Bridge to Home                                         Bridge Mural
   A weekly publication about Bridge by PTA volunteers 
April 2, 2012                                                           Vol. 16, Issue 32

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
April 3, Tues
ACT Presents author and artist Giles Laroche for 3rd Grade

April 4, Wed
ACT Presents Native American Storyteller Robin Pease to 2nd Grade

April 4-5, Wed-Thurs
1/2 days, Parent-Teacher Conferences

April 4, Wed 5:00-7:30 pm
Spring Fling and Renovation Kick-off Celebration

April 6, Friday
No School -- Holiday

April 10, Tues
PTA Parent Coffee

April 10, Tues 3:30-5:00 pm
Bridge Talent Show rehearsal

April 11-12 Wed-Thurs
1/2 days, Parent-Teacher Conferences

April 12, Thurs 6:30 pm in the Bridge Gym
Bridge Talent Show

April 13, Fri
Bridge & Bowman PTAs & ACT Present Ruby Bridges for 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grades

April 16-20
April Vacation

April 25, Wed 8:15 am note date change
SRTS Special Walking Wednesday to celebrate Earth Day

April 26, Thurs
Big Backyard Training for K thru 2nd Grade

April 27, Fri
Big Backyard Training for 3rd Grade

April 27, Fri 8:00 am
Bridge Site Based Council Meeting

Jokes of the Week
Q: Why is a lost Dalmatian easily found?
A:  Because he's always spotted

Q: What's black and white and eats like a horse.
A:  A zebra! 
Next B2H Deadline 
NEXT DEADLINE:  Thursday, April 5, 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. 

Please note that there will be no B2H published the week of spring vacation.  Deadline for the April 23rd edition will be Thursday, April 19th. 
In This Issue...
Principal's Corner
Author/Illustrator Giles Laroche to Visit the 3rd Grade Classes 4/3
Second Grade to Hear Mohawk Storyteller Robin Pease
Spring Fling and Renovation Kick-Off Celebration 4/4
Attention Bridge PTA Committee Chairs!
The PTA Wants You!.
Spring Programs at Cary Library.
Chess Tournament for Grades 3-5 Canceled
Annual Talent Show on 4/12
Eco-Bridge: Reusable Bag Sale & Plastic Bag Drive Continues to 4/13
Special Walking Wednesday to Celebrate Earth Day 4/25
Bingo on 4/30
Site Based Council Elections
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

 

Subscribe to receive weekly B2H e-mail

  

Archived B2H
Starting with the 8/6/2010 issue, past Bridge to Home issues are now archived on the Bridge PTA Web site.  
Lost and Found
Missing Something? Check the Lost & Found! The Bridge Lost & Found is overflowing with lost items.  Click here for more info.
 LATEST NEWS    
 
Principal's Corner: Thank You Mrs. Cavatorta!
On Thursday, March 29th, the Bridge PTA honored Marcia Cavatorta for her 23 years of service in Lexington.  They presented to her a bench, which will be located in the main hallway, that was inscribed "This bench is dedicated to Marcia Cavatorta for her 23 years of service to the Lexington Public Schools."  In addition, students have had the opportunity to write their thoughts to Mrs. Cavatorta to thank her for all that she has done.  One student wrote, "Thank you for helping me.  I wish you the very best of luck!  I appreciate your kindness towards me.  I will miss you very much when you leave Bridge, and I hope you will miss me a lot."  Knowing Marcia, she will miss each and every person she has worked with, and most of all, the students and families of Bridge School. 

