Lower Case Trends and Safety Protocol Changes
Dear Staff, Students, and Parents,
A year and a half has elapsed since I first arrived in Brunswick and nearly two years since the March 2020 Pandemic began. Since then, the BSD has done everything that our public health experts have asked of us through a layered system that included social distancing, HVAC system improvements, masking, vaccinated and booster promotion, pooled testing, and limited social interactions.
We are happy to report that case trends in Brunswick schools are going down. After a high of 118 cases during the week of January 14, we are down to 36 during the week of February 7. Of course, this is still significantly higher than the 1 case we had during the week of December 11.
I want to thank all of the students, staff, and families who helped bring about this reduction.
We anticipate changes in the guidance from the Maine Department of Education soon to enable us to roll back some of our health and safety protocols. Our health team is also monitoring our situation and identifying metrics to help determine which protocols may be eased at which time. The easing and/or lifting of any restrictions and the exact timeline for implementation will depend heavily on where the science and data lead us and will be announced in the days and weeks ahead.
Until then, please remain vigilant in your efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, boosted, tested, and by wearing face masks indoors.
I am hopeful that conditions continue to improve and that this spring semester marks the beginning of our reemergence from the COVID-19 pandemic and our transition to a new normal. Having endured the unprecedented challenges of the past two years, let us all take pride in the collective optimism, resilience, and strength the BSD has shown.
Sincerely,
Phil
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COVID-19 Cases
Between February 4 and February 10, there were 36 new COVID-19 cases in the Brunswick School Department:
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Cumulative statistics on all COVID-19 cases during the 2021-22 school year are available on the COVID-19 Dashboard. The data above and on the Dashboard are as accurate as possible but they are constantly evolving.
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School Absences
The following information is provided as an indicator of health in the schools.
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Please note:
- Staff absences have been filtered to only include those due to sickness.
- Staff average absentee percentages are not provided because these absences include all staff assigned to a building regardless of function, job category, or schedule.
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Pooled COVID-19 Testing
You can still register your children for pooled testing. The directions can be found here.
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Reporting Positive COVID-19 Test Results |
Please remember to notify your school nurse when your student tests positive for COVID. This is important because schools need to monitor those who are COVID-positive and must notify the Maine CDC of positive test results. Also, individuals who test positive must be excluded from pooled testing for 90 days. Otherwise, they will cause their pools to be positive when there is no one in the pool who is actively positive. This causes unnecessary stress and work for those who are in the pools or who are monitoring the pools.
To help streamline the notification process, 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.
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Brunswick High School Athletics |
Boys Basketball
BHS Athletic Director, Aaron Watson, challenged student athletes during a previous snow day to help out around the community with a random act of kindness. Pictured here is Thomas Harvie, Captain of the boys Varsity Basketball Team, shoveling a walkway. Thomas who is a current Junior leads by example and works hard on and off the court.
GO DRAGONS!
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Boys Ice Hockey
The BHS JV and Varsity boys Ice Hockey teams have teamed up with local organizations to ensure a cheerful holiday season and a safe winter for all of our neighbors. In December, assistant coach Todd Ridlon mobilized the team in response to a call from Pathway Vineyards church that their annual holiday gift donations might fall short of demand. The students raised funds from the hockey community and purchased some needed items to contribute to the event. In the new year coach Ridlon became aware of additional community needs, this time through law enforcement contacts. Police officers assigned to schools or neighborhood patrols are requesting supplies that can be distributed when they encounter someone who needs more warm clothes. Hockey players are currently soliciting clothing donations to meet a wishlist of items. To contribute, contact Head Coach Mike Misner: mmisner@brunswicksd.org
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Swim Team
Congratulations to junior Sarah Palmer! During a swim meet on Saturday, February 7th, Sarah broke a 19 year BHS swim record for the 100m breast stroke by 1 second. Congratulations to Sarah and the entire BHS swim team!
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Brunswick Students Enjoy Local Seafood |
"Despite Maine’s close proximity to the Atlantic, it is rare for students in Maine’s public schools to have fresh local seafood as part of their school lunches. The Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association (MCFA), a Brunswick nonprofit focused on rebuilding the fisheries of the Gulf of Maine and sustaining Maine’s fishing communities for future generations, began to offer free local seafood to Maine schools in 2020 as part of their Fishermen Feeding Mainers program. In the past two years, over 20 school districts around the state have taken advantage of this opportunity."
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Superintendent's Notebook:
The love of animals can lead to leaps in learning
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"We’ve all heard about the benefits of pet therapy for those who are sick, in the hospital or just lonely. Recent studies show that pet therapy can have the same effects on students, whether at home or in educational settings, as it does in health care settings: improved energy levels, increased self-esteem, heightened moods and even decreases in depression."
Click here to view the full article from Superintendent Potenziano.
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Brunswick High School Alumni |
2017 Brunswick High School Alum, Anna Rider, was one of fourteen members of the William Smith College Field Hockey team who were honored for their commitment in the classroom and on the field by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. They were among more than 2,300 student-athletes across the NCAA Division III to earn a spot on the 2021 NFHCA National Academic Squad.
To qualify for the National Academic Squad, student-athletes must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or higher through the end of the 2021 fall semester.
Way to go, Anna!
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Meghan Taylor
2nd Grade Teacher,
Kate Furbish Elementary School
Meghan grew up in South Portland and attended Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. Taylor's husband, Geoff, is a BSD bus driver and together they have two children, Percival (4 years old), and Fletcher (1 year old). They also have four cats - Wizard, Captain, Ginerva and Smaug.
What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud
My second grade team - they are the best!!! We always help each other out and are like family!
What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
Play trains with my kids, visit new playgrounds, listen to audiobooks.
What is your favorite line from a movie?
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!” - Finding Nemo
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
My great grandfather. He was a well-respected doctor at the time and I’d like to know him.
What is something you have learned in the last week?
I learned that a polar bear has black skin!
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WE'RE HIRING! Click the link below to view current employment opportunities within the Brunswick School Department.
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