Absence Line
After School Programs
Animals in School
Attendance Requirements
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Bus Routes
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- Calling a Teacher
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Curriculum
Dismissal Process
- Early Dismissal
- Process
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Drop Off & Pick Up
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Electronic Games
Health Policies
Homework Policy
Lexington Education Foundation
Lexington Public Schools Handbook
Lunch
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METCO program
Mission Statement
Recess
School Hours
Security
Student Telephone Use
Traffic & Parking
Visiting School
Winter Safety
Bridge at a Glance
Academic year: 2008-2009
- approximately 470 students
- 82% speak English as the primary language at home
- 18% speak another primary language at home
(Armenian, Bengali, Cantonese, Creole, Czech, Farsi, French, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Ibo, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish, Tamil)- 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, 1 and 2; four sections of 3 and 4; five sections of 5th = 22 classrooms
- Class sizes range from 18 to 22
- 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. (781-861-2510 *0)
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 8:30 a.m. Students are tardy after 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 9 a.m. After this time, please ring the bell next to the main entrance and wait for someone to "buzz" you in.
Students are dismissed at 3:15 p.m. every day except Thursday. All students are dismissed at 12:15 p.m. on Thursdays in order that teachers may participate in town-wide meetings, curriculum committees, planning sessions, staff meetings, team meetings, and parent conferences. Parents are encouraged to attempt to use this time for medical or dental appointments as well as other special appointments or classes.
Students are not to wait on the playground after school since there is no adult supervision at that time. Parents must be present on the playground after school if students are to be there. Teachers lock their classroom doors when they leave for the day. No one is permitted to enter classrooms after teachers have left for the day. All outside school doors are locked at 5:00 p.m. every day. Provisions will be made for evening activities.
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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, press 6, press 1, and leave a message.
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Lextended Day Program
The Lextended Day Program is a tuition-supported, parent-administered organization which provides after-school 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.Hayden After School
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.
For questions regarding tuition, schedules, or policies, please contact the Director, Irene Denty, at (781) 862-8318.
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 the After-School Director at (781) 862-8480.
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Animals on School Property
Dogs and cats are not allowed on school property for sanitary and safety reasons. The exception is outside educational programs and only when pre-approved by the Superintendent or Principal.
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Attendance Requirements
Chapter 76, section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws states that all children between the ages of six and sixteen must attend school. A school district may excuse up to seven day-sessions or fourteen half-day sessions in any six months. Parents will be notified of any attendance issues. A child not in the classroom at 8:45 a.m. is considered tardy. When a child is late for school, s/he must sign in at the office and bring a note of explanation from a parent or guardian.
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Calling a Teacher
If you need to call a teacher, the best time to reach him/her is before 8:30 a.m. (Teachers are in their classrooms with students by 8:30 a.m.) or after 3:15 p.m. when students are dismissed. Call 781-861-2510 *0. If the teacher is not available at the time you call, please leave your number and s/he will return your call at the earliest possible time.
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Changes in the End of the Day Schedule
Please inform the teacher, in writing, when the end of the day routines change, i.e., the child is going to play at _______________ or Mrs. __________ will pick up my child, etc.
All alternate transportation arrangements need to be in writing. We can not accept a child’s verbal information.
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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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 students 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 or Orchestra.
- Physical and Health Education emphasizes 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.- Standardized Testing
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, Mathematics
- Grade 4 - English Language Arts, Mathematics
- Grade 5 – English Language Arts, Mathematics, 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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Walkers All walkers will be dismissed from the school out to the playground, unless they have parent permission to do otherwise. The playground will be supervised until 3:30 p.m.. Parents and/or siblings will meet at the playground and proceed home from there. Bikers Bikers will be dismissed from the either of the back doors or front door. Cars/Carpools Drivers must have their last name and children’s first names, or carpool name, written on a placard that can be seen clearly from the passenger-side window.
Beginning at 3:15 p.m., students will be announced in the cafeteria come out of the fifth-grade wing door to the loading zone.Walk-Ups Parents walking up should be parked only in the side parking lot – PLEASE BACK IN – or parallel parked on the curbside of the circle.
