12.06.24 - Community Newsletter
December Observances
12/8: Bodhi Day
12/13: National Guard Birthday
12/21: Winter Solstice
12/25: Christmas
12/25-1/2: Hanukkah
12/26-01/01: Kwanzaa
12/31: New Years Eve
Click here for more information
Helping Our Kids Navigate Social Media in the Information Age
For better or worse, social media is here to stay.
Social media may be the ultimate double-edged sword. The information at our fingertips is astounding. Want to share some exciting news? Facebook is a great option. Ready to learn the guitar? YouTube has hundreds of instructional videos. Planning a trip? Instagram shows you locations around the globe.
At the Brunswick School Department, we’re thrilled when students use social media to learn, grow, and connect with others, but we also know this access comes at a cost, especially for younger people.
Some of the issues facing our youth:
Children who spend more than 3 hours per day on social media may be at heightened risk for mental health problems, according to an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry.
Nearly half of students ages 13 – 17 cite social media as the reason for a negative body image.
Long and late hours spent on social media contribute to poor sleep quality, which leads to several issues, including depression and difficulty focusing in class.
The Pew Research Center reports that almost 50% of U.S. teens have been bullied or harassed online. Physical appearance is often the reason, with older teen girls a common target.
What can be done to help our children navigate these treacherous waters?
Communicate. Regardless of their age, speak with your student about social media, what they see, and how it makes them feel. Encourage them to ask questions and speak up if something upsets them.
Consider establishing tech-free zones, such as the dinner table, to encourage in-person communication and tech-free hours to ensure adequate time to study and sleep.
Model good behavior. Put your phone down at the table, for example, and make strengthening family relationships a priority. Demonstrate responsible behavior by engaging appropriately and blocking accounts that cross the line.
If you’ve got young children just learning about social media, remind them of the importance of being kind and that you expect them to treat others respectfully. Some parents ask, “What would Grandma say if she saw this?”
Teach them to guard personal information and not to chat or engage with strangers. As a parent, make sure their device has the proper privacy settings turned on.
As students reach middle school age, you can remind them that what they do on social media could hurt their reputation, damage friendships, and potentially lead to repercussions at school. Let them know that you’ll be checking in on them, and set clear expectations — and consequences.
As your teens transition to high school, continue to offer positive support, while stressing that what they do on social media could follow them forever, and may affect future college or work applications, relationships, etc. Discuss the unrealistic expectations created by social media and encourage them to view social media with a careful, thoughtful eye.
Encourage your children of all ages to follow accounts that are positive and encouraging. Many professional athletes and performers post content that is interesting, motivating, and humorous. The Brunswick School Department’s Instagram page, @wearebrunswickdragons, focuses on community-building, and I’d love to see all students engaged with Likes, Comments, and Shares for our posts.
For better or worse, social media will continue to play a major role in the lives of our students. With some guidance and support from families and educators, we can help students explore the best of their favorite platforms, while avoiding the dark elements that can be so disruptive.
🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️
This time on The Brunswick Buzz, we’re diving into the incredible opportunities at Region 10 Technical High School in Brunswick!
Join host Dr. Phil Potenziano, Superintendent of Brunswick School Department, as he chats with Shawn Chabot, Superintendent of Region 10. Together, they’ll explore how Region 10 is shaping the future of education in our community through Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Discover how this vibrant center of learning serves students from Brunswick High School, Mt. Ararat High School, and Freeport High School, offering a diverse range of innovative programs designed to prepare students for success in today’s world.
Tune in now for an inspiring conversation about collaboration, education, and our region's bright future!
Sam Spinrad
Kindergarten Teacher at Kate Furbish Elementary
Sam and his wife Hannah have a daughter, Nava, and two sons, Jackson and Emmett. Sam is from California and went to Norwich University.
What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud
The people, particularly the friendliness of Brunswick's youth, made a great impression on me when we first moved to town.
What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
Highpointing! (Highpointing is the act of reaching the highest point in a given area, such as a state, county, or continent. For example, someone might highpoint by climbing the highest point in each U.S. state, or by reaching the highest peak on every continent.)
What is your favorite line from a movie?
"Turn to page 394." - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
Theodore Roosevelt
What is something you learned in the last week?
The location of the superintendent's office.
Open Employment Positions:
- Long Term (1 year) Float Sub Teacher - Kate Furbish
- Long Term Sub Ed Tech - Harriet Beecher Stowe School
- Anticipated Pre-K Special Education Ed Tech - Kate Furbish
- Unified Basketball Coach and Assistant Coach - Brunswick Junior High
- Special Education Ed Tech - Harriet Beecher Stowe
- School Lunch Aides - Kate Furbish School
- Girls Basketball First Team Coach- High School
- Indoor Track Coed Asst Coach - High School
- Unified Bocce Head Coach - High School
- Self Contained Behavior Ed Tech - Junior High
- 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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