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January 2015Like us on Facebook
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Principal's Corner
Principal Colella
We have been very busy closing out the 2014 year and are looking forward to welcoming in the New Year. Here are some highlights from each grade level:

 

Kindergarten: This month kindergarten classes have been reading different versions of the Gingerbread Man. They have been reading traditional versions such as The Gingerbread Boy by Paul Galdone and less traditional versions such as The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup. Kindergarten students look forward to using their exploration of the gingerbread man tales to explore other fairy tales and folktales after the New Year.

 

First Grade: In first grade the students brought in collections of items from home and wrote opinion pieces about their favorite items in their collections. When they return from break, the students will be writing persuasive reviews about books, movies, games, and much more.

 

Second Grade:

The second graders have been working on the Ages and Timelines unit in math. Last week students in all four classes applied the open number line subtraction strategies they've learned to help them figure out the differences in ages between themselves and their friends and family.  In terms of looking forward, the students will start a new science unit: the changes (solids, liquids and gasses) unit in science.  

 

Third Grade: The third grade has been working diligently on honing their persuasive writing. The children selected topics that are important to them and will be celebrating their writing soon.

 

Fourth Grade: In fourth grade, the children have been working on animal research projects where students have been researching various animals and using this information to write a nonfiction book using book creator on the iPad. The kids have loved doing it!

 

Fifth Grade: Just last week the fifth grade attended the LHS Choral Extravaganza. The students were very impressed by the size and talent of the high school chorus ensembles. The classes are wrapping up a context mathematics unit that focuses on solving real world math problems using fractions and their equivalents. The students have really enjoyed using various strategies for solving and learning new methods from one another. Looking ahead, the fifth graders will delve into the world of nonfiction research as a means of supporting their next writing unit, the research-based argument essay. Students will write an opinion piece using research to support his/her claim.

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Bridge School is celebrating it's 50th birthday next year and we would like to celebrate this special birthday with three events throughout the year. We are looking for parents to co-chair and help our staff plan for these events: A fall run, a winter evening celebration, and a spring fair. We also hope to create special "Bridge School 50th Anniversaty T-Shirt." We have staff excited to partner with you. The planning will begin this spring! Please e-mail Meg Colella if you are interested in assisting in any, or all of these events!

 

 Sincerely,
Meg Colella
Bridge School Principal

 

Volunteers Needed: Safe Morning Drop-off

Would you like to help Bridge community? Join as a volunteer during the Morning drop-off!! Your help is very important for the whole Bridge Community to make the school a safe place for everyone.

The Commitment: Once per week for a month (feel free to sign up for more than 1 slot)

Time: from 8:20 to 8:45 am

Where: At the sidewalk outside the Fifth Grade Door

What: To encourage drivers to follow the morning drop-off procedures

  

If you are already volunteering, it is great to be even more involved in the Bridge community. If you have not volunteered this year yet, this is a great and rewarding opportunity to start doing it.

If you have any question please, do not hesitate to contact, Roxana Spitaleri-RissoNaomi Priver, Deb Sabin or Angela Chang.

  

Check out our online sign up sheet.

Eco News Brought to you by Eco Bridge!
The Tape Brigade starts in January!!!  This month classrooms will receive small green bins for the collection of scotch tape dispensers.  We just got the green light from Terracyle to add tape dispensers to the other items we collect.  The tape dispensers will be recycled into items like park benches, trash cans, soap dispensers and even new desk top tape dispensers.  As always, the more we collect, the more money we get for the Terracyle account.
Explore the Arts!
Participate in PTA Reflections

Have your child start the New Year with a burst of creativity! Let them imagine: "The world would be a better place if..." by submitting to REFLECTIONS, the National PTA's program to enhance quality arts education for Grades K-12. Children can submit their own artwork in any of these categories:

PTA Reflections icon
  • Photography
  • Visual arts
  • Literature
  • Musical composition
  • Dance choreography
  • Film/video production

In the past, Bridge School students have won the Massachusetts first place prize in this program. This year, the winner could be your child! Download your entry form today. Submissions are due, Friday January 9th!

