Principal's Message
In just one week your student will be enjoying their first day of the 2022-23 school year! We were inspected yesterday and even though there are still a few loose ends to tie up - we have our Certificate of Occupancy! We will be ready for your student in our newly renovated building!
Students will have cubbies and lockers assigned to them prior to the Meet and Greet, so you may bring in supplies that day. Students with lockers will be able to see their locker numbers and combinations on the student portal, and they will also receive an email with the same information. I do not recommend that students bring in locker shelves as they interfere with the door closing properly.
There are a lot events coming up over the next week. Here's a quick list. For more details, visit past issues of the Bear Essentials - especially the Back to School edition.
Kindergarten Intake & Brigance Assessment (by appointment only) - Sign up HERE.
Kindergarten Camp (by appointment only) - Sign up HERE.
New Family/Student Virtual Orientation (for students in grades 1-5, 7-8, and 10-12) - August 3rd at 1:00 PM.
6th Grade Student/Family Orientation (for all rising 6th graders) - August 4th at 10:00 AM
9th Grade Student/Family Orientation (for all rising 9th graders) - August 4th at 1:00 PM
Peace Park Beautification - Sunday, August 7th from noon to 4:00 PM
Meet & Greet - August 9th from 1:00 to 2:30 PM
Popsicles in the Park for Kindergarteners - August 9th from 2:00 to 3:00 PM
Refresher Orientation (for anyone who wants to hear our procedures and ask questions) - August 9th at 3:00 PM
Love,
Dr. Angela
This Week's Essentials
Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures
Doors open at 7:30 AM. If you are returning to Brown, the only new thing is that the front door has changed. You will now drive past the old front door to the next door, pictured. JCPS will be installing new Brown School signage soon.
ELEMENTARY
Drop-off - Strongly suggest drop-off in the alley. Enter from Chestnut between 1st and 2nd St. They may also be dropped off at the front door, but it is less safe.
Pick-up - The same alley or parent walk-ups are used for Elementary pick-ups, unless being picked up by a sibling. Walk-ups go to the side door, attached to the gym. This door is on the sidewalk on Muhammad Ali near the intersection on 1st St. There is an overhang above this door. Anyone, including siblings, MUST present the yellow numbered car rider tag students will receive at the Meet and Greet.
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
Drop-off - Drop off in front of the school at the NEW door. Please remember to drive past the door if you are in the front of the line. You may also drop them off at Alley 2 on 2nd St. Refer to the map linked below. Students needing to ride the TARC may get free tickets from Amanda in the front office.
Pick-up - All Middle and High School students are picked up at the front of the school on 1st Street, ride the TARC (school provides tickets, see Amanda in the front office), or walk. If they have a younger sibling they may be picked up from the gym OR pick-up their sibling from the gym and take them to their ride. They must have the yellow car-rider tag to get their sibling.
Reference Map (click here)
New front door (pictured below)
Kindergarten Familes
Kindergarten lunch is a big adjustment, and you might want to practice eating school lunch with your child. Please make sure they can open everything you send with them, and talk about not eating off the table in the cafeteria. Also, try setting a timer for 20 minutes.
Bring safety scissors in the lunch box to help open bags
Practice packing everything back up and talk about what is trash and what should come back home in their lunch box
Special dietary needs: Fill out the “Dietary Needs form” under “Medical Forms” on the Back-to-School Edition of Bear Essentials. This includes vegetarian, vegan, and allergies.
School lunch is $2.80 unless you complete the JCPS application for free and reduced-price lunch
The best way to pay is to add money to your account on My School Bucks (also where you pay your $25 elementary student fee). Check your account regularly for balance
If you don’t want your child to spend this lunch account money on “extras” like chips, extra juices, or cookies, you must send a note to the cafeteria stating this or explaining your parameters, like “only on Fridays.”
Cash and checks are also accepted -- please send in an envelope or baggie with the child’s name and purpose (“LUNCH”) and the child’s lunch number.
Weekly Columns
School Of Excellence
We are proud to be recognized as a 2021-2023 National PTA School of Excellence! We will soon receive a banner to announce it to the community.
Thank you to all those who participated in our Digital Safety Program last year. The Digital Safety Program was designed by our School of Excellence Program survey results from our school family.
If you missed the program - fill this form out to get access to the recording and documents.
