Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School

🚒🔥 Huge shoutout to Fire Chief Brillant and Assistant Fire Chief Josh Shean for taking the time to serve lunch at HBS recently! Your dedication to our community goes beyond emergency response—thank you for keeping us safe and for bringing smiles to our students and staff! 🙌🥪 #MaineSchoolSuperintendent #TeamBrunswickME #CommunityHeroes

NO SCHOOL TOMORROW Thursday, February 13, 2025 - Due to the anticipated snowstorm, all ​Brunswick schools will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, February 13th. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and this decision was made with the expected weather conditions in mind.​ Again, no School Tomorrow, Thursday, February 13. Thank you for your understanding. Please stay safe. #teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintendent

Check out the Next Superintendent Notebook: Times Record Article -- Link in Bio to Read Food is Fuel, Especially for Young, Growing Bodies Healthy meals are critical to our children's well-being and academic success, and ensuring that our students, PK-12, enjoy tasty and nutritious meals is a priority for the Brunswick School Department (BSD). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns that poor nutrition during childhood and adolescence can delay growth and create a high risk of chronic diseases in adulthood. Healthy meals are especially important during the adolescent growth spurt. Scott Smith, Director of Facilities, Grounds, and Food Service at BSD, and his team work hard to offer a variety of healthy menu items that kids will eat. The federally-funded free breakfast and lunch program ensures that all students enjoy two nourishing meals each school day, and the number we serve has doubled in the past three years. #teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintendent

Construction continues on our @BowdoinCollege Outdoor Education Classrooms despite the cold weather! 🏗️❄️ These innovative spaces will provide endless opportunities for hands-on learning, environmental exploration, and community connection. We're excited to see students and educators from both Bowdoin and Kate Furbish Elementary making the most of this incredible partnership. Stay tuned for updates as the project takes shape! 🌱 #TeamBrunswickME #OutdoorEducation #HandsOnLearning #BowdoinCollege #KateFurbishElementary #CommunityInAction #maineschoolsuperintendent

HBS - Celebrating 10,000 Books Checked Out! 🎉 Our students are reading champions! They checked out 10,000 books from the library this school year. Do you think they will make it to 20,000 by the end of the year? I think they will!! To reach their goal, they have to check books out during library class or during browsing times, which are first thing in the morning or at the end of each day. #maineschoolsuperintendent #teambrunswickme HBS is a community of readers! Way to go!

Midterm Stress? Maybe, but unlikely, at Brunswick High School! 🐶 Massive shoutout to Ms. Kunhardt and the Alliance of Therapy Dogs for bringing Elmer and furry friends to spread #PawsitiveVibes during midterms! Nothing beats exam anxiety like puppy cuddles! Woof! #TeamBrunswickME #MaineSuperintendent #TherapyDogs #SchoolSpirit

AP Art and Design and Photography 2 Field Trip Brunswick High School AP Art and Design and Photography 2 students visited the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. Students had the opportunity to examine the work on display and create mixed media work in the art lab. A highlight of the visit was seeing the work by a former BHS alumna, Kyle Downs, who creates art from discarded basketballs. His work appears as colorful geometric tapestry designs until careful inspection reveals the tiny textured surface of the balls. Teachers: Jennie Driscoll and Colleen Kearney-Graffam. Quotes from the trip - " What I liked about the contemporary art museum was that we had to think about the art more than just enjoy the piece; you had to use your brain. " "I liked that we saw new art styles and materials used that we had not considered before." #teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintendent #brunswickmaine

🎉🐾 Kate Furbish School Was Buzzing with Excitement This Week! 🐾🎉 Joy was everywhere in our halls as students dove into a week full of fun and learning! 🥳 Here’s a sneak peek at the amazing moments we captured: 🧦 Crazy Sock Day in Kindergarten had everyone showing off their wild style! 🦉 Chewonki's Owl Presentation brought nature up close and personal for our young explorers. 🧸 Stuffie Day in Mrs. Frazee’s class made learning extra cozy and fun. ✨ PreK students discovered the magic of light and reflection. 🐕‍🦺 Kiko the therapy dog stopped by Mrs. Stinson’s room, spreading smiles and calm vibes! What an unforgettable week of creativity, curiosity, and connection at KFS! 💙💛 #MaineschoolSuperintendent #TeamBrunswickME #LearningIsFun #KFSAdventures

