Bridge to Home                                         Bridge Mural
   A weekly publication about Bridge by PTA volunteers 
February 6, 2012                                                           Vol. 16, Issue 24

Bridge Elementary School
55 Middleby Road, Lexington, MA  02421
(781) 861-2510

Bridge School Web Site:  http://lps.lexingtonma.org/bridgees
Bridge PTA Web Site: http://www.BridgePTA.org 
  
Upcoming Events
Feb 7, Tues 6:30 - 8:00 pm Bridge cafeteria
Family Math Night -- 4th/5th Grade

Feb 9, Thurs 7:30 pm LHS Gym
All-Town Winter Orchestra Concert

Feb 10, Fri 8:40 am Bridge Library
Communications Subcommittee Meeting

Feb 15, Wed 1:30 pm 449 Waltham Street
International Festival Planning Committee Meeting

Feb 28, Tues 8:00 (raindate 2/29 or 3/1)
2012 Galileo Gala for 4th and 5th graders and families

Feb 29, Wed 1:30 pm 449 Waltham Street
International Festival Planning Committee Meeting

March 7, Wed 1:30 pm 449 Waltham Street
International Festival Planning Committee Meeting

March 9, Fri 5:30-8:30 pm
International Festival
Jokes of the Week
Q: How do you make a baby sleep on a space ship?
A:  You rocket.

Q: Why is a lost Dalmatian easily found?
A: Because he is always spotted! 
Thank Yous from Wishing Well
Thank you to Wagon Wheel and to our Bridge families who shopped at Wagon Wheel this month for our Wishing Well fundraiser. We hope to grant a wish next week with the funds received and will update you with the total amount raised once the receipts are tallied.
Lost and Found
Are You Missing Something? Check the Lost & Found! The Bridge Lost & Found is overflowing with lost items.  Click here for more info.
Next B2H Deadline 
NEXT DEADLINE:  Thurs, February 9, 5 PM

Please submit by email (preferably in text format only)
to Aimee Burstein.  Articles must be reviewed and approved by Bridge PTA Co-Presidents and/or Bridge Principal Meg Colella.  Please see the B2H webpage for submission guidelines.  
In This Issue...
From the PTA Presidents
Breakfast at Bridge
Bridge Hosts Patriots Spirit Day
Communications Subcommittee Meets 2/10
Bilingual Announcements of the International Festival
Wishing Well News
Family Math Night is Here
Upcoming Winter Concerts
International Festival Planning Continues
Box Tops Contest Returns
LEF Announces Celebration for Education 3/31
Opportunity for Eco-Bridge Student Volunteers
Cary Library Winter Activities
Register Your Stop and Shop Card and Earn Money for Bridge
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
Archived B2H
Starting with the 8/6/2010 issue, past Bridge to Home issues are now archived on the Bridge PTA Web site.  

 

Subscribe to receive weekly B2H e-mail

  

 LATEST NEWS    
 
From the PTA Presidents
Dear Bridge Families,

Thank you for your support, your time, end especially for your YES! votes that allowed the Town of Lexington to pass the debt exclusion to fund the renovation of Bridge and Bowman, and the rebuilding of Estabrook Elementary School.  It is significant that 27% of voters turned out for an election in mid-winter without any candidates running!  It is also reassuring for us to learn that 66% of voters supported the school renovations.  We can move forward with confidence that we are making the best possible decision even though the circumstances are far from ideal.

Now that funding is in place, our focus shifts to the renovations themselves.  The PTA will be working closely with Principal Colella, the Site Council, the Department of Facilities, and the Permanent Building Committee to ensure that communications about the renovations are delivered quickly and consistently to parents.  We plan to dedicate a section of the Bridge PTA Website to ongoing renovation updates, create a FAQ page, and update you on the renovation progression through the weekly Bridge to Home emails, as well as Parent Connection coffees.   We hope to quell rumors and keep you posted on any issues that may arise as the renovations progress.  In addition, we are beginning to work on the calendar for next year to ensure that any PTA programs that will require a physical space can be accommodated either on or off-site.  We have already begun to make a list of alternate space options for events such as Science Night, Map Night, and the International Festival 2013.  

We anticipate that there will be bumps on the road, but we are confident that we will be able to address any issue that may arise.  Thank you for your confidence and your patience with this process!

