J. Graham Brown School
Bear Essentials
May 4, 2022, Issue #35
Principal's Message
Dear Brown School family,
Last week WDRB News covered a story involving some of our remarkable Brown School students and staff that encompassed all four of our Self-Directed Pillars: Independence, Empathy, Initiative, and Innovation. You can watch WDRB's coverage HERE. Also, check out the awesome video that JCPS produced about this project that I included right before this message.
For the first time in the history of Brown School, students are completing Career Pathways and will graduate "career ready". Four years ago, we implemented two career pathways at Brown: Computer Science and Digital Design & Game Development. Several students earned industry certification in one or BOTH of these high demand areas. Please check out their photos following this message!
Love,
Dr. Angela
This Week's Essentials
Move-A-Thon is Tomorrow 5/5
While we’ll continue to take donations through the event, Wednesday, May 4 is the cut-off for determining the top fundraisers in each class.
These students will have the opportunity to pie their favorite—or not so favorite—administrator in the face during the event! All donations will benefit continued improvements to Peace Park.
We are asking for all donations to be made on our PTSA MemberHub site at https://brownptsa.memberhub.com/store/items/699744. Thanks for all that you do to support our students!
Attention 8th Grade Families
Mark your calendars for the 8th grade dance on May 20th
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. (Similar to Daddy-Daughter/Mother-Son dances in other schools, but without any gender or family member restrictions.) Students must be escorted by at least one family member to attend.
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.
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!
SBDM Update
Cultural Connections
Cinco de Mayo, (Spanish: “Fifth of May”) also called Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, holiday celebrated in parts of Mexico and the United States in honour of a military victory in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on Thursday, May 5, 2022.
Parent-Teacher Student Association (PTSA)
Thank You, Sponsors!!!
Thanks to these wonderful businesses for sponsoring our Move-A-Thon shirts!
2022 SBDM Council Parent Nominations
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 Wednesday, May 11th.
PTSA Nomination Deadline Friday
Please check your email for a nomination form for the upcoming PTSA elections. If you are a PTSA member but did not receive an email and would like to nominate yourself or someone else, please Click Here for the Nomination Form. Nominations will close this Friday, May 6th, at noon.
Principal Appreciation Day
Principal Appreciation Day is Sunday, May 1st, but we're celebrating early! Today, the PTSA presented Dr. Angela with a gift from the school community to thank her for her dedication to the Brown School students.
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
PTSA Meetings for 2022, 6:00 PM
Our meetings are held via Zoom:
May 10, 2022
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 4/29/22 - slides 2-6
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 had a big weekend in the JTown Tournament, beating JTown 21-6 and then Doss 9-4. We will be back in action tonight (5/4) at Westernand Thursday at Whitefield.
Softball:
Softball had a huge 27-25 win over Valley last week, after trailing 25-16 going into the last inning. They get the week off for rest or practice. They will take on Moore on Monday. Go Bears.
Tennis:
The tennis team picked up a few good wins last night in a tri-match. The winner include, Nola Goodman, Michelle Riley, Nevie Wall, Eric Kim, Duffy Oakley and Jackson Bean. They will take on Moore on Thursday at Stansbury Park.
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 action next Thursday. Good luck 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 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
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!
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
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.
Applicants for the Spring LIHEAP must be residents of Jefferson County with a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g. for a household of four, the gross monthly income cannot exceed $3,469.00). The Spring LIHEAP Subsidy component provides households a one-time benefit ranging from $50 to $200 depending on income levels and housing category. Residents can apply regardless of the status of their utility bills. The benefit amount is paid directly to the electric vendor (i.e. LG&E).
Jefferson County residents wishing to apply must schedule an appointment utilizing the automated appointment system. Appointments can be scheduled by phone by calling 502-991-8391 or online at www.louisvilleky.cascheduler.com. The toll-free service is currently open and is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
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 or visit www.louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.
Individuals who require more information can contact Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or (502) 574-5000, email metro.311@louisvilleky.gov , tweet @LouMetro311, Web: louisvilleky.gov/tell311, or download the free Mobile Louisville Metro 311 app from the website. Residents can also call Metro United Way’s 2-1-1 help referral service.