🐻 August 27, 2025 | Issue #8 🐻
Embedded Files
Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Dear Brown School Family,
One of the most powerful ways you can support your child's success at school is by being familiar with the academic standards that guide their learning - especially in reading and math. These standards outline the key skills and concepts students are expected to master at each grade level, and they serve as a roadmap for what we teach every day. When families understand the standards, it creates a strong home-school partnership. You can help reinforce these skills at home, ask informed questions during conferences, and celebrate your child's growth with confidence.
I encourage you to take a few minutes to review the acadedmic standards family guides for your child's grade level at THIS LINK. Together, we can ensure that every student not only meets, but exceeds, these expectations - building foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education.
Love,
Dr. Angela
Quick Links
Quick Links
Weekly Essentials
Weekly Essentials
Brown School Yearbook is on Sale!
Brown School Yearbook is on Sale!
Yearbooks are on sale for $50 only through Sept. 2nd.
We’ve added 8 pages in our yearbook AND DOUBLED the size of our supplemental. If you are interested in ordering early, please click this LINK.
Authorization for Staff/Volunteers to Communicate with Students
Authorization for Staff/Volunteers to Communicate with Students
If you would like to authorize communication with your student by a JCPS staff member or volunteer outside of the board approved traceable communication systems, please utilize the Consent for Outside Traceable Communications Form in JCPS Parent Place.
CERT Testing for High School Students
CERT Testing for High School Students
Our students will soon participate in the College Equipped Readiness Tool (CERT) assessment on Thursday, August 28th. CERT is a nationally recognized tool that measures skills in English, reading, and math while also providing targeted feedback to guide improvement.
Why CERT Matters:
CERT provides detailed, individualized data showing where each student is excelling and where additional support is needed. This data is valuable for:
Students & Parents – to identify strengths and set actionable goals.
Teachers – to tailor instruction based on student needs.
School Leaders – to allocate resources effectively and monitor progress.
Research supports the power of data-driven instruction. According to the Data Quality Campaign, “Teachers who have access to and use student data are more effective in meeting learning needs.” The Education Trust reports that students who receive targeted intervention based on assessment data show an average 15–20% improvement in achievement.
The Connection to College and Career Readiness
Higher ACT and SAT scores expand college options and scholarship opportunities. The College Board notes that “Students in the top SAT score quartile are twice as likely to complete a four-year degree”, while ACT research shows that a **1-point increase in ACT composite score can increase scholarship offers by hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars.
Important Update from the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE)
KDE has announced a transition from using the ACT to the SAT for juniors as the official measure of college and career readiness. While it is uncertain exactly when this switch will occur, CERT will continue to be an essential preparation tool, as it aligns closely with the skills assessed on both tests.
By investing time in this assessment, we are investing in every student’s future. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure our students have every opportunity to succeed.
J. Graham Brown School Blood Drive
J. Graham Brown School Blood Drive
Staff and Students 16 years and older are eligible to participate in the Brown School Blood Drive on Tuesday, September 9th, in the Auditorium. Students who are 16 will need a Parental Consent form signed, linked HERE. All students and staff that are wanting to sign up should add their name to this Google Doc.
"Be as BRAVE as a Bear and DONATE BLOOD!"
Picture Day is Thursday, September 4th
Picture Day is Thursday, September 4th
Jostens will be hosting Picture Day at the Brown School on Thursday, September 4th. Jostens will send an email to families about how to order pictures online. Money for pictures will not be collected on Picture Day. A schedule will be released next week!
Community Cooks Program
Community Cooks Program
Please see the attached flier for the Community Cooks program at the JCPS Satellite Office (1107 S. 17th Street) in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. This program is for middle and high school students. Registration is now open! Students can register HERE.
For more information, contact ian.brandon@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Weekly Features
Weekly Features
Athletics
Athletics
High School and Middle School Athletics
High School and Middle School Athletics
Our Fall Athletics are in full swing this year! Here are some highlights in Athletics this week:
High School Volleyball placed Silver in their bracket of the First Spike Tournament last weekend!
