Principal's Message
Dear Brown School Family,
Welcome to the 2022-23 school year! Not only is this our school's 50th anniversary, but it is going to be an amazing year. I am personally looking forward to a completely renovated school building with bright LED lights and updated HVAC, including our gymnasium. Plus, I can't wait until our new Ursa Innovation Lab opens for our students. Ursa Lab will feature 3D printers, a Glowforge (look it up on YouTube), sewing and embroidery machines, a poster printer, every hand tool imaginable, Virtual Reality technology, a Cricket, and more! Ursa Lab is going to enable our students to take that next step in developing themselves in the Self-Directed pillar of innovation.
This year is my 24th year in education and my 15th year as a member of the J. Graham Brown School family. I truly believe that J. Graham Brown School is the best school in the multiverse - and that has absolutely nothing to do with test scores and rankings. Our Self-Directed Learning Framework and our vision of forging reasoned minds and educated hearts makes this a learning environment like no other. Our dedicated faculty and staff go the extra mile to provide a rich, warm, and engaging learning environment based on our four pillars - Independence, Empathy, Initiative, and Innovation. Students who graduate from our school are remarkable human beings, ready to face the next challenge that awaits. Spend five minutes talking to our students and you'll see just how amazing they are!
Thank you so much for allowing us to help grow your student! It's an honor to be on this journey with you.
Love,
Dr. Angela
Kindergarten Camp
Students will take part in three fun activities in which they will meet some of their teachers and new classmates. They will also become familiar with the area of our school where they will be spending most of their days - Cubs Corner. This will help greatly in making the first day of school an easier transition.
Family members will take part in an orientation and will hear everything they need to know about our kindergarten as well as Brown School protocols. We will go over drop-off/pick-up, classroom procedures, what students can wear, what the day will look like for students, and lots more. There will be time for Q&A as well.
Our PTSA will be available to get families signed up and school merchandise will be available for sale.
On the sign-up, only sign up for one slot. The slot is for the student and is not an indication of how many total people/adults you are bringing. Additionally, only sign up for one session - either morning or afternoon. Thank you!
Kindergarten Intake & Brigance Assessment
At the J. Graham Brown School, we want your child's first days of kindergarten to be productive and engaging. That's why we have our students complete the state-required Brigance Assessment before the first day of school. The assessment is given one-on-one by our kindergarten teachers, and lasts approximately 20 minutes per student. In addition, there is a questionnaire that must be completed onsite by one of the parents/ guardians who is very familiar with the child's development.
While your child is testing, you'll be able to meet with our records clerk to turn in your child's required health paperwork. Please make sure you bring these items found at THIS LINK.
On the sign-up, only sign up for one slot. The slot is for the student and is not an indication of how many total people/adults you are bringing. Thank you!
Orientations
All 6th Grade Students & Family Member Orientation
Thursday, August 4th from 10:00 to 11:30 AM
This session meets at the school.
Whether your student is new to the Brown School or has been here since kindergarten if they are a rising 6th grader we need them to attend orientation! Students and family members will start out in the auditorium, then students will break off for activities in their classrooms while family members continue to meet in the auditorium.
All 9th Grade Students & Family Member Orientation
Thursday, August 4th from 1:00 to 2:00 PM
This session meets at the school.
Whether your student is new to the Brown School or has been here since kindergarten if they are a rising 9th grader we need them to attend orientation! Students and family members will meet in the auditorium and will hear from teachers and school officials.
New Students & Family Member Virtual Orientation (Not in Grades K, 6, or 9)
Wednesday, August 3rd from 1:00 to 2:00 PM
This session meets virtually.
This session is only for those new families with students in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10. Family members will take part in an orientation and will hear everything they need to know about our school protocols and procedures. We will go over drop-off/pick-up, what students can wear, what the day will look like for students, and lots more. There will be time for Q&A as well.
An online meeting link will be shared out prior to the date of the session.
Refresher Orientation
Everyone is welcome to attend!
Tuesday, August 9th from 3:00 to 4:00 (following the Meet & Greet) in our auditorium
We received feedback that some families would like a refresher on our school protocols and procedures, so we have added this session for this year! We will explain our drop-off/pick-up procedures along with other procedures, how to check grades, explain SBDM and our committee work, introduce you to school officials and PTSA officers, and answer any questions you may have.
Meet & Greet
and Open House
and Open House
Meet & Greet
Tuesday, August 9th, 1:00-2:30 PM
Our Meet & Greet is an opportunity to locate classrooms, join the PTSA, purchase Brown School swag, say "Hi" to teachers, drop off school supplies, put items in lockers/cubbies (if available), drop off paperwork, pick up car rider tags, and get any last minute questions answered.
