Brown School News for May 14, 2018

May is such an exciting month at school with all our field trips and special events! Last week’s track meet, tech fest, and assessments showcase the amazing work our students and teachers have done all year long.  What a wonderful celebration of learning! Thank you partnering with us in your child’s education. What a gift to our students!


This Week at Brown School

5/14  2nd graders to the Heritage Center and historical walk           9am-1:30pm 
          4th graders to Lansing

5/15   Muffins with Moms 7:45am-8:30am 
          Hearing and Vision Screening - ECDD & Young 5s 

5/16  Late start day 

5/17   5th grade visit to Upton
          Girls on the Run 5K in Berrien Springs!
          Skate Night 6-8pm - last one of the year!
          NWEA testing ends



Coming Up...

5/21-5/25 Third grade swimming week 

5/21  PTO meeting in the Media Center 7pm - please join us!

5/22   First graders to Sarett 9-11:30am
          Last day to submit School of Choice paperwork

5/23   Late start day
          Young 5s to Sarett 12:30-2:30pm
           Family Book Bonanza 4:00-6:30 at SJHS Student Center

5/24   Mrs. Danapilis's class to Calling All Colors 9:05-11:15am

5/25   Fifth graders to the Air Zoo 8:45 am-2:25 pm

5/28  No school - Memorial Day

5/29   Fifth graders to Health Works 10:30am-1:00pm

5/30   Health Works coming for fourth grade session

6/1    Flip Flop Friday - Student Council Fun Friday

6/6    School Picnic! (more information to come soon)

6/7    1/2 of school - dismissal at 12:05 pm

6/8     Last day of school! 1/2 day - dismissal at 12:05 pm

          Fifth Grade Farewell breakfast and awards assembly

Congratulations to all our students who participated in and exhibited at the Ren Baldwin Student Student Technology Festival!

Check out the projects of finalists and grand prize winners online!

You're sure to be impressed!

Teachers Candidates Needed

St. Joseph Public Schools is seeking applicants for several elementary positions.  If you know of anyone who may be interested, please direct them to Berrien RESA’s Frontline Applitrack System.  

Thank you for all your thoughtful notes and gifts of appreciation this past week.  It meant so much to our teachers!

Congratulations, Brown School!
The State of Michigan recently launched a new Parent Dashboard on www.mischooldata.org. We’re proud to announce that Brown School earned a score 98.25 (of 100) in this year’s accountability system. Way to go! Our partnership in your child’s education makes it all possible!

Our School Improvement Process  

The Brown School staff, along with a group of parents and community members, have worked throughout the year on the development of our new school improvement plan. This refreshed plan reflects our next steps as a school community based on the feedback we have received from students and their families on recent surveys, as well as our achievement and demographic data. We are excited to share that we have four main focus areas: Learning Centered Culture, Curriculum Alignment, Instructional Design, and Systems of Support. We look forward to sharing more specific “next steps” as we begin our new school year in the fall.

The School of Choice application window is now open!  If you moved out of St. Joseph Public School district during the 18-19 school year and/or attend Brown on a Letter of Release from your resident school district you must apply under the school of choice program to be eligible to stay enrolled.  Please note: Applying doesn't automatically guarantee enrollment. All school of choice applications are subject to the same guidelines, regardless of previous enrollment.

Fifth Grade Class Fundraising

Fifth graders will be selling Dilly Bars to raise money for the their gift to the school. Please send in $1.25 with your child on May 16, 18, 22, 24, 30 and/or June 1st (Wednesdays and Fridays) to purchase this sweet treat! 

Volunteers are also collecting cans to raise money. They will be collecting cans on Friday mornings during drop off. Parents can bring the cans and students will help unload/collect. If your child rides the bus to school, you could also send in the can return slip if you prefer.

Summer Book Bonanza

Don’t miss our Summer Book Bonanza on May 23rd at St. Joseph High School!  All SJPS elementary students will receive new books to read over the summer.  And, several local libraries will be there, too! You and your child can sign up for a library card! Just be sure to bring a copy of a recent bill as proof of your address.

Door Prizes Needed

We’re hoping to give away door prizes at our Book Bonanza. If you or someone you know would like to make a donation, please contact the school office.  No gift is too big or small. Thanks for considering it!

Kindergarten Screening & Registration

Kindergarten screening is June 12 & 13 at Lincoln Elementary School. To ensure your child has an appointment scheduled, please turn in your registration form at the school office no later than June 1st. Supporting documentation (ie: proof of residency, immunization records, birth certificate, etc) may be turned in at screening.

Family Fun Day at Michigan's Adventure

A message from our coordinator, Natalie Rank:
I am happy to announce that we will once again be able to participate in a SCHOOL DAYS trip to Michigan’s Adventure. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us at Michigan’s Adventure on Monday, June 11th.

Important Information

• Although this is a day for Brown Students, parents must drive their children and stay with them the entire day.  Anyone from your family is welcome to go (older/younger siblings, friends, etc.) Anyone who comes with you will be your responsibility for the day.
• Cost is $25 per person and includes lunch (served from 11-12:15)
• Lunch consists of an all-beef hot dog, potato chips and macaroni salad.  Coke soft drinks are also included.
• The amusement park is open from 10-5, and the water park is scheduled from 12-4.
• Parking will be $13.00 per vehicle

I will collect money through MAY 21st.  You can pay by cash or check. Checks can be made out to SJPS.  Please put your cash/check in an envelope and label it “Michigan’s Adventure Money”.  Students can give the envelope to their classroom teacher. Once I receive the tickets in the mail, I will have them available for you to pick up at the school.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at: nrank@sjschools.org

Planning is underway for the 2017-18 school year!  

If you and your family are planning to move over the summer and will not be returning to our school, please let us know as soon as possible.

Student Placement

We try to use our best professional judgment to create balanced classes. We consider the following factors when making class lists:

• An even distribution of students according to ability
• A fair balance of boys and girls in a classroom
• A fair distribution of students who demand more care and attention from  teacher
• The mixture of students’ personalities and best “fit” as a class.

Parents may submit written information for staff to consider for student placement to Mrs. Bawks. Specific requests for teachers are not accepted.

Community Corkboard

Looking for after school activities for your child?  
Our Community Corkboard is your source for information about
all kinds of happenings around town. Take me to the
Community Corkboard now.  

It is the policy of the St. Joseph Public School District that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, disability, height, weight, or marital status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to, discrimination during any program, activity, service or in employment.