February 4, 2022
Health & Safety Updates
COVID-19 Cases
Between January 28 and February 3, there were 52 new COVID-19 cases in the Brunswick School Department:
Cumulative statistics on all COVID-19 cases during the 2021-22 school year are available on the COVID-19 Dashboard. The data above and on the Dashboard are as accurate as possible but they are constantly evolving.
School Absences
The following information is provided as an indicator of health in the schools.
Please note:
  1. Staff absences have been filtered to only include those due to sickness.
  2. Staff average absentee percentages are not provided because these absences include all staff assigned to a building regardless of function, job category, or schedule.
Pooled COVID-19 Testing
Pooled testing continues to be an effective tool for monitoring and identifying COVID-19 in the school community. You can still register your children for pooled testing. The directions can be found here.
Reporting Positive COVID-19 Test Results
Please remember to notify your school nurse when your student tests positive for COVID. This is important because schools need to monitor those who are COVID-positive and must notify the Maine CDC of positive test results. Also, individuals who test positive must be excluded from pooled testing for 90 days. Otherwise, they will cause their pools to be positive when there is no one in the pool who is actively positive. This causes unnecessary stress and work for those who are in the pools or who are monitoring the pools.

To help streamline the notification process, we have developed school-specific forms to complete when your/your child tests positive for COVID. Links to the forms are on the school webpages. Simply click the REPORT POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST RESULTS on your school’s webpage. 

Links to each form can also be found on the district webpage and below:
Community Engagement Updates
Dear Brunswick Parents,

As we begin a new semester and anticipate two upcoming breaks, I am writing to share some of the ways we can help your student build valuable connections in our broader community.

Of course many BSD teachers connect their subjects to the real world by drawing on local experts for classroom visits and field trips. At BHS, students can also do so themselves. This semester about a dozen students have developed their own projects for course credit, including work on environmental science, farm operations, and church leadership. I help each student develop their Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) proposal, and oversee its execution.

For those who aren't sure exactly what they want to pour their energy into, there are both self-help and high-support pathways for matching their interests and schedule to a local job or volunteer opportunity. I publish new service opportunities on my website, a list of teen-relevant non-profits, and a list of local volunteer career exploration mentors. I offer a short how-to guide for initiating a job shadow or informational interview, and BHS students have access to virtual tools for connecting their interests to potential career pathways. Most importantly, I am available one-on-one to get to know students and help them get started (schedule a meeting).

Now more than ever, employers and non-profits are recruiting teens to get involved with vocational training, policy-making, and on-the-ground problem solving. Many of these opportunities are paid, but all are rewarding. Send your student my way, and let's make the most of their spring semester.


Best,
Andrew Lardie
BHS Community Outreach and ELO Coordinator
Schooltles Award
Congratulations to Don Hilton and David Arnold on receiving the Transportation Department's Schooltles Award!

Don and David have been coming in an hour early during the frigid temperatures to ensure the busses and vans are operational and able to take off on time without any issues. We appreciate their dedication and teamwork in keeping our fleet running without any hiccups!
Employee Spotlight
David Arnold
Head Mechanic - Buildings, Grounds & Transportation Dept.

David grew up in Bowdoin, ME and graduated from the Diesel Technology Institute.

What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSD Proud
Brunswick is an awesome town for several different reasons!

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
Recovery work, fishing, hunting, looking for shed antlers, walking on the beach.

If you would meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
Gandhi.

What is something you learned in the last week?
How to make a fleet functional at -11 degrees.
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/