Goodbye Mrs. Cavatorta

Meg Colella
Principal
ACT Presents Author/Illustrator Giles Laroche to the 3rd Grade Classes 4/3!
On Tuesday, April 3, Massachusetts artist, author, and book illustrator Giles Laroche will give a workshop to the 3rd grade students detailing his unique technique of "paper relief."  This technique creates elaborate collages for children's book illustrations and artwork, which involves drawing, cutting, painting, and gluing.  Often a piece has seven or eight layers.  Spacers are placed between each layer to give the final artwork added depth and dimension.  During the workshop, students will first gather in the cafeteria to hear Giles's presentation about his work as an illustrator and author and also see many of his original illustrations from books he has illustrated.  In particular, there will be a discussion of his new book,  "If You Lived Here:  Houses of the World", and students will view original artwork from that book.  Afterwards, students will gather in their classrooms with Giles for a workshop in cut-paper art.  He will give a demonstration on how to make, for example, a paper house with nothing more than paper, scissors, and glue. Then the students will give it a try.  ACT (Arts Created Together) is pleased to welcome Giles back to Bridge!
ACT-Sponsored Second Grade Visit with Mohawk Storyteller Robin Pease 4/4
This Wednesday, April 4th at 11am, the 2nd Grade will have a visit from Robin Pease, a Native American Storyteller of Mohawk descent. Robyn will engage students through songs, language, and dance and introduce them to a variety of Native American legends and traditions.
Spring Fling and Renovation Kick-Off Celebration this Wednesday
---Raffle Tickets Available Today!---
Celebrate Spring and Bridge's upcoming building improvements this Wednesday, April 4 from 5:00-7:30 pm.

Raffles Tickets now available in Front Foyer
from 8:30 & 9:00 am Mon-Wed for:

iPod Touch (2 will be raffled!)
Teacher Feature Raffles include:
  • Bike ride with Mr. Bosbach
  • Knit dolls with Mrs. Litchfield
  • Sweet Beads OR Plaster Fun Time with Mrs. Baranofsky
  • Origami with Mrs. Yee
  • Rancatores and Elephants Trunk with Mrs. O'Reilly (3 Winners!)
  • Ms. Hinton Babysitting
  • Ice Cream with Mr. Lambert & Ms. Michael
  • Ice Cream with Ms. Michael & Mr. Lambert
  • Stage Makeup with Mrs. Colby
  • Ice Cream with Ms. Murray and Ms. Schadler
Enjoy pizza, ice cream sundaes and cookies, music, dancing with DJ Ari, and movies.  Principal Colella will introduce parents to the details of the Renovation Phases.  Admission (includes 2 dessert tickets): $5 per person.  Tickets now available at the door on Wednesday night.  For more information, please click here

See you there!!
Attention Bridge PTA Committee Chairs!
The renovations at Bridge will be starting soon and with this comes clearing out stuff! We will be moving and clearing out the Parent Resource Room for the renovations. While we will have some space in the gym for the photocopier, mail and a minimum of storage, we expect that there will not be enough space for storing PTA Committee materials at Bridge. By Friday, April 6, please be sure to sort and remove any items, posters, banners, boxes that your Committee would like to keep from the Parent Resource Room as soon as possible. These items will need to be stored in the attics and basements of our community.  Thanks to you all for your help!

Questions?  Please contact Suzanne Lau.
The PTA Wants You
If you are interested in joining the PTA Executive Committee or Chairing a Committee for the 2012-2013, or just looking for more ways to get involved at Bridge, please contact the Nominating Committee -- Suzanne Lau, Victoria Campos, or Sue Kingsbury. Nominees for the Executive Board will be announced at the April 10th PTA coffee.
Spring Programs at Cary Library
MAKE A VIDEO GAME       Grades 4-6
Tuesday, April 24, 4:00-6:00 pm: Mission to Mars (sign-ups begin Tuesday, April 17) 
Tuesday, May 22, 4:00-6:00 pm: Egypt Adventure (sign-ups begin Monday, May 14)
Attendance is limited to 12.**  Sign up online or in person beginning at 7:00 pm on the dates listed above.  Phone reservations accepted beginning at 7:30 pm.

Think playing games is fun?  Try making them!  This two-hour program introduces students to the fundamentals of creating a video game, using carefully prepared elements.  Don't tell the kids, but while creating the games, they will be learning math, geometry, design, logic, and object-oriented programming.  Games can be played at home (MS Windows-only).  Presented by Children's Technology Workshop.

These programs are made possible by the generous donors to the Annual Fund of the Cary Memorial Library Foundation.

LEGO BUILD-A-BUG        Grades 3-5
Tuesday, April 3, 4:00-6:00 pm (sign-ups begin Monday, March 26)
Tuesday, May 1, 4:00-6:00 pm (sign-ups begin Monday, April 23)
Attendance is limited to 20.**  Sign up online or in person beginning at 7:00 pm on the dates listed above.  Phone reservations accepted beginning at 7:30 pm.

