Bear Essentials
J. Graham Brown School Weekly Family Newsletter
February 28 | Issue #28
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Brown School Family,
We have 22 days of school left until the biggest day of the year! March 29th is our Self-Directed Learning Showcase. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for the schedule of presentations. We encourage all families to attend so they can hear from our remarkable students about their products of learning.
Love,
Dr. Angela
QUICK LINKS
THIS WEEK'S ESSENTIALS
Comprehensive School Survey for Parents - LAST CALL
Brown School Families,
Parents with an e-mail address on file with JCPS will receive an email directing them to the Data Management Survey Tool where they will complete their survey online. Our current data shows that 26% of our Families have completed the survey.
If you did not receive an email regarding the Comprehensive School Survey, here is the link to take it: https://tinyurl.com/jcpsParentGuardian
It’s completely anonymous, and results are used to improve our schools—everything from school climate and curriculum to safety and more.
To better facilitate parent needs, we have translated the survey into multiple languages. It will ask you to select the language you would like the text displayed in before you take the survey.
The deadline has been extended to March 8th for anyone who has not completed the survey.
Email Drew Paige if you have any questions or need any assistance accessing the survey.
FREE Math Enrichment
Dear Brown Bear Parents,
I hope this message finds you well. The Mathematics Department is delighted to share an exciting opportunity for academic growth for our Mathematics Students. To support their journey in mathematics, we are offering FREE math enrichment sessions to all Algebra 2 high school students. Just send andrew.gray@jefferson.kyschools.us an email if you have further questions.
🔍 What: Free Math Enrichment Sessions (Algebra 2)
📅 When: All sessions will run from 3:00-4:00 after school.
Monday 3/4
Monday 3/11
Wednesday 3/13
Monday 3/18
Monday 3/25
Wednesday 3/27
Monday 4/15
Monday 4/22
Wednesday 4/24
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.
Junior Defenses start tomorrow!
WEEKLY FEATURES
PTSA
Last week to volunteer for the Nominating Committee!
This is a great way in having a say on who is on the PTSA board the next two year. Email here to join the committee!
Leap Year Celebration
We are celebrating leap year with our students in two exciting ways.
Leap Year Frogs
We will have 1000 mini frogs hidden in the hallways, lunchroom, Cubs Corner, the courtyard, and Peace Park. We are asking each student to only find 1 frog to take home with them. We will also have fun facts posted along with the frogs.
Time Capsule
We are doing a time capsule that will be buried next week. The time capsule has items to showcase each grade and also pictures from frog finding tomorrow and hopefully a picture of each grade level. We will post information along with list of what was put into the capsule.
Advocacy
There are two advocacy items we are asking for help from our Brown School PTSA Advocates.
Anti-DEI Legislature
One of the 15th District PTA's partners, the Louisville Urban League, is gathering signatures to a letter to share with Kentucky Legislators that opposes the efforts to make Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts illegal in K-12. If you so choose, you are able to add your name to this letter.
Parent Voice on SBDM - SB 168
SB 168 removes the SBDM Minority Member requirement. Therefore schools with a diverse population may not have a diverse SBDM.
It also removes electronic voting for SBDM elections and requires SBDM elections to occur on one school day, in person, showing valid government issued identification, and with a paper ballot. Brown School PTSA has been doing these electronically allowing more parents to participate. Please contact your representative about this. Here is a link for the full information from KY PTA on the bill.
ATHLETICS
High School Athletics
New Brown Home Athletic Field
Brown now has an athletic field behind Van Hoose. Until we purchase a mower, we will need help maintaining the field. If anyone would like to volunteer to help mow please email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us or justin.leonard@jefferson.kyschools.us. Also, if anyone can help us seeding bald spots on the field, please let us know as welll
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
Required Paperwork
ESports- had their first match in school history last week and started things off with a win over Bryan Station High School. Congratulations to Xavier, Austin and Merm!!
Track has started and we have great numbers this year. They are practicing at Central from 3:30-5:00.
Tennis- has also began practice and are looking forward to a great season this year.
Softball (HS) has the largest number of players in a very long time and we have a lot of talent. They will start their games on 3/27 at Valley.
Baseball has been going for a few weeks and our talented team is already seeing progress. They are looking forward to game action on 3/14 at Thurman Hutchins Park against Francis Parker.
