Bear Essentials
J. Graham Brown School Weekly Family Newsletter
August 23 | Issue #6
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Brown School Family,
Safety is one of the most pressing concerns for schools today, especially with the escalation of threats or the follow-through of violence on school employees and/or students. Our district has an obligation to provide a safe learning environment for all students, teachers, and staff.
It is unfortunate that an increase in threats involving students and staff members has led to new legislations regarding “terroristic threatening”. We are required to provide parents and guardians with information regarding terroristic threatening. In accordance with the law, schools/districts are required to pursue immediate legal charges for felony terroristic threatening in the second degree. The school must act in accordance with the law with the collaboration of law enforcement.
The definition of Terroristic Threatening in the second degree is found in state law (KRS 508.078).
(1) A person is guilty of terroristic threatening in the second degree when, other than as provided in KRS 508.075, he or she intentionally:
b) Makes false statements by any means, including by electronic communication, for the purpose of:
1. Causing evacuation of a school building, school property, or school-sanctioned activity;
2. Causing cancellation of school classes or school-sanctioned activity; or
3. Creating fear or serious bodily harm among students, parents, or school personnel.
Any threats to school students or staff are intolerable and punishable by law by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or up to $10,000 fine. (KRS 532.020).
KRS 158.1559 mandates that we provide you with written notice of the following statutes: KRS 508.078, 532.060, and 534.030. These three statutes, as well as the one requiring our school to provide this information, are linked for you to access and read. You may contact the school or district with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Dr. Angela
QUICK LINKS
THIS WEEK'S ESSENTIALS
SBDM Committee Sign Ups Extended
Now is the time to sign up to volunteer on an SBDM Committee! This is a great way to contribute to our school in a meaningful way. Committees meet once a month. CLICK HERE to sign up. The window is being extended to Friday, August 25th.
Kindergarten Quick Start Guide
Last year, one of our Kindergarten parents created a Quick Start Guide for families new to the Brown School. It has a lot of useful information to check out! Click this link to read all about it.
Student ID Badges
Student ID badges for middle and high school students are an important aspect of our school safety practices. ID badges allows all staff to quickly identify the individuals who belong in our building. If we ever have an emergency, they will be viewed by first responders to quickly determine which individuals are Brown School students. (Additionally, students may also use them for discounts at many local businesses.)
All students in 6th-12th Grades must wear their Student ID badges while in the building. Students who do not have their badge will be sent to the main office to receive a temporary student badge. The first five times a student is issued the temporary student badge, the student will be issued a reminder. After the fifth time, a student will be assigned to an hour of detention for each occurrence.
If a student needs a replacement ID badge, please contact Mr. Josh. A $2 fee will be assessed for each replacement to cover the cost of materials.
If you have questions, please reach out to Mr. Curtis or Dr. Brian.
WEEKLY FEATURES
PTSA
Save The Upcoming Dates
September 14th - Give for Good
September 21st - PTSA Meeting & Open House
September 29th-KY Kids Day
October 20th - PTSA Fall Festival
SBDM Parent Represetnative Needed
We had a parent resign from the School Based Decision Making Council (SBDM). Therefore we need to fill this position. If you are interested - please click the link below and apply by Monday at noon. We will be doing elections next week.
Advocacy Corner -
Next Tuesday JCPS Board of Education (BOE) will have their next board meeting.
It can be watched live on their JCPS BOE Channel. Here is the link to the agenda.
They will be discussing many items including:
Approval of Tax Rates for FY 2023-2024
Fiscal Year 2023-24 Working Budget
Racial Equity Policy Update
Join the Fall Festival Committee
We will be having our first Fall Festival Committee Meeting. Join us to learn how you can help plan and assist in making this event a great success! We are meeting by zoom on Monday, August 28th at 6:00 pm. We hope to see you there!
Click here to see all the details
Registration starts Monday August 14th.
You must be a PTA member in order to enroll your child.
This link takes you to our PTSA store. Just select Enrichments in Category Menu to just see the enrichments.
