J. Graham Brown School
Bear Essentials
May 11, 2022, Issue #36
Principal's Message
Dear Brown School family,
If you spent any time at our PTSA Move-A-Thon last week, your ears would have been filled with laughter, squeals, and exclamations like "Best day of school ever!" The Move-A-Thon was much needed for our students' and staffs' mental health as we roll into state accountability assessments this week and our high school students enter their second week of Advanced Placement testing. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to make memories and just play. It was a time for writing our names on the back of tee shirts and throwing pies in the faces of our staff. (I got three pies to the face!) We danced, we popped bubbles, we walked, we played ball, we drew with sidewalk chalk, we hula-hooped, and we played on the playground. It really was one of the best days of school ever. (Visit the J. Graham Brown School PTSA Group on Facebook to see the photos/videos from the event.)
At last count, the Move-A-Thon brought in over $9000 toward improvements to Martha Ellison Peace Park and $2100 in tee shirt sponsorships. Our PTSA plans to add a a gaga pit, pavers for a section of the walking track, and safety improvements to the tunnel.
Our school is blessed by being supported by such a wonderful PTSA! Thank you to everyone who contributed and volunteered!
PROM ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to the change in schedule for the in-school Covid testing this week, we are NOT requiring a Covid test for attendance at Junior/Senior Prom. Any student who is concerned about their exposure is encouraged to wear a mask to prom.
Love,
Dr. Angela
Quick Links
This Week's Essentials
Time Change for Covid Testing
Please be aware that our in-house Covid testing will not begin Thursday until 12:00, because of state testing in the morning.
Due to the change in schedule for the in-school Covid testing this week, we are NOT requiring a Covid test for attendance at Junior/Senior Prom. Any student who is concerned about their exposure is encouraged to wear a mask to prom.
For more information, visit the Test to Play website click here.
Fourth Grade Families
Thank you for helping us continue the Brown School tradition of providing food for the 5th-grade Promotion Breakfast on Thursday, May 26 at 8:00 AM! We appreciate your willingness to help make this a special morning for our 5th graders and their families!
We are currently expecting to feed around 90 people, which includes all students and their parents.
Please try to have all non-refrigerated food items dropped off Wednesday (the day before) at the front office, or by 8:00 AM the day of the breakfast. Be sure that any items you drop off are labeled "5th-grade Promotion Breakfast".
To contribute to the breakfast, please visit the sign-up linked HERE or the red button above to review the items still needed.
If you have any questions, please email the 5th-grade teacher, Lauren.Wolf@jefferson.kyschools.us. Thank you!
Student Records
If your child will start at a new school next year, we want to make sure their records arrive in a timely fashion. With our building undergoing additional renovations with summer, we need extra time to ensure records can be processed and prepare your student's educational folder.
If your student, regardless of grade level, will be attending a new school for the 2022-23 school year, please complete the Not Returning to Brown Form linked HERE.
If you have questions, please reach out to our records clerk stacey.powell@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Summer Camp
Girls on the R.I.S.E. summer camp will run from June 15 through July 15 and they are now enrolling students in grades 6-8. Plus they are providing FREE transportation, breakfast, and lunch.
To register your student, or for more information please email JCPSGirlsontherise@gmail.com.
Pee Wee Prom
We are excited to announce the return of Pee-Wee Prom this year! If you are new to the Brown School family, Pee Wee Prom is a dance in which our elementary students (K-5) are escorted by one or more family members. Students must be escorted by at least one family member to attend. (Similar to Daddy-Daughter/Mother-Son dances in other schools, but without any gender or family member restrictions.)
Date: Thursday, May 19th
Time: 6:30-8:00 PM
Location: Peace Park
Cost: $5 per student/$5 per adult
Tickets will be sold at the gate. Please have cash as we will not be able to accept credit/debit cards.
Please do not attend if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness.
Sponsored by the J. Graham Brown School High School Academic Team.
Attention 8th Grade Families
Please mark your calendars for the 8th-grade dance on May 20th.
SBDM Update
Here's what happened at last night's SBDM Council meeting.
Dr. Angela shared a Good News Report
The council reviewed a post-secondary readiness Report
The council reviewed Senate Bill 1 Guidance that was provided by KDE.
The council received these Committee Reports
The counciil reviewed these Budget Reports
Flexible Budget Summary
Activity Accounts: District-Based; School-Based
The council took action on these policies.
