Hive Mind Headlines Podcast

Branford Public Schools
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What does it really take to build a thriving school community — one where students, staff, and families all feel connected, inspired, and proud to belong? Additionally, what does the future of leadership look like in Branford and beyond? That's what we're exploring on our first season of Hive Mind Headlines, a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Tranberg, Superintendent of Branford Public Schools. New episodes coming monthly, so stay tuned!

Episodes

  1. Sep 30

    Episode 10: Healthy Habits at Branford Schools and Beyond

    A new school year is a natural time to reset routines, for students and adults alike. In this episode of Hive Mind Headlines, Branford Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Chris Tranberg, focuses on three types of habits that shape how students feel and learn every day: nutrition, physical activity, and screen time. The episode kicks off with a conversation featuring Director of Food and Dining Services, Alfonso "Foe" Iaderosa. Dr. Tranberg and Foe discuss the importance of nutrition and how food can build community. Foe also shares what's on the menu this year, including free breakfast for all students, scratch cooking, and local farm partnerships. In our second segment, Walsh Intermediate School teachers Meg Basti and Liz Tate, who also teach fitness classes for adults, explain why movement belongs in every classroom and how families can find activities they enjoy. Dr. Tranberg closes with research-based ways for families to build a healthier balance with technology followed by tips from Branford students and staff. In this episode, you'll hear about: 📚 What free breakfast looks like in Branford schools this year and how the district is bringing more local food into its cafeterias 📚 Why movement matters for focus, mood, and learning, whether or not you or your child plays a sport 📚 Simple ways to get started if you're new to exercise or feeling intimidated 📚 Practical steps for cutting back on screen time as a family 📚 How adults can model healthy habits and the importance of it 📚 Healthy habits from Branford students, teachers, and administrators Hive Mind Headlines is the official podcast of Branford Public Schools, highlighting the people, programs, and ideas shaping education, leadership, and community in Branford. Make sure to follow Branford Public Schools on Instagram and Facebook! To learn more about our school district and the people who make it great, visit branfordschools.org.

  2. Aug 27

    Episode 9: Branford's School Facilities Plan in Motion

    For years, Branford has been asking what its schools should look like for the next generation. Now that plan is moving from idea to construction. In this episode of Hive Mind Headlines, Branford Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Chris Tranberg, leads a wide-ranging conversation on the Master Facilities Plan, the multi-year investment that will renovate and reshape learning spaces across the District. Board of Education Chair Peter Berdon, Vice Chair Donna Laich, and First Selectman Josh Brooks open the episode with the history behind the plan and how they're balancing educational needs with fiscal responsibility. Director of Facilities Brendan Leddy and Director of Security Scott Riordan then walk through the work completed this summer at Branford High School and what families should expect as construction continues. Finally, Tisko Principal, Jim O'Connor, and Sliney Principal, Dr. Maria Clark, discuss what the upcoming elementary school transitions mean for students, staff, and families at the school level, including how they're building connections between schools ahead of the merge. In this episode, you'll learn all about: 📚 The story behind the Master Facilities Plan and how it's being funded 📚 Summer construction completed at Branford High School, including roof, HVAC, and security upgrades 📚 New safety measures across the District for this school year 📚 How leaders in the District are preparing students, staff, and families for the transition ahead 📚 What ten years of progress could mean for Branford's students and community Hive Mind Headlines is the official podcast of Branford Public Schools, highlighting the people, programs, and ideas shaping education, leadership, and community in Branford, CT. Make sure to follow Branford Public Schools on Instagram and Facebook! To learn more about our school district and the people who make it great, visit branfordschools.org. You can also learn more about the Master Facilities Plan by visiting bpsforward.com.

  3. Jul 20

    Episode 8: Teaching as a Calling - Stories from Branford's Classrooms

    Being an educator is more than just teaching students facts and figures. It's a calling and a passion that impacts entire communities. In this episode of Hive Mind Headlines, Branford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Tranberg sits down with two incredible guests to discuss the power of education as a career path. We kick things off with a conversation featuring Branford's Educator of the Year, Vicki Climie, and trace her unconventional path into the classroom — from an aspiring optometrist to a zookeeper in Philadelphia, to a conservationist tracking lemurs in rural Madagascar, and finally to the classrooms of BHS. Also joining the conversation is recent Branford High School graduate Ginger Fitzpatrick, who shares how her internship in the art department and the teachers she's had over the years are pointing her toward a future in education at the University of Rhode Island. Together, they reflect on what makes a teacher unforgettable, how classrooms are adapting to meet the needs of modern students, and why human connection remains at the heart of great teaching. In this episode, you'll hear about: 📚 How unconventional career paths can lead to opportunities you never imagined possible📚 The power of environment, connection, and being truly seen in the classroom📚 Why today's students can learn from the teachers in their lives 📚 How teachers are redesigning classrooms for collaboration over strict memorization📚 The future of education as a career pathway Hive Mind Headlines is the official podcast of Branford Public Schools, highlighting the people, programs, and ideas shaping education, leadership, and community in Branford. Make sure to follow Branford Public Schools on Instagram and Facebook! To learn more about our school district and the people who make it great, visit branfordschools.org. #BranfordCT #Branford #Connecticut #Podcast #Education #PublicSchools #TeacherOfTheYear #Teaching #FutureEducators #SchoolCommunity #HiveMindHeadlines #BranfordPublicSchools

