The Bear Essentials

Induction for all Beta Club members - elementary, middle, and high - will take place Monday, March 13th, at 3:30 pm in the Brown School Auditorium. Family members are encouraged to attend. We hope to see you there!

Technology Spotlight

Brown Staff VR Training

On the Gold Day last week teachers took part of a Virtual Reality Professional Development led by our STC and Digital Innovation Coach, Drew Paige. Teachers got to explore the Silver Lake Sand Dunes where they went on a virtual Dune Buggy ride, learned about how the Chicago Fire impacted and created the sand dunes by Michigan Lake and ended their VR experience standing on the beach off Lake Michigan. Teachers can now sign-up their classes to use the set of 25 VR Headsets we now have available in the Ursa Innovation Lab. We can't wait for all the new VR experiences our Brown Bears will now have.

Check out how much fun the staff was having in the pictures below!

The Bear Necessities 5th Edition

The fifth 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. Don't forget to follow them on Instagram to stay in the know: @bearnecessities72

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.

ACT Blitz Every Monday to help prepare Juniors for the ACT on March 14th.

JCPS Comprehensive School Survey

JCPS Families,

Families, please take a moment to complete this important survey and let your voices be heard. It’s completely anonymous, and results are used to improve our schools—everything from school climate and curriculum to safety and more.

Take the survey now at https://assessment.jefferson.kyschools.us/surveyTool/cssParentLandingPage.aspx.

Thank you to those that have already completed the CSS. Our data shows that 18% of our parents have completed the survey. If you are having any issues accessing the survey please email Drew Paige (andrew.paige@jefferson.kyschools.us)

The deadline to complete the survey is Thursday, March 30th.

Thank you for sharing your feedback and supporting JCPS.

Weekly Columns

PTSA

William Mansfield, PTSA President - Click to EMAIL

New Phone In the PTA Office.

502-485-8216

Ext. 2712

Direct Line

502-754-4816

If we are not in - leave a message and we will return your call.

Join the PTSA Here

Thank you!!

We want to thank everyone who helped with the staff lunch on Conference Day. Your food donations helped make the day go smoother for our teachers and staff.

Thank you to everyone who participated and attended the Black History Month Benefit Concert last Friday night.

Thank you to Lucille Golden-Blakey who did a master class with our chorus and sang on Friday night.

Click Here to Donate to the Piano Fund

Reminder the After School Enrichments Started This Week.

Monday - Beginners Yoga
Tuesday - Ballet and Martial Arts 100
Wednesday - Archery, Drama, and Chess./Game Club
Thursday - Archery and Martial Arts 200

There were 4 enrichments that were cancelled due to lack of students. Jazz 101, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, and Intermediate Yoga.

National PTA Legislative Conference

National PTA is doing a Virtual Legislative Conference next week and this is a great opportunity to learn how to advocate for our children and to have an opportunity to meet with our elected leaders. The conference is only $50.00.

Click here to register for this conference.

PTA Meeting Next Thursday

Please join us next Thursday (March 9th) for our PTSA Meeting. Join us in person in the school library or via Google Meet by clicking here at 4:00 pm

Athletics

Elementary Athletics

Looking for a volunteer! Contact Justin for more info.

Basketball is officially over and our teams had an amazing season! Our Golden Girls won the Championship in their division and the Blue Team finished as runner up. We will have a small Pep Rally on Friday at 2:15 in the gym.

Cheer has done an amazing job this season and we have to give a special shout out to coach Lisa for all her hard work and dedication.

Middle School Athletics

Matt Davis, MS Athletic Director - Click to EMAIL

Advertising Banners for the gym can now be purchased. The banners are 3X5 and will be displayed in the gym for all of next school year. Please see the attachment for more information and if you know of any businesses that would like to sponsor/advertise with us, please pass it along. LINK

Track and Field started practice last week at Central High School. If you have any questions, email coach jelly at wagreenjr18@aol.com or Justin Leonard @ justin.leonard@jefferson.kyschools.us

Soccer practice started yesterday (2/28) at George Rogers Clark Park for both boys and girls teams. Our game schedules will be released by JCPS this week and we will update our schedules. For information about the boys team, email andrew.boles@jefferson.kyschools.us and for information about the girls team, email joshua.luttrell@jefferson.kyschools.us.

Cheerleading is looking for a new middle school coach for next year. We would like to have one ready to go as soon as possible so we can order uniforms in August and begin practice. If you know of anyone interested who would be a great candidate, please email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us

Physicals and Paperwork must be completed before an athlete goes to their first practice. If you are unsure of the status of your athlete's paperwork or physical, please email us to and we will quickly look that up for you. We can also send paper copies home with your student. We ask that you do not put coaches in a bad position by attending a practice without your paperwork being completed.

High School Athletics

Justin Leonard, HS Athletic Director - Click to EMAIL

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

Softball is getting started and the kids are excited about the season. If there is a girl in grades 7th-12th interested in playing this year, please email Justin Leonard.

