Bear Essentials
J. Graham Brown School Weekly Family Newsletter
July 26 | Issue #3
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Brown School Family,
Last week I attended two days of training on the new district-wide K-8 math curriculum, Illustrative Mathematics (IM). Developed by educators and experts in the field, IM is a comprehensive and innovative approach to teaching mathematics that focuses on conceptual understanding, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking abilities.
Here's why we believe IM will make a tremendous difference in our students' learning journey:
Conceptual Understanding: IM places a strong emphasis on helping students grasp the underlying concepts of math. Rather than simply memorizing procedures, they will gain a deep understanding of how mathematical principles work, laying a solid foundation for future learning.
Real-world Applications: The curriculum is designed to showcase the real-world applications of mathematics, making it more engaging and relevant for our students. They will see how math is used in various fields and develop a greater appreciation for its practical value.
Problem-solving Focus: IM encourages students to become proficient problem solvers. They will be challenged with a wide range of problems that require analytical thinking and creativity, empowering them to tackle challenges both inside and outside the classroom.
Support for Diverse Learners: This curriculum is designed to cater to diverse learning needs and styles. Our teachers will have the resources and flexibility to differentiate instruction, ensuring that every student can thrive and reach their full potential.
Parental Involvement: We believe that successful education is a partnership between school and home. With the IM curriculum, we will provide parents with resources and guidance to actively support their child's math learning at home.
As always, your feedback and input are invaluable to us. If you have any questions or concerns about the new math curriculum, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support both you and your child every step of the way.
Thank you for your continued trust and support in our school. Together, we can empower our students to become confident and competent mathematicians, ready to tackle the challenges of the future.
Love,
Dr. Angela
QUICK LINKS
THIS WEEK'S ESSENTIALS
New JCPS Behavior Handbook
JCPS has updated the Student Support and Behavior Intervention Handbook for the 2023-24 school year. CLICK HERE to check it out.
New JCPS SPP Handbooks
JCPS has updated the Student Progression & Promotion Handbooks for each level. Click below for the latest editions.
New JCPS AL&GF Handbooks
JCPS has updated the Assessing Learning & Grading Frameworks for each level. Click below for the latest editions.
Blue/Gold Calendar
If your middle/high school student is wondering which Fridays are blue or gold, CLICK HERE. You can also find this on our website under the student menu.
WEEKLY FEATURES
PTSA
We invite you to join the PTSA. PTSA Membership is open to everyone! Together we can make a difference. Join today at $10.00!
New BasketBall Court in peace park!
We are so happy to let everyone know that the new half court basketball court is now finished and installed in Peace Park. We are so excited to add this to our playground for all our kids. This court was funded by the money raised during our Move-a-Thon this past Spring and will be open for students to use when school starts.
Bear merchandise
At the start of school - it is a great time to get all your school merchandise. This can be ordered online or picked up at Kindergarten Camp, Orientation, or Meet & Greet. We have a new design for our baby bear and our Football Shirt. which is back by popular demand!
What do we carry?
T-shirts Polos Sweatshirts
Magnets Hats Pullovers
Don't forget to join the Brown PTSA online also!
Welcome our first new PTSA members for 2023-204 school year: Angela P., Curtis M., Eriauna L,. Cennet B., Brent L., Bonnie L., Sandy W., Mike N., Autumn N., and Nicholas N.!
ATHLETICS
High School Athletics
Brown School Spirt Wear and Merchadise
Purchase Brown School spirit wear and merchandise from BSN.
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 at all or cost anything to you. 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 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 next school year. Please see the attachment 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 LINK
Required Paperwork
Cross Country
Coach- Matt Davis
Email: matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Practice began 7/17 at 6:00 pm- George Rogers Clark Park Lodge
Volleyball
Coach- Dr. Kat Mattingly
Email: kathleen.mattingly@jefferson.kyschools.us
Tryouts begin on 7/19 at 4pm-6pm- Brown Gym
Golf
Coach- Barry Bridges
Email: barrybridges58@gmail.com
Practice began Monday 7/17 at 7pm- Crescent Hill Golf Course
Cheer/Dance
Coach- Sloane Coleman
Email: sloane.coleman@gmail.com
Practice: TBD
Girls Soccer
Coach- Josh Luttrell
Email: rja172307@gmail.com
Practice began 7/17
Boys Soccer
Coach- Kasim Alsalman
Email: kasimalsal@me.com
Practice began 7/17- New location is Waggener High School
Middle School Athletics
Athletics for middle school is underway! If you are interested in playing a sport this fall, please fill out an interest for below and email the coach to let them know you are interested. We are still finalizing game and match schedules right now and they should be released in the next couple of weeks. Please email me (matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us) if you have any questions.
