Brunswick School Department

The BSD is fortunate to have the support of many amazing businesses. In particular, we'd like to thank Wild Oats Cafe & Bakery for donating gift cards to our entire staff! It has been a challenging two years, & we sincerely appreciate the generosity. Thank You. @wildoatsbakery

World Strides Music Festival Results - were just shared with me! BHS students who traveled to the World Strides Music Festival had an incredible showing: * Wind Ensemble: Gold First Place * Wind Ensemble: Adjudicator Award * Treble Choir: Gold First Place * Treble Choir: Adjudicator Award * Chamber choir: Gold Second Place * Band: Highest Score Award Individual Awards for Excellence: * Marguerite Benham * Kai Gillespie * Nolan Marblestone I’m told it was an amazing experience for our kids! Over the course of this trip, they were exposed to so many positive things that have nothing to do with music, but everything to do with LIFE:  They learned new skills, developed greater independence, overcome adversity, and discovered how to navigate the world and regulate their own emotions.  They have gained an appreciation of American history, they were exposed to diversity in all of its forms and the broader context of American life. This week has given them the sorely needed  time and opportunity to develop strong bonds with one another, and most importantly, TO HAVE FUN. A lifetime of positive memories has been created during this trip! #teambrunswickme #music #Aprilbreak #worldstridesmusicfestival

BSD Transportation Director, Michelle Caron, started an Adult League Dodgeball team via the Brunswick Rec. Department. They have 6 transportation staff on the team including Michelle. Aaron Watson, BSD HS AD, donated t-shirts with the BHS dragon logo for the entire team of 12 adults! Michelle reports they have had a blast playing dodgeball and had many, many laughs, great competitions, and tons of fun! Recently, bus driver Betty Keith's children came to a game to cheer her on! Who knew DodgeBall Fans were this INTENSE!! Rumor has it the next team sport will an Adult Kickball League! I want thank Michelle for working hard to create a true team atmosphere at the BSD Transportation Department! #teambrunswickme #dodgeball @brunswickmaine #maine #maineschoolbusdrivers #adultdodgeball

Today is Elmer Glu's 1st B-Day! Both students & adults smile when they see Elmer coming down the hallway. Elmer is assisting in breaking down barriers...he brings a commonality that people can relate to… a pet & the unconditional love they give. #teambrunswickme #happybirthday

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires students identified with a disability to have an Individual Education Plan. Here's an infographic for Brunswick IEP meetings.

Congratulations to those students who participated in the Maine State Science Fair this past weekend. There were two Brunswick students who received Category Awards! Congratulations to Maia Pietraho for placing 3rd in Computer Science and Brady McQuaid for placing 1st in Engineering. Jacob Scrapchansky participated in the Computer Science category and IIsa Tucker competed in Animal Science. Way to go! #BSDProud

I’m a little late but National Assistant Principal Week started yesterday! Please join me in recognizing our four Amazing APs! Your service is an invaluable support to school leaders, educators, and families. THANK YOU! #teambrunswickme #APWeek2022

Employee Spotlight: April Doane Special Education Teacher, Brunswick High School April lives with her daughter, mother and their dog, Mango. Mango is a rescue dog from Puerto Rico! She attended Husson College as well as the University of Presque Isle. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud The overwhelming support from faculty and staff. What do you like to do outside of work for fun? I love to hike, garden and mostly go to the beach. What is your favorite line from a movie? "Life's like a box of chocolates, never know what you're gonna get." - Forrest Gump If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Harriet Tubman What is something you learned in the last week? Every day brings a new challenge.

Employee Spotlight: Amy Crosby Art Teacher, Kate Furbish Elementary School Amy grew up in Orono and currently lives in Durham with her husband Nick, daughter Scout, dog Dustin and six geriatric freeloading hens. She attended the University of Maine at Orono for her undergraduate degree and recently decided to go back to UMO for her masters! What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud I love how supportive the community is of the arts. I've never felt such warm and genuine encouragement and gratitude than I do here. What do you like to do outside work for fun? Painting dog portraits, gardening, hiking, biking, swimming, and playing the banjo (albeit poorly.) What is something you learned in the last week? The national animal of Scotland is a unicorn!

