Bear Essentials #3

August 12, 2020

Principal's Message

Dear Brown School Family,

This week and next, our faculty members are spending most of their time engaged in professional growth. Not only are we learning how to make NTI 2.0 a great experience for students, but we also have a strong focus on culturally relevant teaching and racial equity. I am excited about a new protocol that our teachers are learning to use called the Affirming Racial Equity Tool. When used in their professional learning community groups, teachers will be able to plan instruction that honors students' diverse backgrounds and cultures, and blends social/emotional learning with academics. Using this instrument to plan instruction supports our school mission: to cultivate innovative thinking and foster independence, empathy, and initiative within a culturally responsive learning environment.

I am encouraging all families without a dedicated device for their student to Request a Chromebook/Device from JCPS. Chromebooks are configured to work efficiently with the Google suite of apps, which your student will be using during NTI. Additionally, it is much easier for students to "stay logged in" to software/apps/browsers, which could lessen the assistance young students need from adults. If your child is in a grade in which Brown will be issuing them a device, you should go ahead and request a Chromebook from the district; we do not have a timeline yet as to when we will be receiving the devices we have ordered. This will ensure your student starts the year with their device in hand.

Warm regards,

Dr. Angela, Principal

This Week's Essentials

NTI 2.0

For more information on what families need to know for the 2020-21 school year and NTI 2.0, visit the JCPS webpage at www.jefferson.kyschools.us.

Orientations/Registrations

For this school year, orientations will occur virtually. A link to connect to the virtual orientations will be communicated to families before the scheduled date/time. Please click here to access our back to school page for specific dates/times. Fees are not being collected at this time. Required paperwork for the start of the school year will be completed online. You can create an account and complete the paperwork online here. For new students to our school, instructions for submitting your required paperwork are available on our back to school page linked above.

Virtual Kindergarten Camp

For our kindergarten families, please remember that our virtual kindergarten camp is this Thursday and Friday. Families have the choice of one of four sessions over the two days. The link to sign up for a session is available here.

Student Fees

Student fees are being put on hold at this time.


Weekly Columns

PTSA

The PTSA is hard at work planning for the upcoming 2020-2021 academic year! Please see the below flyers for how you can join the PTSA and other ways to stay involved. We will be announcing more information about future meetings soon!

2020 Welcome Back.docx
Join the PTA (1).docx

Family Matters

Get ready to support your child with NTI 2.0! Join the JCPS Family Engagement team for a Facebook Live Townhall @JCPSFamEngage on Wednesday, August 12, from 6 – 7 p.m! Click here for the Facebook event link.

This is an awesome interactive opportunity to learn and ask questions about the coming school year, and get information on community resources and supports. We look forward to seeing you virtually!

* * *

Stay connected with JCPS updates through a family perspective at @JCPSFamEngage. Like the page now for information about town hall meetings, resource updates, and best practices from parents just like you.


Athletics

The official start date for high school fall sports is August 24th, and our athletic department and coaching staff are working diligently to ensure our practices will be safe for our student athletes and families. We look forward to seeing our athletes back soon.

Any student entering grades 7th-12th, that would be interested in playing golf this year, please email abbridges@aol.com for further information.

High school soccer is currently conducting small group workouts. Any high school student that is not currently participating, but would like to, should reach out to our coaches to receive communication on plans for workouts and the season. Every student athlete will need at least an updated sports physical to participate in workouts and will need all eligibility forms to start the official practices. Our girls soccer coach is Josh Luttrell and he can be reached at rja172307@gmail.com. Our boys coach is Steven Phillips and his email is steven.phillips@bullitt.kyschools.us.

High school volleyball is looking to start small group workouts on August 18th. These workouts may even take place at Seneca Park at 6:00pm to 7:30 pm. Our coach is Kathleen Mattingly and her email is Kathleen.mattingly@jefferson.kyschools.us and we encourage our student athletes to reach out to her for communication on workout plans and the beginning of the season.

For our voluntary workouts prior to 8/24, all athletes must have an updated sports physical on file. On 8/24, all students will be required to have an updated sports physical, a notarized insurance form, a concussion form and a video form. There will be a $20 insurance fee and specific team fee's that will be collected. All eligibility paperwork can be found on the athletics page of mybrownschool.org, under eligibility documents.

