Bear Essentials
J. Graham Brown School Weekly Family Newsletter
January 17 | Issue #23
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Brown School Family,
I hope that the past two short-term NTI days have been productive for your Brown Bear or Cub. Our teachers and staff members are available via email during school hours to answer any questions you may have. Additionally, we are still able to answer phone calls during regular office hours (7:00 AM to 4:00 PM) to our school's general number at 502-485-8216.
Due to the changes in the JCPS School Calendar, Student Led Conferences (SLCs) will be held on two afternoons. Please mark your calendars for Monday, February 19th and Tuesday, February 20th. Both sessions will run from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. As these dates approach, teachers will reach out to families regarding scheduling a conference. Any student not participating in a conference at school should engage in an SLC at home with their family.
Love,
Dr. Angela
QUICK LINKS
THIS WEEK'S ESSENTIALS
Comprehensive School Survey for Parents
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. 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.
Please complete this survey by February 29th! Email Drew Paige if you have any questions or need any assistance accessing the survey.
Star Students
Click HERE to see the Star Students' Slideshow! We have so many amazing achievements of our Brown Bears from this past week!
Costa Rica Summer Trip
One of our traveler's to Costa Rica for Summer 2024 is no longer able to attend. We have one open spot if anyone is interested in taking their place.
For more information, please contact Dr. Kat at Kathleen.mattingly@jefferson.kyschools.us
You can also find more information about cost and itinerary here:
College and Career Fair at the LFPL on York Street.
Take your Teen to the College and Career Fair this Saturday from 12-4pm at the Main Louisville Library. Teens of all ages are invited to meet representatives from local colleges and universities—including Berea College, Galen College of Nursing, and UofL—and attend presentations on how to join the civil service, prepare for the ACT, and learn about available scholarships. We will have resume and interview tips, as well as other #adulting advice. Click HERE to register.
WEEKLY FEATURES
PTSA
Brown Wheelchair
The Brown PTSA was proud to purchase a new wheelchair for our school. The previous one was worn out and the brakes did not work on it. This chair can be used by any student when needed. We hope that it becomes dusty in a corner and never gets used!
Events For Next Week
Kentucky Youth Advocates Children's Advocacy Week
Children's Advocacy Day at the Capital- Wednesday, January 24th
Rally at 10:00 am in the KY Capital's Rotunda
Autumn Neagle will be attending and if anyone wants to attend and needs a ride - please click here to email her
Brown PTSA Board Meeting - Wednesday, January 24th
Brown Library 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
JCPS Board of Education Meeting - Wednesday January 24th at 6:00 pm at Van Hoose Center
Important Items to be discussed
Election of new Chair and Vice Chair of the board
Student Outcomes - Focus Governance- Update & Adoption.
School Enrollment Projections, School Allocation Standards, and Budget draft
Can be viewed online at the JCBE Meeting Page
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
Student Season Passes on Sale Now
Student season passes are on sale now- good at events Brown hosts (may exclude some baseball and softball depending on venue): Student Season Passes
Student Attendance at Games
Just a reminder, students have to pay admission to attend games. Student season passes are $25 and a great way to save money. JCPS sets all ticket prices for high school basketball at $8 and middle school at $5. We do not control these prices, so we offer the $25 pass for students. If students do not pay admission and sneak into games, they will not be allowed to attend future games for the remainder of the school year. If there is an extenuating circumstance, they can ask to speak to one of the athletic directors that are at the games.
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
Archery had a great shoot last weekend at Atherton. They will get the break off, and get back to work in the new year.
Swimming/Diving- had a great meet on Saturday at St. X. We had a lot of swimmer doing events that they have never done before and they did an excellent job. Hopefully the weather will change and we will get to host the Brown Bear Sprint meet at UL this Saturday. A HUGE congratulations to Shelby Geraghty for being named the WLKY Student Athlete of the Week. She will have a segment on the WLKY news on Thursday 1/18 and won a $250 Kroger Gift Card for our school. Way to go Shelby!
Bowling did a great job last weekend in the Coaches Invitational! They are off this week, as they gear up for Regionals next week. Roll strikes Bears!!
Cross Country is still missing a few uniforms. If you have one, please return it ASAP.
Girls Basketball (HS) had a great All A Tournament, beating Collegiate in dominate fashion, and then coming up short against Whitefield (a top 25 team in the State) in the Championship game. Congratulations Lady Bears, on your runner up finish in the 7th Region All A Tournament. Congratulations goes to Leyla Taylor and Taylor Morris for making the All Tournament Team. They will be back in action on Friday at Collegiate.
Boys Basketball (HS)- had some time off, due to us hosting the girls tournament asnd it being LIT week. We are disappointed that the game Wednesday 1/17 is canceled due to weather, but hope to be able to play at Collegiate Friday night, in a tough district game. If the game is played, it would be great to see some fans come out to the games at 4:30/6:00/7:30. Go Bears!
Tennis will have an information meeting on Monday, 2/12 in the auditorium. Parents are encouraged to attend if possible. Grades 7-12 may try-out of the team.
