BRUSSELS CUSD 42

🦅 Inside the Eagle’s Nest 🦅 It has been another busy and exciting week of learning and collaboration inside the Eagle’s Nest! Kindergarten students enjoyed a special Show and Tell, building confidence as they shared their favorite items and practiced speaking and listening skills with their classmates. First Grade students worked together during STEM activities, using teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving to explore new challenges. Third Grade students stayed busy in both math and language arts. They worked in pairs to sort subject–verb agreement sentences, strengthening their grammar skills, and also explored how multiplication and division are related, deepening their understanding of number relationships. Fourth Grade students collaborated to tackle long division, supporting one another as they worked through problem-solving strategies together. Fifth Grade Science was full of hands-on learning! Students explored mixtures, solutions, and chemical reactions by creating their own trail mix, making lemonade, and conducting exciting experiments to observe chemical reactions in action. You never know what kind of learning, teamwork, and discovery you’ll find happening inside the Eagle’s Nest! 🦅✨

Happy Leadership Day! Let’s LEAD THE WAY by turning our #SMALLBUTMIGHTY community into a sea of blue! 💙
Students, staff, families, and community members — wear your favorite blue and show your Raider and Eagle spirit. Every shade counts, so let’s stand out and shine together! 🌟
#TogetherWeRise

🦅 Inside the Eagle’s Nest 🦅 Last week was filled with learning, creativity, and plenty of heart here in the Eagle’s Nest! ❤️ Our 1st and 2nd graders combined math and Valentine’s fun as they worked on activities that truly filled their hearts while strengthening important skills. Meanwhile, our 4th and 5th graders enjoyed celebrating together during their Valentine’s Party, creating memories and sharing lots of smiles. As part of our ongoing Black History Month study, students explored the impact of African-American artists and their contributions to the world of art and culture. Grades 1–2 learned about Alma Thomas, discovering her vibrant use of color and abstract style, while grades 3–5 studied Laolu Senbanjo, learning how his powerful artwork tells stories through symbols and design. ⭐ Star Eagles of the Week: Congratulations to Lila Rose and Layla Lake for demonstrating outstanding effort, positive attitudes, and Eagle pride! We are so proud of you! ⭐ It’s always inspiring to see our students learning not only academic skills, but also gaining appreciation for history, culture, and creativity. You never know what exciting learning is happening inside the Eagle’s Nest! 🦅✨

The GOOD STUFF... 🥰
The Brussels Community Unit School District #42 is proud to announce that Mrs. Trish Long has been selected by the Board of Education as the 2026–2027 Brussels Junior High and High School Principal and Athletic Director.
Mrs. Long currently serves as Dean of Students and has been a dedicated sixth and seventh-grade English, math, and science teacher. A Brussels alumna and former School Board member, she brings a deep understanding of our district and a strong commitment to its continued success.
Her philosophy of education is grounded in relationships, collaboration, and high expectations. She believes schools should be places where students feel known, supported, and challenged to grow. Mrs. Long is committed to being a visible, approachable leader who supports staff, partners with families, and keeps students’ academic, social, and emotional development at the center of every decision.
With experience leading attendance and behavior initiatives, strengthening restorative practices, and serving on district leadership teams, she is prepared to guide our Junior High and High School with integrity and purpose.
Brussels is small but mighty—and with Mrs. Long leading the way, the future is bright, the momentum is strong, and TOGETHER WE will continue to RISE! 💙
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. T. Long! 🌟

THE GOOD STUFF... 🥰
The Brussels Community Unit School District #42 is proud to announce that Mrs. Pam Long has been selected by our Board of Education to serve as Superintendent for the 2026–2027 school year. 💙
Mrs. Long has dedicated more than six years to Brussels CUSD #42, serving as both Elementary Principal and Junior High/High School Principal. During that time, she has led significant district improvements, including technology and infrastructure upgrades, implementation of the TeacherEase student information system, expansion of instructional supports, development of new course offerings, strengthened communication systems, and securing a Stronger Connections Grant to support student safety and mental health.
Mrs. Long recognizes that leadership brings both successes and challenges. She understands that building a positive, collaborative culture requires intentional effort, open communication, and trust. She is committed to strengthening relationships with staff, supporting teachers' professional growth, and ensuring that every decision centers on what is best for students and families.
With an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and experience in budget development, grant management, personnel leadership, and district operations, Mrs. Long is prepared to guide Brussels CUSD #42 forward with integrity, transparency, and purpose.
Brussels CUSD #42 may be small, but we are mighty—and TOGETHER WE will continue to RISE! 💙
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. P. Long! 🌟

We are having some technical difficulties with our phones, so if you can't get through please email the office. You can email Hallie at hkinder@brussels42.net . Thank you for your patience and understanding!

