Community Newsletter - May 13, 2022

May 13, 2022

Health & Safety Update

COVID-19 Cases

Between May 6 and May 12, there were 78 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.

COVID-19 Update

Brunswick School Department is experiencing a significant increase in the number of COVID cases. The cases include both staff and students and are in all schools. This increase is similar to increases being experienced throughout much of the Northeast.

Our medical team has been closely monitoring the situation and reviewing our health and safety practices. They have decided to continue all current practices. In addition,

We highly recommend that students and staff wear a well-fitting, quality surgical mask on buses and in school facilities. These are available in all facilities. Although this is not a requirement, the evidence is clear that masks go a long way to preventing transmission.

We highly recommend that students and staff test when they have symptoms. At-home rapid antigen tests are being distributed for free to all staff and students, are available for free through Project ACT and Covid.gov, and are sold in stores. In addition, all school nurses can also test symptomatic individuals with BinaxNOW tests in schools. Knowing if you are positive and acting responsibly is crucial to preventing the spread of COVID.

Individuals who tested positive should test again on day 6. If you are still positive, you must isolate until day 10. You should only return to school if you are negative, you are not experiencing symptoms, and you are willing to wear a well-fitting, quality mask.

Finally, with the reliance on at-home tests, it is more important than ever to notify your school nurse when you/your child tests positive for COVID-19. 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:

Keeping our students and staff healthy and our doors open is our number one goal. With your help and support we can do this!

As a reminder, at-home tests are still available through the Federal Free COVID Tests Program and Project Access COVID tests (ACT).

Special Education IEPs vs. 504 Plans

This month, we'd like to highlight the differences between two important plans for students with disabilities - IEPs and 504 plans. These plans, which are used in different circumstances, are both designed to support the educational success of students with disabilities. As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to a member of our special education team! #teambrunswickme

Superintendent's Notebook:

Helping Students Navigate the War in Ukraine

"As the war in Ukraine continues and the 24-hour media cycle brings an endless barrage of distressing information and shocking graphics to our students, their comprehension of the conditions and their fears weigh heavily on my mind.

As much as we want to shelter and protect our children – especially those at a young age – our older children are highly aware of these events and have undoubtedly heard reports and conversations, many without context for understanding. Classrooms can provide a place for children to have safe conversations about what they have seen and heard about this war, and hopefully come to some understanding of the who, what, where."

Click here to read the full article from Superintendent Potenziano.

STEM Diploma Endorsement Fuels Innovation

Four BHS students competed at the Maine State Science Fair last month, including junior Brady McQuaid who placed first in the Engineering category for his creation of a biometric pill box that helps people keep track of their medication. McQuaid’s pillbox uses a fingerprint reader to unlock, and tracks when pills are dispensed so that medication is less prone to dosing errors and misuse. McQuaid explained that his effort was sparked in part by a requirement as part of his pursuit of a STEM-endorsed diploma. “I want to go into an engineering career, and the STEM diploma is a great way to graduate with a good background. I learned I had to do the science fair through that, and I had enjoyed doing it my first year.”

Other BHS participants included 9th grader Ilsa Tucker in the Animal Science category, sophomore Jacob Scrapchansky in the Computer Science Category, and sophomore Maia Pietraho who placed 3rd statewide in Computer Science with her project, “Game-based redistricting for small population states”

Pictured above: Maia Pietraho's project, “Game-based redistricting for small population states”. Click here to view a larger image of Maia's project.

Employee Spotlight

Bonnie Gilman

Talent Development Teacher,

Brunswick Junior

High School

Bonnie grew up in Manchester, Maine and attended the Portland School of Art (now called MECA) as well as the University of Maine at Orono. She is married to her loving husband, Evan and together they have a daughter named Ellie.

What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud

The variety of wonderful people in all the Brunswick Schools.

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?

Travel, visit family and friends, walk, do art and organize closets and drawers!

Favorite line from a movie?

"Where is my beige iridescent lipstick?" - Dirty Dancing

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?

Anthony Bourdain

What is something you learned in the last week?

That the first telephone operator jobs were given to tall women with long arms so they could reach all of the plug ins.