Thank you for being an active part of our PTSA Family!
Third Times A Charm - Peace Park Beautification & Gaga Pit Install
We are going to try again this Sunday to do a park clean-up.
Sign up to bring something - or just come and lend your hands as we make the park ready for school
Athletics
Elementary Athletics
Elementary cross country and soccer start practice this week and we are so excited to have 30 students out for each team.
Middle School Athletics
We have secured a coach for middle school tennis and will be able to get information out in about 2 weeks. Please look for information in the Bear Essentials or email Matt Davis
Middle School volleyball has been working hard and we have a lot of new faces on the team. This should be a great year and we are looking forward to starting games.
Cross country cannot wait to start participating in meets coming up. The student athletes have been working really hard and dropping time every practice.
High School Athletics
Soccer matches kick off next week and we couldn't be more excited for the season. The boys team is coming off the best season in school history, as they look to add a few more wins this year. The girls have almost all of their team back and some really talented freshman. They will both play at PRP Monday, girls at 5:30 and boys at 7:00. Then they will take on Whitefield at Sun Valley on Tuesday girls at 5:30 and boys at 7:15. Come out and cheer them on.
Volleyball has one more week of practice and this team and coaches have been working very hard to prepare for the season, This team cannot wait to start playing games and will have a scrimmage this Saturday at Francis Parker.
Cross country has had a steady group showing up to practice and we look to add a few more in the near future. Coach Matt is thrilled with his group and they have had a lot of fun while running.
Golf kicked off their season with an 18 hole match in the Flyer Invitational. Ethan Perry led the way with a 91 and Josh and Caleb Williams did a great job in their first 18 hole match. They are back in action next Thursday against Atherton.
Student Support Team
Elementary Counselor
I'm counting down the days until I get to see my students again!!! There are a lot events coming up over the next week. Refer to the first page of this newsletter with all the upcoming events shard by Dr. Angela. For more details, visit past issues of the Bear Essentials. Also, check out my VIRTUAL OFFICE for more information related to our elementary world and how to connect with Miss Christy. Soon you soon!!!
Middle School Counselor
It's almost the first day of school!! Woo Hoo!! As you're prepping for the transition back to school and looking at schedules, keep in mind that you'll be able to request a schedule change starting August 10th - August 19th. Now is the time to practice going to bed earlier, turning off and putting away your phone, and waking up earlier:). While you're at it, go ahead and start thinking about what you want out of this school year. Making a goal for the new year is a great way to help you stay focused when life gets hectic. It's going to be a great year.
High School Counselor
The Student Support Center in the Pedway (Room 311) is a buzz with activity from all the adults preparing to make this the best back-to-school season ever! Make sure you are preparing by adjusting your sleep schedule, purging items from last year that you do not need anymore, and restocking items you will need to be at your most successful this next year!
Although schedules are visible in student portals, we are still adjusting some items on the Master Schedule so there could be a few changes (in other words, don't print yet). If you would like to request a change, you can complete THIS FORM and Robin will meet with you during study hall the first few days or send you an email to confirm a change. For attendance purposes, please continue to follow your schedule as it reads Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022 until you meet with or hear from Robin and get it officially changed.
Mental Health Practitioner
Our mental health practitioner, David Rutledge, returned to work today! Please email him if you have any concerns you with to share.
Family Resource/Youth Services Center
A joint hiring committee that included stakeholders for Brown School and Brandeis Elementary has made a recommendation to hire a new FRYSC. Hopefully we will be able to introduce this person to you in the next issue of Bear Essentials!
Connections
SBDM Update
Unfortunately we did not have a quorum at last night's SBDM Council meeting. Therefore, we could not do most of our business on the agenda. However, we did consultations for hiring a new FRYSC Coordinator and a new Kindergarten Instructional Assistant. The other business from last night's agenda will be addressed at a special-called meeting on Monday, August 8th at 4:00 PM.
Cultural Connections
August 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
This day was created by the UN to celebrate the culture of indigenous people around the world. Here are a few recommendations to honor this August diversity celebration with your student.
Educating yourself by listening to podcasts and radio programs that highlight indigenous voices
Supporting indigenous artists
Donating to indigenous-led solutions
Taking action to protect indigenous land defenders
Learning about indigenous language poetry