J. Graham Brown School
Bear Essentials
May 18, 2022, Issue #37
Principal's Message
Dear Brown School family,
We have six days of school left! These last two weeks are by far the busiest weeks of the school year - and we have so much to celebrate! Our Junior/Senior Prom this past Saturday night was one of the best I've ever attended. Still to come are Junior Ring & Awards Ceremony, 8th Grade Dance, Pee Wee Prom, Kindergarten Celebrations, Senior Breakfast, 5th Grade Breakfast, 8th Grade Breakfast, 5th Grade Promotion, 8th Grade Promotion, Senior Walk, and our High School Commencement Ceremony. Our Suzuki and Elementary Orchestra concert went well, and we are also looking forward to our Middle/High School Orchestra Concert as well as those for our MS/HS Bands and Choirs.
This week, I have been meeting individually with faculty and staff during "10-minute check-ins," during which I ask for feedback about our work as a school, the support our leadership team provides, and any other topics on our minds. I do these three times a year. Overwhelmingly, our faculty and staff felt most successful and happy about having the students safely back in face-to-face school for almost the entire school year. The learning and growth that our students experienced this year was remarkable. Here's hoping we have turned a corner on the pandemic and that we will be able to remain face-to-face from here on out.
It has been an absolute honor to work with your student this year. I also appreciate the many parents and community members who have collaborated with me this year to help make our school an even better place to learn and grow.
Love,
Dr. Angela
This Week's Essentials
Breakfast Celebrations
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 Breakfast".
To contribute to the breakfast, please visit the sign-up linked HERE to review the items still needed.
If you have any questions, please email the 5th-grade teacher, Lauren.Wolf@jefferson.kyschools.us. Thank you!
Seventh Grade Families
Thank you for helping us continue the Brown School tradition of providing food for the 8th-grade Promotion Breakfast on Thursday, May 26 at 9:30 AM! We appreciate your willingness to help make this a special morning for our 8th 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 9:30 AM the day of the breakfast. Be sure that any items you drop off are labeled "8th-grade Breakfast".
To contribute to the breakfast, please visit the sign-up linked HERE to review the items still needed.
If you have any questions, please contact Autumn Neagle through the sign up link.
Thank you!
Eleventh Grade Families
Thank you for helping us continue the Brown School tradition of providing food for the Senior Celebration Breakfast on Tuesday, May 24 at 9:30 AM! We appreciate your willingness to help make this a special morning for our graduates and their families!
We are currently expecting to feed around 60 people, which includes all students.
Please try to have all non-refrigerated food items dropped off Monday (the day before) at the front office, or by 9:30 AM the day of the breakfast. Be sure that any items you drop off are labeled "Senior Breakfast".
To contribute to the breakfast, please visit the sign-up linked HERE to review the items still needed.
If you have any questions, please contact Autumn Neagle through the sign up link.
Thank you!
Student Devices
Students leaving Brown
Students leaving Brown must return their Chromebook and charging cord to Amy or Anitra in room 220 by the following dates:
Friday, May 20 - 12th grade
Wednesday, May 25 - ANY student in ANY grade NOT returning to Brown next year.
Grades K-2 Devices
K-2 devices will be stored in classrooms over the summer break. However, if they are on the list to participate in the Summer Backpack League, then those students will take home their device.
Grades 3-11 Devices
If a student is returning to Brown next school year they keep their device over the break
ALL devices will be inspected for damage, and asset numbers double-checked for inventory
Questions? Call, Text, or Email: 502-398-3450
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.
Pee Wee Prom K-5
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
There will be TWO food trucks!
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.
8th Grade Dance
Please mark your calendars for the 8th-grade dance on May 20th.
Cultural Connections
May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
National Alliance on Mental illness (NAMI) provides advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
NAMI envisions a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares. CLICK HERE their resources.
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.
Parent-Teacher Student Association (PTSA)
Please vote for 2 parent nominees to serve as SBDM Council Parent Representatives for the next two years.
Eligible voters must be one of the following:
Any parent of a child pre-registered to attend the school during the term the council being elected will serve may vote.
Step-parents, foster parents, and legal guardians may vote if the child lives with them.
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
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 2-6
State Testing
Make-up testing will continue for grades 3-11. To minimize disruption and optimize student success, please plan doctors' appointments accordingly.
ELEMENTARY (K-5)
Need to talk to the Elementary School Counselor? Click HERE to see how.
Be sure to read the Current Happenings.
For more elementary school information visit Miss Christy's virtual office.
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
Tennis:
Good luck to Vivien Englund, who is participating in the final 8 of the regional tennis tournament today. Go Vivien!!
There is a tennis meeting Thursday immediately after school in the library about tennis next year, Brown's Junior Team Tennis summer team, camps, clinics, and other important information. The 2022-23 Tennis Meeting Google slideshow has information we will cover in the meeting. If you have any questions, please email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Middle School Soccer:
Middle school girls soccer is still undefeated and takes on Noe today in the Final 4 of the JCPS Championships. With a win, they will play for the championship on Saturday at 10:30 at PRP. Go Lad Bears!
*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 had a great day at the Regional Track Meet on Tuesday night. Our girls team placed 2nd over all. Peyton Goodman is regional champion is discus. Chabely Perez-Talon is regional champion in the 200 and runner up in the 100. Owen Goodman is runner up in the long jump. Peyton Jones finished as runner up in the 200 and took 3rd in the 100. Our girls 4x100 relay team of Owen, Peyton Jones, Chabely and Adelynn Emnett is regional champion. Our girls 4x200 of Owen, Peyton J, Chabely and Lucy O'Brien are regional champions. All will participate in the State meet at UK on June 2nd.
Elementary Cross Country:
Any student in grades K-5 for the 2022-2023 school year, that is interested in cross country, should sign up at the link below:
https://forms.gle/33Ea7kfUSEFuuFwA8
Elementary Soccer:
Any student that will be in 4th or 5th grade in the 2022-2023 school year, that is interested in soccer, should sign up at the link below. We will also need volunteers for coaches.
https://forms.gle/voh2Udcq3xuEqQa89
High School/Elementary Sports:
Athletic Director- Justin Leonard- Justin.leonard@jefferson.kyschools.us
Middle School Sports:
Athletic Director- Matt Davis- matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Family Resource Youth Service Center
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.
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!
Is your family looking for a free program that you can grow with throughout the year? One that includes art-making, guest speakers, field trips, an art exhibit, and more? Look no further than the FACT Program! Join our friends at https://fact2genart.org/join and ignite your creativity!