Principal's Message
Dear Brown School Family,
I already purchased my tickets for our PTSA outing at the Louisville Bats on Sunday, May 21st! Be sure to scroll down to the PTSA section to reserve your seats today!
We are having a fantastic Teacher Appreciation Week this week! Thank you to all who have sent in items to our teachers and staff.
The state testing window starts tomorrow. Please make sure your student goes to bed early and has a good breakfast in the morning each day over the next two weeks. If you have any appointments that would pull your student out of school over the next two weeks, please consider rescheduling them so that your student doesn't have to miss class for makeup testing.
Love,
Dr. Angela
Quick Links
This Week's Essentials
Kentucky Summative Assessment - May 11th-18th
Click on this link to see the dates and times that your student will be testing for spring assessments. Please be aware of the following:
You student must be present all day and on time every day they are testing. Please do not schedule doctor appointments during the window of May 11-18th.
No cell phones or smart watches are allowed while testing, unless for those who have a medical condition.
Make sure your student comes to school with their charged Chromebook and charger.
Check and make sure that the TestNav app is on your child's computer. They'll have to log off to access the app. Email andrew.paige@jefferson.kyschools.us if you can not access TestNav.
Chromebook Collection
Brown School Families,
During the week of May 22nd, we will be collecting all Student Chromebooks and Chargers before they leave for the summer. All students must turn both in by Friday, May 26th. Any student who is in the Summer Backpack League or completing an online Summer Class on Edmentum will receive their Chromebook and Charger back to use over summer during the last week of school. We are collecting all Chromebooks to document any repairs and/or complete any updates that are needed. Please look for contact from your child’s teacher for what day your child needs to turn in their Chromebook and Charger.
Is the charging cord lost or damaged? They can be purchased for $10 with a credit/debit card on MySchoolBucks or by Cash/Check made out to the J. Graham Brown School. Please email Drew Paige if you need a new charger for your child’s Chromebook or if you have any questions about the Chromebook Collection.
Field Day - Middle & High School - We need chaperones!
We need middle and high school parents/ guardians to sign up to be chaperones for our Field Day! Students will be walking from Brown School to Waterfront Park for a fun time filled with lunch and games. Complete THIS FORM if you can volunteer to chaperone. Additionally, you'll need a VOLUNTEER RECORDS CHECK on file.
Guinea Pigs Summer Home
Meet Sushi and Wasabi, our Library Guinea Pigs!
These fellas are looking for a home to live during the summer. We will send them home with their cages and toys and any food or hay we have left. They are sweet and will yell at you for vegetables if they hear you opening any sort of bag!
Please let us know if you can take them for the summer.
Amanda Klakamp-Library Media Specialist amanda.klakamp@jefferson.kyschools.us
Tifaney Parry-Library Clerk tifaney.parry@jefferson.kyschools.us
5th Grade Breakfast and Promotion Ceremony
Attention all 5th grade families:
Our annual 5th grade promotion breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, June 1st from 8-9am, with the promotion ceremony beginning at 9:15am. Please complete the following form LINK to RSVP!
Pee Wee Prom is Coming Soon!
All Kindergarten through 5th grade families are invited to attend our Pee Wee Prom THIS Monday, May 15th. Tickets can be purchased at the doors of the event. A $10 admission ticket includes one student and 1 adult. Additional adult tickets are $5. We can't wait to see you all dressed up for the dance!
***Just added***
We will have Kona Ice and the AI Prince Food Truck (Chicken Tenders and more) available for snack/dinner options!
Donate Today!
School Supplies for 23-24
J. Graham Brown parents...Did you know the average parent has to visit two and a half stores to get everything on their child's back to school supply list? Not when you order from 1st Day School Supplies! In just a few clicks you'll have everything you need and only the brand names you trust and respect like Ticonderoga, Crayola, Elmer's and Clorox.
Better yet, you'll save up to 30% when you order from 1st Day school Supplies compared to shopping at big box retailers like Target, Walmart and even on Amazon.
