🐻 September 3, 2025 | Issue #9 🐻
Embedded Files
Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Dear Brown School Family,
At Brown, Self-Directed Learning (SDL) isn't just what we do - it's who we are. Your children are setting goals, reflecting on their progress, and finding ways to connect their learning to their own interests while improving areas for growth.
This approach lines up perfectly with JCPS's Journey to Success (JtS) initiative. Just like JtS, our SDL model helps students growh the skills they need to thrive: resilience, collaboration, creativity, communication, and cultural awareness. Whether they are preparing a project, leading a presentation, or sharing an artifact of learning from our Ursa Major Innovation Lab, our students are building confidence and real-world skills that last a lifetime.
Most importantly, both SDL and JtS are about equity - making sure every student feels seen, valued, and supported as they grow as learners and leaders.
Thank you for trusting us to partner with you in this work. Together, we're preparing our students not just for success in school, but for success in life.
Love,
Dr. Angela
Quick Links
Quick Links
Weekly Essentials
Weekly Essentials
Admissions Info for the 2026-27 School Year
Admissions Info for the 2026-27 School Year
Showcase of Schools
Showcase of Schools
The JCPS Showcase of Schools will be held Saturday, October 25th, at the Norton Sports and Learning Center from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. All schools will be under one roof to showcase their offerings to students and families!
Fall Application Window
Fall Application Window
The fall application window for families to apply for the 2026-27 school year is November 3 - December 19, 2025. During this time, students who are new to JCPS and students who want to apply to magnet schools/programs can complete applications. All applications received during the application window receive the same consideration regardless of the date submitted. Siblings are not given preference during the admissions process except for twins. Please keep in mind that Brown School must be your student's first choice, otherwise we will not see the application. We are also unable to review late applications.
Brown School Admissions Tours/Visits
Brown School Admissions Tours/Visits
Brown School staff will be providing SDL Magnet Program visits on the following dates. All tours are scheduled from 8:30 to 10:00 AM. You do not need a reservation to attend. It is best to not bring small children with you due to visiting classrooms during instruction. Please bring prospective students in grades 4 and above.
November 7th
November 11th
November 18th
December 5th
December 17th
Picture Day is Tomorrow!
Picture Day is Tomorrow!
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. Click HERE to view the Picture Day Schedule.
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!"
JCPS DEP Chess Academy
JCPS DEP Chess Academy
Please see the attached flier about the upcoming JCPS DEP Chess Academy at the JCPS Satellite Office (1107 S. 17th Street). Registration is now open! Parents/guardians can register JCPS students HERE. There is no cost. Each participant will receive a complimentary chess set courtesy of JCPS DEP. Each participant will have the chance to enter and compete in the 3rd annual Dr. John Marshall Chess Classic. For more information, contact ian.brandon@jefferson.kyschools.us.
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 Athletics
High School Athletics
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.
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.
Winter Sport Registration- Winter sports are open for registration. If you are planning on participating, please follow the directions here: How to Register for Sports at Brown.
Winter sports for this year are Elementary Basketball, Middle/High Basketball, Middle/High Archery, Middle/High Swim, 7-12th Esports, 7th-12th Bowling and 7th-12th Indoor Track.
Elementary Basketball- There will not be a developmental team this year. There will be one boys team and one girls team. Elementary Basketball does not require a physical or registering on Final Forms. If you are interested in Elementary Basketball, please fill out this form: Elementary Basketball Interest Form
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.
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."
Elementary Cross-Country- The elementary cross country team is having a great season. At our last meet, the K/1 boys took first place, the 4/5 girls came in 2nd and the 4/5 boys took 3rd! Our runners are improving each week. Our next meet is this Thursday, Sept. 11th at George Rogers Clark Park, with the K/1 race starting at 6pm.
Middle School Swim Information- Middle School Swim starts today from 3-4! 💙💛Click the link below for all the information you need to sign up.
BROWN MIDDLE SCHOOL SWIMMING 2025-2026 SEASON INFORMATION
High School Swim starts Monday, October 6th, from 3-4. More info coming soon!💙💛
After School Study Skills- 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.
Thanks,
Matt Davis (HS/ES AD) and Dr. Kat (MS AD)
Get Involved: Help Support our Students at Brown!
Get Involved: Help Support our Students at Brown!
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!
Jennifer S., Michael S., Flo A., Jessica C., Kathryn K., Sarah W., Eun L., Sarah C., Celeste S., Elizabeth C., Liza T-G., Lloyd H-B., Jeb J., Kyra B., Kirsten W., Leah A., Adrienne D., Mason W., John W., Jessica W., Lauren Y., and Braden H.,
NEXT PTSA MEETING: September 18 at 3:30 p.m.
We need some help selling items at the open house. Take a shift by signing up on this sign up genius.
Enrichements start the week of September 8th!
Fall Festival Committee meeting - September 10th at 3:15 pm
Peace Park Home Depot Grant Initiative - September 14th
Open House is September 17th.
Next PTSA Board meeting is September 18th
Field Day is September 19th
Literacy Night - September 25th
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:
Last Community Conversation
Last Community Conversation
This Week
This Week
Check it out at the Academy at Shawnee at 6:30 pm!
Peace Park Initiative with Home Depot Grant
Peace Park Initiative with Home Depot Grant
We will be meeting on September 14th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at Peace Park. Please join us! Sign up Here so we have enough water and snacks!
Group 1 - Environmental Club: Planting Flowers
Group 2 - JGBS Alumni: Weeding and Landscaping
Group 3 - PTSA Families: Sidewalk Encasing
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 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
🦷 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 need 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 to ensure your student is 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
This year in the middle school our students start the first 15 minutes of every day off with Advisory time. Advisory is a time for students to play relational and team building games, participate in Character Strong social/emotional lessons, hear some wisdom from their school counselor (that's me:), and complete necessary and mandated district assignments, like the Suicide Prevention lesson we did last week. I've already noticed the impact this time in class has had on our middle schoolers. I highly encourage you to ask your darling about what they did in Advisory. Next week they will participate in the Bullying 101 lesson in Character Strong.
Please remember to use the Student Support Request Form if you have any concerns or questions and remind your child to do so as well! This form is the most efficient way to get in touch with me or anyone on our team.
High School Counselor
High School Counselor
Parent Volunteers Needed for the following:
Photo Day: Thurs 9/4/25 from 7:45 am-2 pm
Blood Drive: Tues 9/9/25 from 7:45am-2 pm
College Fair: Fri 10/17/25 from 7:45 am-2 pm
Please email Norah.Wakefield@jefferson.kyschools.us with "School Volunteer" in the subject line.
Connections
Connections
SBDM Update
SBDM Update
Our next SBDM Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 15th at 3:00 PM in the Student Support Center Conference Room. Meetings are open to the public. HERE is the tentative agenda.
Page updated
Report abuse