Brunswick School Department

Jerry Cross Computer Support Technician How long have you been with the BSD? 19 years What do you enjoy most about working at BSD? It's been so great to work with passionate, friendly, caring, incredible people. The variety of duties in this position has kept me hopping. Working with computers and working with staff and students. One day I'm studying a complex computer issue and the next I'm helping a user understand how a computer works. What do you plan to do on your first day of retirement? My first day will be spent celebrating my 29th birthday again! What do you look forward to most in your retirement years? I'm looking forward to more time building relationships - especially with my granddaughter. We'll be developing our hillside land in Oxford Hills, participating in auto clubs and shows, jamming with musician friends, traveling, summers off, starting a project and finishing (?) it! Tell us about one of your most memorable moments while working in Brunswick. Lots of memorable moments! First of all, Dan Dearing and I worked together for much of the time I've spent here. What a great person! My buddy Mark Rineer and I worked together out of the same office for 3 years. Fun and eventful! The last two years with Tricia as Tech Director have been tremendous. A first-class professional! Many people to be thankful for and grateful to know. Thanks to all for many years working together!!!

🎉🐾 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

This Week's Employee Spotlight features the BSD Nursing Department! Jenny Strout (BHS), Jennifer Bowdish (BJHS), Melinda Nadeau (HBS), Janet Rivard (KFS) BSD Nurses Department Collectively, we are Registered Professional Nurses, Nationally Certified by the Board of School Nurses dedicated to maintaining the health and wellbeing for all students in the Brunswick School Department. We have a combined total 97 years of professional nursing experience in a wide range of healthcare settings, including Cardiopulmonary, Emergency Care, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Women’s Health, Inpatient Pediatrics, Pediatric Rehabilitation, Camp Health Center, and of course School Nursing. We have worked in urban and rural settings in and outside of Maine. We all serve on the Executive Committee of the Maine Association of School Nurses and belong to the National Association of School Nurses.

Please click the link below to view this week's Newsletter. https://secure.smore.com/n/nsgm6

Maine Medical Mentors Program Guest Speaker On Nov. 18th, four residents from the Maine Medical Mentors program spoke with Ms. King's Human Anatomy classes. The residents are students at the Tufts School of Medicine that partners with Maine Medical Center for physician training. The residents presented a case study to students, discussed their path into the medical field, and then went to the lab with students to show them how to take a patient's blood pressure, and test patellar and pupillary reflexes. The Maine Mentors Program runs a program called Inside Medicine that holds monthly meetings virtually. The program is full for this academic year but students interested in the program will have an opportunity to participate in the program this summer or next year. #teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintendent

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

5th Grade Tech Class Robot Day at HBS! 5th graders earned Robot Day in their tech class! Students voted on which robot to explore, with most classes choosing the Sphero Bolts. Using iPads, they learned to calibrate their Spheros, drive them using the app, and even code them with the drawing tool. The classes were buzzing with activity as students played games like Four Corners and Golf and showcased their creativity by designing obstacle courses to race their robots through. It was a class full of hands-on learning, problem-solving, and fun! #teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintendent

🎉🎧 2024 Brunswick Buzz Podcast Wrapped! 🎧🎉 🔗🔗​ In bio to listen to past episodes What a year it’s been! 🎙️ We’re wrapping up 2024 with a huge THANK YOU to all of our amazing listeners who made this year so unforgettable! From local legends to behind-the-scenes stories, we’ve covered it all — and YOU were right there with us, every step of the way! 🙌 ✨ Here’s a quick look back at some of the highlights: 🌟 Incredible Guests 📊 Record-Breaking Numbers We can’t wait to keep ​Buzzing into 2025 with even more stories, insights, and of course, all the local love. 💙 ​Thanks to Producer Ryan Weed for making the magic happen. I couldn't do it without you! #BrunswickBuzzWrapped #PodcastRecap #2024Highlights #LocalVoices #BuzzingInto2025​ #maineschoolsuperintendent #teambrunswickme

Yesterday, the Brunswick High School Mock Trial Team won the State Mock Trial Championship, defeating Casco Bay High School in the finals! 🐉 The team is pictured below at the Capital Judicial Center with their coaches, Chris Leighton and Timothy Scott. #teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintendent #brunswickhighschool #statechampions

🎉 We’re so excited to share the Brunswick Area Teen Center's December Activities Calendar! From creative workshops to game nights and holiday fun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s been an absolute blast having these amazing teens in the building – their energy and creativity light up the space every day! 💫 Make sure to check out the calendar and join the fun. Let’s make this December one to remember! 🗓️ #teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintendent #BrunswickTeenCenter #CommunityConnections #DecemberFun

Claire Launer Educational Technician Resource Room Grades 1-2 at Kate Furbish Elementary Claire's family includes her mom and dad, a sister and three dogs. Claire grew up in Brunswick and is a graduate of Brunswick High School. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud I'm from this area and love my community! What do you like to do outside of work for fun? Bake, read, hike, hangout with my friends and family. What is your favorite line from a movie? "It is our choices ... that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." from Harry Potter If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Amy Winehouse! What is something you learned in the last week? The sun makes a sound we cannot hear!

