3.29.24 - Community Newsletter
Dear Brunswick Community:
On April 8, 2024, at 3:28 p.m., we will experience a solar eclipse. Brunswick is not in the path of totality, but it will truly be a remarkable occurrence that we will not soon forget.
There are safety considerations associated with the eclipse. No person should ever look directly at the sun. Although it can be very tempting to look at the sun during an eclipse, the sun is still dangerous during the event. Young people’s eyes are particularly susceptible to the sun’s dangers. For this reason, I caution all of you to take precautions–including wearing appropriate sunglasses if you plan on looking at the sun–during the eclipse. Here are two resources:
- NASA Eclipse Safety
https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/
- Eclipse Resources for Maine Residents and Visitors
https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/eclipse2024
Due to the timing of the eclipse, BJHS and BHS will be dismissed before the eclipse. Nevertheless, both schools are conducting science lessons around the eclipse and will be hosting optional watch parties at the schools for students who choose to return. Glasses will be provided to students. Each school will be providing specific information to students.
Harriet Beecher Stowe School is incorporating the eclipse into an optional activity since the eclipse aligns with both the third-grade and fifth-grade science curricula. All families will be invited to dismiss their students at 3 p.m. for a watch party on the HBS field. Students will be provided with sunglasses during the watch parties. HBS will provide more information about this opportunity. Students who are not able to participate will be dismissed from school following the normal procedure.
Kate Furbish Elementary School will not be running any eclipse-related activities. KFS has adjusted their dismissal schedule slightly this day. Family pick-up will be at 3:00, instead of 3:30. Please send in a note if you are picking up earlier than 3:00. All early pick-ups must be done by 2:00. Bus dismissals will follow the normal procedure.
Let’s hope for clear skies!
Sincerely,
Superintendent Potenziano
On Wednesday night, the School Board approved my recommendation to reorganize the Director of Finance position with the Director of Human Resources position. Dawn Blanchard will head this new combined role, which will oversee both the finance and human resources offices, allowing for streamlined operations and long-term cost savings and efficiencies.
I decided to merge these two positions after careful consideration and analysis. By consolidating leadership, we can better align our financial and human capital strategies, ultimately strengthening our organization's ability to achieve its strategic goals, specifically in the areas of Staff Recruitment, Retention, and Development of High-Quality Staff.
Effective immediately, Dawn will assume the role of Director of Personnel and Finance Dawn's extensive experience in both fields makes her uniquely qualified to lead these integrated teams. Please join me in congratulating Dawn on this new position.
I am confident that this reorganization will position Brunswick School Department for greater success in the future.
- All Month - Arab American and Middle Eastern and North African American Heritage Month
- All Month - Autism Acceptance Month
- All Month - Deaf History Month
- All Month - National Volunteer Month
- All Month - Scottish-American Heritage Month
- 4/6 - Laylat al-Qadr
- 4/10 - Eid al-Fitr
- 4/12 - LGBTQIA+ Day of Silence
- 4/22-4/30 - Passover
Administrative Secretary - Guidance Office at Brunswick High School
Kassandra recently married her husband, Scott! Congratulations!! They have a dog named Sadie and a cat named Delilah. She graduated from Thomas College with her bachelors degree and continued on to Southern New Hampshire University for her masters degree.
What makes you proud to work in Brunswick? #BSDProud
No matter what, my coworkers would drop what they were doing to help one another.
What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
I love putting together Harry Potter Lego sets and watching movies with my husband.
What is your favorite line from a movie?
"Not me, not hermoine, YOU" - Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
Luke Combs
What is something you learned in the last week?
The Eiffel Tower can be 15 cm taller during the summer, due to the metal expanding.