Build a kid-powered LEGO inchworm to race!  Instructors from the Children's Technology Workshop teach about simple machines, levers, and energy while you work in pairs to construct a LEGO bug, then attach hand-powered motors to make your bugs move.  (Children will not take LEGOs home, but will receive a movie slideshow of the event.)  These programs are made possible by the generous donors to the Annual Fund of the Cary Memorial Library Foundation.

ARE YOU THEATRICAL?     Grades 3-4
Wednesday, April 11, 4:00-5:15 pm
Attendance is limited to 8.**  Sign up online or in person beginning Monday, April 2 at 7:00 pm.  Phone reservations accepted beginning at 7:30 pm.

Reader's Theater is a wonderful type of acting because it requires no memorization!  Using simpleprops, budding actors and actresses will read short scripts from several international folktales.  Parents and siblings are invited to return at the end of the session for a short performance.

"BEHIND THE SCENES" @ CARY LIBRARY    ages 5 and up
Thursday, April 12       2:00, 2:30, & 3:00 pm
Stop by the Children's Room for small group "behind-the-scenes" tours during National Library Week.  Tours will begin every half hour. Meet by the Children's Storytime Room.

APRIL VACATION PROGRAMS:

FAMILY CRAFTS everyone welcome
Wednesday, April 18     2:30-4:00 pm
IN THE LARGE MEETING ROOM*
Children of all ages and abilities and their caregivers are invited to get crafty with us. Stay for half an hour or the entire hour and a half; you can make your craft as simple or as complicated as you want.  Markers and paper are always available as well.  Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult.  No registration necessary.

DINNER & A MOVIE everyone welcome
Wednesday, April 18     starts at 6:30 pm
Tangled (PG)
IN THE LARGE MEETING ROOM*
Get tangled up and take adventure to new lengths! Bring a picnic dinner, spread out a blanket, and enjoy a family movie!  The room will open at 6:00 pm, 30 minutes before the start of the movie.

MUSIC & MOVEMENT WITH MISS RUBI ages 2-5
Thursday, April 19      10:00 or 11:00 am
Attendance is limited to 20 in each session.**  Sign up online or in person beginning Monday, April 9 at 7:00 pm.  Phone reservations accepted beginning at 7:30 pm.

Let your imagination take you to the queen's castle while listening and moving to the music of Brahms' Hungarian Dance.  Then, switch gears and isolate your head, arms and legs, moving one at a time with each tick and each tock of Leroy Anderson's Syncopated Clock.  Take a break with a soothing story, accompanied by matching music.  Learn to keep a steady beat by playing rhythm games and singing finger play songs.  Let your movements tell the story for each song; come and join the fun! All this in a half hour of music and movement with Ms. Rubi.  This program was made possible by the generous donors to the Annual Fund of the Cary Memorial Library Foundation.

PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY DANCE COMPANY     ages 3-8
Thursday, April 19      2:30 or 4:00 pm
Space is limited.  Free tickets*** available in the Children's Room beginning Monday, April 9 at 7:00 pm.  Phone reservations accepted at 7:30 pm.

The PB&J dance company's performances creatively introduce the art of Dance with plenty of audience participation. This program is made possible by a generous gift from Wilson Farms.

CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK PROGRAMS:

HAND-MADE BOOKS   Grades 1-3
Wednesday, May 9        4:00-5:00 pm
Attendance is limited to 12.**  Sign up online or in person beginning Monday, April 30 at 7:00 pm.  Phone reservations accepted beginning at 7:30 pm.

Join us for an hour of book design.  We will use several techniques, including stapled books, accordion books, and designs and decorations for book covers.   

STUDIO WORKSHOPS from the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
  • ART-STUDIO-TO-GO        ages 3-5
Thursday, May 10        11-11:45 am
Attendance is limited to 12 children (each may be accompanied by 1 adult ).**  Sign up online or in person beginning Monday, April 30 at 7:00 pm.  Phone reservations accepted beginning at 7:30 pm.

We'll read together one of Eric Carle's classic stories and then use construction paper shapes, crayons, rubbing plates and glue sticks to make a collage relating to the story.
  • I AM AN ARTIST        ages 5 -8
Thursday, May 10        2:00-3:15 pm
Attendance is limited to 25.**  Sign up online or in person beginning Monday, April 30 at 7:00 pm.  Phone reservations accepted beginning at 7:30 pm.

