Dear Staff, Students, and Parents,
At this point in the fall semester, we have completed two weeks of classes. I hope our students are back in the groove, reacquainting themselves to friends, teachers, extra-curricular activities, athletics, and of course, their studies. It is great to have everyone back.
While we are aggressively monitoring and responding to the pandemic, I am thankful that our positive cases at our schools right now have not surged at the same level as they have in other parts of the state and region and, therefore, remain manageable.
However, to ensure everyone’s health and safety – including your classmates and members of our faculty and staff – please be sure to wear a face-covering (and wear it properly over your nose and mouth).
Please also continue to use the COVID-19 Pre-Screening Tool found here. If you are sick, stay home.
I encourage those who are not vaccinated to get vaccinated. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Maine, CDC vaccines are still the best and most reliable means for limiting the spread of COVID-19 and its potential devastating effects if you were to get sick.
As we continue into the fall semester, I encourage you to remain vigilant.
I also ask that everyone – our students, families, faculty, and staff – please practice empathy and show kindness in your interactions when communicating in person, by phone, or by email. By thinking of others, especially in these stressful times, we ensure the BSD community’s ability to persevere and succeed together.
Sincerely,
Phil Potenziano
Superintendent of Schools
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To keep up to date on COVID-19 resources such as the District COVID-19 Data Dashboard, click here.
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Superintendent's Student Advisory Council:
Student Involvement, Development & Empowerment
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The Superintendent's Student Advisory Council was founded last year and is currently seeking students in grades 6-12. The Superintendent's Student Advisory Council will meet with the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Potenziano, and other administrators throughout the year to advise, provide feedback, and present viable solutions on District initiatives and programs.
Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to apply to the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council.
For more information, click the links below:
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September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month |
NAMI Maine: National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI is a grassroots, volunteer-based organization dedicated to helping everyone affected by mental health disorders. They are a resource for people living with mental illness, for family members and friends who have a loved one who is ill, for veterans and their family members, for community members, and for schools, agencies, organizations, and other mental health professionals. If someone you know is struggling with a meal illness, reach out to NAMI Maine at 1-800-464-5767 or visit their website to view a list of resources available. Click here for NAMI Maine's website.
If you are in an emergency situation (you are feeling suicidal or homicidal, or someone you know is talking about suicide or is threatening themselves or someone else), or you’re not sure, call the Maine Crisis Hotline at 1-888-568-1112. If someone has a weapon or has made a suicide attempt immediately call 911 for emergency assistance and keep yourself safe.
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This bench is dedicated to Spencer Smith, a BHS student who died by suicide last year. The bench is located by the football field at the High School. |
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WE'RE HIRING! Click the link below to view current employment opportunities within the Brunswick School Department.
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Sara Noel
Harriet Beecher Stowe School, Physical Education Teacher
Sara grew up in Sabattus, Maine, has two sisters, a Saint Bernard, two cats, a parrot, and two guinea pigs. She graduated from Husson University and loves fishing, trail walking, and boating.
What makes you proud to work in Brunswick?
It is a beautiful town and a wonderful community! I love it!
Favorite line from a movie?
"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light." -Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
The Jonas Brothers.
What is something you learned in the last week?
That my school has an awesome group of students!! They are all so sweet.
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Merrymeeting Adult Education Update |
Greetings from Merrymeeting Adult Education!
We are off to a strong start to the new school year. Three weeks after our catalog was mailed to over 35,000 households in Bath, Brunswick, Topsham (plus seven additional communities), we have processed 689 enrollments.
As of September 8, we have 15 classes planned at Brunswick High School for the fall semester in September and October, with over 100 enrollments. These classes represent various topics from boating, cooking, American Sign Language, driver’s education, understanding Medicare, and many others. More classes are planned as the semester progresses.
Merrymeeting is offering classes at the SMCC Brunswick campus for English Language Learners and college transition programming. We anticipate enrollment will continue to increase in those programs. Merrymeeting continues to work closely with the Brunswick High School Guidance team to identify students who can benefit from our program.
Merrymeeting is also working with Bowdoin College to offer an introductory class on taxes to graduating seniors. This class is being coordinated with Bowdoin’s financial aid office. Merrymeeting would provide the instruction. We are trying to coordinate and integrate our programming with as many community partners as we can.
Finally, Merrymeeting will be starting a Certified Nursing Assistant class on September 22, ending in mid-December at Region10 Technical School. It is nice to be back in the classroom with our workforce development programming.
Thanks to everyone in the Brunswick community for supporting our programming and classes. Our success is a testament to your support.
Have a great fall!
Allen Lampert
Director, Merrymeeting Adult Education
For more information on Merrymeeting Adult Education, visit their website: Click here!
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