🐻 September 9, 2026 | Issue 5 🐻
Embedded Files
Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Dear Brown School Family,
We value open communication and strong partnerships with our families. To ensure that student and parent concerns regarding instructional practices or classroom culture are addressed efficiently and fairly, we ask that you follow our established Conflict Resolution Protocol.
Why Starting with the Teacher Matters
Why Starting with the Teacher Matters
Our teachers care deeply about your children and sincerely want the opportunity to address any concerns directly. Reaching out to the classroom teacher first is the quickest way to resolve issues, as they have the best understanding of your child's day-to-day classroom experience. Handling matters directly at this level builds trust and helps maintain a positive, collaborative relationship between home and school.
Please note that if a parent contacts the JCPS Central Office before addressing a concern at the school level, Central Office staff will simply contact our school administration and ask us to reach out to you. Central Office personnel only step in after the teacher and school administration have already been involved and had an opportunity to resolve the situation. Following the proper sequence saves you time and ensures your concern is handled as quickly as possible.
Conflict Resolution Protocol
Conflict Resolution Protocol
Teacher Discussion (First Contact): Begin by discussing your concern directly with your child's teacher. We encourage referencing the course syllabus, class outline, student handbook, or other relevant course documents during this conversation.
Administrative Staff Support: If the issue remains unresolved after speaking with the teacher, a member of our administrative team, such as a school counselor or assistant principal, will join the discussion to assist in finding a solution.
Principal Review: If further resolution is needed after administrative involvement, the issue will be brought before the principal for review.
Additional Resource
Additional Resource
For a helpful visual guide on navigating questions and identifying the right contact for various situations, please review the JCPS Chain of Support Document.
Thank you for your cooperation, understanding, and continued support in creating a positive learning environment for our students.
Love,
Dr. Angela
Quick Links
Quick Links
Dates to Remember
Dates to Remember
September 9 - 📸 School Portrait Day Schedule; PBIS Store, PTSA Board Meeting
September 10 - Give for Good; Curriculum, Instruction, & Professional Learning Committee Meeting; Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony
September 11 - Operations Committee Meeting; Trivia Night
September 14 - SBDM Council Meeting; Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony
September 16 - 🧯 Metro Fire Department Visit (K-3)
September 17 - 📜 Constitution Day
September 18 - 6th Grade Field Trip to Actor's Theater 🎭
September 21 - 12th Grade Field Trip to County Clerk's Office ☑️
September 22 - 🎾 🥍 🏅 🤾 Field Day
September 23 - Student-Led Conference Day
September 24 - HS Theater Class to Actor's Theater 🎭; Theater Production Auditions
September 25 - PBIS Store
September 28 - October 2 - No School (Fall Break)
Weekly Essentials
Weekly Essentials
🥇 Gold Level Achievement
🥇 Gold Level Achievement
🎉 Congratulations are in order! J. Graham Brown School earned GOLD recognition status for the State Recognition of Fidelity of Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) for the 2025-26 school year. CLICK HERE to read the letter we just received from Commissioner Dr. Robbie Fletcher.
What is PBIS?
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based framework used by schools to promote positive student behavior, academic success, and social-emotional well-being. Rather than focusing solely on responding to misbehavior, PBIS proactively teaches students expected behaviors, recognizes them when they meet those expectations, and provides targeted support whenever extra help is needed.
What Does "Gold Status" Mean?
Earning Gold status, which is the highest level of state recognition, means an independent evaluation confirmed that our school implements PBIS with the absolute highest standards of fidelity and consistency. Specifically, it highlights that we:
Consistently teach and reinforce clear, school-wide behavioral expectations across all grade levels.
Use data-driven strategies to support students' academic, emotional, and behavioral needs early and effectively.
Provide multi-tiered support systems so every student receives the exact level of encouragement or intervention they need to thrive.
Foster a positive culture where students feel valued, safe, and ready to learn every day.
🫱🏼🫲🏽 Student Led Conference Day
🫱🏼🫲🏽 Student Led Conference Day
Mark your calendars! Our Student-Led Conference Day is scheduled for Wednesday, September 23rd.
What is a Student-Led Conference?
Unlike traditional parent-teacher conferences, student-led conferences put your child in the driver’s seat of their own learning. During the conference, your student will present their work, share their academic goals, reflect on their strengths, and discuss areas where they want to grow.
Why It Matters for Our Magnet Theme
Student-led conferences are a crucial extension of our magnet program’s mission. Our theme focuses on fostering independent thinkers, self-directed learners, and confident communicators. By taking ownership of their progress and articulating their learning journey directly to you, students actively practice the leadership, goal-setting, and reflection skills that define our magnet curriculum.
If you are unable to attend a conference at school, your child will bring their materials home to conduct their conference with you at the kitchen table. Every single student will have the opportunity to share their growth with their family!
📊 i-Ready Reports
📊 i-Ready Reports
If you are the parent of a student in grades K-8, you should have received your child's i-Ready reports on September 4th. If you have questions about what the reports mean, please bring them with you during Student Led Conferences on September 23rd.
Weekly Features
Weekly Features
Athletics
Athletics
Middle and High School Athletics
Middle and High School Athletics
Registration for Winter Sports Now Open- To register for Winter Sports (MS/HS Swim, MS/HS Basketball, MS/HS Archery, HS (7th-12th) Bowling, MS/HS eSports, go to Final Forms (located at www.brownbearsathletics.com) and add the sport for your athlete. To practice, workout, etc. you must have an active physical on file. Also, please make sure all Final Form documents are completed. We will send out information to students who have signed up for their sport on Final Forms.
