October 1, 2021
Pooled COVID-19 Testing: Grades Pre-K - 6
The Brunswick School Department has partnered with Concentric by Ginkgo to implement Pooled COVID-19 Testing in grades PreK-6. This testing is optional and free. 

What is Pooled Testing?
Pooled Testing is a system in which groups of students--usually classes--self-swab their lower nasal cavities on a certain day of the week. All swabs from the group are combined into one specimen which is sent to a central testing facility. The schools are notified in 48 hours whether any specimen is positive. Individuals in the identified group are then re-tested. Those in the group who re-test negative do not have to quarantine.

We are hoping for high participation among staff and students to keep everyone from unnecessary quarantines when they are not sick. To do this, we need you to consent to your or your child’s test.

DIRECTIONS TO PROVIDE CONSENT:
1.Click the appropriate link: 
If you are filling this out for multiple students, you will need to complete a 
separate consent for each student. 
Staff consent requires creating a free account with Concentric by Ginkgo.

2.Enter this access code for where your student attends or where you primarily work:
Kate Furbish Elementary School: KFS2021
Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School: HBS2021
Brunswick Junior High School: BJHS2021

3.Follow the prompted steps and submit at the end.

Only students and staff with completed consent forms are able to participate in testing. If you do not want yourself or your family to participate, do not fill out a form. 
Ashley Albert
Music Educator of the Year
Congratulations to BHS Music Teacher, Ashley Albert, who has been named Music Educator of the Year by District 3 of the Maine Music Educators Association! The Educator of the Year is someone who has demonstrated effectiveness in teaching young people through music, and the ability to inspire positive attitudes among students, school and community. One who has demonstrated a concern for music education by active involvement in the Maine Music Educators Association.

Congratulations Ashley! #BSDProud
Autumn in Maine
Click here to view Superintendent Potenziano's article in the Forecaster: Fall fun activities can be learning experiences, too! Autumn in Maine is chock full of opportunities for combining exciting activities, family fun and learning. Think corn mazes and apple picking. Consider leaf peeping, hiking and agricultural fairs as learning opportunities and a chance to enjoy the outdoors.
Leo Theberge
Schooltles Award Recipient
Congratulations to Leo Theberge on receiving the Transportation Department's next Schooltles Award!

BSD Director of Transportation, Michelle Caron, received an email from a parent of a PreK student. "We would like to thank Leo for making our daughter's commute to school easy. You have been most accommodating and we owe you a bunch! Kindly extend our appreciation to Mr. Leo for taking care of my daughter with great bus rides. Every time my daughter sees a school bus, you'll hear her glee shouting, Momma, there's a school bus!! Thank you for making a mother's work easier!"

Way to go Mr. Leo on receiving the Schooltles Award! #TeamBrunswickME #SchoolBusDrivers #BusDriverAward
Employee Spotlight
Amanda Carson
Harriet Beecher Stowe School, Counselor

Amanda currently lives with her fiancé, Zach, in Portland but she grew up many different places around the United Sates. Some of those places include: Lansing, MI; Middletown, CT; Tacoma, WA; Galesburg, IL; New York, NY; Milwaukee, WI; and Chicago, IL. She studied theatre and music at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN and recently received her Masters Degree in Counselor Education at the University of Southern Maine.

What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud
Brunswick is a beautiful and eclectic city and school district with many resources dedicated to work with and help students and their families/caretakers. From the beginning, the staff and students have made me feel that I am a part of this fantastic team of educators, administrators, mental health professionals, students, and families. I am encouraged by the district's emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as we move forward in educating and supporting all students as they spend their years in Brunswick and beyond!

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
I am a spinning instructor at Rêve Cycling Studio in Portland, and love to take spin, yoga sculpt, yoga, and other fitness classes! I also love to read, explore Portland and the beautiful state of Maine, spend time with my family and friends, travel, sing, and write.

What is your favorite line from a movie?
"Don't let anyone, ever, make you feel like you don't deserve what you want." - Heath Ledger, 10 Things I Hate About You

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

What is something you learned in the last week?
I learned that I need to be patient with myself in this new role, and to trust that I have the foundation to be an advocate and support for all students - the rest will come with time!
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/