🐟🌊 HBS Third Graders Dive into Marine Life Fun! 🌊🐟 Ms. Novak’s third-grade explorers had a shell-tastic time with Snow Island Oysters and Quahog Conservation! 🦀🦪 They discovered the wonders of marine ecosystems, learned how shellfish help protect our waters, and even met a live crab and oyster up close. Talk about a clawsome day! 😄 This hands-on adventure brought science to life and left our students buzzing with curiosity about the world under the waves. 🌟🐚 @mainecoastfishermen #MaineschoolSuperintendent #TeamBrunswickME #MarineScienceMagic #HandsOnLearning

🎉 A Heartfelt Thank You to Joy Prescott for 12 Incredible Years of Service! 🌟 Today, we celebrate and honor Joy Prescott for her remarkable dedication to the students, families, and community of Brunswick, Maine. Since beginning her journey as a School Board member in 2013, Joy has been a steadfast advocate for education and student success. 📚 During her tenure, she served as both Vice Chair and Chair of the School Board, leading with integrity, vision, and a deep commitment to making a lasting impact on our schools. Her 12 years of service have truly been a testament to her unwavering passion for improving education in our community. 💙 Joy, your contributions have shaped countless lives, and your legacy will continue to inspire future generations. On behalf of the entire Brunswick community and School Administration, thank you for your tireless efforts, leadership, and commitment to excellence in education. Let’s all take a moment to express our gratitude to Joy Prescott! 👏 #ThankYouJoy #BrunswickStrong #Teambrunswickme #MaineSchoolSuperintendent #EducationMatters #LeadershipInAction

Recent HBS Assembly Recap! Last Wednesday, our school community came together for a heartwarming and entertaining assembly! The event began with Mrs. Kenny recognizing students who are "leafing the school a better place," honoring those who have gone above and beyond to spread kindness, show responsibility, and make a positive impact. Each student's name was read aloud, and they received well-deserved applause from their peers and teachers. Next, Mrs. Blanchard delighted the audience with a lively reading of Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins. Her animated storytelling brought the characters to life, and the students were fully captivated by the humorous tale of a grumpy bear and his unexpected duckling companions. The assembly concluded with a show-stopping performance by a group of talented 5th-grade girls. They sang an original, larger-than-life song celebrating our school mascot, the bobcat. Their creativity and enthusiasm had everyone clapping. It was a fantastic assembly that showcased the talents and positivity of our school community! #teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintendent

Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association (MFCA) fishcake captivates young palates in the Brunswick School Department! Positive student feedback on MCFA’s new fishcake product signals seafood’s growing popularity among students. Maine Coast Fishermen's Association is working with @graffambroslobster to develop a viable product for school cafeterias, and getting direct feedback from Brunswick Junior High School students is the best way to refine a great recipe. Students are very honest critics! Last week, the kids at Brunswick Junior High School LOVED the fishcakes. They were begging for more - they lined up for samples (some got thirds!) and were more excited about these fishcakes than PIZZA. Several even asked if they could buy them and/or have them served for lunch on the regular menu. One teacher shared that they never hear the kids talking about lunch in the halls, but that day, they were all chattering with excitement about seafood. Thank you to the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association for bringing this wonderful opportunity to BJHS!

📸🎩 Huge thanks to The Emergency Action Network (TEAN) volunteers for all they do to support the Brunswick School Department! They've been working hard organizing all of the donations from the latest winter clothing drive. TEAN’s incredible team—and our very own Superintendent—are rocking new hats in this photo, celebrating the amazing work this 501(c)(3) non-profit organization does for our community. Founded by Brunswick residents, TEAN works tirelessly to ensure children and families have what they need to thrive. From providing cozy winter coats for recess to athletic gear for aspiring athletes, TEAN’s mission is simple yet powerful: small acts can make a big difference. We’re so grateful for their partnership in ensuring every child has the support they need to succeed. Thank you, TEAN volunteers, for helping us make a difference every day! 💙 #ThankYouTEAN #BrunswickStrong #CommunitySupport #teambrunswickme