Middle School Volleyball has a home game tonight (8/27) vs Westport at home (5pm 6th grade/ 6pm JV/ 7pm Varsity.
Girls HS Soccer is playing Louisville Collegiate at Collegiate at 5:30pm 8/27)
MS and HS Golf is playing Whitefield/Central at Quail Chase at 4 pm 8/28
HS Lady Bears Volleyball will be taking on Southern at Southern (JV 5:30 /Varsity 6:30) on 8/28
Boys HS Soccer will play LKY at 5:30 pm at LKY
MS Softball will playFarnsley at Farnsley at 6 pm 8/28
Elementary Cross Country will run in Series 1 at 6 pm 8/28.
HS Soccer will play Central at Central at 5:30 on 8/29
MS and HS Cross Country will participate in the Tiger Run at Louisville Champions Park at 9am on 8/30
Want to know more about upcoming athletic events? Join Eventlink to view our Athletic Calendar or visit our website listed below!
Congratulations to our first ever Middle School Softball and Baseball Teams for completing their first games of the season! They are working hard to establish a new Brown Bear Team!
Brown Athletics Website- For up-to-date information on Brown Athletics (practices, announcements, photos, game information, how to join sports at Brown, merchandise, etc.) please visit www.brownbearsathletics.com.
Eventlink- Eventlink is a new communications platform for coaches to send messages and keep a unified calendar of practices and games. To join our Eventlink for team announcements and calendars please open these INSTRUCTIONS. Please make sure you search for the "J. Graham Brown School."
Final Forms- All of our required athletic forms will be online on Final Forms this year. This includes sports physicals. To join Final Forms and register your athlete please follow this Final Forms Registration Link.
After School Study Skills: The Athletic Department offers a supervised study skills for in-season players from 3-4 pm when practices and games are in session AND a coach is there to supervise them after 4pm. Siblings of players in practices can also attend. This is a great opportunity for players to complete homework or study if they have a gap between the end of school and practices. The location will be on the announcements each day.
It's time to Pay team fees! Team fees allow the school to pay for uniforms, league fees, equipment, awards, and facility rentals. These fees can be paid through MySchool Bucks or by check or cash turned into Matt or Dr. Kat. If you would like to pay using MySchool Bucks, please use the link below for your team. Thank you for paying in a timely fashion!
HS Girls Soccer (Returning Players)
HS Boys Soccer (Returning Players)
*******HELP WANTED*******
Do you want to work with the most fabulous ADs and students in town? Your time is here! We are looking for an Archery Coach for this Winter. If you are interested, please email Dr. Kat or Matt.
Final Forms registration for Fall Sports is in full swing!! All of our required athletic forms will be online on Final Forms this year. This includes sports physicals. If you have a sports physical on file with us, we will upload it. For future sports physical forms, you can either send those to school or upload the “Medical Eligibility” page. Parent/Guardian and athlete will have to login to complete and sign the paperwork. Many of you have already set up the account so it will be an easy process.
Coach Contact Information
Parents/Guardians- please email coaches for information about the upcoming season.
Thanks,
Matt Davis (HS/ES AD) and Dr. Kat (MS AD)
Get Involved: Support Our Students and Our School
Get Involved: Support Our Students and Our School
Are you looking for a more active way to support the Brown School community? The PTSA is currently seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help make next year smoother and more successful for students, families, and staff. Opportunities are available for both board member roles and chair positions, each offering a unique way to make an impact.
Welcome New Members!
Jourdan M., Christina M., Julie W-B, Sophia B., Hank D., Jamie W., Vy N., Hieu T., Sarah N., Rachel S., Jason B., Melissa B., Brook R., Marty P., Kristina P., Deborah C., Sara F., Martha M., Erica M., Norah W., Robin C., Kemp C., Cara C., Nazanin A., Brian M., Jessica K., Amanda W., Joseph W., Virginia L., Jennifer C., Ben G., Beatrice M., Samantha L., Hanna W., Sophia C., Yanett C., Sandy W., Amanda A., Caitlin R., Bonnie L., and Brent L.
NEXT PTSA MEETING: September 18 at 3:30 p.m.