Attendance at the Meet & Greet is highly encouraged this year for all students due to our renovation; some teachers are in new classrooms. Furthermore, all first-time students to Brown should definitely attend to familiarize themselves with our facility prior to the first day of school.
This year, car rider tags will be handed out by the elementary homeroom teachers. Any middle and/or high school student needing a car rider tag will need to request one in the school lobby.
Open House for Current Students
Thursday, September 14th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Visit us during our open house to find out what your child has been learning so far and what is in store for the remainder of the year. We will be starting our evening together in the auditorium and then dismissing to visit classrooms.
School Fees
At Brown School, we collect the Basic Fee (in green) from each student prior to school starting. As soon as your middle or high school is finalized, you may pay the other elective course fees. Those families with an approved fee waiver form on file are not required to pay school fees.
Class/Fee Amount
Elementary Student Basic Fee - $25.00
Middle School Student Basic Fee* - $30.00
High School Student Basic Fee* - $50.00
Robotics/Tech - $50.00
HS Science Elective - $50.00
Band - $50.00
Choir - $60.00
Suzuki/Orchestra - $40.00
Drama - $45.00
Ceramics/Sculpture - $55.00
Other Visual Art Electives - $40.00
Creative Writing - $30.00
Digital Game Design - $30.00
Digital Literacy - $30.00
Instrument Rental - $40.00
*Basic Fee includes a $10 operational fee and the remaining portion is an instructional fee.
My School Bucks
MySchoolBucks (MSB) is a platform that JCPS has used for many years to allow parents to add money to their student’s meal accounts online. Signing up for an account is simple! Go to the MSB website by clicking here, search for the state your school district is in (Kentucky), select the district (Jefferson County Public Schools), fill in your contact information, and add student(s) to your account. All you need to have on hand for your student is their school name, child’s first and last name, and birthdate then you’re good to go!
Adding your default payment method also makes check-out quick and easy. Once you’re logged in, go to your profile icon on the upper right side of the screen and click on “My Billing Accounts” to get started. Note that the “AutoPay Settings” are strictly for low balances with meal accounts.
Once you start to receive invoices for your child via email for items like registration or course fees, a notification will pop up each time you log in, alerting you of outstanding invoices that are linked to your child’s (infinite campus) class schedule. Simply add them to your basket and checkout, using the default payment method you set up or a different payment method.
If you have any questions regarding your login information or the site settings, reach out to the MSB support team via online chat on the website or by calling 1-855-832-5226 (M-F, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM). If you have questions regarding a particular invoice or product you want to purchase, please contact your school’s bookkeeper for more information and they can help get you the answers you need.
Required Documents for Kindergarten & 6th Grade
Required kindergarten paperwork can be submitted the following ways:
Required kindergarten paperwork
Scan the documents in PDF format and email them to our school secretary, Lisa Stevenson, at lisa.stevenson1@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Mail the documents to our school address: 546 S. First St. Louisville, KY 40202
Bring the documents to Kindergarten Camp or to the Meet & Greet.
Required 6th-grade paperwork can be submitted in the following ways:
Scan the documents in PDF format and email them to our school secretary, Lisa Stevenson, at lisa.stevenson1@jefferson.kyschools.us.&
Mail the documents to our school address: 546 S. First St. Louisville, KY 40202
Bring the documents to the Meet & Greet or to the 6th grade orientation.
Beginning of Year Enrollment Forms
For the 2022-23 school year, all required school paperwork will be completed and submitted online. Please use the links below to access JCPS Parent Place and complete the forms online or for more information on using Parent Place.
Parent Place Account Setup and Forms
Online Registration & Form Process
Military Opt-Out Disclosure: Federal law requires schools to release the names, addresses, and numbers of all high school students to military recruiters. If you would like to opt your student out of military recruitment, please go to Parent Place, and complete the military opt-out form in the Optional Forms section. Please see THIS VIDEO for assistance or call the school for help.
Important Information
Needs to Knows
Drop-Off & Pick-Up Information
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Dual-Credit
School Messages
School Messenger is the phone, email, and text messaging system used by Brown and JCPS to communicate our weekly newsletter, school cancellations, and safety alerts to you. It replaces our previous system. The following process will show you how to enter your contact information, set your preferences, and “opt-in” to continue receiving these messages from JCPS and/or your child’s school.
If you are a JCPS employee only, please click HERE for opt-in instructions.
If you are a JCPS parent or a JCPS employee AND parent, you may opt-in by texting the letter "Y" to 67587.
If you are a Brown School student, please click HERE to sign up.
If you'd like to customize the type of communications you'd like to receive on your phone or email, visit http://go.schoolmessenger.com and create an account. You can also set up and manage your contact information and preferences by downloading the [Blue] SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or Google Play
If you have any issues with the attached instructions or require further assistance, please call the JCPS Technology Service Desk at (502) 485-3552.
