Absence Line

After School Programs

Bridge ListServer
(Electronic Mail notification)

Bus Routes

Contact Information

Curriculum

Electronic Games

Health Policies

Homework Policy

LEF (Lexington Education Foundation)

Lunches & Snacks

LPS Handbook

METCO program site

Mission Statement

School Hours

Traffic & Parking

Winter Safety

Bridge at a Glance
Academic year: 2007-2008

• approximately 489 students
• 86% speak English as the primary language at home
• 14% speak another primary language at home
  (Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Bengali, Dutch, Flemish, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Nahauti, Persian, Polish, Russian, Slovak, Tibetan)
• Students from Boston
• English as a Second Language services
• Special Needs services
• Diverse family structures: mother-father, extended family, adopted, biracial, lesbian parents, shared custody, single parent
• Currently Bridge has three sections of K and 1; four sections of 2, 3, and 5; five sections of 4th = 23 classrooms
• Class sizes range from 19 to 26
• 90 Staff members

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Mission Statement

The purpose of Bridge School is to develop fully each student's intellectual, aesthetic, social, and physical capabilities in a nurturing environment that appreciates individual differences, fosters emotional well-being and builds community out of diversity.

Supporting Goals

• To set high standards for student learning.
• To provide and maintain a community of joy and respect.
• To be safe, both physically and emotionally.
• To value diversity and promote anti-bias attitudes.
• To lay a strong foundation for life-long learning.
• To acknowldege and accept the different learning styles of all students.
• To celebrate our lives together through humor and love.

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School Hours

School Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.

School begins at 8:45 a.m. Children are dismissed at 3:10 p.m. every day except Thursday. Thursdays are half days and children are dismissed at 12:15 p.m. Kindergarten class hours are from 8:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Playground supervision is available for students after 8:15 a.m. School doors open at 8:30 a.m. When children arrive at school before 8:30, they should stay on the playground until the bell rings. Since there is no adult supervision available at Bridge until 8:15 a.m., for safety reasons children should not be dropped off at Bridge before then. The exceptions would be Before School Sports which begins at 8:00 a.m.), and early morning meetings/tutoring with staff.

Children who walk, or are driven to school, should plan to arrive by 8:30. Please be sure that walkers leave home at a time early enough to ensure their arrival at school between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.

We have a red flag system in place for inclement weather. When the red flag is out by the front entrance to the school, students report to the cafeteria until school begins. Children should go directly to the playground without entering the school until the bell rings at 8:30 a.m.

All doors will be locked daily at 8:30 a.m. After this time, please ring the bell next to the main door and wait for someone to let you in. Teachers will lock their classroom doors when they leave for the day. No one is permitted to enter classrooms after teachers have left for the day.

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Absence Line

Whenever your child is absent from school, parents and guardians are expected to send a signed note to the teacher explaining the reason for the child's absence on the first day the child returns to school.

If your child will be absent from school, please call the Student Absence Line at 781-861-2510 x1116 and leave a message.

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Curriculum and Instruction

The Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks are statewide guidelines for curriculum and instruction for the state's public schools. The frameworks are based on sound research and effective practice, and reflect a vision of how classrooms of the future can and should look to assist all student to achieve high standards of excellence. They offer exciting opportunities to challenge and strengthen learning, teaching, and assessment.

• Language Arts instruction includes reading, writing, speaking, spelling and listening with an emphasis on connections among the skills.
• Mathematics instruction emphasizes real-life application and problem-solving skills.
• Science utilizes an inquiry approach to the study of the natural and physical world as well as practical applications of science and technology.
• Social Studies instruction examines the interrelationships of people and cultures to historic, geographic and economic environments.
• Arts instruction includes the visual and performing arts.
• Instrumental music is offered beginning in Grade 4. String instruments begin in the fourth grade, and brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments in the fifth grade. This program includes a fee-based in-school lesson program and the choice to participate in the Thursday afternoon All-Town Band and Orchestra.
• Physical and Health Education emphasize physical fitness, motor skills and lifelong habits of healthy living.
  Before School Sports is an extra-curricular activity for fifth graders. The students start the day with healthy exercise and fun by meeting once a week for an hour before school.
• Spanish is no longer offered beginning in Grade 3.
  Grade 3 - 2 times per week
  Grade 4 and 5 - 4 times per week
• Standardized Testing
  Grade 3 students take the state required standardized reading tests that measure vocabulary knowledge, reading, and spelling.
  Students in Grades 3, 4, and 5 take the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests in various subject areas in the Spring:
  • Grade 3 - Reading
  • Grade 4 - English Language Arts, Mathematics
  • Grade 5 - Science Technology/Engineering, History and Social Science