Welcome our newest PTSA members for 2023-2024 school year: William M., Melanie H., Alan B., Melissa B., Christopher O., Kyle B., Diane B., Josh B., Carla S., Saumya L., Stephanie E., Elizabeth C., Rebeca T., Devin S., Russ M., Nikki M., Wanda W., Jennifer F., Laura D., Laurent D., Jacob D., Leon R., Linda R., Elizabeth W., Adam W., Jasmine M., Ryan M., Benjamin G., Brittney S., Danielle W., Chris W., Raina W., Canadace W., Ryan W., Colleen C., Cameel C., Eliza P., Christina M., Cynthia F., Tracy E., Meme E., John N., Nicck M., Tahondra J., Samuel W., Beth G., Christa H., Amy S., Roxanne S., Charlottte C., Sam S., Karen G., Catherine H., Amy S., Les S., Hong G., Amanda F., Sarah B., Sarah F., Megan R., Paul R., Caitlin R., and Erica M.
Thank you for joining Brown PTSA!
ATHLETICS
High School Athletics
Kroger Community Rewards for Brown Athletics
Please consider adding J. Graham Brown Athletics to your Kroger Community Rewards on your Kroger account. It does not affect your fuel rewards or cost you anything. Here is how to enroll or switch your Community Rewards account to J. Graham Brown Athletic Department:
1. Go to Kroger.com and sign in.
2. Go to your account on the right side of the page.
3. Scroll down to "Community Rewards"
4. Search for "J Graham Brown School Athletic Department" (If you need to switch organizations, click the change organization option)
5. Enroll
*Feel free to add grandparents and anyone who wants to enroll!
Here is a video of how to do this: Adding Brown Athletics to Kroger Community Rewards
If you have any questions, please email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us or justin.leonard@jefferson.kyschools.us
Gym Ad Banners
Advertising Banners for the gym can now be purchased. The banners are 3X5 and will be displayed in the gym for all of the next school year. Please see the attachment LINK for more information, and if you know of any businesses that would like to sponsor/advertise with us, please pass it along. We can have designers create the banner for you, or we can use your current design.
For prices and more information, please email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Required Paperwork
Cross Country
Had their first meet last Saturday at the Fleet Meet. They had a great day and everyone had fun and ran hard.
Volleyball-
Has started out great, with their best start in 5 years. We have wins over Moore (2), Shawnee, and Southern. On Wednesday 8/23 they will take on Waggener at 6:30/7:30 before heading to Presentation on Thursday.
Golf-
Cade Wilson shot a 37 in the All "A" Qualifier and advanced to the State Match on 9/7. Way to go Cade! Golf will be back in action on 8/23 against Atherton at Cherokee.
Cheer/Dance
Coach- Sloane Coleman
Email: sloane.coleman@gmail.com
Practice: TBD
Girls Soccer has started the season off in amazing fashion. We got our first ever win in the All "A" Regional Tournament, beating Whitefield 4-1. We will take on Collegiate in the Championship game on Saturday, with a chance to go to our first ever All "A" State Soccer Tournament in a few weeks. We will post the time and location on our Facebook page, on our Brown Athletics X (formerly twitter) page and on our athletics calendar on the school website. Come cheer this amazing team on to a Championship and witness school history.
Boys Soccer has also had a really good start, beating Francis Parker last Monday 11-1 and Central last Thursday 9-0. They will take on St. X on Monday 8/28 at Louisville Soccer Park.
Middle School Athletics
Kroger Community Rewards for Brown Athletics
Please consider adding J. Graham Brown Athletics to your Kroger Community Rewards on your Kroger account. It does not affect your fuel rewards or cost you anything. Here is how to enroll or switch your Community Rewards account to J. Graham Brown Athletic Department:
1. Go to Kroger.com and sign in.
2. Go to your account on the right side of the page.
3. Scroll down to "Community Rewards"
4. Search for "J Graham Brown School Athletic Department" (If you need to switch organizations, click the change organization option)
5. Enroll
*Feel free to add grandparents and anyone who wants to enroll!
Here is a video of how to do this: Adding Brown Athletics to Kroger Community Rewards
If you have any questions, please email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us or justin.leonard@jefferson.kyschools.us
Gym Ad Banners
Advertising Banners for the gym can now be purchased. The banners are 3X5 and will be displayed in the gym for all of the next school year. Please see the attachment LINK for more information, and if you know of any businesses that would like to sponsor/advertise with us, please pass it along. We can have designers create the banner for you, or we can use your current design.
For prices and more information, please email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Required Paperwork
JCPS Required Athletics Paperwork
Please have the paperwork completed and bring it to the first tryout/practice.
Cross-Country had a strong first week at the JCPS meet at Moore. Top 10 finishers in their grades include Sara Rogers, Griffin Johnson and Henry Slaton. Hopefully the heat will end and we will resume meets next week.
