Bear Essentials
J. Graham Brown School Weekly Family Newsletter
February 14 | Issue #27
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Brown School Family,
Happy Valentine's Day!
Our Budget Committee met on Monday and prepared a draft budget for the 2024-25 school year. This proposed budget preserves all current full-time certified and classified staff positions, adds a middle school assistant principal, and adds a third in-school security monitor. It also provides all the items requested by our staff during our Needs Assessment process. Additionally, we were allocated a second Academic Instructional Coach to provide targeted support for our elementary school. I am personally very excited about these additional supports for our students and staff!
If caregivers have feedback on the draft budget, please reach out to our parent representative on the Budget Committee Victoria May. We are meeting again on February 26th to review all feedback and make final revisions before submitting the draft budget to the SBDM Council for approval on February 27th.
Love,
Dr. Angela
QUICK LINKS
THIS WEEK'S ESSENTIALS
Beta Club Inductions
New members to all three Beta Clubs will be inducted on Thursday, February 29th. The induction will be held in the auditorium after dismissal - around 3:15. If you have questions, please contact your student's sponsor.
High School - Heather Anderson - heather.anderson@jefferson.kyschools
Middle School - Dr. Liz Popelka - Brown - elizabeth.popelka@jefferson.kyschools.us
Elementary School - Lauren Wolf - lauren.wolf@jefferson.kyschools.us
High School members who plan to attend induction need to RSVP on THIS google form.
Yearbook Announcements
The last day to order your yearbook is February 25th. The cost is $50. Visit the Jostens website (linked here) to purchase your yearbook; and if you’d like to lend a helping hand to those who are less fortunate, donate a yearbook to another family so they get an opportunity to save their child’s memories!
JR / SR Seminar Classes
To stay in the loop of all of the upcoming Junior and Senior College Rep Visits, please visit the calendar linked HERE to view the current month's upcoming events.
Families, please have your Senior login to Norah's Google Classroom and complete the JGBS Alumni Association Scholarship Application.
HBCU and Black Expo Career Fair is happening tomorrow!
Star Students
Click HERE to see the Star Students' Slideshow! We have so many amazing achievements of our Brown Bears from this past week!
WEEKLY FEATURES
Enrichment Showcase - Next Wednesday
Do you have questions for the enrichment coaches. Get your answers and learn more about the enrichments. Each enrichment will have a table set up by the library from 4:00 pm to 4:30.
PTSA Meeting Next Wednesday befor Showcase
PTSA Board Meeting - February 21st
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Library.
Founders Day - Saturday
PTA Founders' Day in Saturday Feb 17th
February 17, 1897 - The National Congress of Mothers was founded and is now what we call the National Parent Teacher Association (National PTA).
Alice McLellan Birney, Phoebe Apperson, and Selena Sloan Butler are our founders who adopted our commitment to:
powerful voice for all children;
Relevant resources for parents; and
strong advocate for public education.
To learn more - here is a short video about our history.
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
Brown School Merchandise
Purchase Brown School merch and swag: Brown School Merchandise Store
Live Stream all games played at Brown gym! Our Hudl camera is now up and running and anyone can watch from their computer, phone or smart tv. Attached are directions from Hudl. The prices for the live streams are $5/game, $25/month and $50 for the season (Brown Athletics receives 60% of the revenue). This will give you access to all games (Elementary, MS and HS) played at Brown.
Information for Live Streaming
Required Paperwork
ESports- Anyone ages 13 and up, that is interested in participating in ESports, should reach out to coach Andrew Boling at andrew.boling@jefferson.kyschools.us
Archery has been working hard in practice as they gear up for their next shoot at Manual next week. Shoot straight Bears!
Swimming/Diving- We are sending several swimmers to semi-state this year. Congratulations to Shelby Geraghty for making it in the 500 freestyle. Also a big congratulations to our 200 medley relay and our 400 freestyle relay qualified as well. Our relays consist of Shelby Geraghty, Maisie Smith, Ellie Leonard, Raya Jones, Sarah Rogers and Erin Rogers (alternate). This is the first time that we will send a relay to a State event. They will swim Saturday at UL, for a chance to make it to State.
Our 2 awesome divers, Daphne Powell and Maisie Smith, are heading to State on the 22nd at UK. We are so proud of both of you and know that you will represent us well. Great job Daphne and Maisie.
Girls Basketball (HS) has been on a nice win streak lately, beating Burgin on Homecoming, Cloverport 46-10 on Saturday and another big win over Atherton last night. They will take on Collegiate Thursday and Shawnee on Friday. Go Lady Bears!
