J. Graham Brown School
Bear Essentials
August 5, 2021, Issue #2
Principal's Message
Dear Brown School family,
This is the first year in many years in which I haven't had my own child attending Brown School! I'm officially an empty nester. My oldest son, Chandler (left), graduated from Brown in 2015 and will be student teaching this fall at Ballard High School. My youngest son, Caleb (right), graduated from Brown this past May (2021) and will be an engineering student at UK. It is an understatement to say that it went by in a flash. For those of you with little ones, take time each day just to live in the moment. That sense of wonderment and awe that they bring doesn't last that long. Get those hugs while you can. And for those of you with older students, (especially those who are at that age when they know everything), make an extra effort to connect every day.
In less than a week we will be all back at school! Our building is still under construction, but it will be ready for you to see on Tuesday during our Meet & Greet. This is just phase 1, so next summer we will be under construction with the target of having the entire building completed before the first day of school 2022. So far, it is looking great!
See you on Tuesday from 1:00 to 2:30 PM during our Meet & Greet!
Love,
Dr. Angela
This Week's Essentials
Healthy at School Procedures
We are making plans for the safe return of all our students and staff! To read more about our safety protocols, please visit our SCHOOL PORTAL.
Back to School
Be sure you are checking our Back to School page for all the latest updates!
If you ordered school supplies, they were delivered to our school and will be given to your student on the first day of school.
Contact Information
Did you get a new phone number or email address? Have you recently moved? In order to be able to reach you about your student, it is critical that we have the correct information on file. Please be sure to let us know of any changes to phone number, email address, or emergency contacts. It is super simple! All you have to do is contact our Records Clerk, stacey.powell@jefferson.kyschools.us. This will insure that you do not miss any important information from our school and the district.
You can also reach out to Stacey if you are unsure if your information is correct at 502-977-8246 or email stacey.powell@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Staff Additions
Damon Cobble
Mental Health Counselor
As we begin the new 2021/22 school year and as my role as the new Mental Health Practitioner at J. Graham Brown School, I want to take some time to introduce myself formally. Research shows that the growth and success of children are more significant with a systemic approach. I know that much of the success of our students will also be our success, and I am looking forward to working as part of the Brown School.
Before joining the Brown, I worked in the same role at Seneca High School, Minor Daniels Academy, and Western Middle School. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MMFT), Racial Trauma Specialist, and Clinical Certified Trauma Specialist for Families (CCTS-F), and I am eager to use these experiences in my role in helping to remove the barriers to our student's academic success.
I am also an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Theta Omega Chapter. In addition, I have dedicated a significant portion of my life to the well-being of my community through advocacy, volunteerism, the application of therapeutic skills, and community collaboration.
Outside of work, I am vested and actively involved in many community initiatives! I'm also a huge CARDS fan. Additionally, I have a four-legged 100 pound best friend named Zeus that keeps me quite busy.
Everyone I have met so far has been professional, polite, and productive, and it is clear that we have a positive team environment. I very much look forward to meeting the rest of you soon. I hope that we can use our personal experiences for our shared success at J. Graham Brown School.
Please feel free to reach out to me at any time at damon.cobble2@jefferson.kyschools.us
Weekly Columns
Star Students
Throughout the school year, we recognize students who demonstrate our school-wide expectations.
Encourage your student to shine in meeting these expectations.
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Safe
Always Pursue Excellence
Family Resource Youth Service Center
Hello! I am Elona Mack, and I am Brown/Central FRYSC Coordinator. Need help? Your FRYSC is here to provide assistance. Click HERE for community resources.
Please contact me with questions or concerns.
Email: Elona.mack@jefferson.kyschools.us
Phone: 502-631-9146
Family Matters
The Kentucky Student Voice Team is recruiting Kentucky students for peer-to-peer interviews regarding their schools, ESSER funding and COVID impacts. Students will earn a $30 gift card for their contribution and their ideas, thoughts and insights will help shape education policy.
Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)
JOIN THE 2021-2022 PTSA!
Open to all Parents/Guardians, Faculty/Staff, Students (5th grade+), or Grandparents.
PTSA Meetings for 2021-2022, 6:30 PM
July 15, 2021
August 17, 2021
September 21, 2021
October 19, 2021
November 16, 2021
December 14, 2021
January 18, 2022
February 15, 2022
March 15, 2022
April 19, 2022
May 10, 2022
Support PTSA fundraising efforts, Read about Members, etc. - CLICK HERE
Walter Zausch, PTSA President brownptsa.president@gmail.com
Return to school safely and with spirit!