So, what are you waiting for? Buy early and save this year with 1st Day school Supplies.
Weekly Columns
PTSA
We have a goal of 300 members this year. We are short 67 members of reaching that goal. If you haven't join please consider it.
Important PTSA Dates
May 15th - Carpool Pants Pick-up (Donate your kids' old pants to CAP)
May 19th - Field Day
May 21st - Family Day at Louisville Bats
May 26th - 8th Grade Dance
May 30th - 3rd - 7th - GaGa Tournament
June 2nd - High School Graduation
Staff & Teacher Appreciation
We have two more days of Staff & Teacher Application.
Thursday students should dress like they are going on their dream vacation. Friday - please bring your teacher an "In Flight Snack."
Bats Family Night - Sunday May 21st!
Join us as we celebrate the end of the year at Slugger Field. Come out on Sunday and enjoy the day by watching a baseball game, talking with parents, and watching the little ones play on the playground. Click here to order tickets.
SBDM - Parent Nominations Open
We are looking for nominations to fill 2 SBDM seats for Parent Council Members. The SBDM Council is the primary decision-making council for our school. Parent involvement is a very important part of this Council. There are two (2) parent positions, with a term of 2 years. Members would be required to regularly attend the monthly SBDM Meetings. The Council meets in person, usually at 4 PM on Tuesdays once a month.
To be eligible to serve, parents must have a student enrolled or preregistered to attend the school for the years they will be serving on the council. A parent includes anyone who is a parent, step-parent, foster parent, and/or a person who has legal custody of a student. A parent representative cannot be an employee or relative of an employee of the school in which that parent serves, nor shall the parent representative be an employee or a relative of an employee in the district administrative offices.
If you are interested - please follow this link to apply. Deadline to apply is May 17th. Election will be held May 24st - May 26th. Voting ending at 11:45 pm on May 26th.
PTSA Meeting This Thursday
PTSA Meeting this Thursday in the Library at 3:30 pm. There will be no online option. Park in the garage and come in thru the pedway and get your parking validated. Please join us!
8Th Grade Dance
We need help with set-up and providing some desserts - Please sign up to help on the Sign Up Genius
Athletics
Elementary Athletics
Soccer and Cross Country- We will start getting out information and sign ups for elementary cross country and soccer soon. Those will start over the summer. Stay tuned!
Middle School Athletics
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 has its final regular season meet of the year on Thursday at Fairdale. Next week will be the JCPS Championships at Norton Track. Good luck to our runners and throwers!
Soccer wrapped up the regular season this week. The girls defeated Newburg 10-0. Goals were scored by Sophie G (4), Maddie S (2), Kate K (1), Olivia P (1), Addyson L (1) and Gracie K (1). The boys showed tremendous improvement this year. The girls start in the post-season 5:30 Monday vs the winner of Meyzeek & Newburg.
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
Tennis played the first every Brown Bear Tournament this week. Southern, Western and Francis Parker joined us. Brown Middle School player Nevie W won the girls tournament! Oliver B and Justus E had strong showings on the boys side and Lia M and Nola G played great in the girls bracket. The regular season concludes today with a match at Fairdale.
High School Athletics
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
Softball has had a great year and with no seniors on the team, has a very bright future. They will play their last game tonight, 5/10 at Western High School at 5:30. Go Lady Bears!
Boys Volleyball- has shown tremendous growth this year. We beat Seneca last week and split games with Moore on Monday. The last game of the regular season will be Thursday at Brown against PRP. The games are 5:30/6:30, so come cheer them on.
Baseball had a great senior night last Wednesday, beating JTown 12-2. We start our end of the year tournament tonight, 5/10 at Butler against Western at 7:30, so after you leave our softball game against Western, head over to cheer our baseball team on. If they win, they will play Friday night for the championship. This is another team with a bright future, with only 1 senior on a team that set the school record for most wins.