School Board Special Meeting Wednesday, March 30, 2022 7PM PUBLIC FORUM ON THE BUDGET To be held at the Town Hall, 85 Union Street

Steven Cumback was awarded his second Schooltles Award this year from our Transportation Department. The anonymous nominee stated "Steven is always pitching in and doing a lot of extra stuff without being asked. He is motivated and selfless." Way to go, Steven!! #BSDProud

Employee Spotlight: Kim Jordan Pre-K Teacher, Kate Furbish Elementary School Kim grew up in Portland and attended the Art Institute of Boston for her undergraduate degree. She then continued on to Lesley University for her Masters degree in Education. She is married to her husband Pat and together they have two children, Forrest (4 years old) and Harland (1 year old). What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud I am proud to work in Brunswick because of the strong community of educators I am a part of. What do you like to do outside of work for fun? Create art, cross country ski, hike, garden and cook. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? My grandmother. The stories I have heard about her are fascinating and I feel like I could have learned so much from her.

Huge thank you to Mid Coast Hunger and our school social work staff for their support in opening the Coffin School Pantry! The Pantry will be open on Thursdays from 3:00-5:00pm for those Brunswick residents with school-aged children. Dry goods, dairy, eggs, meat, and fresh produce will all be offered weekly! No appointment necessary.

Employee Spotlight: Mike McCaffrey Varsity Baseball Head Coach & JV Boys Basketball Coach, Brunswick High School Mike and his wife, Kelly, have three sons, Quin who is 17, Collin is 16 and Cameron is 10 years old. They have family dog named Niner. Mike attended Husson University and received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and is currently working on his graduate degree from Thomas College in Human Resource Management. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud Supportive Community, great kids, constructive environment. What do you like to do outside of work for fun? Sports Photography, Live action photos and digital design. What is your favorite line from a movie? "There's no crying in Baseball" - A League of their Own If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Jesus Christ What is something you leaned in the last week? Orcas, otherwise known as Killer Whales, use teamwork to hunt Blue Whales, the largest species on the planet. The scientific proof was released last week by scientists writing in the Marine Mammal Science Journal. Three incidents confirmed the Biggest Predation Event on the Planet off the Western Australia's Bremer Bay.

After the district’s most recent strategic plan ended in the 2020-2021 school year. The BSD leadership & the School Board began preparing for a new strategic planning process. The BSD is pleased to announce we are partnering with Hanover Research as our strategic planning partner. We have begun the process by surveying internal stakeholders and will be providing many opportunities for stakeholder input (Staff, Students, Parents, and the greater Community) Stay Tuned for more information. #Teambrunswickme #Strategicplanning #Maine #Brunswickmaine #planequalssuccess

Brunswick Fire Fighter, Jason Abbott, demonstrated his gear as part of a safety lesson at Kate Furbish Elementary School this month.

Employee Spotlight: Kyla McCann Kindergarten Teacher, Kate Furbish Elementary School Kyla grew up in an Air Force family and moved around a lot as a young child but there are two memorable places for her that she lived in - Germany and also when her dad worked at the Pentagon. She now has two children of her own, Peter and Emily, and three step-daughters with her fiancé, Chris. Together they have a dog named Mamas. Mamas is a foster-fail who they fostered this past summer with her three puppies (her and her puppies made their 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th foster dogs!). They also have three cats: Dakota, Carolina, and Weldon. Kyla graduated from Penn State University with her Bachelors degree in Elementary and Kindergarten Education as well as a minor in Dispute Management and Resolution. She then went on to receive her Masters degree from the University of New England in K-12 Literacy. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud There are so many wonderful staff who are constantly looking for ways to be innovative and have the best interest of every student at the forefront of the work they do. What do you like to do outside of work for fun? Most of my time is spent "adulting"! I have enjoyed doing glasswork at the Maine Art Glass Studio in the past and enjoy spending time with close friends. I foster dogs during the summer through Two Hands Farm & Rescue. Favorite line from a movie? Bruno (with hood): "I’m Hernando, I’m scared of nothing! (takes off hood) It’s actually me. I used to say my real gift was “acting.” (bucket on head) I’m Jorge, I make the spackle." - Disney's Encanto If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Ryan Reynolds What is something you learned in the last week? In talking about Flight For Freedom, A Chickadee Award book, I learned that a colleague was in Germany the same time I was!

Take a look at Brunswick's Special Education Programs.

HBS students-Finley Hyland, Lucy Omdal and Lilly Purnell-Amaez started thinking of ways to make a positive change. After some brainstorming, the trio of fourth graders eventually landed on the perfect idea – a bake sale. Around 880 donuts, brownies and chocolate chip cookies later, the group was able to bring in about $800 on Monday after delivering to local families who placed orders. They decided to use the money for new gym equipment at HBS, and to make a donation to Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program. #teambrunswickme #giving #maine #brunswickmaine #maine #mainestudents