Brown School Bears Masks, now available in the MemberHub Store.
Adjustable one-size-fits-all
Washable
2-ply
Sleek behind the ear design with adjustable banding.
Comfortable, breathable inner layer, 100% cotton.
Fulfillment will happen in school.
Order today by visiting our MemberHub Store!
Counselors
*It's almost time for back to school!*
Tip of the week: Back to school is such an exciting time of new beginnings and even more so this year! Sometimes that can also cause stress and anxiety. To reduce stress, start preparing your back-to-school items, take this time to dispose of supplies that are used up, and replenish items that you will need. In other words, be prepared! Also consider taking a moment to save important emails in your (or your student’s) account and purge things that are no longer relevant. Starting the year with a clean slate can be so refreshing and set everyone up for success!
We are so excited to share our new Counseling/Student Services Suite with everyone. This area is still under construction, but Robin and Christy will be out and about and the main office will be able to reach us if needs arise!
Elementary School Students
Miss Christy can't wait to see all of her students once again! I know that kids are also super-excited to see all of their friends at school. Hot off the presses, all students, teacher, staff, and parents/guardians are required to wear masks in public areas, when entering a JCPS building, in common areas unless actively eating or drinking, and/or in a JCPS vehicle occupied by more than one person. Also, make sure you read this newsletter and other communications from Dr. Angela and other Brown staff as we approach the opening day of school.
Middle and High School Students
*Google Classroom is back! Robin will use "Class of 20##" 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 in study hall or English classes the first week back. These google classrooms roll over each year and information that is relevant both school-wide and class specific (i.e. the form to request a class change for everyone or scholarships for seniors) will be posted there! You don’t want to miss out!
*Remind.com will be used for short, time-sensitive updates. Codes for Remind class groups will also be shared the first week of school.
*Schedule change requests can be made for academic purposes on THIS form. Schedule changes may not happen until after 8/9/21 and can happen as late as the 10th day of school although every effort will be made to adjust them ASAP. Please do not fill out the form more than once, you can include multiple class changes in the form.
CLICK HERE to visit the Counseling Corner. It's your one-stop-shop for answers to most of your questions K-12!
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELING (K-5)
Christy Teague, Elementary School Counselor, christy.teague@jefferson.kyschools.us
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING (6-12)
Robin Cash, Middle and High School Counselor, robin.cash@jefferson.kyschools.us
SBDM Update
Coming soon
Athletics
Fall Sports:
Fall sports for middle and high school are off and running (pun intended). Our high school sports offerings include, cross country, golf, boys and girls soccer and volleyball. Middle school sports are golf, volleyball and cross country. Practices have been going for a few weeks and games are getting ready to begin. Girls soccer will be in action on Tuesday 8/10 at Seneca and Thursday 8/12 at Whitefield. Golf takes on KCD and Central at Long Run on Wednesday 8/11. Boys soccer will head to Waggener on 8/12. Go Bears!
We are still unclear with what elementary sports will look like, or if we will be able to offer fall sports for elementary. We normally offer soccer (3rd-5th) and cross country (K-5) during the fall season, so please reach out if that interests your student. We are waiting on guidance from the district to be released, which will hopefully happen by Friday 8/6. Please contact Justin Leonard if you haven't already, so you can be added to the list.
All student athletes are required to complete all athletic paperwork and hand it in at the first practice. Middle and high school coaches will also send out a link to pay athletic insurance when practices get closer. Elementary athletes will be required to turn in a sports physical before participating in any practices/games for the 2021-2022 school year. Elementary will use the middle school sports physical form that can be found on our website.
High School Fall Coaches:
Cross Country- David Jaggers- david.jaggers@jefferson.kyschools.us
Girls Soccer- Josh Luttrell- rja172307@gmail.com
Boys soccer- Steven Phillips- steven.phillips@bullitt.kyschools.us
Volleyball- Kathleen Mattingly- kathleen.mattingly@jefferson.kyschools.us
Athletic Director- Justin Leonard- Justin.leonard@jefferson.kyschools.us
Middle School Sports:
Elementary and Middle School Spring Sports:
Cross Country- Ben Kolb- bennet.kolb@jefferson.kyschools.us
Golf- Barry Bridges- abbridges@aol.com
Volleyball- Anna Obryan- ajobry01@gmail.com
Athletic Director- Matt Davis- matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Elementary Sports:
Justin Leonard- justin.leonard@jefferson.kyschools.us
Community
Information coming soon.