Bear Essentials

J. Graham Brown School Weekly Family Newsletter
October 11 | Issue #12

Brown School Home Page - Click HERE

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Dear Brown School Family,

With Halloween fast approaching, many students will want to wear costumes on October 31st to school. Please keep in mind our Student Dress Policy to ensure that the costume meets the guidelines for regular school attire. Please avoid toy weapons, masks, excessive fake blood, gore, and full face paint. Avoid any costumes that may attempt to represent a group or population of people/culture, marginalize a group, or focus on stereotypes. For example, we would not want to see students dressed as prisoners or in cultural dress that does not represent the student's culture (i.e., dia de los Muertos costumes). Also, avoid costumes that are really scary, because we do have very young students in our building. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of a costume, please ask an administrator or counselor!

This Saturday will be spent meeting prospective families at the Showcase of Schools. If you have family and friends wishing to apply for admission to Brown for the 2024-25 school year, the window to submit an application through JCPS is opening soon. All applicants must make Brown their first choice on the magnet school portion of the application in order to be considered. (Brown does not review 2nd choice applications for elementary and middle school, but sometimes may review 2nd choice applications for high school.) Additionally, siblings are not given preference during the admissions process. Please visit our Admissions Page to learn about the process and our school.

Love,

Dr. Angela

QUICK LINKS

THIS WEEK'S ESSENTIALS

Welcome to our Newest Faculty Member!

We are excited to introduce you to our newest addition to the teaching staff at J. Graham Brown School, Dr. Eli Beardsley! Dr. Eli will officially join our school community on October 16th, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have him on board. He will be teaching Spanish and senior English!

Here's a bit about Dr. Eli Beardsley and his impressive background in education:

Dr. Eli has been a dedicated educator for over 22 years, and his journey in education has been nothing short of inspiring. He brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for teaching to our school. Dr. Eli's love for languages and cultures has led him on some incredible adventures. He had the opportunity to study abroad in both Mexico City and Spain, immersing himself in the rich linguistic and cultural tapestry of these countries. Additionally, he has taught English in Costa Rica and Ecuador, further expanding his global perspective.

Throughout his career, Dr. Eli has worked at all levels of education and has made valuable contributions to both the Multilingual Learners Department and the World Language Department. His diverse background and expertise will undoubtedly enrich the learning experiences of our students.

On a personal note, Dr. Eli is devoted to his family. He and his wife have three wonderful children and call New Albany their home. His commitment to family values aligns with our school's core principles, and we believe he will be an excellent addition to our tight-knit community.

We are confident that his dedication, experience, and warm personality will make him an exceptional teacher and mentor for our students. We look forward to the positive impact he will undoubtedly have on the academic journey of our students.

Adios for now, and we can't wait for you to meet Dr. Eli in person!

Updated Blue-Gold Calendar

The JCPS Board of Education recently updated the school calendar. November 6 and January 8 are now shool days for students. This change required updates to the Middle & High School Blue-Gold Calendar. The new student days are both Blue, and December 22 has been changed to Gold. View the official 2023-24 Blue-Gold Calendar here.

Picture Day Retakes

Picture Retakes for the Yearbook will take place on Tuesday, October 17th. Please go to this LINK to see your child's time. 

Star Students

Click HERE to see the Star Students' Slideshow! We have so many amazing achievements of our Brown Bears from this past week!

JR / SR College Prep Visits

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. 


For more info about Historically Black Colleges and Universities, consider attending the JCPS event HBCU & You. See below for more info and to register!

Brown's date for HBCU & You is Oct 21! There is a make-up date April 20.

Location: Shawnee Satellite Office (4018 W. Market Street)

Time: 10am  - 2pm

Lunch: 12/ noon

INFO Video

Registration LINK

WEEKLY FEATURES

PTSA

Get Your PTSA Bear Bucks Before the Festival.

Pick them up at PTSA Office or we will deliver them in the car rider line!!

Purchase Bear Bucks Here!

Craft & Vendor Fair

We have added a craft and vendor fair to our Fall Festival.  If you or someone you know are interested - please sign up here for only $25.00!

Welcome our newest PTSA members for 2023-2024 school year:  Alyssa C., Neysa J., Star L., and Henry S. 

Thank you for joining Brown PTSA! We now have 194 members! 

We hope that you will join us!

ATHLETICS

Justin Leonard, Athletic Director | Justin.Leonard@jefferson.kyschools.us 

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

Required Paperwork

High School Sports Physical

Concussion Form

Safety Video Form

Cross Country will be in the JCPS Championships on Thursday at Tom Sawyer and preparing for regionals.


Volleyball picked up a big win on Monday against Francis Parker, where we celebrated Kileah Coopers senior night.  They will be back in action Wednesday 10/11 against Eminence and Thursday against Evangel.  We will host the District Tournament on Monday against Male at 5:30.


Swimming tryouts will start this week at the YMCA on Wednesday and Thursday.  Email wmkolb@gmail.com for info.


Bowling will begin practices soon.  Please email coach Justin Young at jryoung2015@icloud.com if you are interested in joining!

Girls Basketball (HS) will have tryouts on 10/17 and 10/18 from 4:15-5:30.  All paperwork must be completed before tryouts.  Email coach Josh at rja172307@gmail.com for info.

Boys Basketball (HS) will have tryouts 10/17 and 10/18 from 5:30-8:00.  Email coach Bibb at jbibb20@gmail.com for info.

Middle School Athletics

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

Basketball tryouts will begin this week. 

Middle School Boys Tryouts

Thursday, October 12th (6:30-8:00 PM) 

Friday, October 13th (5:00- 7:00 PM)

Tuesday October 17th (5:30-6:30)

*Players only need to attend 1 tryout, but attending more is encouraged.