Track and Field- Will be at Fern Creek on Saturday morning for a meet, then in the meet of champions next Wednesday. We are gearing up for the regional meet, where we expect to do very well and send several student athletes to State at UK on June 1st.
Tennis- played the first every Brown Bear Tournament this week. Southern, Western and Francis Parker joined us. There were 16 players in both the singles boys and girls brackets. Brown Middle School player Nevie W won the girls tournament over fellow Brown Bear Michelle R. Nola G and Ava B tied for 3rd. Chris Riley was 3rd on the boys side. The regular season concludes today with a match at Fairdale.
Musical Notations
Elementary Music
May 23, 2023 3rd Grade Musical "Stone Soup" @12:15 in the J. Graham Brown School Auditorium
3rd Grade parents/guardians and family members join us for a wonderful musical performance by Andrew's and Samantha's classes. They have worked hard and have beautiful voices.
Suzuki
May 11, 2023 Elementary Suzuki Final Recital @ 6pm in the J. Graham Brown School Auditorium
Please join us for our final recital of the year for Elementary Suzuki!
Middle and High School Band / Choir
Hello Band and Choir Students, Parents and Guardians
We are almost to the end of what has been a very busy and successful year for the music department at Brown. I hope you and your families will join us for our last big performance and awards ceremony on May 23, 2023, at 6:30pm in the J. Graham Brown Auditorium. Please see this link for the Bear Essentials for all upcoming concerts and presentations for the music department this May.
Here are some additional details for May 23, 2023. ALL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL BAND AND CHOIR WILL PERFORM.
1. The concert call time is 6pm with the BANDS beginning the program at 6:30pm. Choirs will perform after the bands and then the awards will directly follow the performances. Reception to follow in the lobby.
2. Students may stay after school on May 23, 2023, in the music room downstairs until the concert starts if transportation is an issue. I will not provide dinner so please make arraignments for food.
3. The uniform is CONCERT BLACK. This means all black from head to toe.
4. Please plan on attending the entire event to support all of our young musicians here at Brown. The awards should conclude by 8-8:30pm.
5. Please contact amy.noon@jefferson.kyschools.us if you have any questions or concerns regarding the concert or awards.
I am very proud of our work this year and I hope to celebrate this with you on May 23!
See you then!
Warm regards,
Amy
June 2, 2023 Graduation Performance
The High School choir will be singing at graduation on June 2, 2023. Please stay tuned for more information!
Middle and High School Orchestra
May 12-13, 2023 MS and HS Orchestra Music Festival Field Trip
Where: Wilmington High School, 200 Richardson PL, Wilmington, OH 45177. If you have any questions about this trip, please contact tamika.carr@jefferson.kyschools.us
May 18, 2023 Final Concert and Awards Night @ 6:30pm
Middle school and High School Orchestra Concert and awards night. Please join us for our final concert and awards for the year at J. Graham Brown School auditorium.
Elementary Counselor
Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA) testing begins for students in grades 3-8, 10, and 11 tomorrow, May 11. Click HERE to learn more about KSA Testing for students in grades 3-5. Next, visit Miss Christy's Counseling Corner to find out more about Upcoming Events, KSA Testing, Star Students, Advance Program & Gifted/Talented, Student Support Request Form, Parent Toolbox, Family Resources, Calming Strategies (which we all probably need right about now!), and so much more!
Middle School Counselor
It's testing week! Finally, it's time for our marvelous middle schoolers to show off a little as they display all that they've learned this year on the spring assessment. Remember that students must come to school with their Chromebook charged and ready to go, as well as with their charging cord. Please try to be early to school this week and next and help your darling get lots of rest and ensure they eat a well rounded breakfast. No cell phones or smart watches are allowed for testing. Most importantly, remind your student that it is only a test and they are so much more than a test score.
Remember the following dates and times as you prepare for the end of the school year:
8th Grade Promotion Breakfast - Thursday, June 1st at 9:30
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony - Thursday, June 1st at 11:00
Use this RSVP to reserve seats for promotion and/or breakfast.
