Fourth Quarter  Hard to believe we are in the midst of the 4th quarter!  The weather is warming up and students are able to get outside more.  This is an exciting time for our community as we are winding up another successful school year, graduation is around the corner, summer plans are being made, and students are getting anxious for what happens next!  Remember to continue working hard at achieving academic goals.

Maddy's Heart  Maddy is a 6 year old kindergarten student from Tiffin. While she does not have cancer herself, she has known too many people in her short life that have. She has organized her own Relay for Life team (with the help of her awesome Mom).  Maddy wants to make people smile and said that little people can do big things. She is an inspiration to many. Maddy now has Tshirts in all 50 states and even in other parts of the world (including Canada, thank you Mrs. Stanko!) She is also making bracelets and having additional fundraisers for her Relay team. Maddy may even set up her own booth at our Mini-Relay (plans in works for May 10th during the school day) and her mom has offered to donate items towards making our event a success as well.  If you would like more information, check out "Maddy's Heart" on Facebook. (See picture below)

Empowering Families  Our program held Thursday, March 21th with Sandy Brickner was a HUGE success.  We had an amazing turn out with parents and students.  Pictures and video clips are on the way so be sure to check back to see how these empowered families are working together to form successful partnerships between parents, students, and schools!

Valentines Celebrations

I hope all of our families took some time to share chocolates or other goodies for Valentine's Day. I also hope that it is all eaten up before the students come back next week. Healthy choices attribute to  better choices and better choices attribute to better learning!! 
  Team 2 Field Trip
I was honored to go to the "bank" yesterday with Team 2 students as they learned first-hand what is involved behind the scenes. Thanks to Mrs. Lanier for planning this field trip. Look to Team 2's link for more information!

Congratulations to Team 2 and Alex V

This year, 287 entries from 8 out of 10 schools participated in the 5 th Grade Annual Billboard Contest sponsored by OSS Solid Waste Division; more entries were turned in this year than ever.  Only 3 winners were chosen, and one of the winners is Alex Varela (from Team 2). Each winner will have their design displayed on an area billboard during the month of April.  Each winner also receives a sweatshirt made from recycled pop bottles and a mini billboard replica with their design.  There will also be one awarded to the school for display!

Alex's billboard design will be located either in downtown Tiffin or a location on Rt 18 between Tiffin and Fostoria sometime during the first week of April; the billboard will be up for most, if not all of the entire month.   Alex and his family will be invited to a community-wide Earth Day Celebration at Hedges-Boyer Park in Tiffin on Sunday, April 21st to receive his prizes along with the other two Seneca County winners.  Look for more announcements as the time draws near in a press release to the area newspapers.   

Congratulations to Team 2 teachers for encouraging their students to participate.  BCA has had 2 winners in the last three years!!

Congratulations to Ms. Miller and Students in Team 3
International Optimist Contest entries were received from 2 students on Team 3.  Please keep your fingers crossed that one of the two entries place.  Congrats to Sheniah Lanier and Maggie Pawsey for entering this contest! 

Bridges Beach Blast Fundraiser a SUCCESS!
How exciting that our Mid-Winter Beach Blast was a huge success but then to put it in the Advertiser-Tribune as well?  What an amazing testament for the dedication of our students, families, and staff at BCA.  Please follow the link to read all about the successful evening for Joel, Bridges, and our community!  In total, our Arts and Technology departments made well over $2500 in donations from our supportive community, families and staff members!  Thank you so much for your dedication and belief in Bridges!
http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/552686/Bridges-student-makes-musical-dream-come-true.html

OAPCS Visit- Last Friday, Marianne Lombardo and Jesse Truett, came to see what BCA is really all about!  The Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools has had a partnership with BCA since they began. We have been honored as a school leader and have attended many workshops and meetings to exchange ideas. The following comment was received after their visit, "I am so glad I finally had the opportunity to see your school and your committed staff in action. It is obvious that your school is run by caring professionals that are continually striving to do whatever it takes. It was a great pleasure to meet them.
Thanks staff and students for showing all we have going well!
Co-Exist Workshop-The Department of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences at Tiffin University hosted filmmaker Adam Mazo for a screening of his documentary Coexist onJanuary 31. As part of a community outreach, TU generously made Adam available to the area schools on Thursday morning, January 31st at 9:30.  Columbian principal Mark Verroco extended an invitation for BCA toparticipate in this unique opportunity to see the film and meet the filmmaker.  BCA sent 10 representatives to participate in the community outreach.  Check back later this week for updates about what the representatives experienced!

Welcome Back!  We are ready for the next semester and all of the educational opportunities it affords us!  Please note that the end of the quarter/first semester is Friday, January 11, 2013.

Next week there are conferences for those students who are at risk with either academics or attendance.  Please look for a letter to be sent home this week with an RSVP.  NOTE: This is a mandatory conference for those students who fall under the AT-RISK category.  If you would like to schedule a conference with your student's advisor, please make arrangements with the specific adviser. Mandatory meeting/conference with those students will be held Wednesday, January 16.  Thursday, January 17 conferences will be scheduled per the team adviser if necessary.

This is the last week before the Holiday Break. Please remind your children to stay calm, follow the rules and still enjoy all the classroom activities planned. Open communication is what we strive for at all times. Just let us know if you have any concerns or we can answer any questions.

Contest Winner Congratulations to Doug T in Team 2 for submitting his paper on Global Issues to the Cultural Center. Doug received a $20 gift card for his efforts in representing Team 2 and BCA

Peace Within The entire BCA staff and student body can only offer our "peace within" to the staff, families and students of Sandy Hook School. Please take a moment of silence to honor the hero staff members and the innocent children of this tragedy!

