Principal's Message
Dear Brown School Family,
Last week I was able to accompany our high school students on a campus visit to the University of Louisville. Our juniors and seniors have multiple opportunities throughout the year to visit several campuses as well as hear from college reps who visit our school. All our juniors enroll in a unique class we call Junior Seminar. This class is focused on preparing students for choosing and applying to colleges, preparing for the ACT, and applying to one of the three Governor's Schools (Governor's Scholars Program, Governor's School for the Arts, and Governor's School for Entrepreneurs). Our seniors can enroll in the optional Senior Seminar class. This class assists in the actual transition to college and to adulthood. Both are taught by Norah Wakefield.
Please mark your calendars for our winter concerts. Tomorrow night our high school musical groups will be performing at 7:00 PM. Thursday, December 15th at 7:00 PM will be the middle school musical groups' performances.
Our Suzuki recital will take place next Tuesday at 1:30 PM. Because this event takes place during the school day, all visitors to the event must bring a valid state- or federally-issued photo ID. Please plan to arrive early as there will most likely be a line of visitors coming through the Welcome Center to get checked in.
Love,
Dr. Angela
This Week's Essentials
LOST AND FOUND
Please have your child check the Lost and Found for any missing shirts, jackets, hats, lunchboxes, water bottles, etc. The Lost and Found is located in the stairwell on the 1st floor across the hall from the main office. Any item that is left on December 9th will be washed and donated to the community.
The Bear Necessities 2nd Edition
The second edition of the Online Digital Newspaper, the Bear Necessities is published and ready for the public to view. Click this link to read articles written by Brown students. Click on the Art tab/button to potentially see your child's artwork featured in the newspaper. The Bear Necessities of Brown have come back to you!
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.
B1 Plays on Wednesday, December 14th
Technology Spotlight
7th Grade ELA - Mrs. Lauren
Our seventh graders recently had to create an artifact from their novel study on Tristan Strong. They 3D designed bottle trees and hammers in Tinkercad and printed them out on the 3D printers. They also used Cricut Design Space to create sticker symbols and crests onto fabric or t-shirts.
Check out their products in the pictures!
Wear Your Holiday Spirit Next Week
Celebration Ads
Do you have a student in 5th, 8th, or 12th grade? Then feel free to purchase a Celebration Ad! Celebration Ads are the perfect chance to commemorate your child's achievements, milestones, and new journey into the next grade level for only $20 with a 1/8-page spread! These ads can be created on both desktop and mobile devices when you sign into Jostens.com. Don't wait though, because the opportunity to purchase these memorable and celebrational ads ends on February 9th, 2023. Create new memories today with the purchase of a Brown School Celebration Ad!
Weekly Columns
PTSA
PTSA Myth
I can only join the PTSA at the beginning of the school year.
PTSA Truth
You can join the PTSA anytime. Your PTSA membership is welcome at anytime. The membership helps support our students and advocate for all children.
Concession Stand
I know every week we ask for volunteers to help out in the concession stand. But - we do need the help. It is not hard and it can also be fun. Last night - we had 4 parents who came and helped out and thre were lots of laughs and we learned a lot about what is going on at Brown and even in the district. Saturday - it is a very long day at the concession stand as we will be doing concessions for 5 elementary games. Please join the fun by signing up!
Thank you to the following people for helping out the last two weeks - Amy N., Jack B., April P., Michael G., Aza G., Alma A., Itzzy A. Kamaran H., Amanda M., Isaiah B., and Ashley C. If I missed someone - I am very sorry. We are so thankful for your help. Thank you!
Take What You Can Tote
15th District PTA is having an event on Saturday called Take What You Can Tote. Please share with your networks. This is a free event that giving out clothing, accessories, and other special items.
Winter Sale
We have our winter sale going on right now. Most items are 20% off.
PTSA Bear Bucks
Bear Bucks can still be ordered online or at the concession stand. This is a great way to give your student spending money for basketball games or for spiritwear.
Reminder - if you have any of the small 50 cent tickets left over from the Fall Festival the last day we will change those into actual Bear Bucks or they can be used for spending is December 17th.
Step Up for Students
Don't forget that we ar still collecting for our Step Up for Students - pants. They can be dropped off at the PTSA office.
Athletics
Elementary Athletics
Basketball has had a great start to the season, but the blue team came up just a little short in their first game, losing on a last second shot. They will be in action against Cochran this Saturday at 11:30 at Brown. Come out and cheer them on. The Golden Girls team will play Carter this Saturday at Seneca and our white team will play their first game on the 17th at Seneca. There is no basketball practice on Wednesday 12/7.
Cheer team did a great job this past Saturday. They had a lot of spirit and kept the crowd excited. There is no cheer practice on Wednesday 12/7.
Middle School Athletics
Concession Stand Volunteers are needed for this basketball season. This will be for elementary, middle and high school basketball games. Without volunteers we will not be able to open the concession stand. This helps fund athletics and the PTSA, which provides opportunities for all of our students. Concession Stand Volunteer Sign-Up Link
Student Season Tickets are on sale now for $20 to all middle and high school athletic events. All students over 6 years old will need a ticket for games this year. There is no more free admission for any non-participating students. Single game student tickets for middle school and high school games are $5. Tickets can be purchased online here. The shirt and Bear Bucks offer ends on December 1st.
Swimming had another great JCPS meet this week. Congratulations to Isabella Freehand for a first place finish in the 100IM and Ellie Leonard for a second place finish in the 50M breast stroke!
Basketball takes on Johnson Middle Thursday at Male High School. The girls game tips off at 5:30 and the boys game at 6:30. The JV teams face off against Kammerer away on Monday 12/5. The girls game is at 4PM and boys at 5PM.
