Bear Essentials
J. Graham Brown School Weekly Family Newsletter
March 13 | Issue #30
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Brown School Family,
Our weapons detection systems are being installed in our school today. These have been installed and are operational in many JCPS schools across our district. We will begin operating these systems the week after spring break. Be sure to read the Bear Essentials closely on March 27th for more information about the systems and tips for students and staff to reduce the number of "false alerts".
It's softball and baseball season! Be sure to check out the athletic calendar and plan to come out and support our Bears!
I hope you and your family have an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the lovely weather! Enjoy!
Love,
Dr. Angela
QUICK LINKS
THIS WEEK'S ESSENTIALS
Technology Concerns
We have had some recent issues in regards to student use of technology. Students should only be using their school issued Chromebook while at school. Personal laptops are not allowed at school unless approved by their teacher/adminstrator/school technology coordinator. If students are bringing an approved personal device they are still subject to the JCPS appropriate use policy linked here. In summary, the policy states they should only be connecting to the JCPSwireless network and not a phone hotspot. They should only be accessing school related work and JCPS and school approved software on their devices. Furthermore, any questionable activity or search history can be looked at any time by a JCPS staff member. Failure to honor all the terms of this agreement, access to JCPS devices, the Internet, and other electronic media may be discontinued immediately and may be denied for future use. Student misuse will be subject to disciplinary action outlined in the JCPS Student Support and Behavior Intervention Handbook.
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.
Any qualifying Senior interested in delivering the Valedictory address at Graduation needs to make sure their draft is submitted by next Friday, March 22nd.
Juniors will be taking the ACT tomorrow
Junior Ring Ceremony will be on Friday, March 22nd
JCTC will do academic advising at Brown 4/11. See the assignment in Google Classroom Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027 for more information and to request an appointment. Everyone has to complete advising to be a dual credit student!
Bear Necessities - 4th Edition
The fourth edition of the 23-24 student created Online Digital Newspaper, "The Bear Necessities," is published and ready for the public to view. Click this link to read articles written by Brown students.
Star Students
Click HERE to see the Star Students' Slideshow! We have so many amazing achievements of our Brown Bears from this past week!
Family Literacy Activity Book
Family Literacy Activity Booklet.pdfEqual Opportunity Policies
Lost and Found
Parents/Guardians:
Please remind your children to check the lost and found for any missing items such as: Water Bottles, Musical Instruments, Coats and lunchboxes.
The Lost and Found is located in the 1st Floor stairwell across from the main office. Items that are left at the end of the month will be donated to the community.
Drive for The Center of Women and Families
In celebration of Women’s history month, freshman girls from Girl Scout troop 2311 will be collecting donations for The Center for Women and Families from March 18th to March 29th. Drop off for middle and high school will be near Justin’s office during the school day, and in the lobby in the mornings and afternoons. Drop off for elementary will be in their classrooms. There is a list of needed items on posters located around the school, and online at thecenteronline.org. The class who donates the most items will win a popsicle party!
WEEKLY FEATURES
PTSA
PTA Advocacy In Action
This past week several members of KY PTA attended the National PTA Legislative Conference in Washington DC. They attended advocacy workshops and met with KY elected representatives to advocate on behalf of our students. First Lady Jill Biden also addressed the 300 members in attendance to encourage them to continue to advocate on students and our schools.
The picture above includes parents from from both Lexington and Louisville (including a Brown School Parent) who met and spoke with Louisville Congressman Morgan McGarvey about Education Funding, Digital Safety, Gun Violence Prevention, and Family Engagement.
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- is playing well! They will take on Campbellsville High School tonight (
3/13). Lets go Bears!
Track is gearing up for the season with scrimmages coming up. Run fast Bears!!
Tennis- had a great match against JTown last week and a multi team match on Tuesday 3/12. Its going to be a great 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 at 5:30. They also play Doss on Saturday at 10:00am at Butler High School. Come cheer them on to victory.
Middle School Athletics
Soccer- The soccer schedule was just released this morning. We will be getting it out to everyone later today on the Band app.
Track- Track has its first meet of the year on Monday at Norton Track.
Transportation- There will be a bus to soccer, track and tennis practice unless otherwise posted on the app. Games and matches will vary. Please look at the app for information on whether or not there will be transportation to games and matches.
Elementary School Athletics
Stay tuned for more potential offerings for our elementary students.
MUSICAL NOTATIONS
KMEA Large Ensemble Assessment
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. Permission slips are due! Please email amy.noon@jefferson.kyschools.us if you have any questions.
Trills and Thrills Rehearsal!
Middle School and High School Band members going on the spring trip:
You have an after-school rehearsal on April 26, 2024, from 2:40-4:30 in the auditorium. Please make plans to stay full time so we are prepared for Trills and Thrills.
NEW FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND!
Middle School bands (6-7-8 grades) will be presenting their spring concert on May 17, 2024 at 1:30 in the J. Graham Brown Auditorium. End-of-year awards will also be given just after the concert music concludes. This is a change in the spring calendar of events so please get this on your calendar!
If you are a parent or friend of a band member and would like to attend, please reserve your seating HERE.
STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM
Click HERE to request Student Support and a member of our team will reach out!
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
ACT Tutoring Resource through the Louisville Urban League. Click here for more information.
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
DUAL CREDIT ENROLLMENT for Fall 2024: We encourage students to seek educational opportunities outside of Brown. HERE is info that was delivered to the Class of 2027, 2026, and 2025 over the past two weeks about the Dual Credit Process. It is also posted in their Google Classroom Class of 20##. Independence is a major factor in dual credit success. Students need to own this process. This is a great opportunity to teach independence. JCTC will send representatives for advising on 4/11, but students must have all the steps completed for an appointment. Robin will be in study halls the week of March 25th to offer support and verify completion of dual credit tasks for JCTC. You can also apply to other institutions, but they do not come to Brown for advising, YOU, the student, have to set it up with that college.
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Grades 8-11 returning to Brown: Academic Advising will take place both in Advisory and in Study Halls. Students will be given general information to discuss with teachers in Advisory then can meet with Robin individually in study hall the week of March 25th, no appointment needed. If a student does not have a study hall, they can comment on the assignment in Google Classroom to request a time.
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Don't let summer pass you by! It is a great time to get involved in enrichment activities. Many local universities offer programs. Just google the University name and "high school students" or similar and you will find all kinds of opportunities. These are great resume builders and opportunities to network. See the links below for some places to start!
Summer Camp Opportunities for Gifted/Talented (compiled by WKU)
McConnell Young Leaders Academy
A list by UofL from 2022 with opportunities all over the city
Middle School Counselor
This Friday in advisory, students will be choosing electives for next year. Current 8th graders will also get a virtual lesson from Robin on high school graduation requirements. Students that will be remaining at Brown for High School can map out their four year plan!
This is also a great opportunity for students to complete their Individual Learning Plan (ILP) if they have not yet finished it!
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Grades 8-11 returning to Brown: Academic Advising will take place both in Advisory and in Study Halls. Students will be given general information to discuss with teachers in Advisory then can meet with Robin and Cordia after spring break for individual advising. They do not need to schedule an appointment.
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Don't let summer pass you by! It is a great time to get involved in enrichment activities. Many local universities offer programs. Just google the University name and "middle school students" or similar and you will find all kinds of opportunities. These are great resume builders and opportunities to network. See the links below for some places to start!
Summer Camp Opportunities for Gifted/Talented (compiled by WKU)
A list by UofL from 2022 with opportunities all over the city
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
The next SBDM Council meeting will be April 9th at 4:00 PM in the Student Support Center.