Brunswick School Department

Brunswick students who participated in a 12-week residency with the @thetellingroom received their published book Clearly, There Is Something Wrong. Our students wrote short stories and poems as part of the collection! The Telling Room is a local organization that works to empower youth through writing and sharing their voices with the world. As a literary arts education organization, they work with young writers ages 6 to 18, helping to build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and provide real audiences for our students. #teambrunswickme #studentpoetry #maineliterature #brunswickmaine #ourstories #thetellingroom

On this installment of the Brunswick Buzz, we talk to students and staff from the Brunswick Junior High School's Community Outreach class. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-cxupw-1504855 Join us as we engage in insightful conversations with diverse students, exploring their personal journeys. Listen to get an understanding of how these students step out of their comfort zones to enhance their community. Learn how this innovative program provides hands-on experiences, and tune in and discover how our Community Outreach class is making Brunswick Schools and Community a better place! If you are interested in partnering with our BJHS Community Outreach Class, please contact Bonnie Robbins at brobbins@brunswicksd.org. We are grateful to all of our community partners!

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends, I am grateful for our students, their voices inspire me daily. I’m Thankful for our teachers, support staff, and all our employees, who are committed to ensuring our students receive an excellent education! And I am heartened by the resiliency of our families. Thank you for supporting the Brunswick School Department. Happy Thanksgiving. #teambrunswickme

Last week, I was invited to the first-ever BHS health education Healthy Relationships Symposium! It was a positive, high-energy event where students spent the day immersed in understanding relationship dynamics while developing skills to help create and maintain healthy and supportive relationships in their lives. Maine Health opened its doors to host this event while five different local organizations worked with the students to enhance their learning experience. Overall, it was an empowering experience for all who attended. This fun and uplifting event reaffirmed that...Healthy Relationships Rock! Huge shout out to Health Teacher - Stacey Vannah for making this happen. #teambrunswickme

Congratulations Michael Spaulding on receiving the Transportation Department's Schootles Award! Michael is currently one of our van drivers and he is training to obtain his bus license to become a school bus driver! He was nominated for: "Being a go-getter with a positive attitude, he will do anything that's asked of him and a lot of things that aren't his responsibility. If Michael sees something that needs to be done he just does it!!"

Employee Spotlight: Maria Rier -French and Spanish Teacher at BHS Maria has three children who live in various towns from Portland to Brunswick. She also has two energetic grandchildren who keep her throughly entertained and her stepdaughter and granddaughter live on the west coast in "the other Portland". Maria is originally from Massachusetts and attended Mount Holyoke College and later received her Masters Degree from UMaine Orono. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud I'm proud to be able to join this welcoming and professional faculty and school community! What do you like to do outside of work for fun? I like to cook, go for walks, listen to music, and read. I attend fitness classes for fun and to challenge myself. I'm looking forward to exploring the Brunswick area in my free time. What is your favorite line from a movie? "C'est une expérience à tenter un poète." ("This is an experience to tempt a poet.") I'm hoping to have many such experiences at BHS! If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? I would like to meet Greta Thunberg, the environmental activist and amazing young person. What is something you learned in the last week? I learned that a woodchuck is the same thing as a groundhog, and also goes by the name of "whistle pig." By whatever name, there is one living in my backyard.

Congratulations to the first-quarter Region 10 students! The first quarter is an important time full of new experiences, challenges, and growth. Keep up the great work! Ethan Pinette - Automotive Technology; Elijah Hoisington - Culinary Arts; Tiegan McAllister - EMT; Merill Noetzel - Outdoor Powersports; Addison Wintle - Pre-Apprenticeship. Remember to take some time over the upcoming break to relax and recharge. You've earned it! Enjoy this milestone, and get pumped for an amazing rest of the school year! Go Dragons! #firstquarter #highschool #region10 #celebrate #teambrunswickme

BRUNSWICK IN THE NEWS: Congratulations to BHS Science Teacher, Andrew McCullough on being awarded the Common Good Award from Bowdoin College. Each year, Bowdoin’s Education Department presents the Education for the Common Good Award to a local educator who embodies the three core values that guide Bowdoin's Education Department: *Be aware of the big picture *Embrace theory and practice *Live in and model a spirit of inquiry Congratulations Mr. McCullough!

Congratulations Will Farschon and Will Dodge on receiving this year's JV and Varsity Golf Coaches' Awards! Way to go! #BHSGolf #GoDragons

Employee Spotlight: Kate DeBlois, Speech-Language Pathologist Kate is originally from Waterville. She attended the University of Maine at Orono for her undergraduate and graduate degrees. While she attended Orono, she played on the Women's Ice Hockey Team! Kate is married to her husband, Nick and they have one son named Theo. They also have a family dog named Brooks. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud I am proud to be a part of a school community that is full of welcoming and encouraging staff. I am also so excited to be a part of a dedicated and supportive team of speech-language pathologists. What do you like to do outside of work for fun? I love spending time outdoors, playing ice hockey, and visiting new places in Maine. What is your favorite line from a movie? “You’re a wizard, Harry.” -Harry Potter and the Socerer’s Stone If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Taylor Swift What is something you learned in the last week? Low-bush blueberries have 2x the antioxidants of high-bush blueberries.

