Painting © 1995 Woody Jackson
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About Bridge School
Bridge School is an independent, state approved, not-for-profit, elementary school located in Middlebury, Vermont, in a former dairy barn. We have been in operation for over twenty-five years. Our enrollment is approximately 65 children.
Bridge School values respect for individuals in an environment of kindness and helping others. This is promoted by many mixed-age classes, choices, the arts, and the children having the same group of teachers for all of their seven years.
The school is governed by the teachers and a parent advisory board. Many parents volunteer at the school in a variety of capacities, from classroom assistants to morning greeters.
Facilities include a gym/theater, a cataloged library, a shop/greenhouse, six classrooms, and fifteen networked computers. Outdoor spaces include a regulation size soccer field, a skating rink in the winter, a small stream and pond, and climbing, swinging, and sliding structures. There are after-school programs in soccer and basketball.
Principals
Bridge School has four co-principals: they are the founders, Bobbi Loney, Gerry Loney, Kathy Nessen, and Dick Nessen. Each of them has specific administrative responsibilities. Parents may talk with a principal if they have questions or if they have been unable to resolve an issue with a home center teacher.
Administrative Associate
Our administrative associate is Nancy Cyr. Besides being the person at the desk, Nancy can answer most questions or advise whom you should talk to.
Home Center Teachers
There are five home center teachers: Gerry Loney, Dick Nessen, Kathy Nessen, Diane Hare, and Sharon Pinsonneault. Any question about your child should be brought to them.
Staff
The staff consists of the home center teachers, Bobbi Loney teaching part-time, the administrative associate, and part-time teacher Kimberly Waterman. They meet every Tuesday for two hours, as well as in-service days. They are responsible for all decisions relating to students, curriculum, and staffing.
Board of Directors
Bridge School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It is governed by a corporate board which consists of the four founders. They approve the actions of the Advisory Council.
Advisory Council
The Advisory Council consists of the four principals, the administrative associate, and seven parents and/or community members. They meet the second Thursday of each month. New members are invited by the sitting council and are encouraged to serve a minimum of two years. Decisions of the council are reached by consensus. There is a facilitator whose job it is to hold the council's agenda and facilitate its operation. There is a financial advisor who, with Nancy, helps create the annual budget and who attempts to create financial structures and vehicles that best serve the school.
The council's major role is with the financial life of the school. They recommend the budget and exercise monthly oversight. The council helps decide how much scholarship assistance the school can award and helps set fund raising goals.
The council helps establish priorities for capital improvements and reviews plans for completing them. They explore ways to fundraise for scholarships and capital needs and help organize those efforts. They also review enrollment goals and help achieve them.
Outside of curricular, pedagogical, and staffing issues, the advisory council is involved with the complete operation of the school. They are a sounding board and offer ideas and opinions. They are doing long-range planning for the future of the school. The council brings suggestions, requests, and issues raised by parents or community members.
This year's advisory council members and their areas of responsibilities are:
| Kim Moyer | Facilitator and Community Service |
| Chris Plunkett | Recorder |
| Lawrence Miller | Treasurer and Scholarship |
| Susan Bechhoefer | Fund Raising |
| J'Amy Allen | Public Relations |
| Andy Dregallo | Building and Grounds |
| Becky Trombley | Enrollment and Scholarship |
| Nancy Cyr Bobbi Loney Gerry Loney Dick Nessen Kathy Nessen | Staff/Founders |
orientation, national origin, religion, or disability in its admissions, scholarships, or staffing.