November 5, 2021
Reminder
No School on Thursday, November 11th
In Observance of Veterans Day

Click here to view the Brunswick School Department's 2021-2022 school calendar.
BHS Athletics Update
Boys and Girls Soccer are both competing for the Class A State Championship Titles this weekend!
Saturday, November 6th
Girls Soccer vs. Windham at 10:00am
Boys Soccer vs. Marshwood at 12:30pm

Both games will be held at Massabesic High School - 88 West Road, Waterboro, ME. Admission gates open at 9:00am. Tickets are $10/adult and $5/student.
#GoDragons #BrunswickSoccer
Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years old has now been authorized. Vaccinating our children is the next step we can take in helping to end the pandemic. We are pleased to partner with Mid Coast Hospital to host pediatric vaccination clinics in November:
  • Community clinics will be held at Coffin Elementary School November 8-17. These are open to any child ages 5-11.  To sign your child up for the Mid Coast Hospital clinic at Coffin School, please visit  www.midcoasthealth.com/vaccine to make an appointment.
  • A Brunswick School Department clinic will be held at Kate Furbish Elementary School on November 22 10:00am – 1:00pm. This clinic is only open to students at Kate Furbish Elementary School, Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School, and Brunswick Junior High School. Students from HBS and BJHS will be bussed between their school and the clinic.  To sign your child up for the clinic at Kate Furbish Elementary School, please complete the Registration, Consent, and CDC Pre Vaccination Checklist and return to school by November 18. All documents can be found through the links provided. (The Consent Form must be signed by a parent or guardian. Please skip question 1 on the CDC Pre Vaccination Checklist regarding how your child feels. If your child is feeling unwell, please keep them home.)

We understand that everyone’s path to health is different. Below are some important things to consider when making a decision about COVID-19 vaccination for your child.
  • The vaccine was authorized after studies showed it is safe and effective. 
  • COVID-19 virus variants are causing widespread infections among young people in Maine. The Pfizer vaccine is effective against the variants. 
  • The vaccine will help prevent your child from transmitting the virus to others. 
  • Getting your child vaccinated before the holiday season will help protect your child, as well as friends and family, from COVID-19 infection. 

The FDA & CDC will provide more information about COVID-19 vaccination for children age 5-11 years old very shortly. To learn more right now, visit this trusted resource:  https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/covid-vaccines.html

We urge you to stay safe by continuing to follow CDC guidance. Wear a mask indoors in public settings or gatherings, continue to practice hand hygiene and get a COVID-19 vaccine booster if it is recommended for you. 

Thank you for doing your part to protect yourself, your family and your community during this time.
Parent and Pediatrician Q&A: COVID-19 Vaccines
Superintendent's Notebook
Reading - the ideal indoor fall activity
"Last December, I wrote a column about getting outside and embracing Maine’s winters, but we all know that sometimes we just want to hunker down, cozy up and stay inside. So as autumn weather descends upon us, the sun sets earlier and the temperatures drop quicker, it’s a wonderful time to make reading the new favorite family indoor activity!"

Click here to view the full article published in the Forecaster from Superintendent Potenziano.
Invitation to Bid: Kate Furbish Discovery Classroom
The Brunswick School Department is seeking qualified bidders for a new 1,000 SF public-school classroom building at the recently constructed Kate Furbish Elementary School. Bid documents will be available starting no sooner than Oct. 29th, 2021, and bids will be due November 23rd, 2021, no later than 10am.

For more information on the project, click here. Bid Documents can be procured via Xpress Copy.

All bid inquiries can be directed to the office of the Architect, Attn: Ben Winschel - BWinschel@chacompanies.com

Bids will be addressed to Kelly Wentworth and delivered to the Central Office at: 46 Federal St, Brunswick, ME 04011  
Employee Spotlight
Annie Iacono
Ed Tech III
Functional Life Skills Room,
Brunswick Junior High School

Annie grew up in West Warwick, RI. She graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a Bachelor's Degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Annie also has a 4 year old son named David.

What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud
I enjoy being a working part of the greater whole, which is Brunswick. I've started to hear my name shouted at Walmart with warm welcoming smiles from students. It fills my heart up!

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
I adore swimming. Water and I get along so well. In 2016 I attempted to swim across the English Channel. From Dover, England to Calais, France - the shortest route is 21 miles, but with the tide it ends up being even more than that. I was able to swim 18 miles for 10 1/2 hours straight and ended up smack dab in the middle of the channel. That's where I decided I'd get back on the boat, my arms were like jelly! I hope to go back and complete it once my son gets a bit older. It took 3 years to even book my boat captain!

Favorite line from a movie?
"Sometimes our strengths lie beneath the surface” – Moana

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
Jesus - I really desire to understand the purpose of mosquitoes.

What is something you learned in the last week?
That leaf blowing can lead to discoveries of underground miner bee nests. Yup, that's right, watch where you are blowing folks!
Transportation Department
Our Transportation Department does so much! They cover a wide variety of tasks during the day, anything from lunch and recess duty at various schools to food deliveries, field trips and pressure washing! Great work Transportation team! #teambrunswickme #busdrivers
Rick Ryan with the AM food delivery
Frank Sodergren doing the courier mail run
Donna Dumas, Jessica Reno & Steven Cumback on pressure washing duty
Employment Opportunities
WE'RE HIRING! Click the link below to view current employment opportunities within the Brunswick School Department.

Brunswick School Department | https://www.brunswicksd.org/