And here is link for 7th grade parents to sign up to help out with the 8th grade breakfast. If you have already emailed me, please go ahead and use this link to sign up officially:)
High School Counselor
Scheduling is still open to students while Robin is working on testing. Please encourage your student to complete the assignment in Google Classroom Class of 20##. The scheduling handbook can offer insight if they missed the discussion in 8th grade Science Class, Study Hall, or 11th grade Jr. Seminar.
Eschool-Enrollment in eschool will be prioritized by graduation requirements and the student's year in school (Class of 2024 first, then 2025, 2026, 2027). We have limited spots and have to give those opportunities to students closest to graduation. If your student would like to be considered for eschool, they need to specify this in the comment section of the Class of 20## Scheduling Assignment in Google Classroom then make sure they turn the assignment in so Robin gets the notification. Please do not email requests. Please let your student be independent and take initiative. Students need to be independent and have initiative to be successful in these courses.
AP exams-students that registered for AP exams in October are being tested based on the national testing dates determined by the College Board. If a student is unsure, the student can log into their college board account and see if they chose yes/no. They had to have a college board account to sign up so if they do not have an account, they did not opt in for the test.
Kentucky State Assessments-Grades 10 and 11 begin KSA testing Friday and continue Monday. 11th grade will also test on Thursday, May 18th. Students not testing will go to class or report to Drew in 220 if their classroom is hosting a test. All students should check in with their first block teacher everyday for attendance.
Grades 10 and 11-Remember that students must come to school with their Chromebook charged and ready to go, as well as with their charging cord. Please try to be early to school this week and next and help your darling get lots of rest and ensure they eat a well rounded breakfast. No cell phones or smart watches are allowed for testing. Most importantly, remind your student that it is only a test and they are so much more than a test score.
Mental Health Practitioner
As we continue Mental Health Awareness month, I want to continue to add to the toolbox that you and your children have for dealing with stressors both at school and at home. This week I'd like to introduce the tool known as the "5-4-3-2-1 Method". This method is a grounding technique, which means that it helps us to move our thinking from outside of ourselves to within our own bodies. Grounding techniques are often used to help with anxiety and extreme emotions, when we often don't feel in control of our own bodies. The video I have linked above gives a good introduction to this method, and I am more than happy to run through it with your student or you if you feel the desire. These techniques are helpful because they can be used almost anywhere, and require very little in terms of preparation and set up. Please reach out if you have any questions, or have any concerns about your student's mental health needs!
Family Resource/Youth Services Center
Looking for something for your student or family to do? Louisville has a lot of free programs for students and families. Here are just a few ideas:
Our public libraries have a lot of free programs that are offered to kids and adults of all ages throughout Jefferson County. Click here for a list of programs.
Louisville has several free outdoor movie events throughout the spring and summer. Click here for the list.
There are a lot of summer camps available for students of all ages this summer. For a list of summer camps, click here.
Connections
SBDM Update
Here's what happened during last night's SBDM meeting!
Dr. Angela shared a Good News Report
Safety Administrator Curtis led a discussion of feedback/revisions to the Emergency Management Plan
Dr. Angela shared an update regarding the SBDM Parent and Teacher Elections.
The council received SBDM Connections, Spring Edition
The council reviewed the Reading Diagnostic and Intervention Fund Mini-Grant
The council reviewed revisions to the SDL Framework
The council reviewed the results of the Student Dress Survey
The council reviewed the Site-Based Budget Summary and the Activity Accounts: District-Based; School-Based
The council received reports from these committees:
The council reviewed these policies:
The council conducted a 1st Reading of the Curriculum Responsibilities Policy
The council approved the 2023-24 Professional Development Plan
Family Matters
How To Festival
If you're interested in learning some new skills, visit the Louisville Free Public Library's annual How To Festival at the main branch this Saturday, May 13th from 10 am - 3 pm. https://www.lfpl.org/how-to/