Enrichments Update
Enrichments Update
REGISTER NOW! The deadline is next Tuesday, September 2, at midnight!
Our after-school enrichment programs are off to a strong start! Fencing and Ballet have already reached capacity, but we encourage families to join the waiting list in case spots open up.
We are opening the Latin Dance enrichment to high school students.
There is still space available in all of our other enrichment offerings, so be sure to register soon to secure your child’s place.
Spark STEM Success in
Middle School
Spark STEM Success in
Middle School
Give your child a head start in the future of STEM! In this exciting new enrichment, students will dive into 3D printing, robotics, and coding while tackling real-world challenges in our hands-on, future-ready space. As the only JCPS school in Louisville with a Self-Directed Learning (SDL) environment for grades K–12, Brown School provides a unique setting where independence, empathy, innovation, and advocacy thrive. Research shows that middle school is the critical moment to spark lasting interest in STEM—and this program is designed to do just that. Don’t miss the chance for your child to create, innovate, and lead!
The next meeting of the Fall Festival Planning Committee Meeting will be September 10 at 3:15 p.m. Please join us! Sign up to volunteer below:
The next meeting of the Fall Festival Planning Committee Meeting will be September 10 at 3:15 p.m. Please join us! Sign up to volunteer below:
Open House: September 17
Open House: September 17
The PTSA is looking for volunteers to help staff our booth during Brown School’s Open House on September 17. We’ll be selling spirit wear, bumper stickers, and more, as well as answering questions about the PTSA. Shifts are short, and having several volunteers ensures that every parent has the chance to visit their child’s classroom and meet teachers. Please sign up using this SignUpGenius link.
Student Support Team
Student Support Team
Mental Health Practitioner
Mental Health Practitioner
Just a reminder, if you are interested in mental health services for your student outside of the school setting, we are able to make referrals for you through Care Solace. If you are interested in my services with your student to start off the school year please reach out to me via the student support form and I will be happy to talk with you and find the best services for your student. I have a lot of fun plans for this upcoming year and look forward to sharing them with you all. Feel free to reach out with any other concerns you may have for your students!
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
Big Smiles Dental will be here on September 12th! If you would like to save time and avoid taking a day off work, your student can be seen by a dentist here at school! Click here to register your student.
If you are in need of holiday assistance for your student, the Salvation Army Angel Tree program will begin to take registrations on September 2. To register, go to angeltreeregistration.com.
The district's goal this year is to reduce Chronic Absenteeism among our students. Did you know that missing 10% of school is considered to be Chronic Absenteeism, whether the absence is excused or unexcused? Please make every effort for your student to be at school and on time. EVERY STUDENT MATTERS AND EVERY DAY COUNTS!
Elementary Counselor
Elementary Counselor
What's up in the ES World? Check out Miss Christy's Virual ES World to stay up-to-date on your child's school activities.
Middle School Counselor
Middle School Counselor
Qualifying test for Gifted/Talented-General Intellectual Ability:
Process to take this test for students in grades 3-8. For more information, please contact Christy Teague.
High School Counselor
High School Counselor
This Friday is BLUE and students will meet in advisory and travel to Worldfest with their Advisors. Please remember this trip is part of our instructional day and cell phone use is not allowed. Encourage your student to listen to their advisor and make sure they have a plan to reconnect after they visit the Festival.
Connections
Connections
SBDM Update
SBDM Update
Here's what happened at Monday's SBDM Council meeting!
Amy Thornton provided a Good News Report
The council approved two club proposals:
Amy shared the final Committee Signups with the council.
Amy announced that Carah Zamora and Yanis Aleman were elected to serve as student reps on the SBDM Council.
For student achievement, Amy reviewed our America’s Best Schools by U.S. News and World Report rankings.
The council reviewed the budget reports:
Site-Based Budget Summary
Activity Accounts: District-Based; School-Based
Alex Murphy shared a report from the Budget Committee (8/25/25)
Drew Paige shared a report from the Professional Development Committee (8/25/25)
Other committees have not yet met.
The council reviewed these policies and made no changes:
Page updated
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