Biweekly School Newsletter
🐻 July 15, 2026 | Issue 1 🐻
Embedded Files
Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Dear Brown School Family,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I am absolutely thrilled to welcome your students back to the classroom (and welcome our new families to our community!). The start of a new school year is always filled with so much anticipation, fresh energy, and endless possibilities.
My primary goal is to create a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where your student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We have an incredible year of learning, discovery, and growth ahead of us, and I can't wait to get started.
🌟 Partnering for Success
🌟 Partnering for Success
I firmly believe that a successful school year relies on a strong partnership between school and home. You know your child best, and your support is invaluable. I promise to keep you updated on our progress, and I encourage you to reach out whenever you have questions, ideas, or just want to share an update about your student.
📅 Mark Your Calendars
📅 Mark Your Calendars
To help us kick things off smoothly, here are a few important dates to keep in mind for the coming weeks:
July 29: In-Person Orientation 11:00 AM
If you attended 6th Grade Camp or Kindergarten Camp, you do not need to participate in this orientation.
July 29: Registration 9:00-11:00 AM and 12:00-2:00 PM
July 30: Registration 9:00-11:00 AM and 12:00-2:00 PM
August 4th: Meet & Greet 1:30-2:30 PM
August 6th: First Day of School
🔍 Quick Reminders for Week One
🔍 Quick Reminders for Week One
Communication: Our main channel for updates will be The Bear Essentials. This year, it will be sent out every other week. For classroom communications, please ensure you have downloaded the Class Dojo app.
Supplies: If you haven’t had a chance to look over the supply list, you can find it HERE.
Routine: Thank you for helping your child adjust back to school sleep schedules and morning routines. It makes a world of difference in their energy levels!
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." — B.B. King
Thank you in advance for your trust, your partnership, and your enthusiasm. Let’s make this the best year yet!
Love,
Dr. Angela
Quick Links
Quick Links
Dates to Remember
Dates to Remember
Check calendar in this section for times and locations.
July 26 - Peace Park & Courtyard Clean Up
July 27 - SBDM Council Meeting
July 28 - Brigance Testing (by Appointment)
July 29 - Registration and Orientation (for ALL families except K & 6th)
July 30 - 6th Grade Camp; Kindergarten Camp; Registration (for ALL families)
August 4 - Meet & Greet; Ice Cream Social
August 6 - 1st Day of School; Kindergarten Parent Breakfast
August 21 - K-5 Back to School Bash
September 2 - Red Cross Blood Drive
September 4 - World Fest Field Trip
Weekly Essentials
Weekly Essentials
✏️ Back to School Information
✏️ Back to School Information
Our Back to School page has just about everything you need to know to get the school year started off on the right foot! CLICK HERE to check it out.
🖍️ Supply Lists
🖍️ Supply Lists
HERE are the supply lists for K-8. Middle school students taking high school classes will receive supply lists on syllabi on the first two days of school.
High school students will receive supply lists on syllabi on the first two days of school.
⚠️ We Need Your K-5 Dismissal Choice!
⚠️ We Need Your K-5 Dismissal Choice!
🚨 All K-5 families must pick a default Afternoon Dismissal choice.
Please fill out the DISMISSAL CHOICE form HERE.
Contact Amy Thornton with questions.
Amy.Thornton@jefferson.kyschools.us, Assistant Principal K-5
Peace Park & Courtyard Clean Up
Peace Park & Courtyard Clean Up
Join us on Sunday, July 26th, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm to clean up all our outdoor spaces used by students. This includes Peace Park, the courtyard, and the flowerbed. Please sign up here so we can make sure we have enough bottled water, and our PTSA will provide you with a free T-shirt! We are going to be picking up trash, weeding garden beds, and spreading mulch. Our PTSA will provide gloves, garbage bags, and some rakes. If you have gardening tools or plants to donate, please bring them with you.
🍏 Attention Rising Kindergarten Families!
🍏 Attention Rising Kindergarten Families!
We’re thrilled to welcome all our new Brown School families! We're so happy to have you with us and want to remind you that all kindergarten paperwork should be completed before school starts. Don't forget to register for the two upcoming events! Here are your next steps:
Brigance Testing
Scheduled for July 28, this 20-minute assessment helps us understand your child’s developmental progress. Please sign up on SignUpGenius and choose a 20-minute time slot that suits your schedule. Make sure to enter your child's given name, not the parent's.