Boys Volleyball- We are excited to offer the first boys volleyball team in school history. If there are any students in grades 7th-12th that is interested, contact Kathleen Mattingly at kathleen.mattingly@jefferson.kyschools.us.

Baseball is getting going and the kids and coaches have been working hard to have a great season!

Archery had a great shoot at Eastern 3D on Saturday and are working hard for our next shoot at Atherton on the 25th. If anyone is still interested in competing, please email coach Jennifer at jennbeanfest@aol.com.

Basketball is over and we are so proud of all of our teams and coaches. A special thank you to all of our seniors; Jany'ah Kirk, Robert Loudermilk, Kris Watts, Caleb Williams, Josh Williams and Hayden Pollock. Another special congratulations to Kris Watts for scoring his 1000th point.

Track and Field- Started practice this week at Central High School. If you have any questions, email coach jelly at wagreenjr18@aol.com or Justin Leonard @ justin.leonard@jefferson.kyschools.us

Tennis practice started yesterday (2/28) at Stansbury Park. We have a talented group of players this year and an exciting schedule. Tennis players, be on the lookout for information about ordering your shirts. For more information, email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us.

Diving finished in a great way, with Daphne Powell finishing 14th in the State. Also, JCPS did a stry on Daphne, you can watch it here:

https://twitter.com/jcpsky/status/1630322664647671808?s=46&t=Nw2OX9_5Ru-WiMesZ2gvTQ

Student Support Team

Student Support Request Form

Elementary Counselor

Christy Teague - Click to EMAIL

Check out Miss Christy's Virtual Office for all things happening with our Brown Bear Cubs, including KSA (State Testing) Window/Info.

Middle School Counselor

Cordia Pickerill - Click to EMAIL

I am SO proud of the 7th graders who are the founding members of the Not Your Stereotypical Kids activism group. They presented to a room full of prominent community stakeholders at Justice Fest this past weekend and received immediate support for the Story Exchange program that they've initiated at Brown. Way to Go!

I enjoyed visiting 7th grade classrooms on Monday and talking about self love and ways to be an ally. Ask your students about their love letters:)

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't lift up the incredible growth I've seen in all of our middle schoolers. I'm inspired everyday by your lovelies and am grateful for all you are doing.

High School Counselor

Robin Cash - Click to EMAIL

The CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) is available at Brown in the Ursa Lab. It is a short test (60-90 minutes) that can earn your student college credits in a variety of subjects that are accepted at most colleges and universities. There are programs that students can complete on their own to earn vouchers to take the test for free. Our own Mason S. finished World Civilizations on Modern States, earned a free voucher and passed the CLEP exam, earning him 3 credit hours at the University of Louisville! This is a great example of self-directed learning. If you have questions about this program, email matthew.davis@jefferson.kyschools.us.

JUNIORS will take the ACT Tuesday 3/14/23. Please encourage your student to rest up the weekend before and eat a nutritious meal the morning of the exam to ensure they can fully focus!

Mental Health Practitioner

David Rutledge - Click to EMAIL

Things keep moving along, and this school year is flying by! As we move towards spring break we enter the testing season for our middle and high school students. Testing anxiety is a common problem, and many students worry about how their scores will affect their academic careers. While these fears are normal and understandable, some times it can become overwhelming and difficult to deal with. If you are concerned that your child may struggle with testing anxiety, please feel free to reach out to me or their respective counselor using our student support form. All of the members of the Student Support Team have plenty of experience dealing with anxiety in students, and we are more than willing to help develop the appropriate coping skills and methods of expression to make this testing season go as smoothly as possible.

Family Resource/Youth Services Center

Tara Davis - Click to EMAIL

Need something for your child to do during spring break? Click here for an updated list of spring break camps that are being offered.

Iroquois High School will be hosting a vaccine clinic on Saturday, March 11 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. This clinic is for any JCPS student or staff. The first 500 students who receive a vaccine will receive a $20 gift card!

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

We had a special-called meeting on Friday, February 24th. Here's what happened.

Mrs. Eilers shared the Budget Committee report from February 10 and 14, 2023, with the council.
The Council approved a Request for the FY24 Site-Based Budget.
The Council approved a Request for the FY24 Elementary Equity Funds ($38,000 for part-time sub teacher(s) and $11,000 for Lexia software) and a Request for FY24 Instructional Materials, Furniture, Tech Hardware, and Tech Supplies Budgets.

We have a regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 7th at 4:00 PM. HERE is the agenda. The meeting will be held in the Ursa Innovation Lab.

Cultural Connections

March Religious/Cultural Observations

Women’s History Month: honors the role of women in American history

March 8 – International Women’s Day: A day highlighting the political, social, cultural, and economic achievements of women

March 8 – Holi: Hindu holiday that celebrates the winter harvest and onset of spring

March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day: feast day of a Catholic saint who inspires cultural and religious celebrations around the world

March 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

March 22 to April 21 – Ramadan: the start of Islam’s sacred month — during this time Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk

Family Matters

Summer Transportation Institute

Do you know a high school student interested in STEM careers? They can learn about opportunities in the travel industry at this overnight institute this summer.

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