  4. Jun 16

    Episode 7: How to Build Readers & Make Summer Memories

    What happens when we put down our screens and pick up a book? In this episode of Hive Mind Headlines, Branford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Tranberg explores the importance of unplugging during the summer months and how reading can help students, families, and educators slow down, recharge, and reconnect with what matters most. Joining the conversation are Assistant Superintendent Allie Moran, Director of Elementary Education Lisa Hernandez Corcoran, and Director of Secondary Education Dr. Katie Wagner. Together, they discuss why unplugging matters, how families can foster a love of reading, and the books they're excited to read this summer. We also hear from Branford Public Schools faculty and staff as they share favorite summer memories, reading recommendations, and ways they plan to recharge this season. In this episode, you'll hear about:📚 Why unplugging from technology benefits both students and adults📚 Practical ways families can encourage reading over the summer 📚 How modeling reading habits helps create lifelong readers 📚 The importance of choice, audiobooks, and shared reading experiences 📚 Summer reading recommendations from district leaders and staff 📚 Childhood memories of summers before smartphones and social mediaHive Mind Headlines is the official podcast of Branford Public Schools, highlighting the people, programs, and ideas shaping education, leadership, and community in Branford. Make sure to follow Branford Public Schools on Instagram and Facebook!To learn more about our school district and the people who make it great, visit branfordschools.org.#BranfordCT #Branford #Connecticut #Podcast #Education #PublicSchools #SummerReading #Reading #Literacy #FamilyReading #SummerUnplugged #Books #SchoolCommunity #HiveMindHeadlines #BranfordPublicSchools

  5. May 29

    Episode 6: Sports, Leadership & The Future of Branford Athletics

    What do athletics teach beyond the game? In this episode of Hive Mind Headlines, Branford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Tranberg explores how sports help students develop resilience, leadership, discipline, teamwork, and confidence that extend far beyond the scoreboard. Featuring former Major League Baseball player Adam Greenberg, Branford High School student-athletes Luke Gagliardi and Lily Panuccio, and Athletic Director Brian Zaklukiewicz, this episode examines the powerful role athletics play in shaping students and strengthening school communities. In this episode, you'll hear about: ⚾ Adam Greenberg's remarkable journey from student-athlete to Major League Baseball player ⚾ Lessons in perseverance, mental toughness, and overcoming adversity ⚾ How athletics help students build confidence, leadership skills, and lasting friendships ⚾ Student perspectives on balancing academics, athletics, and personal life ⚾ The future of Branford Athletics and building a culture centered on student success ⚾ Leadership development through sports, teamwork, and mentorship Hive Mind Headlines is the official podcast of Branford Public Schools, highlighting the people, programs, and ideas shaping education, leadership, and community in Branford. Make sure to follow Branford Schools on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Facebook⁠!To learn more about our school district and the people who make it great, head on over to ⁠branfordschools.org

  6. Apr 29

    Episode 5: Advocacy in Action - From Student Voices to State Policy

    What does advocacy actually look like in the real world? In this episode of Hive Mind Headlines, Branford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Tranberg sits down with Connecticut State Representative Robin Comey and Branford High School student leader Leila Verzella (BHS Class of 2027) to explore how advocacy works from the classroom to the State House. This conversation breaks down how students can use their voice, how policy decisions are shaped, and why listening, collaboration, and persistence are essential to making meaningful change. In This Episode: - How students can get involved in advocacy at school and beyond - What it takes to influence local and state policy - The real impact of student voice in decision-making - Inside Branford CT’s school cell phone policy and education strategy - Why early childhood education is a critical investment - How student-led initiatives are addressing mental health awareness - Leadership lessons from both elected officials and students Follow Branford Public Schools: Instagram: http://instagram.com/branfordpublicschools/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranfordPublicSchools/ Visit our website: https://www.branfordschools.org