Warmly,

Rebecca Moore and Justine Wirtanen, PTA Co-Presidents
Breakfast at Bridge
We have received a few inquiries recently regarding our breakfast program at Bridge.  The program is intended for all students who desire to purchase breakfast at school.  Students come into the cafeteria at 8:30, purchase their breakfast, and then eat between 8:30 and 8:45am.  The students are supervised during this time by a Student Support Personnel.   If you are interested in having your child eat breakfast at school, please notify their classroom teacher so they can expect them to return to class at 8:45am.  If you have further questions, please contact the Bridge School Main Office.

Meg Colella
Principal
Bridge Hosts Patriots Spirit Day
Students showed their support for the New England Patriots last Friday by wearing red, white, and blue and their Patriots clothing.  Classrooms did various activities from Patriots inspired math to a congo line! 
Ms. Michael's class has SPIRIT
Ms. Michael's class has SPIRIT

Communications Subcommittee Meets 2/10
The Bridge Site Council is creating a short-term committee focusing on communication at Bridge School.  We are looking for parents, both new and long-timers, to join.   Especially with the upcoming renovations, we want to make sure all families are informed and connected. We will brainstorm ideas on Friday, February 10th at 8:40am in the Bridge School Library. In a few weeks we will then present our ideas to the Site Based Council. Any questions or if you have ideas but cannot make the meeting, please contact Naomi Priver.  Hope to see you there.

Bilingual Announcements of the International Festival
If your child speaks another language and would like to be a part of the morning announcements, let us know!  Beginning Monday, February 27th, we will have children do brief bilingual announcements of the upcoming International Festival.  Your child is welcome to do the announcement with a sibling or friend who speaks the same foreign language. If your child would like to participate, please contact Deirdre Schadler.
Wishing Well News
Wish Granted this Week
Thank you to the Mitzenmacher family for granting Mrs. Diamant's wish for a globe!

New Wishes in the Wishing Well
This week Ms. Katz, Mr. Plamondon, Ms. O'Reilly, Mr. Bosbach, Ms. Broach, and Ms. Croy have new wishes in the well.
  • Second grade teacher, Ms. Katz would like a Really Good Book Exhibit Stand ($30) and 5 Really Good Revolving Supply Stands ($85).
  • Mr. Plamondon would like Dice Activities For Math Book and accompanying CD from Really Good Stuff - $23.90.
  • First Grade teacher Ms. O'Reilly would like a few Reader's Theater stories, Crayola markers, and a few staplers. 
  • Physical Education teacher, Mr. Bosbach, would like an iPod. His broke recently and he is currently borrowing one from his son, who is asking for it back!   If you have one to donate or would like to purchase one for him, it would be appreciated.   He also wishes for an air pump inflator. Sears has a model for $55.00. 
  • Ms. Laura Broach, Bridge's Literacy Specialist, would like the following books:
    Splish, Splash! by S. Weeks (4 copies), Sid and Sam by N. Buck (4 copies), Biscuit's Day at the Farm by A. Capucilli (4 copies), Puppy Mudge Loves His Blanket by C. Rylant (4 copies), Fancy Nancy and the Delectable Cupcakes by J. O'Connor (4 copies) and Fancy Nancy: Pajama Day by J. O'Connor (4 copies).  Each book is approximately $4.50. 
  • Ms. Croy, Special Education Reading teacher, would like a new file cabinet. Her cabinet is quite old, and has a broken drawer and is a bit rusty ($500).  
How to Grant a Wish
If you would like to grant a wish (or get together with a group of parents to grant a wish), you may either purchase the wish item directly and give it to the teacher or you may send a check to the Bridge School PTA.  Please put the name of the teacher and the wish in the memo section of your check before sending it along.  There is a dedicated box for the Wishing Well on the PTA table.  Contact Shannon Amsler for more information.
 UPDATES --- to prior articles     
 
4th & 5th Grade Family Math Night! BSF ZPV DPNJOH?

We have one more Math Night for 4th & 5th graders TOMORROW, February 7 at 6:30-8:00 pm. Come and find out what "BSF ZPV DPNJOH?" means as well as play card and strategy games!

Registration forms have gone home. Forms can be returned through your teacher or in the Math Night box in the school entry. You can also register by emailing Angela Chang.  Registration helps us to have enough supplies but walk-ins are also welcome.

