Congratulations to the first-quarter Region 10 students! The first quarter is an important time full of new experiences, challenges, and growth. Keep up the great work! Ethan Pinette - Automotive Technology; Elijah Hoisington - Culinary Arts; Tiegan McAllister - EMT; Merill Noetzel - Outdoor Powersports; Addison Wintle - Pre-Apprenticeship. Remember to take some time over the upcoming break to relax and recharge. You've earned it! Enjoy this milestone, and get pumped for an amazing rest of the school year! Go Dragons! #firstquarter #highschool #region10 #celebrate #teambrunswickme
BRUNSWICK IN THE NEWS: Congratulations to BHS Science Teacher, Andrew McCullough on being awarded the Common Good Award from Bowdoin College. Each year, Bowdoin’s Education Department presents the Education for the Common Good Award to a local educator who embodies the three core values that guide Bowdoin's Education Department: *Be aware of the big picture *Embrace theory and practice *Live in and model a spirit of inquiry Congratulations Mr. McCullough!
Congratulations Will Farschon and Will Dodge on receiving this year's JV and Varsity Golf Coaches' Awards! Way to go! #BHSGolf #GoDragons
Huge shout-out to Mr. Driscoll for his assistance with the fitness club at BHS. The fitness club was looking for blank weights to be created to teach students basic movements associated with weight lifting without having to use heavy weights. Before the club was finished meeting for the day, Mr. Driscoll delivered the blanks to them. Thanks for the support Mr. Driscoll!
Employee Spotlight: Kate DeBlois, Speech-Language Pathologist
Kate is originally from Waterville. She attended the University of Maine at Orono for her undergraduate and graduate degrees. While she attended Orono, she played on the Women's Ice Hockey Team! Kate is married to her husband, Nick and they have one son named Theo. They also have a family dog named Brooks.
What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud
I am proud to be a part of a school community that is full of welcoming and encouraging staff. I am also so excited to be a part of a dedicated and supportive team of speech-language pathologists.
What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
I love spending time outdoors, playing ice hockey, and visiting new places in Maine.
What is your favorite line from a movie?
“You’re a wizard, Harry.” -Harry Potter and the Socerer’s Stone
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
Taylor Swift
What is something you learned in the last week?
Low-bush blueberries have 2x the antioxidants of high-bush blueberries.
A recent Newscenter Maine Story highlights one student's journey to the Brunswick Soccer Field. Around 10 new Mainers played in the Brunswick High School boys' soccer program this year, giving the group a much-needed boost.
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/sports/local-sports/maine-high-school-in-brunswick-thriving-with-new-teens-in-soccer-program/97-ff1c5d5d-cf41-4237-a901-b3123cff9e9e
On this Veterans Day, we honor those who honored our country with its highest form of service: Those who once wore the uniform of our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. We owe you our thanks. We owe you our respect. And we owe you our freedom.
Friendly reminder that all schools and district offices are closed today, Friday, November 10th, in observance of Veterans Day. #teambrunswickme
🚴♂️👟 Yesterday was an exciting day at Kate Furbish Elementary celebrating Bike and Walk to School Day! Huge thanks to all the volunteers, staff, and Brunswick Superintendent central office staff for making it a fun and safe event! 🙌 #CommunityStrong #teambrunswickme
📣 Meet Jake, a BHS Senior. Jake is a second-year Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC) member, and I'm excited to introduce him to all of you. Jake is passionate about positive change in our schools! He is dedicated to helping improve the student experience and is committed to supporting all BHS students! 📚✨
When asked why he wanted to be part of the SSAC, Jake shared:
"I wanted to be a part of SSAC to give ALL our students a voice."
