Click here for an article from Common Sense Media on helping children digest the rapidly changing news.  In the last section “Keep it age appropriate” you will also find a link to student-friendly news sources. 

With the school closed for the next couple weeks here are some

Free Outside Ideas:

Walking Trails in Brunswick:       

• Crystal Spring Farm
• Cox Pinnacle Trail
• Androscoggin River Path
• Bowdoin Pines Trail
• Swinging Pedestrian Bridge

Parks in Brunswick:

• Brunswick Town Mall
• Edwards Field
• Nathaniel Davis Park
• Shulman Field

Playgrounds in Brunswick:

• Longfellow Community Playground
• Harriet Beecher School Playground
• Playgrounds throughout the Base
• Basketball courts on the Base

Walking Trails in Harpswell:

• Cliff Trail
• Giant Stairs
• Land’s End
• Mitchell Field
• Long Reach Preserve

Parks in Bath:

• Green Point Preserve
• Sewall Woods
• Thorne Head Preserve
• Waterfront Park

Activities to Do Outside:

Basketball, Soccer, Badminton, Riding Bikes, Skateboarding, Flying Kites, Picnic, Watch the Sunset, Fishing, Take Dog for a Walk, Paint or Baseball.

   Remember to Layer As The Weather Changes Quickly and Wash Your Hands!

This website has a social story to download, print, and use for students who could benefit from learning about the Coronavirus in this format.  

Click here for the Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) provided by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Last evening we hosted a viewing of Screenagers:Next Chapter.  Here are some takeaways and tips for parents.  Parent Guide

Brunswick School Department invites you to a special free screening of of the national documentary Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety, featuring an interview with world-renowned athlete and mental health advocate Michael Phelps as well as teens and parents sharing deeply personal stories about the impact of anxiety on their own lives and tips and advice from prominent experts. The showing of the 55-minute film will be followed by an informative panel discussion including local experts. The film is appropriate for ages 10 and up (parents and students are encouraged to attend together). The screening will take place on Thursday, January 25th, at 6:30 p.m. at Brunswick High School’s Crooker Theater. A panel discussion and Q&A will follow from 7:30-8:00 p.m. To learn more, click here to see the Angst Event Flier and visit the website at https://angstmovie.com/about/

A Note on Transitioning to Junior High School

Junior high is an exciting time of change, growth, and discovery.  It is expected for students to be excited and nervous about:

• new teachers, new building, and new classes,
• having more independence and responsibility,
• a busy schedule, and
• new opportunities for clubs and sports

It will be important to start the year off in a positive way.  Some ideas for heading off in the right direction include:

•  Getting plenty of sleep and exercise, eating a healthy diet, and setting aside time to have fun with friends and family
• Talking to your school counselor or an adult you trust if you are feeling upset, stressed, lonely or confused
• Practicing with a locker combination at home before the first day of school- this is one of the biggest worries for students starting off
• Choosing a club or sport to get involved in (see Mrs. Roy or Mrs. Nein for the list of choices)

 Tips for academic success:

1. Stay organized- use your assignment notebook, keep your locker neat, and assign folders or binders for each class- your teachers will help you with this!
2. Use your time wisely- get ready for school thenight before (clothes, backpack, etc), set a regular homework time in a quiet space, and break up projects and assignments into smaller chunks. 
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

For parents:  Talking to your child during the junior high years can be tough at times, but it is an essential piece to keep the lines of communication open.  Here are some ideas for the summer and throughout their junior high experience-

• What are you most excited about?
• What are you most nervous about?
• Ask how you can help them.
• Listen closely and attentively to feelings or concerns they share.
• Highlight the positives- more independence, more opportunities, etc.
• Help your child make a schedule to balance activities, homework, and free time.
• Help them understand positive and negative peer pressure, and who to talk to when they have concerns. 

We look forward to taking this journey with you and your child! As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns. 

Guidance office:  319-1932

Email: aroy@brunswick.k12.me.us

The popular new Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why has become a quite popular binge-worthy series for students.  The series shares a sensationalized view of teen suicide and does not portray appropriate or accurate support/treatment for teens in these situations.  The National Association of School Psychologists has put together an informative resource for parents and educators including cautions, guidance, and additional resources.

13 Reasons Why Guidance_FINAL (1)[1] copy

The class of 2021 will be the first class to graduate with a proficiency based diploma. To graduate, students will earn 21.5 credits and they will demonstrate proficiency in subject specific standards and the Maine Guiding Principles. Graduation requirements are outlined in the BHS course handbook, but if you would like to learn more about this, we will be holding a parent and guardian forum on Tuesday, May 2nd at Brunswick High School at 6:00pm. All 8th grade families are invited to attend.