Cheer will cap off their season with a great performance for their parents on Friday night.
Boys Basketball (HS)- congratulations to Justin Bibb for making 2nd Team All Region team. Way too 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.
Soccer- Girls tryouts will be at our new field behind Van Hoose on Thursday and Friday. Boys will have their final tryout day on Friday.
Track- Practice has started for track. It is from 3:30-5:00 at Central High Stadium.
Elementary School Athletics
Basketball and cheer season has officially ended and we are so proud of all of our young student athletes. They always competed hard, did their best and showed great character at all times. Thank you to our 5th graders for all of your hard work and good luck in middle school. A huge shout out to all of our volunteer coaches for making these opportunities possible for our students.
We are currently working on adding our next sports, stay tuned!
MUSICAL NOTATIONS
Orchestra Upcoming Events
Feb. 29- PreKMEA Large Ensemble Orchestra concert at 7:00 pm in the Brown school auditorium. All 6-12 grade orchestra students should report by 6:30 pm.
March 6- High School Orchestra KMEA Large Ensemble performance at Ballard High School. Times are as follows: Warm up- 2:30 pm, Performance- 2:55 pm, Sight Reading- 3:20 pm
March 7- Middle School Orchestra KMEA Large Ensemble performance at Ballard High School. Times are as follows: Warm up- 11:30 am, Performance- 11:50 am, Sight Reading- 12:10 pm
Band Parents and Guardians—Mark your calendars
The Brown MS Beginning Band will be performing for the KMEA Band Assessment Festival Wednesday March 27. Performance time at Atherton HS—10:00am
The Brown MS 7th and 8th grade Band will be performing for the KMEA Band Assessment Festival Thursday March 28. Performance time at Atherton HS-- 9:40am
Both of these happen during the school day and are field trips for both groups. Please click here to see the agenda for both trips. Please email amy.noon@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Congratulations to all of the band students who performed this past Saturday for the KMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival. 9 Solos and 5 Ensembles all came prepared and were recognized for their distinguished performance!
STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM
Click HERE to request Student Support and a member of our team will reach out!
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
The Spot is a young adult opportunity center that is a partnership between Goodwill and Kentuckiana Works. They offer free career resources for young adults, ages 16-24. For more information, click here.
Evolve 502 is having monthly family nights and the next one is March 7 and dinner will be provided. For more information and to register, click here.
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
All high school: This year in Advisory, students have been working on the required state-wide Individual Learning Plan (ILP). Next week on 3/8/24 in Advisory, they need to complete this plan to 100%. Ask your student about their SMART Goals and Career Exploration.
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Seniors: Make sure to request documents for the JGBS Alumni Scholarship! You can request a letter of rec in Google Classroom under Rec Request 3/16-4/1 and make sure you submit it so it goes on Robin's list!
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Seniors: Although the FAFSA has been delayed this year, many colleges have online calculators to help students determine their expected balance due while you wait on your aid reports. If you have questions about your college costs, please contact the college you anticipate attending.
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It's AWARDS SEASON!!! If you have applied for selective programs, awards, or scholarships, many results are starting to be announced. Make sure you keep up with email or check websites so you do not miss out!
Middle School Counselor
This year in Advisory, students have been working on the required state-wide Individual Learning Plan (ILP). Next week on 3/1/24 in Advisory, they need to complete this plan to 100%. Ask your student about their SMART Goals and Career Exploration.
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
Here's what happened at yesterday's special-called SBDM Council meeting.
The council approved the following requests:
FY25 Site-Based Budget
FY25 Equity Funds Budget & REAP
FY25 Sections 4 & 5 Staffing Change
FY25 ESS Budget
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5th at 4:00 PM in the Student Support Center.
FAMILY MATTERS
Did you know that JCPS’s Digital Citizenship curriculum offers resources for parents and guardians?
We know that student use of the internet can sometimes be a worrisome topic for parents and guardians. So, we want to share some exciting news about how JCPS is helping students stay safe and be smart online.
On our Family Engagement Support page, we have special tips: Be Safe, Be Savvy, and Be Social! This means making good choices, learning new things, and being friendly online.
Visit our JCPS Digital Citizenship Family Engagement Support site.