06.07.24 - Community Newsletter

Graduation is always a bittersweet time. We celebrate the accomplishments of the graduating class with great joy while also knowing that these amazing young people are spreading their wings and leaving the nest.

The graduation ceremony represents the culmination of 12 years of hard work — from math tests and term papers to pop quizzes and science projects. Education is designed to test our students and push them to do more than they thought possible. This class did all that was asked of them and much more.

The Class of 2024 entered Brunswick High School the same year I became the superintendent of the Brunswick School Department. I think of that as my freshman year, too, just without the math tests. It was a time of hope and promise, and like them, I was excited about beginning a new chapter.

Our first year took a dramatic turn with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020. Instead of smiles and high-fives in the hallway, this class’s first two years of high school were marked with masks, social distancing, synchronous and asynchronous learning, and more.

But something amazing happened. Despite the enormous challenges, the Class of 2024 met the adversity with grit and determination and learned something that will serve them well in life: difficult times build strong people.

Author Gregory Williams wrote, “On the other side of a storm is the strength that comes from having navigated through it. Raise your sail and begin.”

Yes, the pandemic was quite a storm. But our graduates – along with their families, teachers, and those in the Brunswick community — raised their sails and got to work. Four years later, these students are about to become alumni of Brunswick High School.

Tom Brady often shares this quote: “Fate whispers to the warrior, ‘You cannot withstand the storm.’ The warrior whispers back, ‘I am the storm.’ ”

That sums up the Class of 2024.

Life has a funny way of presenting us with challenges and obstacles. Dealing with the pandemic taught these young adults that they can tackle anything, adapt to change, overcome fear and push themselves through difficult times, skills that will serve them well, whether they want to be an accountant, a zoologist or something in between.

Commencement is a time for parents, teachers, the community and especially the superintendent to celebrate and tell these young people how proud we are of all they accomplished.

The Class of 2024 will always hold a special place in my heart. When I see these graduates in 10 years and hear of the great things they’re doing, I won’t be surprised. They are smart, tough, resilient and determined. I’m very excited to see what the future holds for each of them.

Congratulations to our graduates and their families, and best of luck in your next chapter.

Congratulations to Shari Tarleton,

on being named the

Educator of the Year

for District 3!

This recognition is well deserved, and we are lucky to have you!

Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month

Black Music Appreciation Month

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

National Caribbean American Heritage Month

6/5: HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day

6/14: US Army Birthday

6/16: Father's Day

06/16-06/17: Eid al-Adha (Muslim) Religious Holiday

06/19: Juneteenth

06/21: Summer Solstice

To learn more about these observances, click here!

The Central Office move to Coffin School is scheduled for July 17th-19th. We anticipate the offices to be closed on July 18th and possibly 19th to complete the move.

Our new address will be:

Office of the Superintendent

Brunswick School Department

20 Barrows St

Brunswick, ME 04011

WHERE: Brunswick Junior High School

65 Columbia Avenue

WHEN: June 11, 2024

Polls Open at 7:00 A.M.

Polls Close at 8:00 P.M.

The BSD Technology Department will be inventorying

and preparing devices for the next school year.

All student devices must be turned in

by the last day of school,

June 13th!

SUN Bucks will work with Hot Lunch Summer to feed our kids in Maine, this summer SUN Bucks will help families receive $120.00 for each of their school aged children. If eligible, you can use SUN Bucks benefits to buy foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other places that accept EBT benefits.

Your child is eligible for SUN Bucks if your household already participates in SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or attends a school that offers National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and your household income meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals. Many families will get SUN Bucks automatically if you are getting other benefits, but some families may need to apply for the program.

If your family already participates in SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or is Homeless, Migrant or receives MaineCare with a verified annual income under 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, your child will be automatically enrolled in the program. If you are not automatically enrolled and believe your children are eligible, you can get a SUN Bucks application, at the above website. You will not need to provide any other documents of information to apply.

Applications must be received by August 15th to qualify SUN Bucks. Please Click Here for more information.

The current hours for the Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program at Coffin School are Thursdays from 2:45-4:30 PM. These hours are expected to change for the summer break starting Thursday, June 20th from 12-2PM.

Coffin School, 20 Barrows Street, Brunswick

If your child is age 14 or 15 and is in need of a work permit, please complete this work permit application: https://www.maine.gov/labor/labor_laws/publications/2018/work_permit_072018.pdf

***Documents needed:

During the summer: Work permit application (must already have promise of a job), birth certificate or passport.

During the school year: Work permit application (must already have promise of a job), birth certificate or passport, and Guidance Office form.

Work permit applications can be dropped off at the Superintendent's Office, located at 46 Federal Street. The District Office is open 7:30A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday (hours may vary in the summer).

If you prefer to email, please send to Charlotte Stevens, (cstevens@brunswicksd.org) or Jody Dolley, (jdolley@brunswicksd.org).

The processing of work permits typically ranges from 1-3 business days.

If you have any questions regarding the Maine laws governing employment of minors, please check out the link below for complete details: www.maine.gov/labor/labor_laws/minorsguide/

Open Employment Positions:

• Long Term Substitute - English - Brunswick High School
• IT Admin - District Office
• Occupational Therapist - District Wide
  
• Cross Country Coed Assistant
• Cross Country Boys Head Coach
• JV Girls Basketball Coach - Brunswick High School
• PreK Ed Tech - Kate Furbish Elementary School
• Varsity Cheer Coach - Brunswick High School
• Varsity Football Assistant Head Coach - Brunswick High School
• Football Assistant Coach - Brunswick High School
• Varsity Golf Coach - Brunswick High School
• JV Golf Coach - Brunswick High School
• 23-24 Extended School Year Nurse - District
• 23-24 Extended School Year Teachers - District
• 23-24 Extended School Year Ed Techs - District
• 23-24 Extended School Year Substitutes - District
• 24-25 (1 year only) Special Education Ed Tech - Harriet Beecher Stowe
  
• School Bus Driver - Full Time & Year Round
  
• Apprentice/Ed Tech I & Bus Aide
  
• 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

and would like to, email Billie Jo Wallace to be added to our distribution list!

bwallace@brunswicksd.org

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