10.25.24 - Community Newsletter
As a school system, we are committed to creating and sustaining a comprehensive, coordinated effort to maintain the overall safety and well-being of our students, educators and administrators.
Therefore we utilize the “Say Something Anonymous Reporting System” (SS-ARS), a system fully funded by the national nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise. The SS-ARS allows youth and adults to securely submit anonymous safety concerns – anytime, from anywhere – to help identify and intervene upon at-risk individuals before they hurt themselves or others. The system enables school administrators and law enforcement (if needed) to create effective interventions and to help prevent violence, suicide, bullying, self-harm and other forms of threatening behavior.
How to submit a tip to the Say Something program:
Say Something website (SaySomething.net)
Say Something mobile app (App Store | Google Play)
Say Something hotline (1-844-5-SAY NOW | 1-844-572-9669)
Once received, a crisis counselor will review the information and then send it to school officials and/or law enforcement agencies as needed. School officials and law enforcement (if needed) will then intervene and help the individual(s).
Benefits of newly-renovated fitness rooms are more than physical.
“Intelligence and skills can only function at the peak of their capacity when the body is healthy and strong.” – President John F. Kennedy
President Kennedy was on the right track many years ago when he challenged Americans — including the youth of our country —to become more active. The benefits of regular exercise are well documented, from reduced risk of injury and illness to improved performance in sports and activities, especially in high school students. Less obvious, but perhaps more important, are the positive effects of movement on mental health and self-esteem of our youth.
While our high-performing athletes are regulars in fitness rooms, other students have been hesitant. That’s changing.
The Brunswick School Department (BSD) recently unveiled our newly-renovated fitness room at Brunswick High School — aptly named the Dragon Fitness Room — and nearby Yoga Studio that are changing the way students view exercise.
The seed was planted last year during a professional learning group about wellness, when a small cohort expressed interest in improving the school’s wellness facilities to encourage general fitness activity of both students and staff.
Greg Nadeau, Physical Education Teacher, and School Resource Officer Nick Bedard led an effort to apply and receive a grant from Midcoast Parkview Health - LincolnHealth Community Health Improvement Fund, which strives to decrease barriers to participation in activities for a given community. The $75,000 grant funded most of the renovations and improvements in the Dragon Fitness Room and nearby Yoga Room. Our Facilities Department’s budget covered the cost of new flooring in both spaces.
Chris Gronkowski from Gronk Fitness (yes, he’s the brother of football legend Rob) visited our school and provided guidance on the best use of the space, layout options, how to best meet the needs of Phys Ed classes, team training, and general use, etc.
The new weight room has all that a high school student or athletic team would want, from free weights and treadmills, to biking machines and cable machines. Mirrors hang on freshly-painted walls so that exercisers can check their form as they perform a lift. In the morning you might see a physical education class; in the afternoon, an athletic team hitting the weights or staff members on the treadmill.
The yoga studio hosts yoga and barre workouts, as well as physical education classes. There are Peloton bikes and a big screen monitor for workout videos.
Together, these two renovated spaces allow our physical education team to rewrite the course curriculum and incorporate more general fitness classes that are engaging for our students. And school staff, including Physical Education teacher Greg Nadeau, supervises the space after school, instructing students on the proper form and use of the equipment.
Why is this so exciting? In addition to becoming stronger, faster, and more flexible, exercise positively impacts a participant’s mental health, self-image, and self-esteem. This is especially important as our youth are bombarded with a distorted view of body image on social and mass media.
As Athletic Director Kaili Phillips notes, “anything that shows a person what a body can do, as opposed to what it looks like, is going to improve their self-image.” Kaili also stresses that teaching students how to properly engage in movement activities earlier in life “is going to help them be healthier throughout in their lives."
The National Institutes of Health report that physical activity may significantly improve sleep quality —something critical for our youth — and research also suggests that physical exercise improves depressive and anxiety symptoms. It’s also important to note that the wellness rooms also provide a chance to socialize with other students and be part of a community group.
BHS Principal Troy Henninger tells me that students are really enjoying the renovated facility, “There is an after school fitness club made up of students and staff who work out together. Overall, it is a great space!”
Fitness rooms have their own sounds, from weights clanging to the thump-thump-thump of someone running on a treadmill. I smile whenever I walk by, knowing that students are strengthening their bodies and minds, and that every rep, every step makes them a better version of themselves.
Our 14th ANNUAL POINSETTIA SALE fundraiser to benefit the BHS music program has begun!
ORDER DEADLINE: October 31st
POINSETTIA PICKUP DAY: Friday, December 6th starting at 4:00 PM in the BHS cafeteria and concluding after our "Night of Swing and Jazz" concert
Deborah Belaire
8th Grade Resource Room Teacher
Deborah's family includes her husband, two daughters, a dog and a bunny. Deborah grew up in Littleton, Massachusetts went to Littleton High School and attended University of Maine Farmington.
What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud
Brunswick puts student needs first.
What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
We love to go boating and explore islands.
What is your favorite line from a movie?
There is a colonial woman on the wing churning butter.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
Tom Petty
What is something you learned in the last week?
I have learned that challenging students often are the most rewarding.
Open Employment Positions:
- Food Service Worker - Brunswick High School
- Long Term Substitute: Grade 8 English Language Arts - Junior High
- Winter Coaching Positions are open!
- Kindergarten Classroom Teacher (1 Year) - Kate Furbish
- High School Science Teacher (1 Year) - Brunswick High School
- Long Term Substitute: Grade Five Teacher - Kate Furbish
- Long Term Substitute Ed Tech - Junior High
- Long Term Substitute Ed Tech Special Ed -Harriet Beecher Stowe
- Self Contained Behavior Ed Tech - Junior High
- Special Education Pre-K Ed Tech - Kate Furbish Elementary
- School Psychologist - District
- Mechanic
- School Bus Drivers
- Apprentice/Ed Tech I & Bus Aide
- Substitute Teachers, Bus Drivers, Van Drivers, & Custodians
- ...And MORE!
We're hiring for multiple positions. Visit our website to view
all current employment opportunities!
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