Conducted a 1st Reading of Assignment of Students to Classes and Programs Within the School Day.
Review of Homework with no changes.
Review of Make-Up Work with no changes.
Review of Protection of Instructional Time
Conducted a 1st Reading of Student Dress
The council approved the Carryover Funds Plan
The council approved the Carl Perkins Budget
Cultural Connections
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
A feature story from the Girlhood exhibit is about the life of suffragists Virginia Lee Mead, a second-generation Chinese American, who was born in 1922. She grew up in the bustling ethnic enclave of New York City's Chinatown between the 1920s and 1940s.
Parent-Teacher Student Association (PTSA)
2022 SBDM Council Parent Nominations are Due at the CLOSE OF TODAY MAY 11TH
We are looking for nominations for SBDM Parent Council Members. The SBDM Council is the primary decision-making council for our school. Parent involvement is a very important part of this Council. There are two (2) parent positions, with a term of 2 years. Members would be required to regularly attend the monthly SBDM Meetings. The Council meets in person, usually at 4 PM on Tuesdays.
To be eligible to serve, parents must have a student enrolled or preregistered to attend the school for the year they will be serving on the council. A parent includes anyone who is a parent, step-parent, foster parent, and/or a person who has legal custody of a student. A parent representative cannot be an employee or relative of an employee of the school in which that parent serves, nor shall the parent representative be an employee or a relative of an employee in the district administrative offices.
Nominations should be sent to brownptsa.president@gmail.com by end of the day, Wednesday, May 11th.
Updated Peace Park Amazon Wish List
Spring is on the way and our students are spending more time outside enjoying the Peace Park. Consider donating items through our Amazon Wish List to make their outdoor time more enjoyable. These items can be shipped directly to the school (address to Doug Leonard / Peace Park, J. Graham Brown School, 546 S. 1st St., Louisville, KY 40202).
To donate please CLICK HERE
Thank You, Sponsors, Families, Staff, and Everyone Else Who Made the Move-A-Thon a Success!
Our students loved dancing, socializing, meditating, football, and just being kids at the Move-A-Thon! With your support, the PTSA generated over $11,000 in donations and sponsorships to buy additional playground equipment. Pictures of the event are on the PTSA Facebook page. Not a member of that group? Join us at the J. Graham Brown School PTSA Group.
Robin Cash, Middle/High School Counselor / robin.cash@jefferson.kyschools.us
Counselors
State Testing
Testing (Kentucky Summative Assessment - KSA) begins next week for grades 3-5, 6-8, 10, and 11. To minimize disruption and optimize student success, please plan doctors' appointments accordingly.
KSA Calendar for Grades 3-5, 6-8, 10, and 11
KSA Parent Guide for Grades 3-5
Need Student Support?
To connect with a member of the student support team complete THIS SUPPORT REQUEST FORM and we will assign a student support staff member to meet with the student as soon as possible.
STAR STUDENTS!!!!
Star Students! - slides 2-9
ELEMENTARY (K-5)
KSA Parent Guide for Grades 3-5
Need to talk to the Elementary School Counselor? Click HERE to see how.
Be sure to read the Current Happenings.
MIDDLE/HIGH (6-12)
Robin has been meeting with individual high school students in study hall and their ability to self-schedule in IC will end Friday, April 27th. After that, a schedule will be made for them based on current classes and can be changed at the beginning of the next school year.
Robin will visit students in grades 5-7 the week of May 9 to discuss choosing electives for next year.
Students interested in dual credit:
The Dual Credit Scholarship changes impact the 22-23 (and 23-24) School Year(s).
Tuition ceiling raised to 50% of KCTCS tuition ($91/credit hour)
Two Gen ED 11th AND 12th grade (each year – 4 total)
Same Work Ready KY options for CTE (2 courses per year grades 9-12)
See this Document for a Summary.
Don’t forget – lots of online DC opportunities from JCTC
Counselors Repeat info:
Visit Miss Christy's office for tons of information and resources
Click HERE to review our Student Support Team's (SST) Mid-Year Report
Students interested in Dual Credit at institutions other than JCTC need to take initiative to contact that institution's office to arrange for advising.
Robin met with the Classes of 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 and the scheduling system is turned on for those students in the Infinite Campus Student Portal.
The Scheduling Handbook is now available for students and their supportive adults to view prior to meeting with Robin to schedule courses for the 2022-23 school year.
