Bear Essentials #10

September 30, 2020

Principal's Message

Dear Brown School Family,

Local events over the past week have been very upsetting for our students and families. Structural and systemic racism within our community limits the health, safety, and opportunities of our Black and brown citizens. Over 50% of the students who attend JCPS are black and brown.

Brown School's mission is to "cultivate innovative thinking and foster independence, empathy, and initiative within a culturally responsive learning environment." Although we cannot control what's going on in our city, there are many actions we, as a school family, are taking beyond just listening. We are reimagining our curriculum and curriculum materials to include Black and brown lenses. We are checking our implicit biases when interacting with Brown School family members. We are teaching in ways that are affirming to students of color. We are reviewing our policies for unintended consequences for Black and brown students and families. We are providing safe spaces for students of color to express themselves freely.

I covet your partnership as we continue to not only eliminate barriers, but we reconstruct a learning environment where every student is nurtured and inspired.

Warm regards,

Dr. Angela, Principal

This Week's Essentials

Updating fixes many problems

Tech @Brown

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

QUESTION: Why is my Chromebook acting weird?

ANSWER: Updating your Chromebook can fix many problems like camera issues, Wi-Fi, or webpages not loading. Click Here for How to Update Your Chromebook

The Tech @ Brown website is linked off of Brown's homepage under PARENT and STUDENT and offers various ways to get help.

Email Amy Thornton, Call 502-252-1635, or visit https://bit.ly/browntech

Black Student Union

High School Level

Meets every Friday 10:05 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. For all interested in being a part of Brown High's BSU please join our Google Classroom with the join code: L74GJ33

Staff Sponsor: Neysa.Jones@jefferson.kyschools.us

Middle School Level

Meets every other Wednesday - and we have our first meeting today! September 30 at 3:00PM - 3:45PM. For all interested in being a part of Brown Middle's BSU please do two things:

  • Join our Google Classroom with the join code: G7ZCCRF

  • Complete this MS BSU sign up form HERE!

Staff Sponsor: Ramandan.Hill@jefferson.kyschools.us

Brown School Library

We currently have 288 books checked out to students! Do you currently have library books that you need to return? We wanted to let you know that you have options to return books to us. Please email library clerk Anitra Wilson, or library sub Rita Nichols with any questions.

  • Take the books to the school and place them in the box at the front desk area. This option is only available every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 - 2:30PM. (This option is not available this week due to road closures, etc. in downtown Louisville.) We will of course use safe distancing guidelines, and we ask that you please wear a mask.

  • Wait until we return in person

  • Wait to return items until we have more information about how your child can select a book to take home from our library.

(Our Librarian, Amanda Klakamp, will be happy to answer any questions you have when she returns September 25, 2020)

Star Students for Last Week!

Opportunity for Visual & Performing Arts Students!

Time to show your creativity with Reflections. Reflections allows our students to show how creative they are in dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography or visual arts. Deadline is October 16th. Details and more information is on the online application at https://forms.gle/HfwcBZ58xBT1KRbUA


Weekly Columns

PTSA

JOIN the Brown School PTSA

We invite you to join the J. Graham Brown School PTSA to help support the students, teachers, staff, and parents in our school community!

What is PTSA? PTSA stands for Parent Teacher Student Association. We are part of the Kentucky PTA and national PTA with shared goal to advocate on behalf of children and youth.

Why join? Membership dues support our local PTSA as well as our school, district, state and national PTAs who work on statewide and national initiatives that benefit all children and families. 

Who can join? Parents, teachers, students (6th grade and up), grandparents can all join PTSA!

Click here to join. Membership Info here

PTA CONTEST

Deadline: October 16, 2020

National PTA holds a contest called Reflections and provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts. Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student selected theme, and this year's theme is I Matter Because... Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.

Brown School PTA encourages students, of all levels, to submit work. Please email Autumn Neagle with submissions or questions autumn@argo-networks.com.

  • For full rules please click here

  • Each child may submit 1 entry in each category.

Membership Drive: SWAG BAG Drawing

Join the PTSA and earn a chance to win a J. Graham Brown School Swag Bag.

