Brunswick School Department

A Special thank you to the members of our Strategic Planning Committee. The time, energy, and positivity is inspiring. Please remember to complete the strategic planning survey - every voice is important - the survey is available in multiple languages on our website and newsletters.

Employee Spotlight: Kevin Shaw Special Ed Teacher, Brunswick High School Kevin is originally from Cape Elizabeth. He is married to his wife, Jennifer. Together they have six children - four have already graduated college, one is a senior in college and one is a sophomore in high school. They also have three golden doodles - Petey, Annie and Tatum. Kevin received his undergraduate degree from USM and then continued on to earn his Masters from the University of Southern Mississippi. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud Academic pride and acceptance of all learners. Favorite line from a movie? "Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” ...You guess the movie! If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Tie between Larry Bird or Dan Marino. What is something you learned in the last week? Don’t throw away your son's Pokémon cards, some of the cards are really worth a lot of money!!

Employee Spotlight: Grace Gilbert First Grade Teacher, Kate Furbish Elementary School Grace is originally from North Yarmouth, Maine, and attended Denison University with a degree in Bluegrass Music and History. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud I love how collaborative this community is! What do you like to do outside of work for fun? I love to be outside in nature, usually hiking or on the water, and I love to knit! I also love to play music and sing. Favorite line from a movie? You're not hardcore unless you live hardcore! If you would meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? I would want to meet Dolly Parton. I love her music, her commitment to children's literacy, and her amazing style! What is something you learned in the last week? I learned how to make different varieties of pickles with the cucumbers and peppers from my garden!

Employee Spotlight: Grace Gilbert First Grade Teacher, Kate Furbish Elementary School Grace is originally from North Yarmouth, Maine, and attended Denison University with a degree in Bluegrass Music and History. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud I love how collaborative this community is! What do you like to do outside of work for fun? I love to be outside in nature, usually hiking or on the water, and I love to knit! I also love to play music and sing. Favorite line from a movie? You're not hardcore unless you live hardcore! If you would meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? I would want to meet Dolly Parton. I love her music, her commitment to children's literacy, and her amazing style! What is something you learned in the last week? I learned how to make different varieties of pickles with the cucumbers and peppers from my garden!

Strategic Planning Survey The BSD is developing a strategic plan and wants to know how students, parents, and staff perceive the district’s current performance in various areas and what they think the district should prioritize moving forward. Your responses will help BSD understand your needs so we can best serve you. The purpose of the survey will be to get feedback in order to remain committed to an inclusive, transparent strategic planning process. If you have any questions, please contact info@brunswicksd.org Visit this link to take the survey: https://hanover-research.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKuIsXL6RsFgXem

Today in Kindergarten we discussed self-portraits! #teambrunswickme #kindergarten #selfportrait #mainepublicschools #elementaryteacher

This week is National School Bus Safety Week and on Friday, 10/14/22 both the Community for Furbish and Stowe Parent Group had driver appreciation day here at the garage. The drivers really appreciated it! #teambrunswickme #bsdbusdriversrunondunkin

This week is National School Bus Safety Week. Brunswick Schools reminds students, parents, teachers, and the community to keep school bus safety at the forefront. #NSBSW2022 #ZeroInOnBusSafety

Dear Staff, Students, and Parents, Fall in Maine is spectacular, and this has been no exception. I am, however, writing to let you know about our plans for when our weather impacts our ability to open school safely. The plan again for the 2022-2023 school year is to follow a traditional snow day model. Remote learning days may be considered if the district exceeds the five snow days built into the school calendar. Below you will find our plan to notify staff, students and parents. Notifications If inclement weather is forecasted, we will strive to decide and notify families the day before a cancellation. We will also notify families the morning of a cancellation via telephone, text message, and email (if you do not currently receive notifications, please get in touch with your student’s building secretary to update your contact preferences). We will post notifications via radio (99.5 WCME) and television (WCSH 6, WMTW 8, and WGME 13) outlets. Parents, Staff, and Students may also use the following social media sites for up-to-date information: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilPotenziano Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brunswick-School-Department-896342617067005/ Instagram: @brunswickmesup Website: www.brunswicksd.org Other Closures and Cancellations If concerns develop during the school day about the ability to travel safely in the afternoon or evening, after-school activities will be canceled. This will include clubs, performances, practices, competitions, and meetings. If an emergency condition arises during the school day (such as no heat, water, or electricity in a building), there may be an early dismissal and closure. Brunswick School Department will always do its best to make the right call. However, please know we understand that the parent/guardian always makes the final decisions regarding the safety of their student(s). Therefore, if there is ever a circumstance where school has not been canceled or delayed, yet you feel it is best to keep your child home because of road conditions, we respect your decision to do so. Wishing you a safe and enjoyable winter weather season. Sincerely, Phillip J. Potenziano, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