Coach- Matt Davis
Email: matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Tennis will resume Monday at Louisville Tennis Center at 5:30 PM then practice at 5:00 PM on Thursday.
Coach- Matt Davis
Email: matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Volleyball had a nice win versus Grace James to start the year. The season continues tonight against Western at home at 4:30. Tickets are $5.
Coach- Amanda Bauman
Email: amanda.bauman2@jefferson.kyschools.us
Golf has a state qualifier! Cade Wilson shot a 36 to qualify for the All-A state tournament. Not bad for a 7th grader!
Coach- Barry Bridges
Email: barrybridges58@gmail.com
Cheer/Dance
Coach- JaLisa Meaux
Email: jalisa.meaux@jefferson.kyschools.us
Practice TBA
Elementary School Athletics
All Elementary Athletics are canceled for this week, per JCPS, due to heat. We would like to thank our coaches, athletes and parents for all of their hard work and dedication.
MUSICAL NOTATIONS
There are no Music Program Updates for this week.
STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM
Click HERE to request Student Support and a member of our team will reach out!
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
Please contact Tara Davis at tara.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us if you need assistance.
Mental Health Practitioner
Welcome back take two! It's been great seeing all of the kids back in the building and interacting with each other. Now that school is back in session I am able to meet with students individually again. If you are interested in my services, or would like help in finding mental health services please reach out to me via email or fill out the student support form.
High School Counselor
Friendly reminder to our students that park in the garage: The pedway is only an entrance BEFORE 8 a.m. If you are arriving to school after 8 a.m., please enter school via the Welcome Center on 1st Street.
Seniors requesting transcripts need to complete the Test Optional Form posted in Google Classroom: Class of 2024 from their school email. If a student is unsure of whether or not to include test scores on their transcript, they can discuss this with Norah or Robin.
The last day to request a schedule change is 8/30/23.
Juniors interested in "Early Graduation" need to discuss this with Norah and Robin by 8/30. They must hold a conference with Robin and parent/guardians and have all paperwork submitted to Robin by 9/10.
THIS Friday, 8/25 is our FIRST Advisory Friday of the year. Please follow your time schedule in IC. Your teachers and the classroom you will use will be in IC before Thurs 8/24. Our first advisory meeting will cover Goal Setting!
Middle School Counselor
Hey all! We are rocking and rolling in the Middle School world! Couple of things:
*This is the last week for middle school elective schedule changes. Your student has to complete the Elective change request from in order to request a change.
* If your child has any needs (other than elective changes) they should complete the Student Support Request Form. Parents/care givers can complete this form as well, but I highly encourage you to encourage your child to advocate for themselves and use the form.
*THIS Friday, 8/25 is our FIRST Advisory Friday of the year. Your student should follow their schedule in Infinite Campus. Our first advisory meeting will cover Goal Setting!
* Next Thursday is our first ever Coffee with the Counselor event! Please sign up:). We're going to have a guest speaks and talk about all things related to raising and loving a darling middle schooler. RSVP here!
Elementary School Counselor
Our first full week back to school has been awesome! It is so wonderful to see all of my students again and get to know my new students. I will be visiting your child's classroom very soon to teach my Core Counseling Curriculum (CCC) lesson. Check out this schedule to see when I'll be in your child's classroom to do my first CCC Lesson, "Meet the Counselor".
There are several ways to contact me:
Email me at christy.teague@jefferson.kyschools.us
Call me at 502-233-2741.
Thank you for working as a team to ensure that your child has the best experience possible as a Brown Bear/Cub!
Miss Christy
CONNECTIONS
SBDM UPDATE
The SBDM Council met last week to do a consultation for hiring a part-time high school teacher. Diane McKim was recommended to fill that position. Our council met on Monday to do a consultation for hiring a library media clerk. Alexus Salazar was recommended to be hired.
FAMILY MATTERS
Are you looking for ways to get your family more active? Check out the Pokémon Go 5k for people of all ages with the Southwest Louisville Library staff this Saturday at Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing. You can walk a portion of the Louisville Loop to catch Pokémon, hatch eggs, participate in gym battles, and more!
Dress for the weather and stay hydrated! All ages.
Saturday, August 26, 1-4pm
Riverside, Farnsley-Moremen Landing
7410 Moorman Rd.