  7. Mar 28

    Episode 4: The Power of Music in Our Schools

    In this episode of the Hive Mind Headlines Podcast, Branford Public Schools celebrates Music in Our Schools Month with a deep dive into the role music plays in shaping students, classrooms, and community. Superintendent Dr. Chris Tranberg is joined by internationally recognized music education leader Dr. John Feierabend, along with Branford’s own Walsh Intermediate School music educators, for a conversation that moves beyond performance and into purpose. Together, they explore how music education in Branford classrooms builds creativity, confidence, discipline, and connection from the earliest years through adolescence and beyond. You'll hear how concepts like being “tuneful, beatful, and artful” shape lifelong musical understanding, why early childhood experiences matter more than most people realize, and how shared musical experiences create stronger communities. The conversation expands into the broader value of music as a life skill, touching on everything from adult learners picking instruments back up, to the balance between technology and human creativity in an AI-driven world. At its core, this episode is a reminder that music education in Branford is not just about learning notes or instruments. It’s about developing people who can listen, create, connect, and contribute long after they leave the classroom. Links: The Feierabend Association for Music EducationMake sure to follow Branford Schools on Instagram and Facebook!To learn more about our school district and the people who make it great, head on over to branfordschools.org

  8. Mar 17

    Episode 3: How the School Budget Works - Process, Priorities, and Planning the Future of Branford Episode 3: How the School Budget Works - Process, Priorities, and Planning the Future of Branford

    School budgeting can sound like a maze of line items, meetings, and acronyms. In this episode of Hive Mind Headlines, Branford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Tranberg sits down with Branford Public Schools' Chief Operating Officer Blaize Levitan and Branford Director of Finance Jim Finch to break it down in plain English. They explain how the school budget is built year-round, why most costs are fixed (contracts, salaries, benefits), and how a relatively small slice of discretionary spending can still shape classroom experiences. You’ll also hear the difference between the operating budget and capital projects, why you can’t simply “move money” between buckets, and what common misconceptions about municipal budgeting and revaluation miss. The conversation also explores how Branford’s town-school collaboration supports long-term planning, major facilities investments, and complex initiatives like transportation modernization, without losing sight of taxpayers and community needs. With Jim Finch approaching retirement, the episode closes on what they hope the community will say about today’s financial decisions five to ten years from now. Links: Learn more about BPS Forward, Branford's Master Facilities PlanMake sure to follow Branford Schools on Instagram and Facebook!To learn more about our school district and the people who make it great, head on over to branfordschools.org

  9. Mar 17

    Episode 2: Screen Time in Schools - Branford’s Cell Phone Policy Explained

    n this episode of Hive Mind Headlines, Dr. Chris Tranberg takes a closer look at screen time in Branford Public Schools and the district’s cell phone policies. As cell phones and screens become a constant part of modern childhood, Branford is working to ensure technology use supports student learning, focus, and well-being. This conversation explores how the district’s cell phone policy was developed, how it’s being implemented across schools, and what early impacts are being seen. You’ll hear from students, parents, teachers, administrators, and a former Board of Education member, offering multiple perspectives on how screen time and cell phone use affect the school day, learning environments, and the community. This episode is here to highlight how schools can balance technology, set clear boundaries, and support healthy habits that help students succeed in and out of the classroom. Links: Make sure to follow Branford Schools on Instagram and Facebook!To learn more about our school district and the people who make it great, head on over to branfordschools.org

  10. Mar 17

    Episode 1: The Power of Student Leadership in Branford

    Welcome to the very first episode of Hive Mind Headlines!  Dr. Chris Tranberg, Superintendent of Branford Public Schools, sits down with three inspiring student leaders from Branford High School—Lillian, Giuliana, and Chase, the district’s Board of Education representatives.  Together, they talk about what leadership really looks like day to day, who inspires them, and how students can make a meaningful impact. It’s an honest, engaging conversation centered on student voice, perspective, and leadership in action.  Links: Make sure to follow Branford Schools on Instagram and Facebook!To learn more about our school district and the people who make it great, head on over to branfordschools.org

  11. Mar 17

    Episode 0: Introducing Hive Mind Headlines

    What does it really take to build a thriving school community — one where students, staff, and families all feel connected, inspired, and proud to belong? Additionally, what does the future of leadership look like in Branford and beyond? That's what we're exploring on our first season of Hive Mind Headlines, a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Tranberg, Superintendent of Branford Public Schools. New episodes coming monthly, so stay tuned!

  • 11 Episodes

About

What does it really take to build a thriving school community — one where students, staff, and families all feel connected, inspired, and proud to belong? Additionally, what does the future of leadership look like in Branford and beyond? That's what we're exploring on our first season of Hive Mind Headlines, a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Tranberg, Superintendent of Branford Public Schools. New episodes coming monthly, so stay tuned!

Information

  • Creator
    Branford Public Schools
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Branford Public Schools
  • Show Website
    Hive Mind Headlines Podcast