🐻 March 25, 2026 | Issue #31 🐻
Embedded Files
Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Dear Brown School Family,
Our 7th Annual Self-Directed Learning Showcase was the best one we have ever had - and it wouldn't have been possible without the support of so many parent volunteers and our amazing PTSA! I want to give a huge shout out to staff members Drew Paige, Lisa Billings, and Sarah Yost for organizing this year. I also appreciate all the staff who signed in/out our record number of visitors for the event.
It was an incredible celebration of learning and I am so proud of the diversity of artifacts that students selected across grade levels. Our teachers have worked so hard providing vibrant learning experiences for our students, and our students just shined like the stars that they are!
Love,
Dr. Angela
Quick Links
Quick Links
Dates to Remember
Dates to Remember
March 30 - HS Journalism Field Trip to Louisville Public Media
March 31 - Academic Defenses (11th grade Early Defenders)
April 1-9 - Passover
April 2 - 1st Grade Field Trip to KY Center for Performing Arts
April 3 - Good Friday (No School)
April 5 - Easter
April 6-10 - Spring Break (No School)
April 10 - Orthodox Holy Friday
April 12 - Orthodox Easter
Weekly Essentials
Weekly Essentials
The Bear Necessities Newspaper
The Bear Necessities Newspaper
Brown Journalism students are releasing their next issue of the Bear Necessities now (Click HERE to view).
This newspaper is student-led. They choose the articles; they lay out the website; they lead every single aspect of this publication.
On the Meet the Staff page, you will see who these student journalists are. If you see them in your classroom or hallway, please congratulate them on their hard work!
Also, please congratulate Evangeline and Lena on their leadership as co-editor-in-chiefs.
Chromebooks and Chargers
Chromebooks and Chargers
As a reminder, if your child loses or damages their charger or Chromebook there is an obligation that will need to be paid. This is explained in our Device Policy, linked HERE. For a charger, the obligation is $25 and for a Chromebook repair is $30. We have seen a lot of damaged Chromebooks recently. Our school inventory of providing them with a replacement Chromebook is very low due to staffing issues in the JCPS IT Department. Please remind your child daily to take care of their technology devices. Unfortunately, any physical damage is not covered under warranty, this includes damage to the hinges, keyboard, frame and screen . As we get closer to the end of the school year, if your child has a damaged Chromebook or a missing charger they would need to visit Drew or Anitra in the Ursa Lab (Room 220).
Donations needed for Positive Behavior Interventions
Donations needed for Positive Behavior Interventions
We need help adding items to our PBIS Rewards store before March 31.
Please see the flyer for donation information. http://bit.ly/4bJ4kxu
Weekly Features
Weekly Features
Athletics
Athletics
Middle and High School Athletics
Middle and High School Athletics
Churchill Downs Fundraising/Volunteering- If you are interested in fundraising for the team of your choice by working at Churchill Downs on 4/26, 4/29, 4/30, 5/1, or 5/2, please fill this form. All requirements (SafeServ Course, etc.) have to be completed by April 10. For more information , please email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us. We currently need 6 more volunteers for Derby on 5/2. All other days we have covered. Everyone who volunteers will receive an "All-Sports" season pass for all Brown School athletic events we host for next year. Churchill Downs Volunteering Form
Communication- If your child is playing a sport at Brown, it is critical that both you and your athlete (if they have a phone) have an Eventlink account and follow your team calendars. Your "Contact Points" need to be your phone number and email. This is where you will check your schedule and receive announcements (cancellations, changes, etc). If a coach needs to be contacted, students can email the coach (go to www.brownbearsathletics.com and click on Athletic Department) or the athlete can ask their parent to call or text the coach. If you need the coaches phone numbers, please email them or me and I will email it to you. To join our Eventlink for team announcements and calendars please open these INSTRUCTIONS. Please make sure you search for the "J. Graham Brown School." This is how you will receive messages from coaches and game updates. Practice and game schedules can also be found on www.brownbearsathletics.com
Brown Athletics Website- For up-to-date information on Brown Athletics and everything you need to know about Brown Athletics (practices, announcements, photos, game information, how to join sports at Brown, merchandise, etc.) please visit www.brownbearsathletics.com. A lot of questions can be answered by checking the "More" section of the webpage.
Spring Sports Fees Due Now- Spring Sports fees are due now. Please pay ASAP. Fees help pay for league fees, shirts, uniforms, transportation, equipment, field maintenance, court rentals, and other athletic related expenses. This spring these are required to be paid and fee waiver status does not apply to after school activities. If you would like to bring a cash or check, have your athlete bring it to the athletic director office of the Welcome Center. Please pay as soon as possible. Spring Sports Fees Links
Track- Congratulations to the Middle School Track Team on an AMAZING start to the season! In the Girls 100m, Taryn Farmer finished 16th with a time of 14.54, and JaMariyah Render finished 45th with a time of 15.27 out of 143 runners. In the Boys 100m, Terrance Brown finished 10th with a time of 12.90, Alexander Spillman finished 18th with a time of 13.40, and Raymond Form had a time of 15.53. In the Girls 200m, JaMariyah Render finished with a time of 34.39. In the Boys 200m, Alex Spillman finished 18th with a time of 27.85, and Terrance Brown finished 33rd with a time of 30.24 out of 80 runners. The time and energy spent on the track is showing, great job, runners!
Brown School Booster Club- Join the Brown School Athletics Booster Club! They are planning fun events and ways our parents and community can help support Brown School Athletics.
Booster Club Informational Flyer
Brown Bears Athletics Instagram- Please follow brown_bears_athletics on Instagram.