We'll discuss Eric Carle's art-making process to inspire our own art making.  First, we'll create colorful painted papers using a variety of textured stamps, then we'll use those papers to assemble a collage about anything that interests you.

  • POSSIBILITIES IN PRINT  ages 9 -12
Thursday, May 10        4:00-5:15 pm
Attendance is limited to 25.**  Sign up online or in person beginning Monday, April 30 at 7:00 pm.  Phone reservations accepted beginning at 7:30 pm.

We'll learn about the process of turning an author's idea into a printed 32-page picture book.  After our discussion, experiment with overlapping colored paints on Plexiglas to make a collection of beautiful prints to take home.

Coming in June....Look for more information about our Legofest.

For more information about any of these programs, please call the Children's Room at Cary Library (781-862-6288, Ext. 170), or go to our website.

*       Space in the Meeting Room is limited, attendance will be first-come-first-served.
**      If fewer than 5 participants are registered, program may be cancelled.
***       Everyone (even babies) must have a ticket to enter the program.  Reserved tickets must be picked up at least 15 minutes before the start of the program.  Unclaimed tickets may be given to those waiting.  Parking can be a problem during large events, so please plan ahead.
Chess Tournament for Grades 3-5 Canceled
Due to timing conflicts connected with religious holidays, the chess tournament for Grades 3-5 sponsored by the LHS Chess Club will not be able to run on Saturday 4/7.  We are sorry that the timing did not work out this time.  Thank you for your interest in this tournament.  We hope to run one like it in the future.

The LHS Chess Club

 UPDATES --- to prior articles     
 
Register for the Annual Talent Show
The annual Bridge School Talent Show will be held this year on April 12, 2012 in the Peter Chamberlain Gymnasium.  Some of the acts in previous years have been students singing, playing the piano, a musical instrument, dancing, etc.  The performance should last about 2 minutes.  The rehearsal is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10 at 3:30.  Once you have performed, you may leave with an adult.  Please see the Bridge School Announcements for more information.  Please contact Mr. Lambert with questions.
Eco-Bridge: Reusable Bag Sale & Plastic Bag Drive Continues to 4/13
ChicoBags!
Eco-Bridge is selling reusable bags made by The ChicoBag Company that are designed to be unforgettable, and the hope is to get each person in our community using reusable bags in efforts to help humanity kick the single-use bag habit.  Click here to check out the possible colorful options.  Place your completed order form in the Eco-Bridge box in the school lobby anytime until April 13th!  They will also be sold at the Spring Fling on April 4th.  Bags are $6-$13 each depending on the style. All proceeds will go to the Bridge PTA. 

Plastic Bag Monster Drive!
Additionally, Eco-Bridge is collecting old plastic bags in our collection container under the ChicoBag table in the school lobby.  Our goal is to collect 500 plastic bags and make a Plastic Bag Monster in time for our Earth Day School Assembly on April 27th. 

For more information on how to show your support while also making a difference on our planet, click here or please contact Dianna Queheillalt.
Special Walking Wednesday to Celebrate Earth Day 4/25
To help celebrate Earth Day, Bridge School Safe-Routes-to-School is hosting a special Walk-to-School Wednesday, on April 25, 2012 at 8:15 am on the playground.

We will be estimating  how many pounds of carbon the students have saved by walking, riding their bikes, or taking the bus!  A flyer (specialized for each grade level) will be coming out with information to guide students in making their own estimates.  Please contact Ann Stokes or click here for more information.
Bingo!
The Bridge School Community Service group would like to invite everyone to come and play Bingo with the seniors who live at Youville Place on Monday, April 30th, at 3:30 pm. Click here for more information.

If you are planning to come or have any questions please email Monica Cantwell or call 781 863-2441.
 REMINDERS --- links to previous items      
 
Site Based Council Elections

The SBC is looking for new members!  Elections for the 2012-2013 school year will take place in May.  If you are interested in joining, please send Meg Colella a brief explanation as to why you would like to join the council.  Please submit by April vacation.  Next year, a major role of the SBC will be to focus on the renovations, and we welcome your input.

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