The curriculum exceeds Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in its expectations. All aspects of the curriculum make use of information technologies and an extensive media center in the school.

The Elementary Curriculum Overview page prepared by the LPS Elementary Curriculum Coordinators contains information of some of the abilities and skills the school will help your child to develop throughout the course of the elementary school years.

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Homework Policy

Homework is a teaching tool, not a disciplinary strategy. Students apply and practice principles they learn in the classroom while doing homework. Homework should enrich school experiences, promote a permanent interest in learning, develop initiative, personal responsibility, self-discipline, and independent study habits.

• Homework assignments begin in first grade and increase in frequency and amount as students progress through the elementary grades.
• Homework should be given on a predictable basis:
  Twice a week but no more than four times a week in Grades 1-5:
  • First Grade - assigned when appropriate
  • Second Grade - 15 minutes
  • Third & Fourth Grade - 30 minutes
  • Fifth Grade - 45 minutes
• Students in Grades 3-5 are given a Homework Assignment Book to use to keep track of their homework assignments. Parents need to sign off on this book once a week.
• Parents are encouraged to read to their children as a support for their children's reading. In addition, students should read at least 20 minutes a day at home.
• No homework should be given on holidays or vacations.

We discourage planning vacations outside the scheduled school vacation periods. In the event that you do take vacations outside these scheduled weeks, please note that teachers are not required to give homework assignments for that time period.

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After School Programs

Lextended Day Program

The Lextended Day Program is a tuition supported, parent-administered organization which provides afterschool child care for Lexington youngsters of elementary school age. Every effort is made to meet the varying needs of participating children through a carefully designed program of educational and recreational activities.

Lextended Day operates during the school year from 3:15-6:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and from 12:15-6:00 pm on Thursdays. Bridge School children are transported to Lextended Day's Hastings School site via chartered school bus contracted by Lextended Day. The Extended Kindergarten Program operates from 12:15-3:15 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Bridge School.

For questions regarding tuition, schedules, or policies, please contact the Director, Irene Denty, at (781) 862-8318.

Hayden After School

Hayden After School is an extended day activity program that is offered on a first-come, first-served basis to a limited number of Hayden members in Grades 1-5. Hayden After School offers a caring, supportive and fun environment that is individualized to each child's needs. Activities include games, drama, cooking, special events, crafts, and free play.

Hayden After School operates from 3:00-6:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and from 12:00-6:00 pm on Thursdays. Direct transportation from Bridge School to Hayden is available.

For further information, contact After-School Director Andrea Szczechowicz at (781) 862-8480.

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Health Policies

The school nurse serves as a resource person in health-related programs by interpreting medical reports, assessing health status, administering medication, screening students for visual, auditory, and postural difficulties, evaluating sudden illness or injuries, and providing emergency services.