All new memberships through the end of September and before will be entered for a drawing of a gift bag of Brown School Merchandise, Clothing, and other goodies.

The winner will be announced here in Bear Essentials. Parents, middle/high school students, and even grandparents are eligible to join the PTSA and enter the drawing. Membership is only $5.00 and benefits our school in so many ways.

Click here to join.

Brown School PTSA Store

While you are joining the PTSA, take a look at our newly updated Brown School PTA Store. Sizes and inventory have been activated for all items.

Click here to shop the store.


NOTE: Due to COVID-19, order shipping has been delayed. However, we plan to ship all orders next week.

2020-2021 PTSA Meetings

All meetings will be held on Zoom, until we can return to in-person meeting.

2020
August 18, 2020. 5:30 PM
September 22, 2020, 5:30 PM (postponed)
October 20, 2020, 5:30 PM
November 17, 2020, 5:30 PM
December 8, 2020, 5:30 PM


2021
January 19, 2021, 5:30 PM
February 16, 2021, 5:30 PM
March 16, 2021, 5:30 PM
April 21, 2021, 5:30 PM
May 18, 2021, 5:30 PM

CALL INFO
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3751884140?pwd=ak1PRWhXTTR6MlFaS1plVVpYOXNNUT09
Meeting ID: 375 188 4140. Passcode: brownbears

One tap mobile
+13126266799,,3751884140#,,,,,,0#,,8297837183# US (Chicago)

Family Matters

Check out the research on why reading for 20 minutes a day is so important for kids. Besides the academic impact, did you know that "reading for pleasure can help prevent conditions such as stress, depression and dementia?" (University of Liverpool) Need help finding books? Ask your child's teacher, contact our school librarian, or visit the Louisville Free Public Library's website.

Athletics

High School Fall Sports:

Our fall season is still going well and we are seeing a lot of improvement in all of our teams and student athletes. Our athletes and families continue to do a great job in following guidelines and it is helping us keep our season going strong.

Cross Country has a meet today against Iroquois, Doss and J-Town. This will be the first meet running above 3 miles, so we are excited to see how well our runners do. We are working hard and fine tuning for Regionals and State.

Our volleyball team has been going strong and working extremely hard. Their growth throughout this season and from game to game has been incredible and we look forward to seeing how well we are playing for the last 3 weeks of the season. The match vs Central scheduled for 10/1 has been canceled. They are back in action next Tuesday against Walden.

Our soccer team picked up a big 2-1 win vs Whitefield this week. Their record stands at 3-3, and we hope to improve that next Monday against Holy Cross. We have 2 weeks left in the season, so they hope to pick up some momentum before heading into district play.

Ethan Perry did a great job representing us in Regionals this past Monday. He had a strong showing in his first Regional Tournament and know he will be back there the next 4 years. All of our golfers showed a lot of progress this season and we know the future of Brown Golf is bright!


Middle School Fall Sports:

Middle school fall sports are canceled until we are back to in-person classes. At this time, it will be at least November 2nd.

Elementary Fall Sports:

All fall elementary sports were canceled. At this time, no decision has been made for the winter sports of basketball and cheer. We will keep you updated for future elementary athletic opportunities.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email Justin Leonard at Justin.leonard@jefferson.kyschools.us. GO BEARS!!

This Week's Backpack Tip

Student-Led Conferences (Parent Teacher Conferences) are now a required component for successful completion of the school signature item in the North Star Defense. Your child should document this with a copy of their SLC form, a video or a reflection on the process.

Do you have questions? Check out our BACKPACK NEWSLETTER or email Amy or Norah. 🎒

Counselors

Middle & High School Counseling (6-12)

  • Seniors will meet with Steven Held, KHEAA Outreach Counselor for The Brown School, on Friday, October 9th at 11:00. Join code will be shared in the Class of 2021 Google Classroom. He will go over the VERY important FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) form and answer any questions students have. Parents are invited to join in with their student! The session will be recorded.


