celi