Brigance Testing Sign-Up CLICK HERE
Kindergarten Camp
Join us on July 30 for a day packed with fun activities, a wonderful opportunity to meet our caring teachers, and explore Cubs Corner! You can choose a morning session from 9:30 to 11:00 or an afternoon one from 12:00 to 1:30. Families will attend an orientation during the kids' activities. Please register through SignUpGenius; each child needs only one slot. Remember, the reservation is for your child’s name only, no matter how many adults are coming.
Kindergarten Camp Sign-Up CLICK HERE
Please enter through the main door and plan for some extra parking time. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Amy Thornton. If you'll be at Camp, you won’t need to join the general orientation on July 29.
Required Kindergarten Paperwork
Options to Turn in Required Kindergarten Paperwork
Email: Please send PDFs to Rita Myers.
Mail: Send your documents to 546 S. 1st, Louisville, KY 40202
In-Person: Bring your paperwork to Camp, Brigance test, or Meet & Greet.
🐻 Attention Rising 6th Grade Families!
🐻 Attention Rising 6th Grade Families!
Click HERE to RSVP for 6th Grade Orientation and Camp
Welcome to Middle School at J. Graham Brown School!
Our 6th Grade Orientation and Camp will be held on Thursday, July 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This event is designed to help students and families feel informed, connected, and prepared for a successful start to middle school.
Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. At 9:00 a.m., students and parents will attend an orientation to learn about Brown Middle School procedures and expectations. After orientation, parents will visit the registration booths while students begin 6th Grade Camp.
During camp, students will tour the school, get to know their classmates, participate in fun team-building activities, win prizes, and enjoy Popsicles & Play at Peace Park. Lunch will be provided for all students, or students may bring a lunch from home if they prefer.
Camp will conclude at 1:30 p.m., and students may be picked up in the school lobby.
Families who attend 6th Grade Orientation and Camp do not need to participate in any additional orientation or registration events. All families are invited back for our annual Meet & Greet on Aug. 4th at 1:30.
Email Sherri Harris with any questions. I look forward to meeting you all soon!
Required 6th Grade Paperwork
Options to Turn in Required 6th-grade paperwork
You may submit the paperwork in the following ways.
Email: Please send PDFs to Rita Myers.
Mail: Send your documents to 546 S. 1st, Louisville, KY 40202
In-Person: Bring your paperwork to Camp or Meet & Greet.
📚 Attention Rising 9th Grade Families!
📚 Attention Rising 9th Grade Families!
Welcome to High School at the J. Graham Brown School! We are excited about your transition into high school.
Parents, please plan to come to one of our Registration Sessions.
Wednesday, July 29th and Thursday, July 30th
9:00-11:00 AM and 12:00-2:00 PM (both days)
Students will have 9th-grade-specific activities for acclimation, information, and relationship-building during the school day after the start of school.
If parents and students would like general information about the school and the start of the school year, you may attend the optional In-Person Orientation on Wednesday, July 29th, 11 AM, in the auditorium.
Everyone is encouraged to visit us at the Meet & Greet on Tuesday, August 4, 1:30-2:30 PM. Here you can visit classrooms, access your locker, and meet your teachers.
High school students will receive supply lists for each class on the syllabus on the first two days of school.
All other details about the start of school are located on the Back to School page of the school website.
🏐 High School Volleyball Tryouts!!!
🏐 High School Volleyball Tryouts!!!
Think you have what it takes to compete, improve, and be part of something bigger? Come join our volleyball program!
📅 Tryout Dates: 7/15 and 7/16
⏰ Time: 1-3 pm
📍 Location: Brown Gym
Please bring:
✔ Athletic clothes
✔ Volleyball shoes
✔ Water bottle
✔ Current physical paperwork
Whether you are an experienced player or trying out for the first time, we are excited to see your effort, attitude, and teamwork on the court.
Come ready to work hard, compete, and have fun! 💙🏐
Contact Dr. Kat with questions. kathleen.mattingly@jefferson.kyschools.us
🏐 Middle School Volleyball Tryouts!!!
🏐 Middle School Volleyball Tryouts!!!
Make-up tryout time will be Monday, July 20th, from 3-4 at Western.