Employee Spotlight: Stephen Angell, District Computer Technician Stephen grew up in North Smithfield, RI and attended the University of Rhode Island. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud I take pride in providing excellent technical services to all the teachers, students, and staff. What do you like to do outside of work for fun? I walk the many trails in beautiful Maine. Favorite line from a movie? “She could not understand him; the words were indeed remote. Yet as he spoke the darkness was withdrawn, veil after veil, and she saw to the bottom of her soul.” If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? My father's father. What is something you learned un the last week? The James Webb Space Telescope takes breathtaking image (see image).

Employee Spotlight: Kimberlee Dietlin Math Coach, Harriet Beecher Stowe School Kimberlee has a son named Jordan who is 6 years old. They have a cat named Bandit and a bunny named Nibbles. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud The Brunswick community is very supportive of educators and what is best for kids. What do you like to do outside of work for fun? Paddle board, travel, yoga and spending time with my son. Favorite line from a movie? Stop looking at me, Swan. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Betty White What is something you learned in the last week? If you put onions in the freezer for 15 minutes before cutting them you won't cry.

Employee Spotlight: Cathy Normand, Transportation Specialist Cathy grew up in New Bedford, Massachusetts. She has 4 children and 5 grandchildren. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud My fellow employees. What do you like to do outside of work for fun? Genealogy, cross stitch, crochet, reading Favorite line from a movie? Wish I had a million dollars, hot dog! If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Joshua L. Chamberlain What is something you learned in the last week? How to put my school bus route together.

Employee Spotlight: Amy White Social Studies Teacher, Brunswick High School Amy is from Plymouth, Maine and Graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington. She is married and together they have two adopted cats! What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud Brunswick is a strong and welcoming community, with so many opportunities and fun things to do! What do you like to do for fun outside of work? I like to read, go for walks or (easy) hikes, cook new recipes, and play video games like Legend of Zelda. Favorite line from a movie? I can't think of one from a movie, but one of my favorite lines from The Office is - "There’s a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn’t that kind of the point?" (Pam, in the last season) If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Eleanor Roosevelt What is something you learned in the last week? I've been learning about Greek Mythology in the last week! I've read a couple fiction novels based on Greek Mythology that's lead to me doing some research into the origins of some of the characters and stories. There are SO many gods and goddesses that it's easy to forget some of them or their specific roles. I've been reading about Persephone, Hades, Thanatos, Demeter, and a lot of the minor characters, too.

As we prepare for another busy weekend of sporting events & activities, I’d like to give a shout out to Cynthia Hilton. Cynthia is a bus driver & grounds keeper at BHS. Quite simply she is amazing. Never stops moving is always working and has a ready smile. Thank You

Good evening, TV3 is having technical difficulties tonight. To watch the School Board Workshop on BHS Student Engagement, please join us through the Zoom Webinar at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86516158822?pwd=N2pWSTNXMGo0dXNCRVdRMGpxL3FjZz09 Passcode: a3J7iy

The BSD School-Based Technology Integrators are some of the best in their field. The Tech Tuesday feature is another way they support our staff and get the job done! #integrators #school #technology #teambrunswickme

Employee Spotlight: Jenna Block Fourth Grade Teacher, Harriet Beecher Stowe School Jenna is from Scarborough and has six older siblings that now live in various states across the US. Jenna and her siblings reunite every year to run the Beach to Beacon in August! She also has a border collie puppy named Benny. What makes your proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud I'm so proud to work alongside other kind, caring, and compassionate educators and community members who would do anything for their students. What do you like to do outside of work for fun? I love being outside, going on adventures, and traveling! I enjoy playing pickleball with my family, spending time by the water, skiing in the winter months, and going on walks with Benny! I'm also a certified scuba diver and I love sharing my knowledge of marine life and conservation efforts with my students. Favorite line from a movie? "Have courage and be kind." -Cinderella If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Jennifer Aniston! What is something you learned in the last week? I learned how to throw pottery on a pottery wheel and it's one of my new favorite activities!

Notification: District Update Regarding Status of Lead Water Sampling Results. View notification here: ow.ly/cev350KHhGk

We are seeking your input on the development of the 2023-2024 school calendar. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback with the BSD. Ultimately, it is the decision of the Brunswick School Board in establishing the school calendar. The BSD Administration and School Board values your input in this process. Take the survey here: http://ow.ly/43BV50KFwMc Survey will close on Friday, September 16, 2022