Quick Recall - Middle School Quick Recall practice will be Thursday in Sarah's room (225) from 3:00 to 4:00pm. All interested students are welcome to participate on the team, however not all students will receive equal play time due to the size of the team, experience, and demonstrated skill levels.
Please reach out to Andrew Boling (andrew.boling@jefferson.kyschools.us) and Sarah Yost (sarah.yost@jefferson.kyschools.us) with questions regarding MS Quick Recall.
MS Swimming- Middle School Swim starts today! Practice is Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3-4 at the YMCA. You MUST have a YMCA membership for the swim season to participate in MS Swim.
Click the link below for all the information you need to sign up for the Middle School Brown Swim Team! Some forms need to be completed before the first day of practice; you may email them or turn them in to me directly at practice.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R9ddmyWwAueyz662PYIqq8DqZT_2ivp-aRATEnmOLM4/edit?usp=share_link
Text Coach Jennifer with any questions at 502-751-0179
Final Forms- If you or your student receives an email from Final Forms saying to complete forms, do not disregard it. Please login and check what forms are unsigned.
New Fall Sports Bonfire- The 4th Annual Brown Fall Sports Bon Fire will be on Saturday, Saturday, October 10th from 5:30-10:00pm. Brown Bon Fire Flyer
Advertise With Brown- Advertise at Brown with a banner for the gym, jumbotron, or outdoors at 1st St/Peace Park. The digital banner could just be words of encouragement (Go Bears Volleyball!, Have a Great Senior Year Billy, etc.) and will be displayed at all home games played in the gym. Advertise With Brown
Having Trouble Finding Game Schedules?- Click the link below and find the team you are searching for in the dropdown list. From there you can print a schedule of everything scheduled so far. Game and Practice Schedules
🗓️MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH🗓️ Join us in Louisville's annual Give for Good event! We're raising PTSA general funds to support our ongoing focus areas of Beautification, Student Life, and Teacher Initiatives. Our personal G4G page gives a one-pager of all we accomplished in 2025/26... It's a large budget with even larger impact and we're grateful for your support. Please share on social media, specifically ON 9/10 for the chance to participate in community matching and prize winning- all funds go right back into the Brown PTSA budget. Have questions about Give for Good or want to learn more about this Louisville-wide event? Check out their FAQ section HERE
TO DONATE AND SHARE: scan the QR code in the graphic or visit our site HERE
Field Day is September 22nd!
We are in need of parents who would be interested in volunteering for the event. Join us on at Waterfront Park to: play games, man the water and popcorn stations, and enjoy the fun! Sign up at the Field Day request form HERE for a time slot!
Our Annual PTSA Fall Festival is Friday, October 16th! Look for more information in the next Bear Essentials regarding times, food truck offering, and general logistic need-to-knows! As the PTSA works to plan an amazing evening for families- we wouldn't be able to pull this even off without YOU. Volunteer shift signups are now open HERE. Get to know other parents and support our students hard work on their game and activity booths. We'll see you there!
2026-2027 National PTA Reflections Program
We are in the process of updating our website with all the information about the Reflections Program. This year's theme is "What My Culture Means to Me" Please check back on our website over the next week to find out more information and how your child can create and submit their artwork. Brown PTSA Reflections Page
Student Support Team
Student Support Team
Mental Health Practitioner
Mental Health Practitioner
If you would like for me to work with your student please feel free to reach out to me or fill out the student support form. Like in previous years the quiet space in the Pedway office is available to all students per request to their teachers! If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to reach out.
As the school year moves on we also recognize that sometimes students need extra assistance with mental health needs. If you or your student are in need of a mental health service provider (therapist, psychiatrist, etc) please feel free to reach out. JCPS is able to collaborate with Care Solace to help connect JCPS families with local providers.
Elementary Counselor
Elementary Counselor
Welcome to the 2026-27 school year at the J. Graham Brown School! I am your Elementary School Counselor, Miss Christy. Check out our Student Support Team's Website - ELEMENTARY section - for stay in the "know" about all things elementary.
If you need to contact Miss Christy, please email at christy.teague@jefferson.kyschools.us
Middle School Counselor
Middle School Counselor
Every week I send out a video to all middle school students with important updates for the weeks ahead. This is posted in their google classroom. Please remind your darling to review Cordia's videos in their Class of Google Classroom to stay up to date on all the things.
High School Counselor
High School Counselor
PSAT Sign-ups-ALL juniors are automatically enrolled for free for the PSAT/NMSQT.
Sophomores can opt-in by completing THIS FORM. We anticipate the test will cost about $25 and is not eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch as it is optional and for practice only. The date will be October 14th and there is not make-up date. The link to pay will be emailed to the parents in October.
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Central High School has invited our Juniors and Seniors to attend their school day college fair on 10/15. More info will be distributed mid-September via Robin and Norah.
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JA Inspire to Hire is 10/29. All high school students are invited to attend. Permission slips with more info will be delivered before fall break via Robin, Norah, and Dr. Mary.
Connections
Connections
SBDM Update
SBDM Update
You can find the SBDM Committee meeting agendas for the year below!
The next SBDM Council meeting is schedule for September 14th at 4:00 PM. HERE is the draft agenda.
Envision Equity - September Issue
Envision Equity - September Issue
Please enjoy the September 2026 edition of our Envision Equity newsletter. As a reader, you will have access to photos from events that embody the purpose of this newsletter. Click the image below to view the magazine.
Equal Opportunity Notice
Equal Opportunity Notice
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