I love watching kids get on and off the bus. In the morning, they’re ready to tackle whatever challenges the day brings. Hours later, they return home with a sense of accomplishment after a day of learning.

If your student rides the bus, you know how challenging it can be to get to the pick-up spot on time—especially during a Maine winter or when juggling the demands of work. Many parents and students wait at the end of a long driveway, braving snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, hoping the bus arrives on schedule. Standing out in the bitter cold or heavy rain is a tough way to start the day, making an already hectic morning even more stressful.

Fortunately, the Brunswick School Department can help. Last year, we incorporated a new GPS and communications app, BusRight, that provides real-time updates for parents. With the free BusRight app, you’ll know the bus’s location and estimated arrival time, whether the destination is school or the end of your driveway. BusRight also sends alerts if traffic or other factors cause a delay.

The information refreshes every two seconds, ensuring you see the most current information, and aligns with our ongoing commitment to transparency.

Michelle Caron, our director of transportation, is excited about BusRight: “It’s big. You can track packages and pizza delivery, and now we know where our students are. It’s very helpful.” Michelle’s office regularly receives inquiries when a bus is running late, but BusRight gives parents (and older students) that information on their mobile devices, eliminating the need to call.

In addition to its many benefits for parents, BusRight is an excellent resource for our transportation team, which carries an average of 2,030 riders daily on 31 buses.

BusRight helps build and adjust routes, tells us where buses are, and monitors the vehicles’ speed. If a route is slowed by construction or a fallen tree, BusRight easily reroutes buses. A tablet on the bus or van provides hands-free directions for drivers, something that's especially helpful when bringing a team to a remote game or transporting a class on a field trip.

What does this have to do with Disney World? If you’ve been to the park, you know Disney prioritizes the entire experience, from arrival to departure. They focus on reducing stress and making logistics seamless—just like BusRight does for school transportation. For example, rather than using generic lot numbers, Disney labels parking areas with character names so kids (and parents) can easily remember where they parked. Similarly, BusRight enhances the school bus experience by providing real-time tracking and updates, ensuring families feel informed, prepared, and less stressed about pick-up and drop-off—just like Disney makes navigating the park effortless.

Disney knows that a bad experience in the parking lot can sour what was a wonderful day. Similarly, improved communications about bus pickup and drop off – and knowing that your student arrived safely – reduces stress and offers you peace of mind.

BusRight is available on Google Play and the Apple Store.

Please join us in celebrating Youth Art Month at the annual district-wide art show at Curtis Memorial Library. This event has been going on for well over 20 years, and showcases the incredible talent and creativity in Brunswick students from Kindergarten through 12th grade.

The show will be on display in the Morrell Meeting Room from now until March 30th during Curtis Memorial Library open hours. A local favorite event we hope you take a moment to enjoy the local talent.

New, free tax filing option available to eligible taxpayers in 25 states, including Maine.

The IRS Direct File program provides a secure, easy, and completely free way for eligible taxpayers to file their federal tax returns directly with the IRS. This public service is designed to simplify tax filing and help taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned money.

Please join us Wednesday, March 19th from 6 – 7:30 pm in Curtis Library’s Morrell Meeting room for a free lecture on active transportation!

This month’s lecture will highlight the benefits of investing in local bike and pedestrian infrastructure, advocacy efforts at the state and local level, tips on how to navigate this new landscape, and opportunities to get involved and show your support for these initiatives right here in Brunswick! First, Andrew Hamilton of the Brunswick Bike and Pedestrian Commission will take us on tour through some of the latest research and trends in bicycle-friendly planning and design, with an emphasis on the idea that bike infrastructure benefits everyone (even people who don't ride bikes themselves!); Bike Coalition of Maine Director, Paul Drinan, will wrap up the second half of our lecture with an overview of the different types of bike infrastructure and best practices for their use, opportunities for community involvement and action at the state level and an overview of their new municipal membership program meant to help support communities with Climate Action and Master Bike-Ped Plans. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about local efforts to promote the expansion of biking and how you can get involved!

