Brunswick School Department

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!

To All Veterans On Veterans Day: Taking time on this day, to recognize the personal sacrifice you and your families have made and continue to endure in serving our country. We are forever grateful for our freedoms that you've helped protect.

It’s Election Day! Remember to take a few minutes to head to the polls and make your voice heard. Voting is a powerful way to shape the future of your community. Whether it’s a big or small election, every vote matters. Check your polling location and hours, and encourage friends and family to get out and vote too.

🗳️ Today, our Junior High and HBS students had an exciting day participating in mock elections! 🗳️ Superintendent Potenziano and Special Education Director Joyce joined in the fun, assisting with voter check-ins as students took on the roles of informed, engaged citizens. This hands-on experience brought lessons about democracy and civic responsibility to life! 🇺🇸 #StudentVoices #MockElections #FutureVoters #CivicEducation #HandsOnLearning #teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintendent

Chelsea Simcock Ed Tech at Kate Furbish Elementary Chelsea's family includes her husband, Seth, daughter, Vivienne and two kitties, Kelso and Biggie. Deborah grew up in South Paris, Maine, went to Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School and attended University of Maine - Augusta. What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud I'm excited to start serving a nearby community to me! What do you like to do outside of work for fun? I enjoy hiking, swimming and beach days. What is your favorite line from a movie? "What? Like it's hard?" -Legally Blonde If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Ms. Rachel What is something you learned in the last week? Beef tallow is good for skin issues.

🌱 Harriet's Haven Garden Update at Harriet Beecher Stowe🌱 This season, we've shared some wonderful moments: planting seeds, composting, harvesting potatoes, cleaning up, birdwatching, and witnessing the first frosts. Our garden is preparing for a winter rest, but there's still work to do! We’re in need of green material for our compost piles! If you have clippings from a chemical-free lawn, we'd love to put them to good use. Just bag them up and reach out to us—let's keep the garden thriving together! 📩 Contact: kbolshaw@brunswicksd.org #teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintendent #schoolgarden #mainegarden

🌟 Celebrating Our Exceptional Educator! 🌟 Congratulations to Katy Giampetruzzi, one of our amazing ESOL teachers at HBS, who recently presented at the 2024 WIDA Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, PA! Her 2.5-hour session, "ELL Coaching & Collaboration: The Key to Student Academic and Language Success," was a tremendous success. The conference brings together educators from around the world who work with Pre-K-12 multilingual learners to share innovative strategies and best practices. We are incredibly proud to have Katy representing the Brunswick School Department and making a significant impact in multilingual education! 🌍📚 #Education #WIDA2024 #TeacherExcellence #teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintenent #Maine