In the last Director's Report I mentioned all of the celebrations and congratulations going out for the following events; Fundraiser Pizza Party and Youth and Adult Asset Winners.  Please take some time to look at these great pictures from these two events in the slideshow gallery below!!

  Quiz Bowl- BCA's Quiz Bowl Team under the direction of Mrs. Wintersteen, are attending the Seneca County Quiz Bowl Tournament as I write this article.  Good luck to : Estrella, Andrew, Leah, Amanda, Maggie, Nick H., Sagan, Nathaniel and Haley as you represent BCA in this great community event! We will announce the tournament results soon.

Holiday Reminders-I hope that all BCA families take some time to relax and remember what this wonderful season is all about. With so many things to do and yet so little time to do it, the BCA staff will be trying to inform you of school happenings as soon as they have information.  The webpage and updated  weekly calendar should assist you in these activities and seasonal happenings as well.  Team and advisor communication is sent out regularly. Don't hesitate to call if you need assistance.

December 14- JOOI Club-There will be Cocoa and Goodies for the St. Francis Residents from 9:15-10:15 am in the gym. There will be caroling at 9:45 led by students with the residents and of course our very own Ms. Miller will be singing a holiday solo that always brings tears to my eyes!

December 21 Celebration- We are once again working on the seasonal program for the last day before winter break.  This year's emphasis will be a Season of Service devoted to the concept of giving back to many in the community as an outreach/community service.  This is a way of saying thank you to those who help so often throughout their lifetimes, and our only expectation is that the good deeds that are done throughout the community get paid forward to other individuals who may benefit from service as well!  We are asking for donated items such as clean, solid colored t-shirts, pillow cases, yarn, thread, and other crafting items for outreach items being hand-crafted.

Spirit Week and Bakery Boo Bingo Congratulations to everyone who participated in Spirit Week last week. It was so much fun and it was awesome to see so many staff and students dressed in appropriate daily themed costumes. The student body voted for the teachers and Ms. Smith and Mr. Putnam were chosen as the BEST! The teachers voted for the students and the winners were: Team 1-Count and Countess-Dennis W and Ezme S, Team 2-Dutch and Dutchess-William H and Jackie K, Team 3-Prince and Princess-Noah A and Haley P, Team 4-King and Queen- Patrick S and Estrella A. Please take some time to look at the many great pictures posted! Congratulations also to the JOOI Club for sponsoring a family evening full of fun and deliciousness! About 50 families came to enjoy the evening. The baked goods were unbelievable and the BINGO winners had a hard time deciding what one to choose. The BCA students' costumes were scary, creative and some were even beautiful! Winners of the costume contest were: Ezme S, Clair L, and Trenton (little brother of Danelle, Kaylee and Brianna M) The staff provided 11 crockpots of unique chili recipies for the Chili Cook Off. Everyone enjoyed tasting and voting on the grand prize winner. Mr. Kaufman's chili (Mrs. Kaufman's husband) took the trophy home and now he has to take her to the movies too! BCA Stoller Fundraiser Congratulations again! Over 40 students participated and BCA raised approximately $1800 for this first time fundraiser. Thanks to Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Stanko for all there help in getting this organized. OGT Testing is this week for Juniors and Seniors who need to pass portions of the test.  Please remember to encourage and support these students during this time of apprehension!

Three BCA staff members receive awards! 
Congratulations to Mr. Putnam, Ms. Miller and Mrs. Kohler. They have been nominated as Outstanding and Inspiring Educators by a former student from Bridges who now attends Heidelberg University in the Honors program. The acclaim from the President recognizes the efforts, dedication, and and expertise in the content as well as the lasting impact these educators have made on this student.  
Joint Solid Waste Management District Calendar Contest
Six students from the BCA art classes, under the direction of Mrs. Paradiso, have had their art entered into this exciting contest. The submissions were due last week on October 19th. They are now entered, and we are waiting to hear who the 1st and 2nd place winners are in grades 7 and 8 and in grades 9-12 in Seneca County. Great job Marissa B, Maggie P, Haley P, Daniel W, Patrick S and Brook K! As soon as we know if any of these students have been awarded a prize, a picture will be posted on the website.
Reminder-WAH next Thursday and Friday!!
November 1st and 2nd are work at home days for all students at BCA! Professional Development and Teaming time is extremely valuable for teachers so that every student can be successful. We are very thankful to have this time together to better educate every child at BCA as they use a digital curriculum and technology to complete their assignments. Please suggest to your child that they start this work early so they can get it completed as required. Five hours of work is required each day. These dates were chosen to coincide with Tiffin City as there is no bussing due to Tiffin City Parent Teacher Conferences.  

 Biology LabOn Wednesday, Mrs. Angles biology students attended their first lab this year at Heidelberg University. According to Mrs. Angles and Ms. Marshall the students were well prepared and demonstrated BCA excellence as they were involved in this experience. The partnership between BCA and Heidelberg is a model of Innovative Education. Our high school students get and opportunity that isn't offered to any other students in the area. They experience first hand, what is expected on a college campus and in a laboratory setting! They start off with microscopes and continue with fetal pigs dissections and get to go to the cadaver lab too. Thanks to Dr. Bob Murray, a member of the BCA Governing Authority for promoting this effort for the past 5 years!!
Quiz Bowl
Good Luck to the BCA Quiz Bowl Team under the direction of Mrs. Wintersteen. They will be participating in the second round of competition on Monday, October 15th at North Central Academy. Bring home some more WINS!
Spirit Week and Bakery Boo Bingo
Having SPIRIT is so much more then just being involved in sports! We are all looking foward to a fun, upcoming week! The staff at BCA will be involved in Spirit Week with the students (just look at the themes listed), and you'll see why! We will end the week cooking chili and participating in the Friday evening event! We hope to see you all there!