💛 February 26 | Issue #26 💛
Embedded Files
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Brown School Family,
Last night the JCPS Board of Education approved the graduation schedule for all high schools, so pull out those calendars! Our seniors will take part in their commencement exercises on Tuesday, May 27th at 9:00 AM. This will take place in our auditorium at school. We do not issue tickets for the event and seating is on a first come first served basis. Our school will be open for guests to enter starting at 8:00 AM. Please keep in mind that balloons and noisemakers are not permitted, therefore guests with these items will be asked to take them back out to their vehicles.
The Junior Awards and Promotion Ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 1st at 8:30 AM in our school's auditorium. We do not issue tickets to this event and it is not crowded. Visitors can begin entering at about 8:05 AM. Again, please do not bring balloons and noisemakers.
The Board also approved the latest changes to the school calendar. One make-up day was added and four additional snow days were forgiven. The last day of the school year, barring any additional missed days, is Friday, May 23rd.
Now that graduation is set, we will be working to schedule dates for the 8th grade promotion ceremony, the 5th grade promotion ceremony, and the kindergarten celebration event. Please keep an eye on this section in future Bear Essentials for this information!
Be sure to visit our Planning Your Visit page to ensure you know where to park and what is needed to enter the building. All visitors are screened through weapons detection systems.
Love,
Dr. Angela
QUICK LINKS
QUICK LINKS
THIS WEEK'S ESSENTIALS
THIS WEEK'S ESSENTIALS
Family RSVP for the SDL Showcase
Family RSVP for the SDL Showcase
We are so excited for our annual Self-Directed Learning Showcase that is happening on Friday, March 21st. We invite you to join us! Check the image for your child's presentation time and click the link below to RSVP! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6xewYAA9AhqfZERYdBTAHTWY8H0-ocDcF9qa9vvJj1OhMmA/viewform?usp=header
Admissions Update
Admissions Update
As we end the 2025-26 admissions cycle, Ms. Ja'Lisa deserves recognition for her assistance in taking over the processing of elementary applications. She has done a terrific job! We had 488 elementary applicants and 265 middle / high school applicants who marked Brown as their first choice.Â
There may still be some adjustments, but at this time, we are planning for 115 new students who will join Brown next year. We estimate our total enrollment for 2025-26 should be close to 850!
Comprehensive School Survey for Parents / Guardians
Comprehensive School Survey for Parents / Guardians
Brown School Parents & Guardians,Â
THE DEADLINE IS THIS FRIDAY!
The Comprehensive School Survey is administered to students in grades 4-12 each year to provide feedback on all aspects of the school learning environment. We ask that you also take the survey as we use the data to improve our school. You can go to this direct link, HERE. Next, choose your language to take the survey in, and make sure you select that your student attends J. Graham Brown School on the next page. The survey is due February 28th, and we are trying to reach our 85% completion rate goal. Currently, our Parent/Guardian completion rate is 14%, so any time you can provide to complete the survey would be greatly appreciated! If you have any questions, please reach out to Drew Paige (andrew.paige@jefferson.kyschools.us)
Earth Day Materials Request
Earth Day Materials Request
Brown School Families, please read the following letter about materials that can be collected and brought in for Earth Day. Please reach out to Andrew Gray if you have any questions.Â
Free HS Math Enrichment Opportunity - NEW DATES ADDED
Free HS Math Enrichment Opportunity - NEW DATES ADDED
Andrew Gray is facilitating FREE math enrichment for any high school student. Please click this LINK to learn more information about how to sign-up!Â
WEEKLY FEATURES
WEEKLY FEATURES
Pledge Your Support for Racial Equity in JCPS
Pledge Your Support for Racial Equity in JCPS
Here is what you can do to make a difference:
E-mail Robert Stivers: Robert.Stivers@kylegislature.gov; David Givens: David.Givans@kylegislature.gov; Max Wise: Max.Wise@kylegislature.gov; Mike Wilson: Mike.Wilson@kylegislature.gov; Robby Mills: Robby.Mills@kylegislature.gov and tell them in your own words why you do not want DEI work to end in JCPS. (Please refrain from sending harassing or threatening emails).
Show up in Frankfort at the Kentucky State Capitol, 700 Capitol Ave. Frankfort, KY 40601, when this bill makes the agenda, which could be any Thursday between now and March 13. Agendas come out every Wednesday. Check the legislative agenda here: Schedules & Calendars - Legislative Research Commission
The federal government is reportedly considering dismantling several programs, and at the same time, Congress is weighing cuts to the federal budget that could significantly reduce education funding.