Baseball and Softball- Norton is hosting a throwing clinic on January 27 from 9am to noon for ages 10 and up. Information Flyer
Middle School Athletics
Live Stream- All games played at Brown gym! Our Hudl Live Stream 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
Student Attendance at Games- Just a reminder, students have to pay admission to attend games. Student season passes are $25 and a great way to save money. JCPS sets all ticket prices for high school basketball at $8 and middle school at $5. We do not control these prices, so we offer the $25 pass for students. If students do not pay admission and sneak into games, they will not be allowed to attend future games for the remainder of the school year. If there is an extenuating circumstance, they can ask to speak to one of the athletic directors that are at the games.
Brown School Merchandise- Purchase Brown School merch and swag at the Brown School Merchandise Store.
Basketball- Brown Varsity teams take on Noe at Noe tomorrow. We will provide a bus after school. Players please go to Study Skills right after school. We will call you down to the gym at 4:00 and leave at 4:30. Also, 8th grade night will be on Thursday, January 25th between the boys and girls games vs. Ramsey. Thanks to the parents who volunteered to help out that night.
Cross Country is still missing a few uniforms. If you have one, please return it ASAP, even if you are planning on running track.
Soccer is currently looking for a middle school coach for this spring. If you are interested or know anyone who may be, please email Matt Davis ASAP at matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Tennis will have an information meeting on Monday, 2/12 in the auditorium. Parents are encouraged to attend if possible. Grades 7-12 may try-out of the team.
Track- HUMANA HBCU "Fastest Kid in the 'Ville" 60 Meter Dash is being hosted by Kentucky State University on January 20th at Norton Athletic Complex. This is a free event in conjunction with the HBCU Indoor Classic. This is not affiliated with JCPS, but a fun opportunity for our track athletes.
Baseball and Softball- Norton is hosting a throwing clinic on January 27 from 9am to noon. Information Flyer
Elementary School Athletics
Our white team was in action Saturday, coming up with a big win over Okolona. Our Golden Girls and Blue team's game was canceled due to conditions in Stuart middle school parking lot. This weeks schedule:
Elem white team vs Minors Lane at Brown 9:50am - Cheer will be at this game
Elem Golden Girls vs Breckenridge Franklin @ Stuart 9:50am
Elem. Blue team vs Field 11:30
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
Performance Time: Students who have signed up for this event will be given a schedule very soon, so they know when to arrive and what time they play.
Stay Tuned!
STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM
Click HERE to request Student Support and a member of our team will reach out!
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
Mental Health Practitioner
It's been an interesting week to be sure! While we are on NTI I am still available to your student via Google Meet. For those students that I have normal meeting times with I will likely try to contact you to set up a time to meet. If you are interested in me meeting with your child this week please use my email. Moving into the next semester, it is my hope to start a couple of groups for anxiety in upper intermediate grades and middle school (4-5, 6-8). If this is something that you would be interested in for your child please feel free to reach out, as I will also be seeking teacher input for students who would be a good fit.
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!
High School Counselor
I hope everyone is safe and warm <3 I am updating schedules as I am able. If you request a change, please check your email, I will email you when I make the change if we don't need to meet. Please make requests ASAP.
Robin is having knee surgery 1/24 and will be out of office until at least 2/1. Please contact school 502-485-8216 or see Cordia Pickerill or Norah Wakefield with pressing concerns.
Middle School Counselor
Middle Schoolers are hitting the ground running this semester. We are focusing on our values and actions towards one another in class counseling and advisory, as well as having conversations about Growth Mindset. I want to give a big shout out to my 8th graders who participated in restorative circles with me in Randi's class. They were open, honest, and engaged.
On another note, I am working on our first Black Expo Career Fair that will be held here at Brown from 8:45-2:40 on Thursday, February 15th. This fair is intended to lift up black representation in various professions.
I am in need of more participants for this event. If you are interested please send me an email at cordia.pickerill@jefferson.kyschools.us. Thank you!
JGB Black Expo and Career Fair.pdfElementary School Counselor
HOT TOPICS
I hope everyone is well and staying warm during this winter freeze we are experiencing right now. We are in the midst of testing season for some of our students (ACCESS for ELLs for our ML/ESL students and NAEP for our 4th graders). Click on Important Upcoming Events link below for more information:
SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL)
Our Star Word of the Month is EMPATHY that goes along with our Star Word of the Year - KINDNESS. "In a world where you can be anything, be kind." Miss Christy's Classroom Lessons' Schedule.
HIGH-FLYERS
We are also beginning the process of identifying students for JCPS's Advance Program. For more information about Gifted/Talented and/or Advance Program click on the link below:
ADDITIONAL ELEMENTARY RESOURCES
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
The next SBDM Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 6th at 4:00 PM in the Student Support Center.
FAMILY MATTERS
The Bon Air Public Library is hosting a magic show with Cody Clark on Saturday, January 20th from 2:30-3:30. The show celebrates our similarities & differences. Recommended for ages 8+
https://www.lfpl.org/events/18282