• Dispensing of Medication
  All medication (over the counter, prescription, emergency, long-term or short-term) required to be administered at school will be dispensed only by the school nurse or nurse on call. Medication will be kept in a place designated by the school nurse.
• Physician and Parental Permission
  A signed order from the attending physician stating the diagnosis, medication, dosage, time of administration, and length of time to be given must be obtained by the parent and forwarded to the school nurse, along with the required medication in its original container. Written parental permission is also required to administer the medication. Any deviation from the original order will require a new physician's order. All medication orders must be renewed at the beginning of the school year. Renewal forms will be mailed in the spring and are available by calling the school nurse at 781-861-2510.
• Emergency
  In case of emergency, our school physician has written an order for the administration of Adrenaline, Benadryl or Ipecac for those students who have not been previously identified as needing emergency medication at school. In any such case, the nurse would be required to obtain a verbal order from the student's family physician, or, if unavailable, from the school's physician, before administering the necessary medication.
• Overnight Field Trips
  In order for medication to be administered during an overnight field trip, a signed statement from the parent/guardian and the physician stating the diagnosis, medication dosage, and time of administration is required. This applies to prescription and non-prescription medication. All medication must be given to the attending chaperone prior to the field trip.
• Carrying Medication
  Do NOT send medication with children. Adults should transport medications rather than children.
• Hearing/Vision/Postural Testing
  Every child at Bridge receives an annual hearing and vision test as required by law. At the fifth grade level, the state mandates a postural screening. In the event that special hearing or vision needs are detected, notices are sent to parents.

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Lunches and Snacks

Bridge has three lunch shifts. Grades 1 and 2 have lunch at 11:40 am, Grade 3 has lunch at 12:15 pm, and Grades 4 and 5 have lunch at 12:30pm. Kindergarten pupils do not eat lunch at school since they are dismissed at 12:15 pm each day.

Students may purchase lunch on a daily basis at $3.00, included milk; or may buy lunch tickets (35 for $105.00 - Lunch ticket order form). Milk and desserts may be purchased separately for various prices. Lunch menus are sent home monthly and are posted in the classrooms and on the school's website.

In order to enrourage healthy nutrition, we do not allow tonic or soda during the school day.

We also ask that parents send in food that their children enjoy and will eat. Many students throw away food that they have brought from home or buy in the cafeteria. We try to encourage children to finish their lunches; some children report that they are full due to eating a large snack, or they want want to join their friends outside. Whatever the reason, we need parents to help us with reinforcing good nutrition and not wasting food.

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Winter Safety

Students should wear appropriate winter clothing for outdoor recess. This means snowpants and boots for playing on the hill or in the snow covered areas. If children only have boots, they will only be allowed on the blacktop. Students who go outside for recess without a jacket will be sent back indoors.

There is ABSOLUTELY no snow or ice throwing while outdoors. This means at the end of the day, as well. There will be a consequence for doing this, since the injuries can be very serious.

Playing on the hill behind Bridge can, at time, be dangerous. When we feel it is too icy, we "close" the hill. We also ask students, when sliding on the hill, to please do so in an upright position, in other words, not head first, or lying down.

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Electronic Games & Trading Cards

The policy at Bridge is that electronic games, CD players, and headphones of any kind are not allowed. Trading cards are also not allowed.

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Keeping Informed About Events at Bridge School: Subscribing to the Bridge-Announcements Mailing List

The Bridge School list server (electronic mailing list) was established to keep families at Bridge up-to-date with pertinent information.  This will also serve as an emergency contact list that will enable us to contact parents quickly, if necessary  (for example, school closings due to snow, a water main break, etc.).

 How to subscribe to the list server:

1.      Send email from the e-mail address to which you want to subscribe, to: majordomo@silver.ci.lexington.ma.us

2.      In the Subject: line, enter your name. Optionally, enter a comma after your name and add a brief phrase that describes your affiliation with the Lexington School System. This allows us to verify your connection to Bridge School. For example:

Subject: Mary Smith, parent of John Smith.

3.      In the Cc: line, enter owner-bridge-announcements@silver.ci.lexington.ma.us

4.      In the body of the message, enter only the following exactly as shown:

subscribe bridge-announcements
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After you send your email, you will receive a message back asking you to confirm your interest in being added to the list.  There will be a confirmation message for you send back to majordomo@silver.ci.lexington.ma.us.  Put the auth number and the other information in the body of your email and you’ll be all set.  You will receive a confirmation that your subscription was successful.

 How to unsubscribe:

1.      Send email from the e-mail address that is subscribed, to: majordomo@silver.ci.lexington.ma.us

2.      In the body of the message, enter only the following exactly as shown: (You will receive a confirmation you have successfully unsubscribed)

unsubscribe bridge-announcements
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