Weekly Features
Weekly Features
Athletics
Athletics
Middle and High School Athletics
Middle and High School Athletics
Registration for This Fall's Athletics- Registration is now open for Fall Sports. Please create a Final Forms Account if you haven't already, fill out forms and register. If your athlete's physical is expired, please get a new one. Blank copies of physicals can be found on www.brownbearsathletics.com in the "MORE" section of the website. All you will need to do is upload the "Medical Eligibility Page" to Final Forms. If you are new to Final Forms, you can find directions here.
Field Maintenance Help- If anyone has a company or has an aerator we can use for our athletic field, please email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us.
High School Girls Volleyball Tryouts will be 7/15 and 7/16 from 1-3 pm in the Brown School Gym!
Cross-Country- Hello Running Bears! Middle School and High School Cross Country will start Monday, July 20th.Practice will be held Monday through Thursday @ Joe Creason Park from 3:15-4:30. If we need to make a change due to weather, practice will move to Brown. Your FinalForms must be up to date, sports physical completed, and all other necessary forms uploaded with signatures BEFORE your first day of practice. NO EXCEPTIONS! We will send out information for free JCPS clinics, but they can be done in any Walgreens, Kroger, CVS, etc. If you are new to Final Forms, you can find directions here. ALL communication will be done through FinalForms and Eventlink. Please make sure you and your runner are using BOTH platforms and have connected to Cross Country 2026-27. If you have any questions, reach out via TEXT to Jennifer O'Brien at 502-751-0179.
Middle School Cheer- Elementary and Middle School Cheer is looking for a part-time volunteer assistant coach. Please check this flyer for details: Cheer Assistant Coach Needed
Boys High School Soccer- High school soccer practice/tryouts begins today at 5:00 pm at Van Hoose Soccer Field. Please have all Final Forms signed (both parents and students) and an up-to-date physical uploaded.
Middle School Baseball Annoucement- If your 6th, 7th or 8th grader is interested in playing middle school baseball this fall, please fill out this form: 2026 Baseball Interest Form
Middle School Girls Basketball- MS Girls basketball have started workouts. Please email Coach George at george.marlow@jbhunt.com if you are interested.
High School Boys Soccer- Brown HS Soccer Conditioning and Training will be at Van Hoose Field. From July 15-August 4th we will practice Monday-Thursday 5-6:30pm. The first week will serve as tryouts. Beginning Auust 10th we will practice Monday and Wednesday 4:00-5:30 unless a game is scheduled. If weather requires a location changes, we will update via Final Forms and Eventlink. Please reach out to Coach Derrian (dlbura01@gmail.com) for any questions. *TODAY (Wednesday, July 15) we will be at Brown from 5:00-6:30pm in the gym.
Middle School Softball tryouts will be Monday 7/20 and Wednesday 7/22 at Western HS Softball Field. All girls need to have a helmet, glove, chest protector, cleats and a face mask to participate. For middle school softball information, please email Coach George at george.marlow@jbhunt.com. Also make sure you are registered on Final Forms. Information about tryouts and locations will be coming soon.
Planet Fitness Teen Summer Pass- Planet Fitness is offering free summer passes for teens this summer. It's not too late. Planet Fitness Teen Summer Pass Information
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.
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.
Elementary Athletics
Elementary Athletics
Cross-Country will practice on Saturday mornings from 9:30-10:30am at Joe Creason Park (meet at the playground) beginning August 1st. Please have your student wear comfortable running clothes/shoes and make sure they bring water with them. We will have just one practice a week each Saturday throughout the season. We encourage you and your students to get out to run or move their bodies on their own throughout the week, and it can be good to start now! A great challenge would be to work with your students this month and see if they can get up to 5 minutes of running without stopping (at a steady pace, not a sprint) before the first practice.
Our meet schedule isn't official yet, but it looks like meets will primarily be on Thursday nights, starting around mid-August and wrapping up by early to mid-October. We'll provide more scheduling details at our first or second practice.
A few other things to know:
Your child does NOT need a sports physical to participate (but please let us know if there are health concerns that could impact their running).
There will be a fee to join (last year it was $65), but don't let cost be a barrier to participation.
We'll be using the Band App to communicate to parents/guardians once the season starts - we'll provide details on how to get connected at the first practice.