Join us in welcoming Jake, and stay tuned - to see his ideas become reality! 🙌💡 #StudentLeadership #studentvoice #EducationMatters #SSACMember #ChangeMakers #Teambrunswickme #SchoolSuperintendent #MaineSchoolSuperintendent
📣 Meet Coco, a BHS Senior. Coco is a third-year Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC) member, and I'm excited to introduce her to all of you. Coco is passionate about positive change in our schools! She is dedicated to helping improve the student experience and is committed to supporting all BHS students! 📚✨
When asked why she wanted to be part of the SSAC, Coco shared:
"I love being a part of enhancing the student voice with the school and district administration. I want to be part of trying to establish a new change in our school for the future Brunswick dragons! "
Join us in welcoming Coco, and stay tuned - to see her ideas become reality! 🙌💡 #StudentLeadership #studentvoice #EducationMatters #SSACMember #ChangeMakers #Teambrunswickme #SchoolSuperintendent #MaineSchoolSuperintendent
Employee Spotlight - Mindy Kebles: Second Grade Teacher at Kate Furbish Elementary School
Mindy grew up in Bath and attended the University of Maine. Her and her husband, Jeremy, have a 13 year old daughter named Kasey. Together they have two dogs and three cats. They currently reside in Georgetown.
What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud
Everyone is so passionate!
What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
My favorite place to go is the beach! I also enjoy shopping and hiking.
What is your favorite line from a movie?
"If you're a bird, I'm a bird" - The Notebook
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
TAYLOR SWIFT!
What is something you learned in the last week?
Avacados are large berries.
📣 Meet Coco, a BHS Sophomore. Coco is a second-year Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC) member, and I'm excited to introduce her to all of you. Coco is passionate about positive change in our schools. She is dedicated to helping improve the student experience and is committed to supporting ALL BHS students! 📚✨ When asked why she wanted to be part of the SSAC, Coco shared: "I want to be able to help share my peers' voices and opinions. I believe students' voices are vital to decision-making, and I wanted to be able to share my thoughts!" Join us in welcoming Coco back for another year, and stay tuned - to see her ideas become reality! 🙌💡 #StudentLeadership #studentvoice #EducationMatters #SSACMember #ChangeMakers #Teambrunswickme #SchoolSuperintendent #MaineSchoolSuperintendent
📣 Meet Annabelle, a BHS Junior. Annabelle is a first-year Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC) member, and I'm excited to introduce her to all of you. Annabelle is passionate about positive change in our schools, including Region 10. She is dedicated to helping improve the student experience and is committed to supporting all BHS and Region 10 CTE students! 📚✨ When asked why she wanted to be part of the SSAC, Annabelle shared: "I wanted to be a member of the SSAC to show the opportunity that Brunswick High School put out for the students and community. There are multiple community service options for students, and being a member of SSAC allows me to show students what they can do in their community. " Join us in welcoming Annabelle, and stay tuned - to see her ideas become reality! 🙌💡 #StudentLeadership #studentvoice #EducationMatters #SSACMember #ChangeMakers #Teambrunswickme #SchoolSuperintendent #MaineSchoolSuperintendent
📣 Meet Freida , a BHS Junior. Freida is a first-year Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC) member, and I'm excited to introduce her to all of you. Freida is a passionate advocate for positive change in our schools. She is dedicated to helping improve the student experience and is committed to supporting all students! 📚✨ When asked why she wanted to be part of the SSAC, Freida shared: "I want to be able to represent my classmates and also have a say in the decisions the Superintendent makes for the students and school." Join us in welcoming Freida, and stay tuned - to see her ideas become reality! 🙌💡 #StudentLeadership #studentvoice #EducationMatters #SSACMember #ChangeMakers #Teambrunswickme #SchoolSuperintendent #MaineSchoolSuperintendent
📣 Exciting News! 🎉 Our Brunswick Junior High community has a brand new Gaga Pit, thanks to the incredible teamwork of our students and the generous donation of materials by Hammond Lumber. 🙌🛠️ 👏 Kudos to our amazing students (Henry Putnam, Jameson Gross, John O’Connor) from our community Outreach Class for their hard work and dedication in building this fantastic addition to our school! This Gaga Pit will provide countless hours of fun and active play for everyone. 🤸♂️🤸♀️ 🙏 Huge thanks to Hammond Lumber for supporting our school and helping us make this dream a reality. Together, we're creating a space where our students can be active, have fun, and build lasting memories. 🙌❤️ Come check it out and let the Gaga games begin! 🎯🎉 #BJHCommunity #GagaPit #teambrunswickme #StudentBuilt #ThankYouHammondLumber
📣 Meet Caitlin, a BHS Junior. Caitlin is a fourth-year Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC) member, and I'm excited to introduce her to all of you. Caitlin is passionate about positive change in our schools! She is dedicated to helping improve the student experience and is committed to supporting all BHS students! 📚✨
When asked why she wanted to be part of the SSAC, Caitlin shared:
"I have been involved with SSAC since 8th grade because I want to have a safe space for students to speak up to adults about mental health and serve as an advocate for all BSD students."
