08.21.26 - Community Newsletter

The month of August is always a mixed bag of emotions. It starts with us getting every last squeeze out of the summer and ends with making plans to transition back to early bedtimes, packing lunches, and catching the bus.

Back-to-school is a rhythm. And it's a challenge because we are all making adjustments to march to that new beat. If you're a parent, student, teacher, or even someone who commutes through our district, you're not alone in this effort.

For households with elementary-age students, one of the biggest hurdles is dealing with separation anxiety. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), establishing predictability and consistency is the best way to get ahead of it. Start your back-to-school routine a week before school starts with an earlier bedtime and a predictable morning routine. And this one might be harder for the parents than the students, but keep those goodbyes warm but brief and consistent; the classic "hug, kiss, goodbye." It tells your student that they are in a safe environment with trusted adults.

Middle school is where everything changes. Families with students at Brunswick Junior High will want to start managing less and fostering more independence. This is the value of "scaffolding," providing age-appropriate support and gradually reducing it as children develop these skills. And it’s hard to peel back at times. Advice from Harvard's Center on the Developing Child suggests that parents begin to lower the safety net. For example, don't automatically check the backpack every night; help the student create a system to track homework and materials, rather than doing it for them. When questions (or complaints) arise about how to get a project over the finish line, ask questions such as, "What's your plan?" rather than supplying the solution. Think of your role as changing from "manager" to "coach."

Households with high school students will want to dial in on stress management. One tool to combat stress is to create a manageable schedule. The AAP suggests families help their teens create flexible schedules with goals broken into smaller steps so that they do not feel overwhelmed. And do not gloss over the value of sleep. The CDC recommends teenagers get 8-10 hours of sleep every night. Don't try to solve an overloaded schedule by sacrificing sleep; adjust the schedule so your teen is less overwhelmed.

Remember, BSD always has resources available to help households navigate transitions at all grade levels. Never be afraid to start a discussion with our counselors and social workers.

Even if you don't have children in the school system, this back-to-school transition period affects all of us. Remember to bring your patience with you before you head out on your commute, as school buses bring our precious cargo to school. Getting stuck in a line of traffic behind a bus can trigger your stress, but we're all in it together. Patience isn't just a courtesy; it creates a safer, smoother start to the school year.

Welcome back!

As I shared previously, LD 1234 was passed this spring by the Maine Legislature in an effort to reduce the effects of personal technology devices/cell phones in schools. This law requires that "By August 1, 2026, a school board shall adopt and implement a policy prohibiting student use of personal electronic devices for the duration of the school day, from the starting bell to the dismissal bell. The policy must restrict student use of cellular telephones and other personal electronic devices with internet or cellular network capabilities."

For the start of the 2026-27 school year, students in PK-12 across the state will not be allowed to use phones or other personal electronic devices at all during the school day, with limited exceptions (as defined by law) "for medical reasons, emergency situations, or specific educational accommodations." In June, the Board adopted local Policy JICJ Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices in Schools. Each school is implementing this new policy in a manner appropriate to its students' developmental levels. Please refer to the schools' student handbooks for procedural details.

One way parents and guardians can certainly help is by leaving messages for their child during the school day, either by calling or emailing the school's main office. Please do not text or call your child on their devices during the school day. Students are allowed to use devices after dismissal to communicate with parents as needed.

Do you plan on volunteering at school for your child or grandchild? Applications must be submitted every school year and if you apply early in the year, you'll be all set come May for the Field Days and Field Trips!

All potential volunteers must complete and submit an application through Volgistics. The link to Volgistics can be found on the Volunteer page of the BSD website. Applicants may select multiple volunteer locations in their application. Applicants should apply ten days before the event or activity for which they would like to volunteer.

Elina Tucker

BHS Junior

"I am excited to represent the student body at Brunswick High School. I look forward to hearing student's input to influence the decisions made by the school board to the best of my ability.

I am grateful for this amazing opportunity to learn about the process of how policy decisions are made for our school and better our school community!"

Michael Tentindo

Educational Technician

KFS

Michael grew up in Stratham, NH. He attended Exeter High School, and Muhlenberg College. Michael's family includes his wife, Annie; daughters, Charlie and Cameron, and Meats, their German Shepard.

What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud

The people I am surrounded by.

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

Mountain Bike, Snowboard

Favorite line from a movie?

"Say what one more time. . . " Samuel L. Jackson - Pulp Fiction

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

Ben Franklin

What is something you learned in the last week?

Sometimes, "No thank you" is a good enough answer.

Open Employment Positions:

• Mechanic
• Food Service Worker
• Main Office Secretary - Brunswick School Department
• Night Head Custodian - Brunswick Junior High School
• LT Sub: Fourth Grade Teacher - Harriet Beecher Stowe School
• Educational Technicians - Kate Furbish School
• PreK,
• Resource,
• Functional Life Skills
• Self-Contained Behavior
• Front Office Aide - Kate Furbish School
• Coaching Positions have been posted! Brunswick High and Brunswick Jr. High School
• Substitute position are open all year!
• Substitute Nurses, Teachers, Ed Techs, Tutors
• School Bus Drivers!!
• Apprentice/Ed Tech I & Bus Aides
• Substitute Bus Drivers, Van Drivers, & Custodians
• ...And MORE!

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

all current employment opportunities!

You can view previous newsletters on our website!

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