08.30.24 - Community Newsletter

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All Month: National Guide Dog Month

September 2: Labor Day

September 15: Eid Milad ul-Nabi (Muslim)

September 15-October 15: Hispanic, Latino, & Latinx Heritage Month

September 16: Mexican Independence Day

September 18: National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day

September 20-26: International Week of the Deaf Awareness

September 21: International Day of Peace

September 23: International Day of Sign Languages

September 30: National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools

Click Here to Learn More about these events!

At this year's welcome-back ceremony, the Brunswick School Department celebrated a remarkable milestone: Elementary teacher Deb LaPointe was recognized for her astounding 35 years of service to our community's young learners.

Mrs. LaPointe, a beloved fixture at Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary, has touched the lives of countless students over her three and a half decades in the classroom. Known for her patient demeanor and innovative teaching methods, she has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure every child in her care receives a quality education.

"Deb is a teacher I wish every student could experience, 35 years in and she is still constantly learning, laughing, and having fun with her students. She has an easy rapport with families and is a resource for many staff both veteran and novice. All of this combined with her warm smile and infectious laugh make her a huge piece of our HBS family," said Heather Blanchard, principal at Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary.

Throughout her tenure, Mrs. LaPointe has witnessed significant changes in education, from the introduction of computers in classrooms to the recent challenges of remote learning. Through it all, she has adapted her teaching style to meet the evolving needs of her students while maintaining her core values of compassion and excellence.

As the Brunswick School Department looks forward to another exciting year, we are proud to have educators like Deb LaPointe leading the way. Her 35 years of service stand as a testament to the lasting impact a dedicated teacher can have on a community.

Congratulations, Mrs. LaPointe, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to Brunswick's students!

Starting August 29th, the hours for the Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program at Coffin School will be Thursdays from 2:45-4:30 PM.

Coffin School

20 Barrows Street

Room 9

Claire Schreiber

Main Office Secretary at BHS

Claire lives in Brunswick with her husband Brem, children, Caroline (HBS), Gus (KFS) and Alice (too young for school!) She grew up in Allegany, NY where there are more cows than people and only two stoplights! Claire attended high school in Allegany and received her BA History, MSED Adolescent Education at St. Bonaventure University.

What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud

I love the culture that the staff have built at the high school. Especially the vibe created for students in the main lobby when staff members play guitars and sing during arrival times. The best part is that I get a front row seat to the concert while working from my desk!

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

I love to read, cook, garden, camp and swim. If I'm not enjoying time with my family, you might also find me at Fairwinds Farms creating their canned good goodies! (I am a Master Food Preserver through the Cooperative Extension).

What is your favorite line from a movie?

"You're killing me smalls!!" from the Sandlot

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

I would really love to meet my grandfather, George Cash. He passed away when I was only four-years-old. He was an OB-GYN and delivered over 8,000 babies where I grew up! There were so many stories shared with me from families whose lives he had touched - both in a professional capacity and through the many quiet acts of service and generosity. I would love the chance to get to know him as an adult.

What is something you learned in the last week?

I just met someone who is a licensed Q-Grader who lives and works in Topsham! It's the coffee equivalent of a sommelier and you have to pass 21 tests (most sensory) to get it. Then you have to pass recalibration tests every 3 years to maintain. How awesome is that?! They are paid to test coffee all day - sign me up!

While the COVID-19 pandemic has eased considerably, we must be aware that respiratory disease is still among us and is easily spread. It is important that we remain vigilant while going about our daily work to provide the best and safest opportunities for all students. This includes monitoring the health of each child and staff member each day, keeping them home when sick, and testing for COVID-19 if symptoms suggest. Our plan for keeping students and staff healthy include:

1. Continue to focus on personal hygiene (frequent hand-washing, minimal sharing of supplies, proper sneeze and cough etiquette).

2. Maintain the expectation of daily self-checks for symptoms or possible exposure to positive cases by staff members and families of students.

3. Ongoing use of improved air filtration systems to remove particles and contaminants from indoor air.

4. Continue to promote vaccines for students in approved age groups, with potential for vaccination clinics throughout the fall.

5. Follow US CDC guidance for People with COVID-19.

When you may have a respiratory virus...‎

Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.*

You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

• Your symptoms are getting better overall, and

  
  

• You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

  
  

When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

Open Employment Positions:

• Long Term Substitute Ed Tech - KFS
• Long Term Substitute Ed Tech - Junior High
• Long Term Substitute 6th Grade Science - Junior High
• Long Term Substitute for Resource Room - Junior High
• Self Contained Behavior Ed Tech - Junior High
• Special Education Ed Tech - KFS
• 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