Huge shout-out to Mr. Driscoll for his assistance with the fitness club at BHS. The fitness club was looking for blank weights to be created to teach students basic movements associated with weight lifting without having to use heavy weights. Before the club was finished meeting for the day, Mr. Driscoll delivered the blanks to them. Thanks for the support Mr. Driscoll!

A recent Newscenter Maine Story highlights one student's journey to the Brunswick Soccer Field. Around 10 new Mainers played in the Brunswick High School boys' soccer program this year, giving the group a much-needed boost. https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/sports/local-sports/maine-high-school-in-brunswick-thriving-with-new-teens-in-soccer-program/97-ff1c5d5d-cf41-4237-a901-b3123cff9e9e

On this Veterans Day, we honor those who honored our country with its highest form of service: Those who once wore the uniform of our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. We owe you our thanks. We owe you our respect. And we owe you our freedom. Friendly reminder that all schools and district offices are closed today, Friday, November 10th, in observance of Veterans Day. #teambrunswickme

🚴‍♂️👟 Yesterday was an exciting day at Kate Furbish Elementary celebrating Bike and Walk to School Day! Huge thanks to all the volunteers, staff, and Brunswick Superintendent central office staff for making it a fun and safe event! 🙌 #CommunityStrong #teambrunswickme

📣 Meet Jake, a BHS Senior. Jake is a second-year Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC) member, and I'm excited to introduce him to all of you. Jake is passionate about positive change in our schools! He is dedicated to helping improve the student experience and is committed to supporting all BHS students! 📚✨ When asked why he wanted to be part of the SSAC, Jake shared: "I wanted to be a part of SSAC to give ALL our students a voice." Join us in welcoming Jake, and stay tuned - to see his ideas become reality! 🙌💡 #StudentLeadership #studentvoice #EducationMatters #SSACMember #ChangeMakers #Teambrunswickme #SchoolSuperintendent #MaineSchoolSuperintendent

📣 Meet Coco, a BHS Senior. Coco is a third-year Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC) member, and I'm excited to introduce her to all of you. Coco is passionate about positive change in our schools! She is dedicated to helping improve the student experience and is committed to supporting all BHS students! 📚✨ When asked why she wanted to be part of the SSAC, Coco shared: "I love being a part of enhancing the student voice with the school and district administration. I want to be part of trying to establish a new change in our school for the future Brunswick dragons! " Join us in welcoming Coco, and stay tuned - to see her ideas become reality! 🙌💡 #StudentLeadership #studentvoice #EducationMatters #SSACMember #ChangeMakers #Teambrunswickme #SchoolSuperintendent #MaineSchoolSuperintendent

Employee Spotlight - Mindy Kebles: Second Grade Teacher at Kate Furbish Elementary School Mindy grew up in Bath and attended the University of Maine. Her and her husband, Jeremy, have a 13 year old daughter named Kasey. Together they have two dogs and three cats. They currently reside in Georgetown. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud Everyone is so passionate! What do you like to do outside of work for fun? My favorite place to go is the beach! I also enjoy shopping and hiking. What is your favorite line from a movie? "If you're a bird, I'm a bird" - The Notebook If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? TAYLOR SWIFT! What is something you learned in the last week? Avacados are large berries.

📣 Meet Coco, a BHS Sophomore. Coco is a second-year Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC) member, and I'm excited to introduce her to all of you. Coco is passionate about positive change in our schools. She is dedicated to helping improve the student experience and is committed to supporting ALL BHS students! 📚✨ When asked why she wanted to be part of the SSAC, Coco shared: "I want to be able to help share my peers' voices and opinions. I believe students' voices are vital to decision-making, and I wanted to be able to share my thoughts!" Join us in welcoming Coco back for another year, and stay tuned - to see her ideas become reality! 🙌💡 #StudentLeadership #studentvoice #EducationMatters #SSACMember #ChangeMakers #Teambrunswickme #SchoolSuperintendent #MaineSchoolSuperintendent

📣 Meet Annabelle, a BHS Junior. Annabelle is a first-year Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC) member, and I'm excited to introduce her to all of you. Annabelle is passionate about positive change in our schools, including Region 10. She is dedicated to helping improve the student experience and is committed to supporting all BHS and Region 10 CTE students! 📚✨ When asked why she wanted to be part of the SSAC, Annabelle shared: "I wanted to be a member of the SSAC to show the opportunity that Brunswick High School put out for the students and community. There are multiple community service options for students, and being a member of SSAC allows me to show students what they can do in their community. " Join us in welcoming Annabelle, and stay tuned - to see her ideas become reality! 🙌💡 #StudentLeadership #studentvoice #EducationMatters #SSACMember #ChangeMakers #Teambrunswickme #SchoolSuperintendent #MaineSchoolSuperintendent

📣 Meet Freida , a BHS Junior. Freida is a first-year Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC) member, and I'm excited to introduce her to all of you. Freida is a passionate advocate for positive change in our schools. She is dedicated to helping improve the student experience and is committed to supporting all students! 📚✨ When asked why she wanted to be part of the SSAC, Freida shared: "I want to be able to represent my classmates and also have a say in the decisions the Superintendent makes for the students and school." Join us in welcoming Freida, and stay tuned - to see her ideas become reality! 🙌💡 #StudentLeadership #studentvoice #EducationMatters #SSACMember #ChangeMakers #Teambrunswickme #SchoolSuperintendent #MaineSchoolSuperintendent