Brown School Spirt Wear and Merchadise
Purchase Brown School spirit wear and merchandise from BSN.
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 at all or cost anything to you. 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 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 next school year. Please see the attachment 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 LINK
Required Paperwork:
JCPS Required Athletics Paperwork
Please have paperwork completed and bring it to first tryout/practice
Cross-Country
Coach- Matt Davis
Email: matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Practice began 7/17 at 6:00 pm- George Rogers Clark Park Lodge
Tennis
Coach- Matt Davis
Email: matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us
Practice begins August 9th at 5 pm- George Rogers Clark Park Tennis Courts
Volleyball
Coach- Amanda Bauman
Email: amanda.bauman2@jefferson.kyschools.us
Tryouts began on 7/17 at 10am- Brown Gym- Final tryout Friday 7/21 at 10am
Golf (7th & 8th)
Coach- Barry Bridges
Email: barrybridges58@gmail.com
Practice began Monday 7/18 at Crescent Hill Golf Course
Cheer/Dance
Coach- JaLisa Meaux
Email: jalisa.meaux@jefferson.kyschools.us
Practice TBA
Elementary School Athletics
Coming Soon
STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM
Click HERE to request Student Support and a member of our team will reach out!
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
If you need anything, please email me at tara.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Mental Health Practitioner
My first day back from summer break is August 7th!
High School Counselor
*If you or your student is having a tough time logging in with the updated authentication process, please connect with JCPS' IT Dept.
*MANY students have eschool courses due 8/1 that could impact the classes they will take this next school year. If you are participating in course recovery or acceleration via JCPS e-school, please complete your work by 8/1. Don't worry, if you are finished, Robin got the same notification you did, you do not have to email her. E-schools completed will be added to transcripts after 8/1.
*We are creating a Welcome Committee of returning students that are willing to mentor and support students that are new to Brown and willing to be identifiable via a small ribbon. This allows students new to Brown to see who they can reach out to sit next to when seats are not assigned, who is willing to give directions, and who will give general Brown School advice. We realize being new to Brown can be challenging and we want our new students to feel like a part of the family. Sign-ups for the Welcome Committee will be posted to Google Classroom Class of 20##.
Middle School Counselor
Welcome back, everyone! I can't wait to see familiar faces and meet new ones on August 9th! We have been busy in the student support team gearing up for the new school year. Here are some things to note:
*All middle school students should join my class page, Ms. Cordia's Middle School Darlings. Use this link to join if you are new to Brown this year. Returning 7th and 8th graders who joined last year are already in the class.
*We are creating a Welcome Committee of returning students that are willing to support students that are new to our family. Those who are interested in joining will find the sign up sheet on my class page by the end of the week.
*We have a new Student Support Request Form. Please use this form to communicate any needs you or your student may have and our team will reach out to you shortly.
*6th grade students and parents - I apologize in advance for the glitter that may have exploded in your house with the welcome letter I sent out in the mail earlier this week:). You should see my office!
That's all for now. Enjoy these last precious summer days!
Elementary School Counselor
My first day back from summer break is July 26th!
Please note that elementary homeroom rosters in Infinite Campus are NOT accurate. Finalized homeroom rosters will be posted in Infinite Campus by Mon, July 31.
Can't wait to see all of my students again and meet my new students! 2023-24 school year...here we come!
CONNECTIONS
SBDM UPDATE
Here's what happened at last week's special-called SBDM meeting.
The council approved a motion to split two full-time high school teacher positions into a total of four part-time positions. One split takes effect immediately and the other takes effect October 1, 2023.
FAMILY MATTERS
If your child needs a free back to school haircut, please register NOW for a haircut/hairstyle from awesome barbers and stylists!
Register HERE: https://forms.gle/aPBubH7Ug2Epk84i9
Please share this with neighbors, community groups, friends and family members.
Between now and the end of Summer Reading on August 5th, kids, teens, and families have so many activities to choose from at our local libraries! Mark your calendar for Summer Reading Finales and celebrate at your branch.
Check out the calendar on our website at www.lfpl.org and join us.