While the exact plans are unclear, these moves could result in sweeping harm in Kentucky. Federal funding is a substantial part of public school budgets and is particularly important in rural districts and for students with the greatest needs.
Please sign our petition and call on your Congress Rep to publicly oppose any federal efforts that could weaken Kentucky’s public schools or cut or threaten critical funding.
Jefferson County Congressman McGarvey (KY - 3): https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/mcgarveyopposepetition/
Reflections Winners Announced
Reflections Winners Announced
We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students in the Reflections competition! Each of the following students received a medal and a certificate for their exceptional work in Visual Arts:
Julian D. Galler – Award of Merit
Verena Iskander – Award of Merit
Lila Wilson – Award of Excellence
Raphael Iskander – Award of Excellence
Lila and Raphael’s artwork advanced to the 15th District PTA competition, where they competed against students from across Jefferson County Public Schools. We are proud to share that both received an Award of Merit in Visual Arts at the district level.
Congratulations to all of these talented students on their well-deserved recognition!
Your PTSA at Work
Your PTSA at Work
The Brown PTSA has provided lunch for the presenters at our Black Career Expo, soup lunch for the faculty and staff during student-led conferences, glow sticks for the pep rally, and breakfast for the Governor's Cup coaches' hospitality room hosted by Brown this past weekend. Thanks to all the parents who helped with the soup lunch and the hospitality room by bringing in extra items!
ATHLETICS
ATHLETICS
High School Athletics
This Week's Athletics Schedule- Click Here
Churchill Downs Concession Volunteers Needed- As a major fundraiser for Brown Athletics, we are working at Churchill Downs concessions for several races (4/26. 4/27, 5/1, 5/2. 5/3) . This will go a long way in fully funding our athletic programs for next year. In order to do this, we need volunteers. The more volunteers we have, the more money we will raise to spend on our student-athletes. Volunteers will need to arrive two hours before the first race.Â
We will need some volunteers to complete an online training if you are going to serve alcohol. That takes about 2.5 hours to complete and costs $30 ($24 after coupon code) and is good for three years. This will need to be completed before 3/10. To compensate for your time, money and effort, if you do this and volunteer, we will give you a pass to all athletic events at Brown for the 2025-26 school year.Â
If you don't want to do the training, we can still use you in a different role. Also, your portion of the money raised will go to the team you choose. Please fill out the form if you are interested.Â
Churchill Downs Fundraising Interest Form
Spring Sports- Our Spring Sports season will begin this month. Some sports will not begin practicing until March. Please make sure your physicals and paperwork are up-to-date before attending the first practice of the season. If you have any questions about your physicals and paperwork status, please ask. High School Required Sports Paperwork
Spring Sports Information- For information about tryouts, dates, and all other questions, please join the Band app for the teams you are interested in and contact the coaches. Band App and Coaching Contact Links
Spring Sports Informational Meeting for Parents and Athletes- We were unable to have our Spring Sports Informational Meeting due to two weather cancellations. Here is the information we were going to share: Spring Sports Information Meeting
Physicals Provided at School- If you have an athletics physical scheduled for school, please make sure you have turned in the forms to the nurse the day before your scheduled physicals. If students are scheduled for a physical on 3/11, they will be called out of class for around 20 minutes that day. There are no more spots for physicals on 3/11. We will schedule a day in April and a day in May for more.Â
High School Tennis- Practice begins today for high school tennis. For information about the team, coach and schedule, please join the tennis Band App. High School tennis is open to grades 7-12, however, like last year, there may be cuts to the team. Tennis Band AppÂ
Boys HS Soccer- Boys HS Soccer is in need of some great coaching candidates for next year. If you have anyone that may be a great fit, please have them email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Boys and Girls HS Basketball- Â Congratulations to the boys on a great season. They had a great win on Monday vs Collegiate 71-41. The team had one of the best records in a decade. Girls play 7pm tonight at Male vs Assumption in the first round of the district tournament.Â
Middle and High School Outdoor Track- Outdoor track practice has started. It will be 3:30-4:45 Monday-Thursday at Central High School until construction begins there. All information you will need will be in the BAND app.Â
Important Links-
Advertising/Sponsorship Opportunities
Live Stream Brown Games Information
Brown Athletics Merchandise Store- Shirts, Jackets, Hoodies, General MerchÂ
Middle School Athletics
Boys Soccer: Middle School Boys tryouts were yesterday. We had a fantastic turnout! Coach Derrian will notify players who made the team through the Band app. We appreciate every student who came out to try out! You can join our Band App by clicking https://band.us/n/a0a4Aat8k3U35.Â
Girls Soccer: Tryouts are Thursday, 2/27, at our practice field from 4:00-5:30 pm. The address is 4000 Gardiner Lane 40218. There is an option to ride the bus to tryouts tomorrow after school. If a student wants to ride the bus, report to study skills in the gym with Dr. Kat by 3 pm. At 3:30, students will load onto the bus parked on 1st Street in front of the welcome center. This is a one-way bus to the tryouts. Students will need to be picked up from the field. If you would like to receive notifications about tryouts and our calendar, please join our Band App by clicking https://band.us/n/abaaA8MbhaVfE
Baseball and Softball: Any 7th and 8th graders interested in playing on our high school teams should contact Jake Amettis (jacob.amettis@jefferson.kyschools.us) for Baseball and Amanda Gravens (amandaggravens@yahoo.com) for Softball. The season is starting now, so don't delay!Â
Tennis: 7th and 8th graders can join our high school teams! Please take a look at the High School info above. Tryouts are this week!