The GOOD STUFF... 🥰
We had to grab a quick pic of this crew — all thanks to Mrs. Schleeper, who absolutely “sleighed” it as Santa! She surprised us with the most fun, perfectly matched t-shirts for each teacher and their subject. Talk about thoughtful (and spot-on)! So much fun and so appreciated. We’re lucky to be part of a school family that knows how to work hard and have fun together! And a BIG shoutout to Eve and Thor for serving as our “special couriers” and delivering each shirt with purpose and style! This is the GOOD STUFF! Mrs. Long missed the group shot, so she gets her own awesome pic! 💙
#randomactsofkindness2026 #togetherwerise #smallbutmighty

Smiley and Dayton are bringing bold heart and positive energy to Brussels Jr./Sr. High School! 💙 By lining the halls with cutout hearts, they’re turning simple spaces into powerful reminders that strength shows up in kindness, respect, and looking out for one another. It’s a strong way to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week — leading with character, lifting others up, and setting the tone for a school built on heart. 🥰
#randomactsofkindness2026 #togetherwerise #smallbutmighty

One of the best weeks of the year is dedicated to one of the most powerful actions of all — KINDNESS. 💙
A simple smile. A thoughtful note. A helping hand.
Do something kind for someone… just because. You never know how far that ripple might reach. 🥰#togetherwerise #smallbutmighty

In honor of Presidents’ Day, there will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, February 16, 2026. 🇺🇸
As we pause to reflect on leadership, service, and the courage to shape a better future, may we each find inspiration in the legacy of those who led with vision and heart. We can’t wait to come back together on Tuesday, February 17 — refreshed, inspired, and ready to rise. 💙
#togetherwerise #smallbutmighty

A sincere thank you to Jackie Rose and Ashley Affholder for serving on our Policy Committee! 👏🏻 While the world never seems to run out of new laws and revised policies, Brussels 42 is grateful for these two who gathered this week to thoughtfully review and guide this work. We are truly grateful for their time, professionalism, and dedication. 💙

The GOOD Stuff… 💙

Over the weekend, a conversation with a young woman in her third year of college unfolded. We chatted about what it really takes to be a teacher, the profession she is pursuing. She shared that so many people had told her, “Why in the world would you go into education these days?”
She was starting to second-guess herself.
I immediately smiled and asked her a few simple questions…

“Do you like kids?”
She said, “I love them.”
“Do you like teaching?”
She said, “I love it.”
“Do you like making a difference in this world?”
She smiled and said, “I sure hope to.”
And then my response… 

You, young lady, are exactly where you need to be.

Never let the doubts or fears of others pull you away from your purpose or your path. The world needs people who care, who show up, who believe in young people, and who are willing to pour their hearts into shaping the future.

It really doesn’t take much to be reminded of the GOOD STUFF. It’s THESE YOUNG PEOPLE RIGHT HERE. They are the joy, the laughter, the growth, the hope… the BEST part of the day.

They are the reason teaching isn’t just a profession — it’s a calling, a privilege, and one of the most beautiful ways to make a difference in this world. 💙💙💙

The GOOD STUFF... 🌟

Brussels Jr/Sr High ~ #TogetherWeRise 💙 #SmallButMighty

🦅 Inside the Eagle’s Nest 🦅 What a meaningful and exciting time of learning inside the Eagle’s Nest! Our kindergarteners have been exploring the polar regions, learning how animals adapt to their environments. They even took part in a fun (and messy!) “blubber” experiment, helping them understand how animals stay warm in extreme conditions. We also celebrated a big milestone—the 100th Day of School! Students dressed up like 100-year-olds and jumped into hands-on activities centered around the number 100, proving just how much they’ve grown this year. Our Space study wrapped up with student project presentations, where learners proudly shared what they’ve discovered about the universe. The creativity and confidence on display were truly out of this world! 🚀 During Black History learning, students explored the importance of kindness, unity, and understanding—reminding us that we all matter and that working together makes us stronger. Every day brings something new, thoughtful, and inspiring inside the Eagle’s Nest—together, we rise. 🦅

Here are a few more photos from Lewis and Clark Stem Day! It was a great day of hands-on, real-world learning for our Brussels Junior High students! 💙#togetherwerise #smallbutmighty

Our junior high students, along with Mrs. Long, Mrs. Gilbreth, and Mr. Stepanek, enjoyed a wonderful trip to Lewis & Clark Community College for innovative and engaging STEM activities. They enjoyed themselves GREATLY and learned a lot along the way. We are so proud of our students for being so involved, asking lots of questions, and showcasing their #smallbutmightly school spirit. Oh yes!! 💙#togetherwerise