09.12.25 - Community Newsletter
A strategic plan provides a roadmap that guides an organization toward a vision of the future, moving from its current state to the ideal state. In today’s world, strategic plans are critical in guiding growth and improvement not only in traditional “business” settings, like manufacturing and retail, but also for educational institutions and school systems.
As you would imagine, the Brunswick School Department’s 2023 – 2028 Strategic Plan focuses heavily on curriculum that empowers all students to learn and thrive. The plan’s first priority, Teaching & Learning, includes three elements: 1) Implementing/designing high-quality, standards-aligned, core curriculum and assessment; 2) Developing shared beliefs and practices about teaching and learning; and 3) Using data to inform decisions about curriculum, programming & instruction.
The curriculum in the Brunswick School Department extends far beyond reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic, and aligns with our vision, “Brunswick schools are welcoming, inclusive, and safe learning communities where all students are held to high expectations as they develop skills necessary to thrive in a diverse and ever-changing world.”
Our Strategic Plan strives to ensure our curriculum is inclusive, developmentally appropriate, engaging and meaningful, aligned with grade-level state standards, consistent in every classroom (not teacher dependent), and aligned to ensure a meaningful progression from one grade to the next.
The student population in Brunswick is among the most diverse in the state, with about 20 different spoken native languages in our school system. Beyond that, students bring different levels of engagement and goals for the future. Step into a high school classroom, and you might find a student who dreams about a career in nursing. To their right sits a classmate eager to begin a career in law enforcement. On the left, another who is unsure and perhaps lacks the confidence to dare dream of the possibilities that may lie ahead.
Our challenge is to provide learning content that engages all students in meaningful ways, in an inclusive classroom environment where these diverse learners will thrive. For example, our science classes include a healthy portion of hands-on learning. I’ve written about our K-12 partnership with the Cathance River Education Alliance (CREA), which brings kids outdoors to learn in a hands-on environment. The hands-on piece has been shown to effectively engage students who may not excel in a solely textbook-driven class. Students tell us that it’s fun and doesn’t feel like school.
Building a solid reading foundation is critical to success throughout a student’s educational journey and into the real world. Our K – 3 teachers, for example, incorporate the UFLI Foundation program that teaches foundational skills necessary for proficient reading. UFLI (pronounced “you fly”) follows a carefully developed scope and sequence that ensures students systematically acquire skills and learn to read with confidence and minimal conscious effort.
K – 8 math teachers use Ready Classroom, another student-centered program, that focuses on more than rote memorization. Students build a deep understanding of math concepts, develop problem-solving skills, and learn to explain and discuss their thinking – more skills that have long-term benefits.
Much like the New England Patriots, it takes a team to win. Our strategic plan also includes elements to recruit, retain, and develop the best staff, and to strengthen our engagement with families.
I’m excited about the evolution of school curriculum, particularly its continued shift toward student-centered programs and away from the cookie-cutter lessons of decades past. Students are engaged, motivated, and learning. And that’s something to celebrate.
Mercedes Grandin
RTI Literacy Teacher
HBS
Mercedes is from Dover, MA and attended The Rivers School. She attended Bates, and Harvard and post graduate school at USM. Mercedes's family includes her husband Erik, daughter Faye (5) and Bunsen, a 2 year old Cobberdog.
What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud
I am a very proud Brunswick resident, mother of a Brunswick student, and Brunswick School Department employee! This has been a dream of mine to teach in my own community, and it's an honor to be able to contribute in this way to help our schools and our students shine! We are so lucky to have such excellent public schools with amazing staff who care deeply about our students and their learning, plus a vibrant and welcoming downtown community, the best library in the state (Curtis Memorial) and so much more! Thanks BSD for this opportunity to give back!
What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
Birding, dog walks, nature hikes, skiing, ice skating, beach combing with my daughter, rock hounding, reading a good book in the sun, exploring the coast of Maine.
Favorite line from a movie?
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." -Maya Angelou
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
What is something you learned in the last week?
How hummingbirds sleep in a unique state called torpor.
Open Employment Positions:
- Behavior Interventionist - Kate Furbish School
- Long Term Sub: Music Teacher (Band) - Brunswick High School
- Long Term Sub: Administrative Assistant - Brunswick High School
- Resource Educational Technician - Harriet Beecher Stowe School
- Self Contained Behavior Educational Technician - Brunswick Junior High School
- Long Term Sub Educational Technician - Brunswick Junior High School
- Long Term Sub Educational Technician - Kate Furbish School
- Long Term Sub Educational Technician - Harriet Beecher Stowe School
- Substitute Nurses, Teachers, Ed Techs, Tutors
- Resource Educational Technician - Kate Furbish School
- 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!
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