Middle school sports are still on hold at this time, but please continue to look for more information on our school Facebook page and through the weekly newsletter. We hope to have more information soon.

Unfortunately, we have decided to cancel elementary cross country and soccer for the upcoming fall season. It certainly was a tough decision, but we do not feel we can safely hold practices or competition with our elementary students. Our students, coaches and families safety will always be our first priority and we hope to offer both programs next year or whenever we feel it is safe.

We look forward to seeing all of our student athletes soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Justin Leonard at Justin.leonard@jefferson.kyschools.us. GO BEARS!!


Counselors & FRYSC

High School Counseling

From Pam Willison, Middle and High School Counselor

*Schedules will be viewable via the portal on August 17th. Send any scheduling questions to pam.willison@jefferson.kyschools.us . Please understand that options are limited but every request will be reviewed and considered.

*It's almost time for back to school! Even though we will start back in a whole new way, we are still planning for several upcoming tests. I'm sure it will happen one way or the other! Please review and submit the forms below if your student (Sophomore and Junior only) will be taking the PSAT test in October (plans include a possible move to a winter date) and/or the AP Tests in May (any high school student in an AP class) PLEASE CLICK BELOW:

PSAT Commitment Form

AP Test Commitment Form

*Google Classroom is back! I will use "Class of 2021-2027" to communicate with students in grades 6-12. If your student hasn't already joined, encourage them to do so. Codes will be shared with students, or send an email to pam.willison@jefferson.kyschools.us and I'll send a link.

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

Our counselors wish that they were able to see everyone in person, but Pam will try her very best to reach each and every one of her students during our new normal!

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELING (K-5)

From Christy Teague, Elementary 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 CURRICULUM COUNSELING LESSONS

I will be visiting classes on a regular basis to teach Core Curriculum Counseling Lessons. Lessons will focus on social/emotional wellness and helping each student to discover his/her own unique gifts/talents. This year’s theme for Core Curriculum Counseling lessons, formerly known as Classroom Guidance, is “Everyone is a Star. How do you shine now? How will you shine in the future?” The CCC Schedule for grades K-5 is coming soon.

TESTING

BRIGANCE, the Kindergarten screener, has been postponed by KDE. More information will be shared with parents as it becomes available to schools.

PARENT RESOURCES

  • Student/Parent Tutorials for Google CLICK HERE.

  • Tips for Parents during NTI Activities CLICK HERE.

  • COVID 19: Help Kids Manage the Stress of Social Distancing CLICK HERE

Mental Health

Interested in counseling services for your child? Re-enrolling your child in counseling for the 20-21 school year?

Sara Castro Doherty will be providing counseling services again this year for any child needing some extra assistance during this unprecedented time. Is your child frustrated with NTI, anxious about the current state for our world, struggling with isolation? If so then your child may benefit from some additional social-emotional support from our personal development counselor. Individual counseling sessions would occur via google meet weekly, biweekly, or monthly depending on the specific needs of your child. If you are interested please either email sara.castrodoherty@jefferson.kyschools.us or complete this counseling referral google form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZhHLd89FVRaaQj826UpXcPgoTVHJvVJUHyiIrmAbWubH3Og/viewform?usp=sf_link

FRYSC

P-EBT

The P-EBT deadline is extended to August 31. Families who get SNAP, KTAP, Medicaid + may not have not gotten P-EBT added to their EBT card or did not get a card should apply. Click here to apply.

If you need your child's state ID number, call 313-HELP. Our team can connect you to the right department to get that information.

This Week's Backpack Tip

What a crazy year 2020 has been! What new things has your child been able to accomplish despite the recent Covid crisis? There are lots of ways for our students to meet the Success Skills outside of the classroom. Want to know more? Reach out to Amy or Norah. 🎒

Our first sign up for Early Defenses is Sept. 25th. What better way to start off on the good foot than signing up for your defense? If you would like to defend early please email Norah today!

The rest of the defense dates will be announced after school begins. If you'd like to start working on your defense before then, please reach out to Amy or Norah. 🎒

Community Events

None to share at this time.

Calendars