Tennis is continuing to do fast-feed lessons through the winter months at Advantage Tennis and Fitness on Mondays at 5:30. For more information, email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us. All students (middle and high) are welcome to attend. It is a great and fun way to quickly improve.
Archery started practice and our team is excited to start competitions. If you are interested in joining, please email coach Jennifer at jennbeanfest@aol.com.
High School Athletics
Concession Stand Volunteers are needed for this basketball season. This will be for elementary, middle and high school basketball games. Without volunteers we will not be able to open the concession stand. This helps fund athletics and the PTSA, which provides opportunities for all of our students. Concession Stand Volunteer Sign-Up Link
Student Season Tickets are on sale now for $20 to all middle and high school athletic events. All students over 6 years old will need a ticket for games this year. There is no more free admission for any non-participating students. Single game student tickets for middle school and high school games are $5. Tickets can be purchased online here. The shirt and Bear Bucks offer ends on December 1st.
Archery started practice and our team is excited to start competitions. They will have their first shoot this Saturday at Manal High School @ 10:00 and 11:00. If you are interested in joining, please email coach Jennifer at jennbeanfest@aol.com.
Bowling had a good match this past week against CAL. They are back in action next Tuesday against Eastern at TinPin Lanes. They would still like to add some bowlers if anyone is interested. Any student in grades 7-12th that are interested, should reach out to coach Justin at justin.young2@jefferson.kyschools.us
Basketball- Our teams are in full swing and are excited about the season. Our girls team has a 2-1 record, beating Atherton and Model Lab. They are winning with great defense and improving offense. Our boys team has lost a few close games early, but picked up a huge 70-41 win over duBois on Tuesday. Both teams look to continue their winning on Monday at Brown vs Valley. Come cheer on our teams.
Swimming and Diving hosted the Brown Bear Sprint Meet #2 last Saturday, with our girls team placing 1st overall and our boys team 3rd overall. We picked up big wins in the girls 200 IM relay and Ellie Leonard won the 50 Yard Breast stroke
Elementary Counselor
Click HERE to check out what's happening in the Elementary world!
Middle School Counselor
As we wrap up these last few days before winter break, I have just a few highlights to bring to your attention.
Middle School Kindness Challenge 2.0 kicked off this week. Speak to your darling about ways they can be kind towards teachers and other adults in the building, as well as their elementary peers.
MAP test is continuing today with all middle school students taking the math test today. Make-ups will happen throughout the rest of the week.
Stay healthy! I'm currently writing this from home with my two sick kiddos:). Staying fit both mentally and physically is the key to finishing out the year strong.
And last, but not least, continue to have honest and open conversations with your student about all the things. Middle school aged students are eager to know and understand the world around them. Harness that inquistiveness and speak to them as often as possible. They still need you:)
High School Counselor
Please take a moment and check your grades in IC and contact teachers for classes of concern. The semester ends 1/6 and grades will post to transcripts in mid-January.
SENIORS-please log in to parchment and request transcripts to be sent to Common App and any additional colleges requiring a mid-year report. Please click "hold for grades" and they will be updated in mid-January and sent then. If you would like to change your test optional preferences, please complete this form.
Mental Health Practitioner
Hey everyone! As we are moving closer and closer to the holiday season, it can be a time of difficult feelings for a lot of our students. We at the student support team just want to remind you that we are here to talk to your students whenever they are in need of emotional or mental health support. In order to reach out to us please just send in a referral using out Student Support Form. We will try to get to your student to talk as soon as possible, but typically not any longer than a few days. Feel free to reach out to me or any of the other team members to ask any questions about services we can provide!
Family Resource/Youth Services Center
Big Smiles Dental Program, will be coming to school on January 25th for our elementary students. Forms were sent home last week. If you would like your student to receive a dental cleaning and they have not had one in the last six months, please complete the form and return it to school.
Just a reminder - we now have a food pantry at school. If anyone is in need of food, please contact me.
Comet will be here on Friday, December 16. He is excited to wear his pajamas to school!
STAR STUDENTS
Click HERE to watch the Star Students' Slideshow! We have so many amazing achievements of our Brown Bears from this past week!
Connections
SBDM Update
Here is what happened at last night's SBDM meeting.
Dr. Angela shared a Good News report.
Nico Greenwell, Katy Nguyen, and Caroline Gallagher qualified for Middle School All-County Orchestra.
Peyton Goodman and Jessica Nguyen were honored at the YMCA Mayor’s Community Thanksgiving Breakfast with Youth Character Awards.
Rose Mattingly and Audrey Brown represented Brown in the Kentucky East-West All Star Volleyball Games.
The Science Olympiad Team received 4th place in the Kentuckiana Invitational.
The council reviewed a Needs Assessment that was done by the Budget Committee for the 2023-24 school year.
The council reviewed these budget reports.
Flexible Budget Summary
Activity Accounts: District-Based; School-Based
The council heard reports from these committees.
The council took action on these policies.
The council approved a new Curriculum Responsibilities Policy (to replace Curriculum Policy, Instructional Materials Policy, Student and Family Support Services Policy, and Writing Policy) and reviewed the REAP.
The council conducted a first reading on the Visitation During the School Day Policy
The council approved the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan.
The council discussed these items added to the agenda by teachers.
Concerns Regarding Kindergarten Instructional Assistant Coverage for Absences
Concerns Regarding Interactions of Staff Members who have Children who are Brown School Students
If you have any questions about the meeting, please contact your role group representative. You can find their contact information HERE.
Family Matters
National Center for Families Learning
The NCFL offers lots of resources for families to meet a range of educational and literacy challenges.