Boys Basketball (HS)- Boys basketball also had a win streak of their own last week. We got a nice win over Burgin on Homecoming, before beating Cloverport 87-22 on Saturday. They will take on Shawnee on Friday at Shawnee and have Valley at Brown on Monday.
A giant shout out to senior Justin Bibb for breaking the schools points record on Saturday. He currently has 1891 points and is hoping to hit 2000 before the season ends. Way to go Justin!
Middle School Athletics
Spring Sports- If you missed the Spring Sports meeting, here is a link to the presentation: Spring Sports Information
Brown School Merchandise- Purchase Brown School merch at the Brown School Merchandise Store.
Basketball- Due to a high school game being added on 2/22, we will be moving the date of our end of the year basketball party at Executive Strike and Spare. The high school game will be Senior Night, so come out and support the Bears. Admission will be free for middle school basketball players. A new date for the party will be sent out soon.
Elementary School Athletics
Our Golden Girls and Team White picked up wins last week. Team white will start their tournament this week. We are currently working on a schedule for Team Blue and the Golden Girls. This weeks schedule:
Elem. Team White/Cheer vs Foster 2 at 10:00am at Brown.
JCPS Athletics is hosting an elementary boys volleyball clinic for boys in grades 3-5, on Tuesday February 20th at PRP. There will be 2 time slots available, 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm. There are only 50 slots available for each time. The sign up is below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScH0njYgasoyH6mFWWrysW89BgBNPgw49332IuBqiVhprVpsw/
MUSICAL NOTATIONS
ATTENTION ALL (HS AND MS) BAND STUDENTS AND PARENTS
Date: Saturday, February 24, 2024
Event: KMEA Solo and Ensemble for BAND
Location: Atherton High School | 3000 Dundee Road | Louisville, KY 40205
Solo and Ensemble Schedule LINK
Students may stay after school on February 15 and 22 from 3-4pm to prepare for Solo and Ensemble.
Contact Amy at amy.noon@jefferson.kyschools.us if you have any questions.
STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM
Click HERE to request Student Support and a member of our team will reach out!
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
Kennedy Elementary is hosting a Community Baby Shower for all new and expectant families. Lots of free items for attending!
Atherton High School is hosting a Cheerleading Clinic on March 9. $20 includes pizza and a t-shirt!
Mental Health Practitioner
Do you need help finding mental health services for your student? JCPS has teamed up with Care Solace to provide referrals for JCPS students to find mental health service providers. This program allows us to make specific requests for services for students based on preference as well as need (provider fees may vary). Many mental health service providers are also able to meet during the school day, although they must have a contract with JCPS to do so (please ask your provider if this interests you). So if you are interested in any services please feel free to reach out and we will be happy to put in a referral for you!
I would also just like to mention as a reminder that all students are welcome to request time in our quiet space in the Student Support Center. All they need to do is ask their teacher and they will be able to use the space for up to 15 minutes before needing to speak with a Support Team member.
High School Counselor
On February 15th, we are hosting a Career Fair and we have so many amazing participants ready to present to ALL of our students K-12!
Additionally, during the fair, Norah's juniors will be presenting information about HBCUs to all students.
Ask your student what they learned Thursday after school!
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Robin is visiting students in Grades 9-12 to distribute Honor Roll Certificates over the next two weeks. If you student received "All As" or All As and Bs" they will receive a certificate for their accomplishment!
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Over the next few weeks, Robin is visiting classes to discuss schduling and opportunites to accelerate or diversify their high school experience. Opportunities such as Dual Credit, Edmentum and E-school, and Career Pathways will be discussed. Start discussing with them NOW what future plans they have for their High School Experience at Brown!
Middle School Counselor
On February 15th, we are hosting a Career Fair and we have so many amazing participants ready to present to ALL of our students K-12!
Additionally, during the fair, Norah's juniors will be presenting information about HBCUs to all students.
Ask your student what they learned Thursday after school!
Elementary School Counselor
Each week, I will be posting FRIDAY'S FINAL NOTES that shares the most important events for parents which I hope will keep you informed, as well, as save you time each week by placing all important happenings for our elementary students in one spot.
Need to reach Miss Christy?
Please reach out to me through the Student Support Request form if you have any questions/ concerns.
CONNECTIONS
SBDM UPDATE
There will be a special-called SBDM meeting on Tuesday, February 27th at 4:00 PM for the purpose of approving a budget for the 2024-25 school year. SBDM meetings are open to the public. The meeting will be held in the Student Support Center.
