October 22, 2021
Pooled COVID-19 Testing
We have been conducting pooled testing in grades PreK-6 for several weeks now. The test is pretty simple. Once a week (Mondays for KFS; Tuesdays for HBS and BJHS), students and staff who have opted in sanitize their hands, self-swab, deposit their swabs in a collection tube, and sanitize their hands again. The entire process only takes a few moments. This video gives you a sense of the entire process including the swabbing. You can also read a Parent Information Sheet here.  

The school receives results about 48 hours after the test. If a pooled sample tests positive for COVID-19, the district notifies parents of those in the pool and retests those in the pool. Individuals in the pool who test positive are required to isolate and individuals in the pool who test negative stay in school. Those in the class but not in the pool are required to quarantine.

If you have not opted in to pooled testing, you still can. Directions are below.

Click the appropriate link: 
If you are filling this out for multiple students, you will need to complete a separate consent for each student.  
Staff consent requires creating a free account with Concentric by Ginkgo.

Enter this access code for where your student attends or where you primarily work:
Kate Furbish Elementary School: KFS2021
Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School: HBS2021
Brunswick Junior High School: BJHS2021

Follow the prompted steps and submit at the end.
Brunswick High School Winter Sports Update
Families of Athletes participating in Ice Hockey, Swim & Dive, and/or Indoor Track:

We have learned that some of our home venues, as well as some of the venues that our sports teams will be traveling to for Winter Athletics will require either proof of COVID Vaccination or a negative COVID test within 24 hours of entering the venue. This is a requirement of the venues and we must follow their guidelines for usage.  
 
We are asking that if you have been vaccinated, to please send in proof of such to the school nurse as soon as possible. We will need this information prior to the beginning of the Winter Sports Season.
 
We are sending this out now so that if you wish to get vaccinated you will have ample time to do so prior to the season. MidCoast Hospital in Brunswick can assist in scheduling vaccinations: http://www.midcoasthealth.com/clinics/ There are also several other local organizations that can be found here: https://www.vaccines.gov/
 
Girl’s Ice Hockey begins NOVEMBER 8th. The rest of the Winter season sports will begin NOVEMBER 22nd.
 
Registration is open on the Brunswick High School Athletics website.

Please reach out to Aaron Watson directly with any questions prior to Friday, October 29th: awatson@brunswicksd.org
Harriet Beecher Stowe School Band
Providing Equitable and Inclusive Beginner Band at HBS Increases Student Participation

Research has found that music and music education facilitate learning in other subjects and enhance skills that children use in other areas. The impact music can have on language development alone in regards to phrasing and fluency are well regarded in literacy education. Access to music and musical education however, can be tricky. Who can afford the instruments, lessons, etc? What about popular music whose messages can be confusing and sometimes divisive in todays’ world?

The opportunity to participate in the instrumental music program allows children who may not be able to join groups that meet outside school hours to experience the benefits of participating in a co-curricular activity. There is a sense of community and belonging for all the students who are able to join. There will come the recognition that their small group of band members is actually a part of the much bigger instrumental music community in Brunswick - where more than 330 students, in grades 5-12, from every type of personal background and school experience, participate in the wonderful thing called “band”.

This year, because the beginner band program was moved into the school day instead of before school, we have 134 students in grade 5 participating! That is more than double our usual roster! The beginning band director, Jill Hodgdon, is thrilled to be working with such a large and diverse group of musicians. We are fortunate that this new approach has opened this door to students who would never have thought to enter before. We have students for whom English is not their first language participating. We have students for whom a typical general education setting is not right for them participating in band. We have almost three quarters of our fifth grade enjoying and exploring music giving them another opportunity to connect to their community. 
Brunswick High School Girl's JV Soccer
Congratulations to the BHS Girl's JV Black Soccer Team on an undefeated season! The girls went 13-0-0 this year. Congrats Coach Palmer and all the JV Black Team players. #Brunswickproud
Employee Spotlight
Connor Lynch
Social Studies Teacher, Brunswick High School

Connor grew up in the Brunswick area and is proud to be from the midcoast region. He attended the University of Maine at Farmington.

What makes you proud to work in Brunswick?
The students, faculty, and community have been my rock of motivation and learning. There is nothing sweeter than a coastal town full of kind, understanding, and supportive individuals.

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
I enjoy antiquing, historical road trips in the countryside, reading, music, and video games.

Favorite line from a movie?
“Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government! Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony!” -Monty Python and the Holy Grail

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
Hard question for a history teacher. But my love remains for the Beatles, so Paul McCartney. It would be fun to have a conversation with Voltaire too.

What is something you learned in the last week?
Never get involved in a land war in Asia.
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/