🗳️ Today, our Junior High and HBS students had an exciting day participating in mock elections! 🗳️ Superintendent Potenziano and Special Education Director Joyce joined in the fun, assisting with voter check-ins as students took on the roles of informed, engaged citizens. This hands-on experience brought lessons about democracy and civic responsibility to life! 🇺🇸 #StudentVoices #MockElections #FutureVoters #CivicEducation #HandsOnLearning #teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintendent

🌱 Harriet's Haven Garden Update at Harriet Beecher Stowe🌱 This season, we've shared some wonderful moments: planting seeds, composting, harvesting potatoes, cleaning up, birdwatching, and witnessing the first frosts. Our garden is preparing for a winter rest, but there's still work to do! We’re in need of green material for our compost piles! If you have clippings from a chemical-free lawn, we'd love to put them to good use. Just bag them up and reach out to us—let's keep the garden thriving together! 📩 Contact: kbolshaw@brunswicksd.org #teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintendent #schoolgarden #mainegarden

The BHS Library was busy! 📚 🎃 What a treat! 55 students discovered their perfect reads at our "Book or Treat" event for Brunswick Reads! Each student took a "reading personality" quiz and walked away with 2 personalized book recommendations PLUS a bag of treats! Special thanks to @BCEF (Brunswick Community Education Foundation) for the grant that made this spooktacular literacy event possible! 📖✨ #BrunswickReads #LiteracyMatters #LibraryLife #StudentEngagement

🌟 Shoutout to Steve Cumbak and Other Members of our Incredible Facilities Team! 🌟 We want to give a HUGE thank you to Steve Cumbak, our head custodian, and his amazing team for their hard work in making our campus more accessible and inclusive! 🙌 In less than a week, Steve and the team took the initiative to order materials and build an ADA-compliant ramp, ensuring that our students have safe and easy access to our bridge. This is just one example of how safety-minded, student-centered, and nimble our facilities staff are. Dedicated staff like Steve and his team create a positive ripple effect throughout our entire organization. 💪💙 Thank you for going above and beyond for our students and staff. You truly make a difference! 👏 #AccessibilityMatters #InclusiveSchools #Teambrunswickme #FacilitiesHeroes #CommunityImpact #maineschoolsuperintendent

🎉👏 Huge Congrats to Michelle Russo and Andrew Kosak! 👏🎉 We’re so proud of our amazing teachers, who recently presented at the ACTEM (Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine) Conference! 🌟 Their session, titled "Droning for Education – Using Drones in Geography Class," explored exciting ways to integrate drone technology into the classroom to bring geography lessons to life! 🌍🚁 Thank you, Michelle and Andrew, for representing us and inspiring educators with innovative teaching tools! #ACTEM #DroningForEducation #EdTech #STEM #Geography #InnovativeTeaching #ProudTeam #EducationTransformation #teambrunswickmaine #brunswickmaine #maineschoolsuperintendent

🎉 Happy School Custodian Appreciation Day! 🎉 Today, we celebrate and give a huge shoutout to our AMAZING school custodians who work tirelessly to keep our schools clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone. 🧹✨ From early mornings to late evenings, they go above and beyond to make sure our students and staff have a comfortable environment to learn, grow, and thrive. 🌟💼 Let’s take a moment to thank our custodians for all their hard work and dedication. You are truly the unsung heroes of our school community! 🙌👏💙 #teambrunswickme @maineschoolsuperintendent #CustodianAppreciationDay #ThankYouCustodians #SchoolHeroes #WeAppreciateYou

Today, our Junior High counseling team executed our first annual "BeeBop Back-to-School Caravan." They received gift card donations from Bar Harbor Bank and Trust @bhbtsocial and fresh muffins from @wildoatsbakery. They made goodie bags for approximately 20 students who struggled with attendance last year and hit the road. They took a bus, played music, and dropped in on some kiddos (we told them we were coming through RMT). #teambrunswickme @countmeinmaine @brunswickme #mainelovespublicschools