BRIDGEPORT – The multipurpose Bridge facility is already making an impression, having opened its doors this school year on Bridgeport Exempted Village School District campus, and more lives will be improved as the Bridge acts as a hub of services.
Bridge Director Trina Kropka reported on activities to the Board of Education Sept. 23. Kropka said the career and technical education classes have been busy, with veterinary students now constructing snake enclosures and other students joining in clipping animals’ nails. Learners are taking to the hands-on lessons.
“Things are picking up at the Bridge for sure,” she said. “I’m really impressed with the kids.”
Eighth graders are also making progress in the CTE tracks. Kropka has noticed them getting accustomed to technical and medical terminology.
“It’s fun to watch them dive in.”
Kropka reported the public is also making good use of the walking track. There are close to a dozen daily regulars in a wide cross-section.
“Some of them come with their canes, some of them come with their babies.”
The walking track is free to the public. Kropka also proposed an idea for future “walk and talk” outreach, where the public will be able to walk the track along with district leaders and officials, teachers, student athletes and others, and discuss matters.
In addition, senior citizens have taken up pickleball on the weekends. The golf simulators are also being promoted.
Kropka added Cole Smelley’s Dog Pound fitness center is another popular site, with more than 80 members so far.
“Word of mouth is getting out there.”
She said even more activity is expected as fall continues and moves into winter. Community events are being scheduled, including a possible craft show and car show in May.
The district website will also be a useful guide with links to different Bridge services coming soon.
Kropka said there are more services to come. TE Learning Center day careis preparing to open, with about nine children signed up so far and expectations that number will grow to 30 once it is officially opened.
Likewise, Kropka said WVU Medicine is close to opening its clinic.
“They’re fully-staffed and ready to go,” she said. The clinic will likely be offered Mondays and Wednesdays. “There’s been a lot of interest from the community.”
She said following inquiries from the public, WVU Medicine may include lab draws once a month.
Even more additions are possible. Ameridrive has contacted Kropka to inquire about driver’s education classes.
Meanwhile, free haircuts for kiddos have started Sept. 17 and will be offered every other Thursday.
The Giacinta’s coffee shop plans to open the first full week of October.
In other matters, district leaders heard from Curriculum Director Leslie Kosanovic, who reviewed the state report card. The commitment to excel is bearing fruit at Bridgeport Schools. Kosanovic reported the overall rating of 3 was unchanged from last year, but with improvements in fields such as Early Literacy and College Career Workforce and Military Readiness.
“Lots of members of the team have put in a lot of hard work and effort into all of these,” Kosanovic said. “Looking at elementary and middle and high school, all of them made improvements, none more so however than the elementary.”
She pointed out the elementary stands at 4.5 of 5 stars, scoring 5 in Achievement, 3 in Progress, a 5 in Gap Closing and 3 in Early Literacy.
“The elementary did very, very well this year.”
Board member Ryan Kreiter was proud of the elementary classes, adding 4.5 stars is the highest in the countyand third and fourth grade test results for math and English and Language Arts is 27% higher than the state average.
Meanwhile the middle schoolers, who take more tests than other grade levels, saw their Gap Closing score move to 2 from 1.
“That’s great celebrating, considering what gap closing measures.”
Superintendent Brent Ripley noted the district has also secured grant funding from the state to pay for a middle school math tutor.
High school overall increased from 2.5 to 3 stars. College Career Workforce remained 4 stars but went up by 6 percentage points, considering the industry recognized credentials the students are earning, such as honors diplomas and work-based learning hours.
Ripley added that the College Credit Plus program has been growing each year. Currently one ninth grader is taking College Credit Plus, seven 10th graders, 26 juniors and 34 seniors are all involved with CCP at no cost to families.
“That number’s going to continue to evolve and continue to grow over time,” Ripley said.
The district will pursue its mission to put students on a path to employment or the next stage of their education upon graduating.
Kosanovic thanked the board member for their support. She added that she is also working with the new teachers.
“We have some really great new teachers that it is my pleasure to continue to support every day. They’re doing an amazing job,” she said.
