Bear Essentials
J. Graham Brown School Weekly Family Newsletter
October 25 | Issue #14
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Brown School Family,
Thank you so much to all who contributed to our PTSA Fall Festival last Friday. It was an amazing night filled with wonderful memories.
Love,
Dr. Angela
QUICK LINKS
THIS WEEK'S ESSENTIALS
Elective course fees
After a delay caused by a system wide glitch with My School Bucks, Elective Course Fees will post to MySchoolBucks over the next week. Please pay these fees as soon as you are able.
*If your student is approved for fee waiver, you do not pay unless you choose to.
*If you would like to apply for fee waiver, please complete the Educational Benefits Form.
*If you would like to save the 3.95% service fee, please see the comment on each fee for the dollar amount due and bring a check or cash to the main office. Write the student's name and fee(s) in the memo line of the check.
MS and HS Rooftop Dance is this Friday, October 27th.
We need parent volunteers! If you are interested, please sign-up at this link.
Spirit Week Continues This Week
10/25 Witchy Wednesday
Wear your favorite witchy attire!
10/26 Sweater Thursday
Wear your coziest fall sweater!
10/27 PJ Day Friday
Wear your favorite PJs to school
10/30 Cowboy/Sci-fi Day
Dress as a cowboy or sci-fi character
10/31 Halloween
Wear your Halloween costume! (No masks)
Remember, please consider these guidelines when selecting costumes.
Early Bird Sale for the Yearbook!
The last day to buy your 23’-24’ yearbook for $45 is fast approaching! After October 29th, the price rises to $50. Visit the Jostens website (linked here) to purchase your yearbook; and if you’d like to lend a helping hand to those who are less fortunate, donate a yearbook to another family so they get an opportunity to save their child’s memories! We’re so excited to continue the production of our best yearbook yet!!
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.
Jostens will be in room 310A on Wednesday, November 1st to take cap and gown orders for Seniors.
Jostens will be in room 310A on Friday, November 3rd to give out Junior Ring ordering info. **Ring Ceremony is scheduled for March 22nd.**
WEEKLY FEATURES
PTSA
ty.mp4Thank you to Everyone for coming to Fall Festival!
A detail report will be release soon. But please share your pictures and video with us at this link. We want to make a video and to also preserve the event.
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
Required Paperwork
Cross Country had a great day at Regionals last Saturday. Our girls team finished 2nd overall and are heading to the State Meet in Lexington on Satturday. Taylor Morris finished 4th, Trista Morris 8th, Sara Rogers 17th, Lucy O'Brien 19th, Erin Rogers 24th, Nina Devine 37th and Caroline Gallagher 43rd. Our boys team was one place from making State, but everybody ran well. Elijah Borders made State as an individual.
Archery will have an interest meeting on Monday10/30 after school in room 322.
Wrestling- We are considering starting a wrestling team at Brown. Any high school student that is interested in wrestling, should see Justin as soon as possible.
Swimming we have a big team this year and they are already practicing hard. Email wmkolb@gmail.com for info, if you are interested in joining.
Bowling will begin practices soon. We are currently in need of a few more boys bowlers. Please email coach Justin Young at jryoung2015@icloud.com if you are interested in joining!
Girls Basketball (HS) is excited about the season ahead!
Boys Basketball (HS) is excited about the season ahead!
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
Middle School Athletic Paperwork
Please have all required paperwork completed before beginning a sport. If you have any questions about the status of your sports physical or paperwork, please email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us. Required JCPS MS Paperwork
Track athletes have an opportunity to prepare for the spring. Bellarmine University will be hosting a free track and field clinic for youth in grades K to 8th on November 15th. For more informaiton and to register, please visit the following link: Free Bellarmine T&F Youth Clinic set for Nov. 15 - Bellarmine University Athletics
Basketball season begins November 1st with our boys and girls varsity teams playing at Moorman Middle (Shelbyville) and junior varisty teams taking on Lassiter. Basketball players please pay attention to the Team App for schedule information.
Archery will have interest meetings on 10/30 after school in room 322.
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. If you know of anyone interested, please email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Swimming practice is underway at the Downtown YMCA. Email wmkolb@gmail.com for info.
Elementary School Athletics
Cross Country ended their season with a great last meet. We are so thankful to the volunteer coaches for giving them a wonderful season. Also a big thank you to the athletes and parents for working so hard.
Basketball and Cheer will have tryouts on Saturday 10/28 from 1:00-2:30 and on Wednesday 11/1 from 6:30-8:00. This is for students in grades 2nd through 5th and students must attend at least one try out in order to be considered for the team. An email went out on 10/22 that has all of the information, so if you did not receive it, you may want to check your junk mail.
MUSICAL NOTATIONS
HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACKULAR CONCERT
Come out to J. Graham Brown School auditorium on October 31, 2023, at 8:30am to listen to our HS/MS(7th and 8th) Bands and HS Orchestra perform. Performance will conclude by 9:15am.
LAST CALL on BUTTER BRAIDS
The absolute last day to order is Thursday October 26. Find the store link here if you want to get in on the sweetness. Paper orders are accepted until Thursday @3pm in the band room. Anything turned in after Thursday will not be ordered. Contact amy.noon@jefferson.kyschools.us if you have any questions.
PEP BAND
Students who are in the band this year (6-12) will have an opportunity to play basketball games in the PEP BAND. The schedule will be out soon. Make plans for your child to participate in this school spirit activity! As an added bonus, the High School Jazz Combo will perform at every scheduled pep band session. (approximately 5 double header games). Don't miss out on this amazing school spirit activity! If you have questions please contact Amy Noon, Band Director at amy.noon@jefferson.kyschools.us
SHOUT OUTS!
Congratulations to the 4th grade recorder ensemble who played so well at the fall festival. Bravo music students!
Congratulations to the J. Graham Brown HS Jazz Combo for entertaining the indoor crowd on Friday night. Outstanding 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
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.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is now offering the program to all kids under five. Click here for more information.
Mental Health Practitioner
With some of the recent events in the world, sometimes our students may have a lot of big feelings. We in the Student Support Center want to offer a safe space for students to take a minute and process their feelings should the need arise. We have a quiet room in the Student Support Center available to all students for short periods of time. This room is a quiet, low-light space with various sensory tools (like a light cube and fidgets) available for use. If a student feels they need this space, they just need to ask their teacher who will call the SSC to make sure it is available.
In addition, if you are interested in my services for one-on-one meetings with your student please fill out a student support form and I will be sure to reach out to you within 3 school days!
High School Counselor
AP Sign ups are in full swing for AP Testing in May. THIS PAPER (printed on blue) was sent home with students in grades 9-12 that are rostered in an AP class. Make sure BOTH student and a supportive adult sign it and return it to the pedway by Friday 9/27!
Elementary School Counselor
Our Star Word for the Year is KINDNESS. Each month we have a Star Word of the Month that helps us to be kind. Our Star Word of this Month is RESPECT. 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:
Email me at christy.teague@jefferson.kyschools.us
Call me at 502-233-2741.
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 next SBDM meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 14th at 4:00 PM in the Student Support Center Conference Room.
FAMILY MATTERS
Reminder: The Department of Diversity, Equity, and Poverty of JCPS will host a college fair on Nov. 4 at Noon at the JEB Enrichment Center (2041 River Road, Louisville, KY) Register online at https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdn7FIJ6nO1X4.../viewform