Brunswick Buzz

This time on the Brunswick Buzz, Phil talks about some of the most popular members of the Brunswick School Department staff — our therapy dogs — and the powerful role they play in supporting students every day.
Therapy dogs bring smiles… and much more to students across our schools. The Brunswick School Department offers many resources to support students, especially during challenging moments. Some of the most effective supports we have come with four legs and a wagging tail.
Ru, short for Arugula, and Elmer Glue are among the therapy dogs helping students throughout the district. They have quickly become some of the most beloved members of our school community.
Ru, a five-year-old miniature schnauzer, works alongside his owner, Deb Belaire, a special education teacher at the junior high school. Ru joined the staff in September 2025 after completing his Canine Good Citizen classes and earning his Certified Therapy Dog title. Whether visiting classrooms or providing a calming presence during a difficult day, Ru helps students relax, refocus, and feel supported.
Elmer Glue, a four-year-old golden retriever, has been on the job for three years. He works with Mary Kunhardt, a special education social worker at the high school. Like Ru, Elmer is trained and licensed to serve as a therapy dog, helping students manage stress, regulate emotions, and build positive connections.
On this episode of the Brunswick Buzz, Phil shares how therapy dogs are making a difference in our schools, why programs like this matter for student well-being, and how these furry staff members help create a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone.
Sometimes the best support doesn’t come from a textbook or a lesson plan — sometimes it comes from a wagging tail and a friendly paw.

🎧 New Episode Alert on the BrunswickBuzz!
In this episode, Phil sits down with Shawn Lambert, Assistant Superintendent, and Elizabeth Sokoloff, School Board Vice-Chair, to discuss the Brunswick School Department.
Tune in to hear about:✨ Brunswick Cares — how it helps students participate in school-sponsored activities through financial support and the positive impact it has on our students and community.
Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at the essential work supporting Brunswick Schools!
 
🎙️ Listen now on the BrunswickBuzz — sharing the voices and stories that make our schools extraordinary!
Youtube Link - https://youtu.be/pETVh8UMLZA
 

🎧 New Episode Alert on the BrunswickBuzz!
On this episode, Phil sits down with Scott Smith, Director of Facilities for the Brunswick School Department.
Tune in to hear about:✨ The incredible work our facilities and grounds crew do every day to keep our schools looking fresh, clean, and in top-notch condition.✨ How Scott and his team work behind the scenes to ensure our buildings not only look great but function smoothly for students and staff.
Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at the essential work supporting Brunswick Schools!
🎙️ Listen now on the BrunswickBuzz — where we share the voices and stories that make our schools extraordinary!

 New Episode Drop on the BrunswickBuzz!
This time, Phil sits down with Scott Smith, Food Service Director of the Brunswick School Department, for an inside look at what's really happening in our school cafeterias.
What You'll Discover:
The nutritious meals being served to our students daily
How we balance healthy eating with environmental responsibility
The impressive scale of our meal service operations
Behind-the-scenes insights into how our dedicated team delivers quality food with care
From farm-to-table initiatives to managing thousands of meals, Scott shares the challenges and successes of feeding our Brunswick students well.
 Listen now on the BrunswickBuzz — where we highlight the voices and stories that make Brunswick Schools extraordinary!

🎧 New Episode Drop on the BrunswickBuzz!
This time, Phil is joined by Kaili Phillips, Brunswick High School Athletic Director, and Christa Hendley, BHS Athletic Trainer.
Tune in to hear:
Why athletic trainers are an essential part of today’s school athletic programs
How Christa supports our students, coaches, and families behind the scenes
What goes into keeping our student-athletes safe, healthy, and game-ready
How return-to-play decisions are made when a student is injured
Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at the critical work being done to support Brunswick High School athletics — on and off the field!
🎙️ Listen now on the BrunswickBuzz — where we highlight the voices and stories that make Brunswick Schools extraordinary!

On this episode, Phil sits down with Tricia Faulkingham, Director of Information Technology, Ravi Devulapalli,  AnalyticVue CEO, and Manos Stefanakos, Chief Data Officer of AnalyticVue  — a powerful online platform that brings all your school data together in one place.
From student and staff demographics, academic performance, surveys, financials, and more — AnalyticVue simplifies complex information into easy-to-understand dashboards and analytics. This increased visibility empowers school and district leaders to initiate meaningful conversations, make data-informed decisions, and take action that drives performance and transparency.
Tune in as Phil, Ravi, and Manos discuss:
Why consolidated data is critical for modern school districts
How simple dashboards can spark powerful conversations
The role of analytics in improving student outcomes and operational excellence
What’s next in the world of education data innovation
 Listen now on the BrunswickBuzz — where we dig into the tools and topics shaping the future of Brunswick Schools!
#teambrunswickme #maineschoolsuperintendent #superintendent #BrunswickBuzz #DataDrivenSchools #AnalyticVue #EducationInnovation #Transparency

This Time on The Brunswick Buzz 🎧
In this episode, Phil dives into how ReachMyTeach—a powerful two-way communication platform—is helping Brunswick schools connect more effectively with families in their home languages and on the devices they use every day. Discover how the Brunswick School Department is strengthening communication and building stronger partnerships with parents and guardians.Learn more about this Maine-based education communication company.
Special Guests:
Tricia Faulkingham – Director of Educational Technology, Brunswick School Department
Heather Blanchard – Principal, Harriet Beecher Stowe School
Helen Cohen – Representative from ReachMyTeach
📲 Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite listening platform.
#BrunswickBuzz #ReachMyTeach #ParentEngagement #StudentSuccess #SchoolInnovation 💬🚍🎙️ 

This time on The Brunswick Buzz, Phil dives into how BusRight is transforming transportation in our district—improving parent engagement, enhancing student safety, and streamlining bus communication like never before. With the ability to manage bus routes at the touch of a button, our transportation team is more efficient and effective than ever!
Joining the conversation are special guests:🚌 Michelle Caron – Brunswick Transportation Director🚀 Keith Corso – Co-Founder & CEO of BusRight
Don’t miss this insightful discussion on how BusRight is making a big impact in our schools. Tune in and learn how technology is driving a better future for student transportation!
📅 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcast 
#BrunswickBuzz #SchoolTransportation #BusRight #ParentEngagement #StudentSafety 🚍🎧

This Time on the BrunswickBuzz
Phil explores the vital role of board-certified behavior analysts in supporting students, staff, and families in Brunswick Schools.
Joining the conversation are special guests:
Ruth Joyce, Director of Special Education
Becky McKarns, Assistant Director of Special Education
Holly Morgan & Becca Paradee, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Brunswick School Department
Tune in to learn how these professionals enhance special education programming and foster student success!
 
Editor's Note - This podcast was recorded on February 12th, 2025

This Time on the BrunswickBuzzPhil dives into the Multilingual Mainers program, an initiative that fosters the study of world languages, cultures, and multilingualism within Brunswick Schools.
Joining the conversation are special guests:
Dr. Margaret Boyle, Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies at Bowdoin College
Dr. Christian Puma Ninacuri, Lecturer in Hispanic Studies at Bowdoin College
Tune in to learn more about how this program is shaping a globally-minded community in Brunswick!
Multilingual Mural