 

Any inquires? Please contact Guorong Zhu:

PTA Sponsored Parenting Talk "Keeping Kids Safe"
Thursday, January 8th 7:00 - 8:30PM
Hastings Gym

 LPS Prevention Specialist Julie Fenn and Lexington Police Detectives will present current trends/concerns in the Lexington community and what parents can do to keep children safe online and offline. Parents are a child's strongest role models. What we do and say makes an impression on our children. Elementary years provide an ideal time to protect our children from future risky behaviors. Some topics covered are:

  • Strategies for talking with your child about technology and safety
  • Common sense tips for supervision of children outside of school
  • Preventive factors to risky behaviors
All Lexington elementary school parents are invited.   
Collect those Box Tops!

The race is on! Each class is encouraged to collect Box Tops to support the Fifth Grade Activities Fund, for a school-wide contest. At the end of contest, we will tally and announce the top 3 classes! A surprise may even be in store for the winning class. While you can contribute to the Box Tops program all year long, the contest ends onFebruary 28th so please contribute early and often. There are two easy ways to contribute:

  • Cut out Box Tops from items purchased from the store and give them to your teacher. For a Boxtops complete list of products that have Box Tops click here.
  • Open an account online and earn box tops from online purchases or by entering sweepstakes. To create an account, click here and enter 02421. This will direct you to a list of Lexington schools. Choose Bridge, and continue from there. 
           Questions? Email Heather Tashjian                                                                                                                            
News from the Library

Bookmark Contest

The deadline for the MSLA Bookmark Design Contest is January 23.  Official entry forms are in the library at the front counter.All information is also accessible through the library webpage.

 

Vacation Books

Students were given the option of taking an extra library book for vacation week. Please help your children remember to return all of their library books.

 

 Best wishes,                                                                                               

Mrs. Allen

Bridge Library Teacher                                                                                                                                          

(Family Math Night + Parents + Kids) = FUN!
Family Math Night starts this month! Come join other families in your grade for a fun night of parents and kids interacting together over grade appropriate math puzzles and games! Family Math Nights will take place at Bridge School in the cafeteria.

Register for Math Night online using the links below. Please plan to arrive by 6:30PM on your night. We will start signing people in at 6:20PM. A parent must attend with their child. No siblings please.

Tuesday, January 20 @ 6:30-8PM - 3rd grade - SIGN UP HERE
Thursday, January 22 @ 6:30-8PM - 2nd grade - SIGN UP HERE
Tuesday, February 3 @ 6:30-7:45PM - 1st grade - SIGN UP HERE
January, February 5 @ 6:30-7:30PM - Kindergarten - SIGN UP HERE
Thursday, February 12 @ 6:30-8PM - 4th/5th grade - SIGN UP HERE

If you are interested in helping out with Math Night, we will be having an organizational meeting on Tuesday, January 6 from 8-9PM. All are welcome!
Please contact Angela Chang for more info

Big Backyard Winter Trainings

Winter is coming and it's time to plan for Big Backyard!  Big Backyard is a parent coordinated program where parent volunteers lead small groups of children, from their child's class, on three seasonal curriculum related walks in the Fall, Winter and Spring.  These walks take place outside during the school day in areas around Bridge.  Most of the walks last 30-45 minutes.  The theme of each walk is coordinated with the classroom science curriculum for each grade and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.  Big Backyard walks are great fun and provide a way for parents to support the classroom teachers and also interact with their own children. No previous experience is necessary, and the training will teach you everything you need to know.  First time parents are always welcome.  Please consider volunteering to be a walk leader!  

The training for the winter walks will be in January.
Kindergarten - Thursday, Jan. 8, 9:00 am - 9:50 am
Grade 1 - Thursday, Jan. 8, 10:00 am - 10:50 am
Grade 2 - Thursday, Jan. 8, 11:00 am - 11:40 am

The training will begin where the Big Backyard supplies are stored, in room 204.  Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the start of the session, so we can begin promptly.  Please dress appropriately for going outside and walking in the woods, as we will cover the route of the walk no matter what the weather is.  (Wear boots!  Wear warm clothes!  Wear mittens or warm gloves!)

