Bear Essentials
J. Graham Brown School Weekly Family Newsletter
September 20 | Issue #10
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Brown School Family,
Don't forget that tomorrow night is our Open House for Current Students. Our evening will start at 5:15 in the cafeteria with our amazing PTSA serving lemonade and cookies; they will hold their first general meeting of the school year. Then, from 5:30 to 6:30, families will be able to visit classrooms. Hopefully, your student will be with you to serve as your tour guide and can share what they have been learning so far this year. Please enter our building through the Welcome Center.
For your reference, elementary students visit these classrooms for related arts:
Visual Art - Christi George - room 201
Library - Amanda Klakamp - room 313
STEAM - either Dr. Mary Sithu (room 302) or Gregory Grazette (310B)
General Music - Amy Noon - Band room (basement)
Spanish - Heather Anderson - room 140
P.E. - Preston King - gym
Suzuki/ Elementary Orchestra - Tamika Carr - room 301
Be sure to plan ahead!
Make sure you are prepared in advance for parking as we do not have a parking lot. Some options are:
Parking in the YMCA Parking Garage at 2nd Street and Guthrie. Payment is accepted by credit card.
Parking across the street from the school or nearby at a parking meter. Payment is accepted by coins or by downloading the app.
Please do not park in the private parking lots behind our school.
Love,
Dr. Angela
QUICK LINKS
THIS WEEK'S ESSENTIALS
EL Support for Accessing JCPS eBooks
The JCPS Library Media Services Team has created this infographic to help EL families find online books. Select J. Graham Brown School from the High School list. Depending on the child's current grade level click on Elementary, Middle or High School Resources, then select Online Books.
When students are using Google to access the internet for research, the fastest way to change the text to their native language is to first search for something on google.com, lets say dog. Then you will see a gear icon in the top right of the page. Click on it to go into the Quick Settings menu. Select Languages. Change the display language to your native language, click confirm. All of the text will be converted instantly.
Let's say we switched the display language to Spanish. Now search perro in Google and all text about dogs will be in Spanish. The subsequent websites that are accessed will also be converted to the language chosen as well.
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.
Chaperones are needed for the Juniors Walking Field Trip to Spalding University on Thursday, October 12th. Please fill out this FORM and contact Norah if you are interested.
All Seniors take a free ACT on Wednesday, Oct. 18th.
All Juniors take the PSAT test for free on Oct 19th as long as they are current with past college board expenses. If you are unsure, please visit your MySchoolBucks account and make sure all AP exams are paid for.
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
Star Students
Click HERE to see the Star Students' Slideshow! We have so many amazing achievements of our Brown Bears from this past week!
Technology Spotlight
Mr. Gregory's Robotics Class
Mr. Gregory's students worked on designing a robot that will float and move on water. They tested their robots this week in a plastic swimming pool!
Check out some of their aquabots in the pictures!
The Yearbook is Back!
We’re so excited to start production on the ‘23-’24 Brown School yearbook! We would greatly appreciate your support in showcasing your children. Parents of 5th, 8th and 12th graders, if you would like to see your child’s adorable baby face in the yearbook, click the link below and follow these simple instructions:
https://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/students-and-parents/yearbook-ads
Choose your ad size and layout
Add your photo(s)
Enter your text
It’s that easy, and all for the price of $20! We are so excited to recognize these graduating and promoting students! The deadline for purchasing ads is 02/08/2024.
WEEKLY FEATURES
PTSA
Next Tuesday - JCPS BOE Meeting
Starts at 6:00 pm at VanHoose Education Center.
This can also be viewed online on JCPS BOE YouTube Channel.
PTSA Meeting Tomorrow Before OPEN HOUSE
Join us tomorrow at 5:15 pm for our general meeting in the cafeteria for Cookies and Lemonade. We will be discussing our budget, financial review, fall festival, and upcoming events. Join Us!
Don't Forget
If you signed up to bring something for the teachers and staff for dinner tomorrow - bring it to the school by 3:00. Here is the Sign UP Genius!
Kentucky Kids' Day
Next Tuesday
Kentucky Kids' Day, established in 1985, is the last Tuesday in September. We set aside this day to celebrate our kids, to make them feel special, unique, respected, and loved. As leaders, we strive to make our students feel this way every day of the year, but Kentucky PTA Kids’ Day brings more public awareness to the educational and personal needs of children across the state. Look for your child to bring something special home next Tuesday!
Bear Bucks are now on sale for Fall Festival. They can be purchased and picked up tomorrow at our PTSA Meeting. Click here to purchase and for more info.
Welcome our newest PTSA members for 2023-2024 school year: Mollie S., Lauren N., Stacy V., and Samantha P.
Thank you for joining Brown PTSA! We now have 171 members! We hope that you will join us!
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
Have had a week off to practice, but we are excited to be back in action this week a the St. X series Wednesday and the Hillbilly Run on Saturday.
Volleyball-
takes on Grace James and Western High School on Wednesday 9/20 at home. Then go to Francis Parker on Saturday to take on Cloverport and Francis Parker on Saturday at 11:00am and noon.
Golf-
Had a great time at Regionals yesterday. Congratulations to Ethan Perry, Kieran Nuss, Austin Vitato, and Cade Wilson for representing us so well.
Cheer/Dance
Cheer has started up and we have a lot of participation. It should be a great year!!
Bowling
Bowling will begin practices soon. Please email coach Justin Young at jryoung2015@icloud.com
Girls Soccer has played some really tough competition, losing a close 1-0 against Walton Verona in the All A State game, and then losing 3-0 to Assumption, which is a top 3 team in the State. They will take on Holy Cross Friday night at 5:30, so come out and support. They will also be at Manual on Saturday at 11:00am.