Location- Brown Gymnasium

Middle School Girls Tryouts

Tuesday, October 17th (3:00- 4:15 PM)

Wednesday, October 18th (3:00-4:15 PM)

Location- Brown Gymnasium

Please have all required forms completed before tryouts. Players will not be able to try out unless paperwork has been completed. 

JCPS Required Athletic Paperwork

If you have already completed the sports physcial/paperwork for this year, you do not need to fill them out again.

*Just a reminder to 6th grade parents- the 6th grade physical is different from the athetics physcial. 

If you are unsure about the status of your physical/paperwork, feel free to email me (matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us) or Justin Leonard (justin.leonard@jefferson.kyschools.us).

Cross-County JCPS Championships were last Wednesday. Isabella Stiebling was 4th overall in 6th grade in the district and won a medal. Maria Arnold also ran very well.  6th grade boys had a strong showing with James Zausch coming in second by under .4 seconds and Griffin Johnson finished 4th. Clark Haynes, Henry Slaton, Walter Waggoner, and Steven McGowan all had strong showings and great seasons. I could not be prouder of them for their effort. We were just a few points away from winning the overall 6th grade boys championship. If this group stays around, we have a bright future next year and in the years to come in cross-country. 

Tennis finished its regular season matches today with a win over Newburg. The JCPS tournament is this coming Monday and Tuesday at Petersburg Park from 5pm to dark. Oliver Blount, Zoe Wall, Lia Mananandry and Horenge Mananandry lead a talented group hoping to bring Brown some trophies. 

Bowling- Any students in grades 7th-12th that is interested in bowling, should email jryoung2015@icloud.com

Cheerleading is currently looking of a coach for this season. We need to hire a coach as soon as possible so we can start the process. We need a coach in place by the second week of October in order to have a team. If you know of anyone interested, please email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us. 

Swimming: tryouts will start this week at the YMCA on Wednesday and Thursday.  Email wmkolb@gmail.com for info.

Elementary School Athletics

Cross Country has had some awesome meets and will have one more on 10/22 for the St. X Halloween Hustle.

Basketball and Cheer will have tryout information in next weeks newsletter.

MUSICAL NOTATIONS

Music Department and Fundraiser Updates

FALL FESTIVAL PERFORMERS

Fall Festival October 20, 2023

High School Jazz Combo 

4th Grade Recorder Ensemble [all 4th graders are invited to perform]

Schedule for performing groups will be sent next week


World's Finest Chocolate Fundraiser

Please continue turning in your money as we end our chocolate selling. If you are a parent or guardian who would like to sell the remainder (50 boxes) of our chocolate at your office or place of business reach out to amy.noon@jefferson.kyschools.us. 


Poppin' Popcorn sale going on now!

BAND AND ORCHESTRA Poppin' Popcorn online fundraiser is beginning this week! Students have registered online for their own store to keep track of their sales.  We must be aggressive with our popcorn sales in order to meet our fundraising goal for the spring trip. Reach out to your child's respective teacher Amy Noon, Band amy.noon@jefferson.kyschools.us or Tamika Carr, Orchestra tamika.carr@jefferson.kyschools.us 


Butter Braid sale is going on now!  

October 10-October 24.  Students have registered for an online store and can be found at this link: https://store.myfundraisingplace.com/5cecf7f2-25d1-4c25-bea1-56cf2a2beab2

Click on the seller's name to enter their online store.  Pay online and pick up on November 9, 2023, after school in the band room.  All students have also been given a paper order form with an envelope. All orders are due October 24, 2023.  (money due at time of order)

STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM

Click HERE to request Student Support and a member of our team will reach out!

Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator

St. Augustine Church Hall are taking applications for Thanksgiving Baskets from now through October 26, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am - 2 pm.  You will need to provide proof of address.  For more information, call 502-584-4602.

The Salvation Army is now taking applications for this holiday season.  To sign up for the Salvation Army Angel Tree, click here.

Is your student in need of school clothes?  CAP (Clothing Assistance Program) is a partnership between the 15th District PTA and JCPS's Department of Diversity, Equity, and Poverty.  If you need clothing for this school year, don't hesitate to contact me, and I can make you an appointment.  Any JCPS family is eligible for CAP services.


High School Counselor

HERE is some video information about the PSAT for all Juniors and ONLY sophomores that registered. Students will participate in the Digital Readiness Check this week or next to ensure their device is ready to go for the exam next week!

DUAL CREDIT: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors interested in taking a dual credit course beginning in January need to  sign up by Oct 20 via Google Classroom Class of 20## (posted as a question) to request an appointment for academic advising. Failure to attend advising will leave you without a dual credit course for Spring 2024 and you will be enrolled full time at Brown.

Elementary School Counselor

This month we are kicking off our KINDNESS Challenge!  Check out my Core Counseling Curriculum (CCC) lesson schedule to see when I'll be in your child's classroom.  


Also check out my virtual office filled with tons of information and resources helpful to parents/guardians/families of elementary students (K-5), including

There are several ways to contact me:  


STAR STUDENTS!!!

Thank you for working as a team to ensure that your child has the best experience possible as a Brown Bear/Cub!

CONNECTIONS

SBDM UPDATE

The SBDM Council met yesterday and here's what happened.


The council reviewed these budget reports:


The council received reports from these committees:


The council took action on these policies:

FAMILY MATTERS

National Fire Prevention Week

This week is a great reminder to check your smoke detectors, develop & practice a fire escape plan, and discuss fire safety. If you need tips or resources, please visit this site. Kids can practice their fire safety knowledge on interactive games and videos.