Bridges students are active on and off campus!

Student Council

Our 2005-2006 student council elections were conducted and the following were elected:

• Travis Michael-President
• Miriam Leserman-Vice President
• Stephanie Garris-Secretary
• David Lorant-Treasurer

This year the student council will focus on writing a Constitution and Amendments that can be passed on year after year. The council also is considering a new process of selecting grade representatives. The annual Walk-a-thon has been moved to the Spring to allow the council more time to prepare and make this year’s event the best ever.

Bridges Key Club

A few weeks ago, we announced that the Student Guide Program has been expanded and renamed the Bridges Key Club.

The Key Club will provide our students additional opportunities to serve and develop leadership and social skills. Members will continue to work as student guides and assist with Open Houses. They also will help with set-up and clean-up, serve as ushers, distribute programs, etc. for school events such as Middle School Promotion, High School Graduation, and the drama and music performances. They will serve as cooks and help organize and implement games and activities at school picnics and Beach Day. They will help new students make the transition into Bridges. They will assist the Student Council, Faculty and Staff. They will be ambassadors for Bridges Academy.

Since the inception of the Key Club, the following students have already served:

Chris Colabella, Doc Hayman, Stephen Spitzer, Robin Hedvat, Ezra Bergstein and Gabriel Boros have been student guides for applicant visitors.

Stephanie Garris answers the phones and covers the front desk in the early afternoon so that Lori Bright can have a well-deserved lunch break.

Gabriel Aira helped the admissions office with a huge mail-out for the Professional Open House in February; and Griffin Dean helped carry sacks and boxes of donated goods upstairs during the Valley Food Bank drive.

Miriam Leserman, Charles Kosoy, Jake Fiskin, Doc Hayman, Miles Nelson, Kevin Brennan, Alec Gellis, Justin Kleiman, Daniel Zuker, Josh Atlas, Dylan Boroczi, Oliver Berger, Elan Kaplan, Rachel Jackson and Jason Yanakis helped the Parents Association with its Hip Hop social by assisting with decorations and generating interest in the event.

Disaster Relief Efforts

In response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, students from several classes met and chose projects to help provide relief to those left homeless. Parents sent in baked goods for a bake sale that was held during breaks and lunch. The 6th Grade class made support buttons that were sold to students, faculty, staff and parents. All the proceeds from the bake sale and sale of the buttons went to a relief agency. The 10th grade clothing drive was cancelled because relief agencies reported receiving more than they could use. However, the students collected canned food and ready-to-eat packaged food and disposable diapers. Thank you for your generosity and your support.

Toy Drive

Last year, as part of the Holiday Toy Drive, the sixth grade initiated the Make Your Own Toy Drive. According to Sydney Frank, who spearheaded the project, the students brought in an assortment of toys, took them apart, and reassembled them as entirely new toys. Sydney and her classmates are doing the program again this year as 7th graders, and have invited the rest of the school to participate. The program can extend beyond the holidays, with deliveries made to hospitals and other care facilities. Congratulations on this inventive and generous idea!