Join us in welcoming Caitlin, and stay tuned - to see her ideas become reality! 🙌💡 #StudentLeadership #studentvoice #EducationMatters #SSACMember #ChangeMakers #Teambrunswickme #SchoolSuperintendent #MaineSchoolSuperintendent
October 30, 2023
3:45 PM
10/30/2023
Dear Staff, Parents, and Students,
Like many of you, I am still processing the senseless shooting that occurred in Lewiston. The suffering the greater Lewiston community is feeling has heightened the ways that all of us feel vulnerable, that the unthinkable can happen anywhere, and I want to acknowledge those feelings.
Today, I have witnessed first-hand the grace and dignity of our Brunswick Teachers, Educational Technicians, Support Staff, and Administrators as they welcomed students back. The careful and compassionate approach our schools developed and implemented will continue as we recognize that each student deals with this situation in their own way and on their own timeline.
Student Support
As a reminder, our staff is available to support any student who requires support. Please reach out to your student's teacher, school counselor, or social worker if you feel your child needs individual support. I also want to remind you that if you have a child in crisis, you can reach out to one of the following Mental Health Support Numbers:
Maine Crisis Line: 1-888-568-1112 (Voice) or 711 (Maine Relay)
Maine Suicide & Crisis Line: 988 -formerly called the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
NAMI Maine Helpline: 1-800-464-5767 (Press 1) - The NAMI Helpline is a safe and confidential mental health service for peers, law enforcement, professionals, friends, and family members.
NAMI Maine's Teen Support Line: (207) 515-8398 - A free, confidential resource for youth from 13-23 years of age.
Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
Please remember the Brunswick School Department uses the Sandy Hook Promise Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SSARS). SSARS allows staff, students, and parents to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someone who may hurt themselves or others. You can submit a tip four ways:
Click the Say Something button on the BSD website
Submit a tip through this secure website
Call 1-844-5-SayNow
Download the Say Something Reporting System Anonymous App through Google Play or Apple Store
As poet Amanda Gorman wrote, "There is always light. If only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it." Please join me in being the light - the light that supports each other.
Sincerely,
Phil Potenziano, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
It's important to take care of our mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is always available. Remember, you are not alone. Don't be afraid to reach out for support. Help is available. Sending you all love & light during this difficult time. #teambrunswickme
October 26, 2023
6:00 PM
Dear Staff, Parents, and Students:
Once again, our nation and now our beloved State of Maine are mourning after another senseless and tragic mass shooting. Never, never, in my lifetime did I believe this could ever happen in Maine, yet here we are.
My thoughts go out to the individuals who've lost their lives, the victims still in critical care, their families, first responders, and everyone affected by this atrocious act of violence. Many in Brunswick are personally affected by this tragedy and are mourning the loss of friends and family. My thoughts go out to them, and I also recognize that many of our staff members are residents of the Lewiston and Lisbon areas.
My highest priority was and remains our Brunswick students' and staff's safety and security.
Today, I met several times with members of our District Crisis Response Team. I have also communicated numerous times with Brunswick Chief of Police Stewart and area school superintendents.
Due to the devastating impact this event has had on our staff, students, and families, as well as our community's safety, I decided to close school for students and all staff again on Friday, October 27.
On Monday, October 30, the Brunswick School Department will have a two (2) hour delay of school.
This additional time will allow our staff to carefully prepare for conversations with our students and how we can best support them during this difficult time.
Just to remind you, there are resources for families located here. I hope they are helpful to you.
Thank you in advance for working with us to support our students and staff during this horrible tragedy.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Potenziano
Brunswick Schools will be closed today - Thursday, October 26 - due to the shelter-in-place and ongoing search for a person of interest in last evening's tragedy in Lewiston that impacts many of our staff and families. All school offices will be closed as we urge folks to remain off the roads as much as possible. Information on resources for supporting students and adults in the face of this tragedy will be shared by email later this morning.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Potenziano
