09.06.24 - Community Newsletter

Unfortunately, this week’s school shooting in Georgia provided yet more proof why safety and security continues to be a crucial concern in schools. We thought this would be a good time to remind our community of how we continue to focus on safety and security:

• Planning: BSD has a dynamic, all-hazards, and easily-accessible emergency management plan that follows federal and state guidelines. The plan was developed, reviewed, and revised regularly.

• Training: All staff are trained annually in evacuation, shelter-in-place, and the ALICE protocol. All staff and students complete 11 drills each year. All administrators are trained in the federal National Incident Management System and all schools have at least one staff member who is an ALICE instructor.

• Facilities: All facilities are reviewed for safety concerns and changes are made continuously. Recent changes include a new surveillance camera and access systems in all buildings, a new traffic pattern at BJHS, and a new entrance vestibule for BJHS.

• Partnerships: BSD partners with multiple emergency responders including the Brunswick Police and Fire Departments, the Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency, and the Maine School Safety Center. We have two BPD school resource officers who are a constant presence in the schools.

Although we cannot foresee every eventuality, please know that the safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Assistant Superintendent Shawn Lambert (slambert@brunswicksd.org; 207-319-1900).

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. All month, mental health advocates, survivors, allies, and community members nationwide come together to promote suicide prevention awareness. As a District, we want to bring awareness to suicide prevention and share useful resources for students, staff, and the greater Brunswick community.

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

988 is an easy-to-remember three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

This project began in 2019 to put crisis care more in reach for people in need. The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act signed into law after the passage of bipartisan legislation in 2020, authorized 988 as a new number for suicide and mental health crisis. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 crisis care.

When people call, text, or chat 988, they are connected to trained counselors who are part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These counselors listen to the callers, understand how their problems affect them, provide support, and connect them to necessary resources.

If you need suicide or mental health crisis support or are worried about someone else, please call or text 988 or visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline chat to connect with a trained crisis specialist.Here are some resources regarding Suicide Prevention.

Other additional resources are below

NAMI Maine (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Through support, education, and advocacy. NAMI Maine is dedicated to building better lives for the 1 in 4 Mainers affected by mental illness.

NAMI Maine’s Teen Text Support Line: Text 207-515-8398. Available Monday-Friday 2 PM-10 PM and Saturday-Sunday 12 PM – 10 PM.

Maine’s Peer Support Line: Call 1-866-771-9276. Available 24/7.

Maine Behavioral Healthcare (Services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing).

Ruth Joyce

Director of Special Education

Ruth lives in Brunswick with her family, her husband, daughter, and son. They have a dog and two cats. Ruth grew up in Auburn and went to Edward Little High School. She is graduate of UMF and USM.

What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud

What makes me proud to work in Brunswick is the high value on education.

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

Outside of work Ruth likes spending time with family and friends, writing, quilling (a paper art), and going to the ocean.

What is your favorite line from a movie?

“Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? Anne of Green Gables

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

One of my biological great, great, great grandparents

What is something you learned in the last week?

How late the library is open in the summer.

Open Employment Positions:

• First Team Girls Soccer Coach - Brunswick High School
• Long Term Substitute Ed Tech - Kate Furbish
• Long Term Substitute Ed Tech - Junior High
• Long Term Substitute 1st Grade - Kate Furbish
• Long Term Substitute for Resource Room - Junior High
• Lunch Aides - Kate Furbish
• Self Contained Behavior Ed Tech - Junior High
• Special Education Ed Tech - Kate Furbish
• School Psychologist - District
• Mechanic
  
• School Bus Drivers
• 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!

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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