All are welcome and encouraged to attend this free lecture (see poster for additional detail). This is a free, in-person event; zoom will not be available. Please contact me (acharleson@brunswickme.gov) or Curtis Library's Adult Services Librarian, Hazel Onsrud (honsrud@curtislibrary.com) should you have any questions.

If you enjoy this sustainability series, please consider taking a brief moment to fill out the form below to sign up for monthly email notifications or provide feedback & suggestions for future lectures (https://forms.office.com/g/WrFLn4nPkX)

Phil explores the vital role of board-certified behavior analysts in supporting students, staff, and families in Brunswick Schools.

Joining the conversation are special guests:

• Ruth Joyce, Director of Special Education
• Becky McKarns, Assistant Director of Special Education
• Holly Morgan & Becca Paradee, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Brunswick School Department

Tune in to learn how these professionals enhance special education programming and foster student success!

https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-9vh6u-182a6a4

Editor's Note - This podcast was recorded on February 12th, 2025

The Town of Brunswick is thrilled to partner up with Mere Point Oyster Co., Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust (and more!) for the 4th annual Coastal Cleanup event, taking place right here in our beautiful community! Join us Saturday, April 4th, from 10am to 12pm – alongside Paul’s Marina, Merrymeeting Shellfish Co., Smith’s Boatyard, and Flight Deck Brewing – as we roll up our sleeves in celebration of Earth Day and to help restore the natural beauty of our beloved coastline.. but we need your help to make a difference! See directions below or refer to the attached poster for more information; please feel free to share with anyone you think may be interested!

.EVENT INFORMATION.

• Date: Saturday, April 5th | rain date April 6th
• Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Meet-Up Locations: To be announced via email 3/27 w/ additional volunteer instructions

.HOW TO VOLUNTEER.

• Click here to RSVP via the Google Forms sign-up sheet by 4/1 – let us know if you’d like to be a team leader!
• All Ages Welcome! Bring the whole family and join in the fun. Our engaging scavenger hunts and shell decorating station will ensure that children have a blast while making a positive impact on our environment.
• Please note: We'll organize volunteers into different groups to cover the most shoreline effectively. If you have recruited friends or family, please list everyone in your group so that all are accounted for when we finish. For agility level, please base this on the lease agile member of your group for safety reasons.
  
  

What better way to celebrate our hard work than with a reward? After a day of dedication and teamwork indulge in freshly shucked oysters, compliments of Mere Point Oyster Company, before joining the rest of the cleanup volunteers at Flight Deck Brewery in Brunswick. Let's make waves, Brunswick! Together, we can preserve the pristine beauty of our coastal ecosystem for generations to come. For more information, feel free to reach out to the event’s organizers, Kelly Punch at Mere Point Oyster Co. (kelly@merepointoyster.com or (978) 793-1242) or me! (the Town’s Environmental Planner | acharleson@brunswickme.gov, 207-721-4025).

Check out this great opportunity in Bowdoinham for an art and nature filled summer experience!

Open Employment Positions:

• 6th Grade Social Studies Long Term Sub - Brunswick Junior High School
  
• Long Term Substitute: BHS Music Teacher (Choral) - Brunswick High School
• Math Long Term Sub - Brunswick High School
• Functional Life Skills Ed Tech - Brunswick High School
• Co-Ed Tennis JV Coach - Brunswick High School
• Co-Ed Track Asst. Coach - Brunswick High School
• Pre-K Special Education Ed Tech - Kate Furbish Elementary School
• Part-time School Psychologist - District
• Long Term Sub Speech Therapist - Brunswick Junior High School
• School Psychologist - District
• Mechanic
  
• School Bus Drivers - 2 Positions Open!
• Apprentice/Ed Tech I & Bus Aides
• Substitute Teachers, Bus Drivers, Van Drivers, & Custodians
• ...And MORE!

We're hiring for multiple positions. Visit our website to view

all current employment opportunities!

If you are currently not receiving the Community Newsletter

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bwallace@brunswicksd.org

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If you are currently not receiving the Community Newsletter and would like to, or if you would like to unsubscribe from the newsletter email Billie Jo Wallace at bwallace@brunswicksd.org