Paperwork: If your student needs athletic paperwork, the required forms are linked as follows: a sports physical, concussion form, insurance form, and safety video form. Students who are interested in trying out should make sure that their paperwork is current.Â
Fees- If you have not paid your FALL OR WINTER sports fees, please pay them immediately. These fees include equipment, uniforms, shirts, warm-ups, travel, etc. We cannot support our programs to the level that our athletes deserve if fees are not paid. Our fees are substantially less than other schools.Â
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
Please check the lost and found by Friday, March 7. After that date, all items will be boxed and donated.
Mental Health Practitioner
FREE class for families! - March 18 from 6-8 PM
Stress and anxiety won’t have the last word! Bring the whole family together and learn new ways to create inner peace as you try several self-care practices. Head home with free books,self-care materials, and other resources. Keep up the good work! Come at any time and stay as long as you want. This is a choose-your-own self-care adventure!
Register: https://tinyurl.com/JCPSpeace25Â
High School Counselor
GRADUATION DATE APPROVED: see Dr. Angela's message above for more info.
The junior Promotion Ceremony Date has changed. The date for Junior Awards and Promotion Ceremony (aka Ring Ceremony) is THURSDAY, MAY 1, at 8:30 am. More info will be delivered to students in Norah's class.
Scheduling 2025/26: Robin will be in study halls to meet with Grades 9-11 on 3/5 and 3/6 to discuss scheduling for next year. She will meet with 8th graders in Andrew's class on 3/18.
Dual Credit: Jefferson Community/Tech enrollment counselors will be in Norah's room on 3/14. Students unable to attend can schedule a meeting with Norah or Robin the following week.
Repeat info:
VALIDICTORIANS!!!!Â
SENIORS eligible to give the Valedictorian address at graduation (4.0+ weighted GPA) have received an assignment in Google Classroom Class of 2025. THIS IS OPTIONAL AND ONLY FOR THOSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THE SPEECH. For the sake of planning and printing the program, this is determined by your Cumulative GPA as of the 7th Semester (Fall 2024). Occasionally, students will cross the threshold with their 8th-semester grades, and we are happy to have them stand at graduation. Still, their name will not appear in the pre-printed graduation program and cannot be considered for the Valedictorian Address.
Testing in March:
Grades 9-10: On March 13th, all grades 9-10 students will take the CERT Test. This allows us to identify areas where we can support students on their way to College Readiness.
Grade 11: March 13th, all 11th graders will take the ACT. The state of Kentucky pays for this, and it is a mandatory test. Every 11th grader has been registered and will receive more info via Norah's Junior Seminar Class.
The NAEP initially scheduled for 3/25/25 has been canceled for the select group of 17-year-olds. No further action is needed at this time.
Elementary School Counselor
What's up in the ES World? Check out Miss Christy's slide deck to stay up-to-date on what your child is doing at school.
ADVANCE PROGRAM Recommendations:
Parents of recommended students will receive an email TODAY (2/26/25) from Christy Teague with a Permission Form included. Parents must complete and submit this Permission Form for Advance Program placement that begins next school year.
CONNECTIONS
CONNECTIONS
We had a super busy SBDM Council meeting last week! Here's what happened!
Dr. Angela shared a Good News Report with the council.
The council reviewed the Vital Signs Analysis.
The council reviewed the Site-Based Allocations, Restricted (Add-On) Allocations, ECE Staffing Allocations, & JCPS Average Salaries
The council reviewed these Budget Reports:
Site-Based Budget Summary
Activity Accounts: District-Based; School-Based
The council received reports from these committees:
The council approved these policies:
The council reviewed these policies:
The council approved the following requests:
2025-26 Scheduling Handbook
2025-26 Bell Schedules: Elementary, Middle, & High
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