Give your name to the teacher in charge of loading cars until dismissal starts. After that you will need to meet the announcer at the loading zone to give her your name.[ top]
Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
While your vehicle is moving, please refrain from all cell phone use both on Bridge School property and in the immediate vicinity of the school. We need your full attention to be on the safety of children.
Be prepared to stop at the two crosswalks for parents and children wishing to cross traffic.
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Early Dismissal
If your child will be leaving during the school day, please send in a note to the homeroom teacher. Plan to pick up your child at the office where personnel will call the homeroom to notify the child and teacher. You will be asked to sign the child out at the Office. For safety/security purposes, no child will be dismissed from a classroom without notification from the Office.
In the event of an illness or an accident occurring during school time, parents or their designated substitute will be notified by telephone. When dismissal is indicated, parents need to make the necessary transportation arrangements.
It is important that parents maintain updated records of emergency phone numbers in the school office, so let us know when changes occur.
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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, and develop initiative, personal responsibility, self-discipline, and independent study habits.
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.
- Homework assignments begin in first grade and increase in frequency and amount as they progress through the elementary grades.
- Homework is 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 is given on holidays or vacations.
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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 is 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.[ top]
Lost and Found
A “lost and found” area for clothing and large items is located inside the back entrance to the school. Parents are encouraged to check the lost and found periodically for clothing, mittens, hats, lunchboxes, and the like. Smaller items like jewelry, keys, money, and glasses are stored in the office.
Labeling your children’s belongings with their first and last names will help keep the number of lost items to a minimum.
At the end of each month, unclaimed belongings in the lost and found are donated to charitable organizations.
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Lunches and Snacks
Bridge has staggered lunch shifts to avoid long lines for hot lunch. Students may purchase lunch on a daily basis at $3.25, including milk, or may buy lunch tickets (35 for $113.75 - Lunch ticket order form). Milk and healthy desserts may be purchased separately for various prices. Lunch menus are sent home monthly and are posted in the classrooms and on the Chartwell's Dining Services website. Children in grades kindergarten to second grade should bring their money or ticket in an envelope clearly marked with the student’s name.
In order to encourage 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 don’t like their lunch. Whatever the reason, we need parents to help us with reinforcing good nutrition and not wasting food.
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Parent Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
- Students may be dropped off in the morning from 8:15 a.m. on along the curb in front of the school. Only live parking parallel to the curb is permitted. If you need to park your car to walk your child to his/her classroom, use the designated parking spaces.
- Picking up students from school is a drive-thru method. Place a placard on the right-hand dashboard or affix one to the right-hand visor clearly marked with the family name or carpool name, i.e., “Jones” or “Jones Carpool”.
- Queue up along Middleby Road and enter circle from the right and pull all the way to the end of the walkway in front of the school until 3:15 p.m. Traffic flow is restricted to the one-lane outlined by the cones in front of the building. Turn your engine off.
- Follow the queue around the circle after dismissal time. Children will be called from the cafeteria in the order of the arriving cars. If the children are not on the sidewalk in the pickup area by the time you reach it, it means they were not in the cafeteria on time. You will be asked to circle around again or pull off into Visitor or Parent Parking (first ten spaces in the adjacent parking lot) and walk up.
- All parents picking up their children should do so by 3:30 p.m., or 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays.
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Recess
It is school policy that children well enough to attend school is well enough for outdoor recess. Children who have been recently ill, are wearing casts or need to stay indoors at a doctor’s request may be allowed to stay in during recess. Parents should send a note to the child’s teacher requesting an exemption from indoor recess for a particular day.
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Security
All visitors and volunteers need to sign in at the office when they arrive at school. They should pick up a badge at that time.
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Student Telephone Calls
Children are permitted to use the school telephone for personal emergencies only.
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Visiting School
DO come. Parents wishing to visit a classroom need to make prior arrangements with the teacher. We are sorry but other visitors are not permitted to spend the day attending classes unless the teacher has agreed in advance.
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Winter Safety
Students should wear appropriate winter clothing for outdoor recess. This means snow pants 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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Bridge List Server
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.).
Join the Bridge-Announcements Mailing list
Unsubscribe or Edit your personal list options
Please visit http://comet.ci.lexington.ma.us/mailman/listinfo/bridge-announcements for all user subscription management including unsubscribing from the list.
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