🌟 Brunswick High School Students in Action! 🌟 Students from Brunswick High School’s Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) class recently spent time mentoring and working with students at Kate Furbish Elementary School. So, what is an ELO? Extended Learning Opportunities are hands-on experiences outside the traditional classroom. They emphasize community-based career exploration and can even be credit-bearing. Through ELOs, students gain real-world skills while earning elective or core credit. We’re so proud of these high schoolers for making a difference and inspiring the next generation of learners! 💙 #TeamBrunswickME #MaineSchoolSuperintendent #ExtendedLearningOpportunity #HandsOnLearning #CommunityImpact

🎨This week, Superintendent Potenziano and other administrators had the pleasure of visiting the Junior High GT Art Class, where creativity was in full swing! 🎨🖌️ Students were diving into the vibrant world of Pop Art, a style that emerged in the 1950s and flourished in the 1960s, thanks to iconic artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Known for its bold colors and inspiration from everyday objects like comic books and advertisements, Pop Art challenges us to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. Our talented GT Art students have taken this concept to heart, creating their own masterpieces inspired by candy wrappers! Using canvases and acrylic paints, they brought a sweet twist to this classic art movement. We’re so proud of their creativity and hard work! 🌟 #PopArt #GTArt #BJHS #CreativeExcellence #ArtEducation

🏗️ Exciting News from Kate Furbish Elementary School! 🌿 Construction has officially begun on our @BowdoinCollege Outdoor Education Classrooms! These innovative spaces will provide endless opportunities for hands-on learning, environmental exploration, and community connection. We can’t wait to see students and educators enjoying these outdoor classrooms and making the most of this incredible partnership. Stay tuned for updates as the project takes shape! #teambrunswickme #OutdoorEducation #HandsOnLearning #BowdoinCollege #KateFurbishElementary #CommunityInAction

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!

This Week's Employee Spotlight - Michelle Phinney Michelle Phinney Special Education Teacher at Kate Furbish Elementary Michelle is married and has two children, a fifteen year old daughter, and an eleven year old son. She also has a dog and four cats! Michelle was a Navy kid, she was born in Maine and lived here until she moved to Virginia when she was 4. She lived there for five years and came back to Maine just before 4th grade. She has lived in the Bowdoinham/Bowdoin area ever since. Michelle graduated from Mt. Ararat High School in 2001, received her Bachelors degree in Sociology from USM and is currently enrolled at USM in a Masters Program for Special Education. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud The welcoming vibe everyone is always giving. All the staff, at the KFS and district wide are very supportive and willing to help when ever needed and I just love to spend my day with these kids that want my help to learn and embrace their new knowledge. What do you like to do outside of work for fun? I love to spend time with my family. During the summer I love to go swimming and go out with my friends. I also really enjoy taking classes and just reading a good book or watching a good television show. What is your favorite line from a movie? "I don't have friends, I got family." -Fast and the Furious If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Socrates What is something you learned in the last week? Resting is OKAY!

📸🎩 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

Max Poulin Ed Tech at Kate Furbish Elementary Max lives with his fiancé Abby and their two kitties Helaina and Nelson. Max was born in Brunswick, but grew up in Lisbon. He graduated from Lisbon High School. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud I've worked in Brunswick for well over a decade now in quite a few different positions and places, and I have gotten to know all kinds of people in my community. I love being able to do whatever I can to help others in my town. What do you like to do outside of work for fun? Outside of work I love to spend as much time outside as I can. I love the beach, going swimming, going for walks, and going for long drives with the windows down. Both my immediate and extended family is the most important thing in the world to me so I love to see them and spend as much time with them as I can. I especially love to watch movies and listen to music with my fiancé Abby and our two kitties. What is your favorite line from a movie? "You wanna know the real difference between us? I have class and you don't." - The Parent Trap If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? If I could meet anyone, living or dead, I would love to meet the musician, Prince. I absolutely love him and his music. He is someone who is very important to me and I would love to be able to tell him the and maybe ask him some questions too. What is something you learned in the last week? Something I learned in the last week was who Kate Furbish really was! I was so fascinated to learn that she had devoted over 60 years of her life to identifying, classifying, collecting, and illustrating the native flora of Maine! I look forward to learning even more about her!