Boys Soccer has had some time off, but are excited to take on Atherton tonight and Holy Cross on Friday night at 7:00. Come cheer them on to victory.
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
Student Spectators are welcome to come to our games! We have been charging admission to students at a discounted price for the last three years. Our games have not been free since we were out for COVID. This money helps to support our student athletes. The student season passes are a great deal at $25 and is much lower than the JCPS recommended price. If students are staying after to watch a 4:30 game, they can report to Study Skills and come down to the game at 4pm. Students are not allowed to stay in the lobby, walk to a restaurant, gas station, etc. If games start at 5pm or later, students will need to go home and then return 30 minutes prior to game time when the gates open. If students would like to help in an official capacity (line judge, scoreboard, set up or cleanup) for free admission, please have them contact Matt Davis or Justin Leonard. Also, we want our students in the games to support our teams, so they are not allowed to remain in the lobby or go to any other parts of the school that are unsupervised. Thanks!
Cross-County had another JCPS middle school meet at Moore. In 6th grade James Zausch was 2nd and Griffin Johnon was 6th. They are back in action Saturday at the Hillbilly Run in Bardstown.
Volleyball starts post season play this week.Varsity will head to Meyzeek on Thursday to take on Western at 5:30, then hopefully playing Meyzeek in the 6:30 game. JV will play at Meyzeek on Friday at 4:30.
Tennis played its third match of the season against Ramsey on Tuesday at Jeffersontown High School. They play Noe on Thursday at George Rogers Clark Park at 6pm.
Bowling- Any students in grades 7th-12th interested in bowling, should plan to attend a short interest meeting on Friday 9/15 at 3:00 in room 320 (Jake's room).
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.
Elementary School Athletics
Cross Country
Elementary cross country had their first meet on Friday, and it went great. All the kids had a great time, and we appreciate the hard work of the runners and our coaches! They will be running in the Chance Chase on Friday at Chance School.
Soccer
Elementary soccer will finish their season this Saturday at KCD.
Team 2 (Boys) will take on KCD at 9:00 a.m. on KCD Field 1
Team 1 (Girls) will take on LKY at 11:30 a.m. on KCD Field 1
They have had a great year and shown a lot of growth. Thank you to all parents, players, and coaches for everything!
STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM
Click HERE to request Student Support and a member of our team will reach out!
Family Resource/Youth Services Center Coordinator
Saturday, September 23rd is Girls in Aviation Day. This is a great event for students who are interested in aviation or just want to have a fun day outside. I have taken my daughter, and it's a great day for all ages. Bowman field also has an youth flight club, for any student who is interested in aviation. For more information click here.
Kendall Vision Ministry will be hosting a glasses clinic on October 6, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Fern Creek Baptist Church. Form more information call 502-640-2227.
The Salvation Army is now taking applications for this holiday season. To sign up for the Salvation Army Angel Tree, click here.
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!
High School Counselor
ALL HS STUDENTS:
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
Repeat Info:
SOPHOMORES ONLY: The PSAT is tentatively Oct 19, 2023. All juniors will be registered. If you are a sophomore interested in taking the PSAT/NMSQT exam for practice, please complete THIS FORM. This is OPTIONAL and will cost approx $20. No refunds will be given for missed exams. There is no make-up date.
Middle School Counselor
Our Middle School Darlings are doing great things as we close out these last 6 weeks. FYI, the last day of the first grading period is next Friday, the 29th.
I've posted a few resources on my class page that I will list below. Please make sure you check these opportunities out if you haven't done so already.
AMPED is a fantastic music production and artistic space for youth that is offering a free after school music program. Check out their website for more information.
Men of Quality is an after school mentoring program for students in grades 6-12th. Our first meeting will be next Monday, the 25th from 3-4 in the library. Email me for more information.
Kentucky AHEC Health professions are hosting a Virtual Health Club for studetns in grades 6th-12th. Application deadline is September 30th. The program begins October 11th. Email Bradley Coffman for information at bcoffman@fhclouisville.org or call 502-778-1607.
Elementary School Counselor
August and September's STAR WORD is COUNSELOR. For my first visit into classrooms, I will be introducing myself to all of my students and sharing more about the support services offered by our Student Support Team (SST). I will visit each classroom once or twice a month to teach lessons related to our STAR WORD. Check out my Core Counseling Curriculum (CCC) lesson schedule to see when I'll be in your child's classroom. Later this month, we will kick off our Kindness Challenge with our Star Word of the Month: KINDNESS.
I am in the process of creating my virtual office that will be filled with tons of information and resources helpful to parents/guardians/families of elementary students (K-5).
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
Our SBDM Council held a special-called meeting yesterday to approve some budgetary items.
We received $13,194 through our 10th day adjustment. These funds were allocated for:
$6458 - two new phone drops (fitness center and cafeteria) and four new video cameras
$5588 - wi-fi coverage at Peace Park
$1121 - toward digital board in gym
We received $18,677 through our carryover funds. These funds were allocated for the digital board for the gym (approved by SBDM last spring).
We have $18,040 in equity funds. These funds were allocated for:
$2000 for diverse classroom libraries for a 3rd grade classroom and a 4th grade classroom.
$13,032 for additional tables (3) and chairs (24) for the cafeteria.
$3008 for classified support during elementary dismissal
$10,000 in ESS funds were moved from software to daytime personnel salaries.
A part-time teacher salary was "cashed in" to pay for existing teachers to teach classes on their planning periods, due to the inability to fill vacant positions.
FAMILY MATTERS
The Louisville Free Public Library offers several gaming programs for all ages. Interested in learning about Dungeons & Dragons or playing chess? Check out their gaming programs at www.lfpl.org/gaming