PSAT and AP Exam Information

*In order to prepare for testing this school year, please review and submit the forms below if your student (Sophomore and Junior only) will be taking the PSAT test on October 14 (we WILL be testing in person at school). and/or the AP Tests in May (any high school student in an AP class) PLEASE CLICK BELOW:

PSAT Commitment Form

**Click here to pay your PSAT test fee**

AP Test Commitment Form

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PSAT TEST DAY on 10/14

You have registered for the PSAT test to be given at school on Wednesday, October 14th. The following are instructions on procedures for that day.

  • Students will be dropped off at the front door of the school beginning at 7:30 a.m.

  • Those dropping off students will form a “car-pool line” in front of the school and drop students off ONE AT A TIME. DO NOT allow your student to get out of the car. Your student must be wearing a mask when pulling up to the school. Dr. Brian and/or Justin will check your student’s temperature while they are still in your vehicle. After confirming your student’s temperature, a staff member will direct them to exit the vehicle and enter the school. If your student is running a fever (100.4 or above), the staff member will direct you to drive your child around the block and re-enter the carpool line for a second temperature check. If the student is running a fever for the second temperature check, the student will not be permitted to test. In order to stay safe, students must enter the building alone.

  • Students who drive themselves may park in the YMCA garage. Tickets may be brought into the school to be validated. All students MUST enter through the front doors. The student will wait for the staff member to check their temperature and for directions to enter the building.

  • If the student doesn’t have a mask, one will be provided. Students must use hand sanitizer upon entering the building.

  • Students MUST wear their mask throughout the entire testing period. Any student who refuses to wear a mask or takes their mask off will be dismissed from the test.

  • Students will proceed to the gym and take the first available seat. Staff members will be there to direct students to the correct seat.

  • Students MUST bring their own calculator and pencils. If pencils are needed, they will be distributed by staff and must be taken home with the student. Calculators will NOT be provided. Pencils and calculators will not be shared among students.

  • Snacks will be allowed in between the first and second test section and again between the third and fourth test section (5 minute breaks). Students may stand and stretch but not leave their seated area. Restroom breaks will be allowed one student at a time.

  • Students will be picked up through the alley car-pool line beginning at approximately 12:00. PLEASE MAKE A SIMPLE SIGN with your student’s name on it to hold up to the car window. Your student will be called on a radio to come to your car. This procedure may take some time, and we thank you for your patience.

  • Students who drove themselves will be dismissed one at a time.

*Gatton and Craft Academies for Sophomores:

The Craft and Gatton Academies are hosting two Virtual Opportunities for students and families to learn more about both programs. The registration link is below.

Event is on Saturday, October 27 at 10 a.m.

Each academy will present their slideshow presentation, and then will open up for combined Q and A at the end.

For more information on Craft Academy visit: www.moreheadstate.edu/craft-academy

To register for a Craft and Gatton Session, visit: Craft and Gatton session


New Counseling Site

*Visit the new Counseling Corner here. It's your one-stop-shop for answers to most of your questions!

From Pam Willison, Middle and High School Counselor


ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELING (K-5)

From Christy Teague, Elementary School Counselor

Visit the new Counseling Corner HERE. It’s your one-stop shop for answers to most of your questions. We are here to support students and parents during our “new normal”. The best method of connecting with your counselor during NTI is via email.

Core Counseling Curriculum (CCC) lessons, formerly known as Classroom Guidance, SCHEDULE - for when ES will visit your child's class to teach a social/emotion lesson.

Miss Christy's TIP of the Week: Tips to Keep Calm and Order in the Home during NTI

On a lighter note....World Without Teachers

Visit the NEW Parent Coffee Shop to see what's happening now and explore helpful parent NTI resources.

Need Miss Christy?

Community Events

Field Maze Activities

My name is Colin Drake, and I'm an architect with JRA Architects here in Louisville. I wanted to share a community service project that a small group of friends and I have started to give families another COVID-friendly outdoor activity during these crazy times. We create field mazes in underutilized public space, and have just completed our newest installation at 1800 River Road, across from Eva Bandman Park. They're available at all times, and offer 3 levels of difficulty to ensure that the whole family can embrace the challenge. I've included links to our website, where you can learn a little more about what we do, and a brand new video I created for these River Road mazes.

Website: https://colindrake.wixsite.com/maze

River Road Installation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE1A_QsjiD0&t=2s

Calendars