For more information, please contact the Big Backyard Coordinators: 
Cindy Darcy
Constanza Lisdero
Andrew McKee,

Save the Date! Bridge Movie Night, Friday, January 30th!

movie-items.jpg

This year, we are hoping to hold two movies in one night for a real theater experience. Guests will have the option to purchase tickets in advance for a movie geared to the K-2nd grade audience or another movie with 3rd-5th graders as the target audience. Information on movie times and selections will be released in early January along with a Sign Up Genius requesting parent support to help on the 30th. Proceeds will support the 5th Grade Activities Committee. Let's all go to the movies!

 

If you have any questions, please contact Heather Tashjian

Y.E.S - Youth Explorations in Science 


  Is your child interested in learning more about science? As a fourth grader, your child will have the opportunity to participate in the Youth Exploration in Science (YES) program. Each week your child will explore a different scientific principle with a small group of students and a teacher. Then, your child will build his/her own project based on that principle. We'll explore magnetism, electricity and more --projects include electromagnetic motors, catapults and sun dials. Each student will build his/her own rocket in class and the course culminates with a "shoot" --where your child will launch their own rockets! This is a great way to foster or enhance your child's interest in science in a low-key and fun setting. The children are proud of the projects they build each week, and are always happy to take them home to demonstrate how and why they work! The YES program is a wonderful opportunity for children to have fun with science.

YES is an 11-wScience Night 2eek, fun, extracurricular program that allows students to explore science with hands-on-learning. An additional twelfth week may be added if more time is required. YES is taught by Larry Hill.

What you need to know:
Cost: $150.00 (Covers the costs of learning kits and teacher.)
When: Spring session is 11 Tuesdays starting February 10, 2016 with no classes on February 17 or April 21. All classes are 3:15-4:45 pm.
Location: Bridge School Cafeteria

Any Questions, please contact Jane Chang, YES Program Coordinator.

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Save the Dates: Bridge Literacy Nights!

The Bridge PTA welcomes families to save the dates for this winter's two Literacy Nights. Literacy Night for Grades K-2 is on Thursday, February 26th from 5:30-7 p.m. and Literacy Night for Grades 3-5 is on Thursday, March 5th from 6-7:30 p.m.. Come live, laugh, learn, and love literacy during these special evenings designed to bring joy and adoration into your family's interaction with letters, words, and books. Share in this unique opportunity to partner up with your child as you visit our cafeteria transformed into spaces for readers, writers, creators, and dreamers! Children are welcome to come dressed in their pajamas and to bring along their most favorite books to read and share.


Anyone interested in volunteering should contact co-chairs Kristen Gray or Amy Kvaal. We'd love for you to join in the fun as we pull together this special event for our Bridge families. Thank you!
Can you help out with International Night?
International Night
It's time to start planning for one of the Bridge community's biggest events, International Night! International Night is a wonderful celebration of the cultures represented in our school community. This year's International Night will be held on Friday, March 6th. and we are looking for volunteers to serve on the planning committee!  The committee will meet bi-weekly starting just after the holidays.  Committee members will help recruit volunteers for country tables and performances, plan craft activities, perform some administrative tasks and/ or helping out on the night of the event.

If you are interested in helping out on the committee, please contact Sharon Liu.

Deadline for Next Bridge to Home Issue
NEXT MONTHLY DEADLINE: Saturday January 25th, 5 PM

Please submit by email to Lisa Dinsmore. Articles must be reviewed and approved by Bridge PTA Co-Presidents and/or Bridge Principal Meg Colella before publication.  Please note that submissions to the weekly will be from the PTA Executive Committee or with EC approval only.  All others should submit items to the monthly version in a timely manner.

Please see the B2H webpage for submission guidelines and future deadlines.
Quick Links

2014-15 PTA Executive Committee Members
Bridge School Office Staff
CO-PRESIDENTS
PRINCIPAL
Cathy Smith
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
TREASURER
Erin Maguire
Tricia Weisberg
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
SECRETARY
Kerry Daley
Christie King
GUIDANCE
CO-VICE PRESIDENTS
Heather O'Rourke 
Lisa Dinsmore
NURSE
Lilliam Gomez-Martinez
Diane Celi
Heather Tashjian

Nancy Tentindo

Lindsay Wedell