Kroger Rewards- Please add Brown Athletics to your Kroger Rewards Program. It does not take away from your gas points and really helps out our athletic programs.
Elementary Athletics
Elementary Athletics
Basketball- The Brown Bears finished runner-up in a great game in the JCPS Championship vs Norton Commons on Saturday. Lex Brown and Jordan Gray were named to the All-Tournament team. A huge thanks to Coach Petey and Coach John for everything they did this season. The future looks bright for basketball at Brown!
Also, thanks to everyone who helped coach the girls team this year for your hard work and dedication to our students.
Soccer- Soccer started this week at LouCity. Parents, please make sure you have joined the Eventlink calendars for elementary soccer and also check your email for information on joining the PlayMetrics account to follow your team.
Next Week we hope to have all the information ready to post,
Student Support Team
Student Support Team
Mental Health Practitioner
Mental Health Practitioner
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 am hoping to do more groups this year, so if you have an idea that you think would benefit your child feel free to reach out!
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
Our Big Smiles dental program has been rescheduled for April 1, 2 and 3, therefore, you still have time to sign up your student for a dental cleaning. If you have not signed up your student yet and would like to, click here to register. This will save you from missing a day of work and your student from missing school!
Please check the lost and found between now and spring break. Anything left after Friday, April 3, will be donated.
Need spring break camp ideas? Play Cousins Collective offer a spring break camp for K-8th grades. Click here for details.
For more spring break camps that are offered throughout Louisville, click here.
Elementary Counselor
Elementary Counselor
Check out J. Graham Brown School's Student Support Team's (SST) Website:
From Elementary parents:
Important Highlights include:
Student Recognitions including Star Students!
Middle School Counselor
Middle School Counselor
From KHEAA (they provide KEES money and pay for Dual Credit classes):
I am writing to make you aware of KHEAA student aid funding concerns the legislature is considering at this critical moment that would impact Kentucky’s students. The state budget bill for the next biennium, HB 500, includes proposed funding shortfalls for the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) program and the Dual Credit Scholarship (DCS) program.
If KEES is not fully funded in the next biennium, which would be the first time in program history, all college students in the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 academic years will see an across-the-board cut to their KEES awards. That means your current high school junior and senior classes will be impacted, receiving less than what they’ve been told they’ve earned if funding is not restored.
Further, if DCS is not fully funded, that could mean a reduction in the number of courses the scholarship will pay for starting with the 2026-2027 academic year.
From Robin (HS Counselor):
As a school counselor, I see firsthand how these programs open doors—especially for students who may not otherwise have the means to pursue postsecondary education. Our students, just last semester, earned grades for around 170 college courses that were supported by the Dual Credit Program. That is 170 GPA boosts that open the door to scholarship money in the future and prove to every student that they are College Ready! Additionally, KEES money is typically over $1000 per student per academic year in college. That fills in gaps left by grants and scholarships to help make college more affordable.
Now is the time to contact your legislators and advocate (feel free to copy/paste or add your own specifcs to the message below):
In regards to HB 500: Please fully fund the KEES and DCS programs, ensuring that all Kentucky students continue to have access to resources to help them succeed beyond high school.
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/contact_legislator.html
High School Counselor
High School Counselor
From KHEAA (they provide KEES money and pay for Dual Credit classes):
I am writing to make you aware of KHEAA student aid funding concerns the legislature is considering at this critical moment that would impact Kentucky’s students. The state budget bill for the next biennium, HB 500, includes proposed funding shortfalls for the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) program and the Dual Credit Scholarship (DCS) program.
If KEES is not fully funded in the next biennium, which would be the first time in program history, all college students in the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 academic years will see an across-the-board cut to their KEES awards. That means your current high school junior and senior classes will be impacted, receiving less than what they’ve been told they’ve earned if funding is not restored.
Further, if DCS is not fully funded, that could mean a reduction in the number of courses the scholarship will pay for starting with the 2026-2027 academic year.
From Robin:
As a school counselor, I see firsthand how these programs open doors—especially for students who may not otherwise have the means to pursue postsecondary education. Our students, just last semester, earned grades for around 170 college courses that were supported by the Dual Credit Program. That is 170 GPA boosts that open the door to scholarship money in the future and prove to every student that they are College Ready! Additionally, KEES money is typically over $1000 per student per academic year in college. That fills in gaps left by grants and scholarships to help make college more affordable.
Now is the time to contact your legislators and advocate (feel free to copy/paste or add your own specifcs to the message below):
In regards to HB 500: Please fully fund the KEES and DCS programs, ensuring that all Kentucky students continue to have access to resources to help them succeed beyond high school.
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/contact_legislator.html
Connections
Connections
SBDM Update
SBDM Update
Here's what happened at this week's SBDM Council Meeting!
The council approved the Minutes of the Meeting of February 23, 2026
Dr. Angela shared the Vision
Dr. Angela shared a Good News Report
There was no one signed up for Public Comment
The council reviewed the following documents:
KY IMPACT Survey Results
Academic & Culture Snapshots for February
Site-Based Budget Summary;
Activity Accounts: District-Based; School-Based
The council received reports from these committees:
Budget Committee (3/16)
Curriculum & Instruction Committee (3/12)
Professional Development Committee (3/16)
Racial Equity Committee (3/19)
Safety Committee (no meeting)
School Climate Committee (3/17)
The council took these actions on policies:
1st Reading of Make-Up Work
1st Reading of Visual and Performing Arts
1st Reading of School Schedule Policy
Protection of Instructional Time was referred to the School Climate Committee for possible revisions.
The council approved a request for the Bell Schedules for 2026-27
Page updated
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