Please plan to arrive by 6:30PM. We will start signing people in at 6:20PM. A parent must attend with their child. No siblings please. Contact Angela Chang with any questions.

(Family Math Night + Parents + Kids) = GVO!

All Town Winter Orchestra Concert 2/9
All-Town Winter Orchestra Concert
Thursday, February 9, 2012
7:30 pm
Lexington High School Gym
Featuring Grade 4 String Students from Bowman, Bridge and Harrington, Grade 6 Combined Orchestra from Clarke and Diamond,  Grade 7 & 8 combined orchestra from Clarke, the Lexington High School Repertory Orchestra, and the Lexington High School Symphony Orchestra
Next International Festival Planning Meeting 2/15
Bridge International Festival
Friday, March 9, 5:30-8:30

International Performances
Does your child have a three-minute culturally-based performance to share?  If so, please contact Lisa Dinsmore, Performance Coordinator.  Applications for the limited number of performance slots will be accepted until Monday, February 13.  Past acts have included Egyptian drumming, Greek singing, Bollywood dance, and Tae Kwan Do.  We are also looking to fill our Audio Guru position!  If you could help us put on the music for our performers, please contact Victoria Campos.

Country Tables
A few more spaces remain to spotlight your unique culture, food, craft and knowledge!  The country may be your place of origin or a place you've visited.  Please contact Una Gillis if you would like to host a country table.

Admission
Admission to the festival is free for those wearing an international or ethnic costume and $1 for all others.  This year we will be donating all proceeds to the Lexington Food Pantry.  A box will be on hand to accept canned food donations.  

Questions?
Feel free to email Victoria Campos.  Our next International Committee Meeting will be Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 1:30PM, 449 Waltham St.  All are welcome.
Box Tops Contest Deadline 2/20
Have You Seen Me?

Box Top example
REWARD

 

The classroom that can round up the most Box Tops will receive a reward:

An indoor recess games basket.


For a complete list of products that have Box Tops click here. For more information, click here or contact Anna Horiatis.   

LEF Announces Celebration for Education - A Night at the Museum 3/31
Lexington Education Foundation (LEF) will hold Celebration for Education - A Night at the Museum on Saturday, March 31, from 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln.  Celebration for Education is LEF's largest fundraiser for its grant programs benefiting all nine Lexington public schools.

The Lexington community is invited for an evening of dining, dancing, and socializing to help support the next round of grants that enrich the education of all our public school students.  "Artistic" dress is encouraged!  There will be an incredible list of silent auction items. Doug Stinson will drive a fun and exciting live auction and Technology Blitz.  A list of silent and live auction items will be available prior to the event. Tickets are limited and will be available mid-February.  For more information, please click here, visit the LEF website or find LEF on Facebook.

LEF is not affiliated with the Lexington Public Schools.
New Recycling Program at Bridge
Eco-Bridge is starting a new recycling center at school to collect Elmers Glue products, Papermate and Sharpie writing instruments, Scotch tape, and Toner and Inkjet cartridges.  All products will be mailed to TerraCycle.  If you use any of the above items at home, please add them to our collection at school when you are ready to recycle them.  Not only will our school collect 1-2 cents per item recycled, but it will help reduce your trash.

Click here for more information or contact Nimisha Asthagiri with questions.
 REMINDERS --- links to previous items      
 
Cary Library Winter Activities
Cary Library has a TON of winter and February vacation activities planned.  Space is limited for some programs, so check them out online and sign up today!
Register Your Stop & Shop Card $ for Bridge
Click here to learn more.

2011-2012 PTA Executive Committee Members

CO-PRESIDENTS

Justine Wirtanen 

Rebecca Reynolds Moore 

 

CO-VICE PRESIDENTS

Victoria Campos

Stephanie Mitzenmacher

Laura Schroeder

Cathy Smith 

Guorong Zhu

Susan Kingsbury  

  

TREASURER

Tricia Weisberg 

SECRETARY

Suzanne Lau 

Bridge School Office Staff

 

PRINCIPAL

Margaret Colella 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Erin Maguire  

ADMINISTRATIVE ASST

Marcia Cavatorta

GUIDANCE

Lucia Gates

NURSE

Diane Celi