TESTING:
AP Test Dates and Times for Standard Testing-AP exams can have up to an hour of extra times for preparing answer documents. Please plan transportation accordingly. Most standard time exams are 8-12 or 12-4 p.m. Extended time can be a 6 to 8 hour commitment.
Note that AP US History testing scheduled nationally on May 6th will occur locally on the make-up date on May 18th due to school not being in session on May 6th.
Students receiving accommodated tests will receive test tickets before the regularly scheduled exam to direct them to their testing locations and proctor.
AP charges are posted to your My School Bucks accounts. Please make payments as soon as possible.
Athletics
Spring Sports
Baseball:
Baseball has shown great improvement this season and looks to do some big things in the St. Francis tournament this week. They will take on St. Francis Wednesday, Frankfort Christian on Friday and KCD on Saturday. Go Bears!!
Softball:
Softball has also shown incredible growth this year and looks to finish strong. They will play Atherton tonight and Seneca tomorrow night to close out the year. Go Lady Bears!!
Tennis:
The tennis is gearing up for post season play, so they are spending lots of time practicing. Good luck Bears!!
Middle School Soccer:
Middle school girls soccer in currently undefeated and has not given up a point all season, winning 50-1 in all game combined. Boys soccer is showing some great progress and they are working hard. Both teams start tournament this Thursday, but the boys will take on Johnson tonight at Sun Valley before post season begins.
*All student-athletes must complete weekly Covid testing and have all eligibility paperwork turned in before they can participate. Those forms can be found on the athletic page of mybrownschool.org, under eligibility documents, or in our main office.
Track:
Our track team has been practicing really hard and is ready to finish this season strong. They will be at the Central High School "Bee Hive" meeting today, 5/4). Run fast and throw hard Bears!
High School Spring Coaches:
Baseball (7th-12th)- Jake Amettis - jacob.amettis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Softball (7th-12th)- Amanda Gravens - amandaggravens@yahoo.com
Track- Jelly Green- william.green@jefferson.kyschools.us
Tennis (7th-12th)- Matt Davis- matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Athletic Director- Justin Leonard- Justin.leonard@jefferson.kyschools.us
Middle School Spring Sports:
Boys Soccer- TBA
Girls Soccer- Josh Luttrell- rja172307@gmail.com
Track- Jelly Green- william.green@jefferson.kyschools.us
Athletic Director- Matt Davis- matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
New JGBS Alumni Association Website
The Brown School Alumni Association has exciting news - we just launched our website! By visiting www.jgbsalumni.com, you will be able to donate to our fundraiser for the Class of 2022 Scholarships! Every year at graduation, select seniors are honored with scholarship awards from the Alumni Association. We are in fundraising mode right now, so act quickly! You can donate to the general scholarship fund, or you could choose a specific award to give to. It's an incredible way for you to honor the Class of 2022 and help out the Alumni Association in the process!
Family Matters
Registration is open from May 9 to 20 for our 2022 Literacy & Summer Camps. Register your students at https://jcps.me/summerlearning for karate, soccer, dance, robotics, swimming, and lots of fun!
The Louisville Free Public Library will host The How-To Festival on Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., at the Main Library. More at www.lfpl.org/How-To
Family Resource Youth Service Center
Cultivating The Youth Experience, Inc.
Work Readiness Program to prepare for summer employment
Saturday, May 14th, from 9 am to 2 pm.
Ages 15-21 at Kennedy Montessori Elementary School
3800 Gibson Lane Lou, KY 40211
To sign-up for this free event CLICK HERE.
Need help? Reach out to Elona Mack, Brown/Central FRYSC Coordinator for assistance.
Email: Elona.mack@jefferson.kyschools.us
Phone: 502-631-9146
Click HERE for community resources.
Enrollment now open for the Spring LIHEAP Subsidy Cooling Component
The automated appointment line is now open to schedule appointments in advance Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services joins with Community Action Agencies across the state to begin accepting applications for the 2022 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Spring Subsidy Cooling Component. This federally-funded program is designed to help offset the cost of higher electric bills due to rising temperatures. Applications will be accepted now through June 17, 2022, or until funds are depleted.
For more descriptions about LIHEAP income eligibility and other instructions, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/LIHEAP. Residents may also call the automated LIHEAP information line at 502/991-8391. Individuals who require more information can contact Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or (502) 574-5000. Residents can also call Metro United Way’s 2-1-1 help referral service.