If you can't make it to the first practice, don't worry - just let me know beforehand if you still plan to join the team, and we can get you filled in.
If your child is no longer interested in running this season, just let me know and I'll take your name off this email list!
Email me (Sarah Buckler) at scheibers02@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
Are you an incoming KINDERGARTEN PARENT?
Please join us for breakfast on the first morning of school after 8:00.
RSVP HERE
Easy PTSA volunteer opportunity to help welcome families and sell spirit wear merchandise during registration, orientations, and camps.
Student Support Team
Student Support Team
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
Please email Tara Davis if you need any resources!
Middle School Counselor
Middle School Counselor
Hi everyone! I can't wait to meet new faces and welcome back others. If you have not already, please use the links below to complete your elective preference form. Make sure you select the form for the grade level you are entering. This form will stay live until next Monday, the 20th.
Schedules will be made available at in-person registration on July 29th and July 30th. The Infinite Campus Parent Portal goes live on August 1st, and you will be able to access schedules there as well.
There is a lot of information and wonderful things happening, but please be sure to enjoy these last few days of summer. We'll see you soon.
🔵 6th Grade Elective Request 26-27
🔴 7th Grade Elective Request 26-27
🟣 8th Grade Elective Request 26-27
High School Counselor
High School Counselor
Welcome back!!! It is going to be an exceptional year, and so many opportunities are already on the horizon for high school students!
Schedules will be made available at in-person registration on July 29th and July 30th. The Infinite Campus Parent Portal goes live on August 1st, and you will be able to access schedules there as well. A schedule change request Google Form will be available at that time. Please do not email me; my inbox gets really full this time of year, and my face-to-face interactions with you take priority, but I will have that schedule change request list up and work with you during study halls to discuss any changes.
If you are planning on having a shortened day at Brown due to Work-Based Learning, please connect with Mary.Sithu@jefferson.kyschools.us. We can get you approved now so you can start your first day. If it's not on your schedule in IC, you cannot leave early until all is approved.
Dual Credit students, check your JCPS and KCTCS emails for any relevant information. You should attend virtual orientations over the next few weeks, and the information will be sent to your KCTCS email.
Class of 2027 SENIORS, if you are interested in a college that is not within driving distance, check out THIS LIST of Fly-In Programs. If your school isn't on the list, check their website or contact their admissions office to see if they offer a similar program!
Common App, etc typically go live in early August for the following academic year. If you already have an account, you could be applying for the wrong year. Double-check dates; this is crazy important that you apply to the correct school year (current seniors are applying for Fall 2027). I appreciate your enthusiasm, but changing the app date after you have finished it requires a lot of phone calls only you can make.
Need a Recommendation from Robin? Please complete THIS Google Form. Make sure your BRAG SHEET is up to date. The Brag Sheet is your way to let me know what you want shared in your letter.
Connections
Connections
🗳️ SBDM Update
🗳️ SBDM Update
Our first SBDM Council meeting of the year is scheduled for Monday, July 27th at 3:00 PM in the Student Support Center.
This year's tentative agendas can be found HERE.
🗞️ Good News for June 2026
🗞️ Good News for June 2026
Three Brown Bears competed in Lexington at the KHSAA State track meet this week. Ramille Ford earned 5th place in the 100m hurdles. Ethan Wright came in 10th in the 400m dash. Max Schuster is the 2026 Kentucky 1A Adaptive Shotput State Champion.
Hirsch Vagish placed 14th in the National Geography Bee.
These students were honored as Athletes of the Year:
Austin Vitato - (HS) basketball, golf, volleyball
Joelle Spalding Sherley - (HS) cheerleading, softball, volleyball
Austin Whobrey - (MS) basketball
Lucy Holt - (MS) soccer, basketball
The Brown Elementary Gold soccer team won the LouCity/Racing Upper division tournament.
Tatum Marlow was named the Courier-Journal High School Athlete of the Week. She’s in 7th grade and our softball pitcher!
Robby Bernardi’s clinic proposal, “Flex Band Literature: A Solution for Every Program” was accepted for the 2027 KMEA state conference.
Congratulations to these 7th graders who were named winners in the Less is More "Young People Reducing Gun Violence" contest: Annalise Mitchell, MaKenzie Bobbitt, Emma Hedges, Rushda Shaik, Dylan Stivers
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