News for October 29, 2018

Thank you for joining us for our special Donuts with Dads event. We always look forward to welcoming special guests to our learning environment.

This Week at Brown

Oct 29 Picture Retake Day (a.m.) - send in unwanted packets if requesting retakes

Oct 31 Late Start Day

All School Recess @ 2:00

Halloween Parties   2:15-3:15 with parade following for 1st-5th graders @ 3:15 around the track


Nov 2    Popcorn Friday!

              End of the First Marking Period
              1/2 day - dismissal at 12:05 p.m. (ELE only)
             
Coming Up...

Nov 5      Last day to turn in walk-a-thon donations in order to be included in the drawing
               Book Fair begins!

               Girl Scouts visit during lunch
               Girl Scout Sign-Ups 6 - 7 p.m.

Nov 6     Book Fair

Nov 7    Book Fair

Nov 8    1/2 day for conferences (dismissal at 12:05 p.m.)

Nov 9    1/2 day for conferences (dismissal at 12:05 p.m.)

             Walk-a-Thon prize drawing & celebration

Nov 12   Board of Education Meeting 6pm @ Central Office

Nov 13   Access in the Media Center 8:10am
             
Nov 14    Late Start 

Nov 15    Second Grade Program 6pm

Our B.E.S.T. News Team works hard every day to deliver important news to our school.
We appreciate our student leaders!

Thank you to all of our amazing Brown School families that encouraged our students in reaching their goals and supported our school in fundraising efforts. We are anxious to report our collective total! Donations are still welcome and gratefully accepted through November 5th.

We are still working toward our goal of 100% donation participation among our student body. If you are interested in sponsoring a student in need, please consider making either an online or cash donation to be made on behalf of a student (our committee members will assign donations accordingly). For online donations, please enter "Brown School" under "student first name" then under "last name" please enter "Student".   Click here to make an online donation. Thank you for your consideration and support!   

Brown School staff and families would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Shellie Aust, Cindi Johansen, and Johanna Brown for their years of leadership and dedication to this essential fundraiser. Their hard work and encouragement helped to ensure extended learning opportunities were available to our students year after year.  Thank you for your many years of commitment to our school. We appreciate you!  

Picture Retakes
If you are unsatisfied with your child's school pictures and would like them to be retaken, please send in the original packet on Monday. Geskus will be here in the morning to retake photographs. You can anticipate the new photographs to arrive within a few weeks. 

Keep collecting your Box Tops for our school. Please be sure that each box top is not expired and that the expiration date is not cut off. Our fall collection details are coming soon. 

Sports 44 Give-Back Program 
Do you have sports equipment that you no longer need? If so, please consider donating it to Sports 44 (2605 S. Cleveland Ave.). Let them know that you would like Brown PTO to receive a percentage of the sale. This will help to sustain the purchase of additional playground equipment for our students. 

Stuff-a-Truck Food Drive 

Brown School Student Council is proud to help connect our school community with the larger Berrien County community by collecting non-perishable food items (canned goods, boxed dinner/pasta)  now through Wednesday, November 7th. If you are able, simply pick up items at the grocery store, and send it to school with your child to be donated in his/her classroom collection box. 

Our collection begins now because there is a greater need for food around the holiday season. In addition to the positive feelings that occur with giving to those in need, there is a classroom incentive for the class that donates the most perishable food items to this cause. 

This event is sponsored by 97.5 Y Country and Rogers. Items are donated to the Southwest Michigan Action Agency. 

Learning numbers through a tactile approach - so fun!

Employment Opportunities with SJPS
St. Joseph Public Schools have employment opportunities available for substitute teachers. If you have 60 college credits and are interested in joining our schools as a guest teacher, please consider applying through EduStaff here.

In addition, we are searching for a candidate that would like to be our coordinator/check-in for the HS field house community hours. Hours would include Sunday-Thursday 6:15-8:45 at $10/hour. If you are interested, or you know of anyone that would be interested and would be a great fit, please reach out to Kevin Guzzo: kguzzo@sjschools.org. 

The job would start as soon as possible so that we can get the field house track open to the community. 

Media Center News

As a part of our focus on digital citizenship, we are sending home a consent form with your child in the next few days.  This General Website Use Consent Form requires a parental signature for St. Joseph Public Schools to be able to provide your student with the web-based tools and applications we use for learning.  Please read over the form and return it to school as soon as possible.  Thank you.

Parking Assistance

We ask that you do not park in these spaces (see right) until after 3:45 p.m. as these are reserved for parents of ECDD students. Thank you for your help with this. 

When dropping students off in the main entrance lot, please be sure students exit the passenger side of the car ONLY. In addition, please pull all the way up along the curb and say goodbye to your child quickly in order to keep the line moving. 

For safety reasons, please cross in from of the main office doors only - NOT BETWEEN CARS. 

When picking students up, please pull up all the way or park when waiting for your child(ren) to come outside.  

Thank you for your help to ensure our parking lot is safe and that traffic moves quickly out of respect for all families and their time. 

Operation Coats

Please consider donating new or gently worn coats to Operation Coats, sponsored by the Women's Service League. The donation box is located in our office vestibule. Thank you for helping to keep our community members warm this winter! 

Halloween Parties  
Parties are scheduled to begin at 2:15 p.m. on October 31st, with the exception of classes with specials at that time. Please consult your child's teacher's itsLearning page for specific information.

Students are welcome to bring a costume to change into during last recess for our afternoon parties. The costume must be appropriate for school - no weapons or gore are allowed. Students who ride the bus must change out of their costumes prior to dismissal. 

We will have our annual Halloween Parade for 1st-5th grade students at 3:15 on October 31st. Families are welcome to join us around the track (weather dependent). 

Community Corkboard
Looking for fall activities to enroll your child in?
Check out local offerings by visiting our Community Corkboard.

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.

News for October 22, 2018

We had so much fun digging up a piece of the past. Thank you to those of you who could join us as the time capsule from 1998 was unearthed. Students will get a sneak peek of what was unveiled on the news this week. 

This Week at Brown School

Oct 23 Donuts with "Dads" (or any special grown-up) 7:30 - 8:15 a.m.
Kindergarten classes to Dinge's Farm (a.m.)

Oct 24 Late Start Day

            Fire Safety Assembly (Y5-2nd only) 10:00-10:30am in gym

Oct 25 Parents as Teachers playgroup in the gym ( 9 a.m.)

Coming Up...

Oct 29 Picture Re-Take Day (a.m.)

Oct 31 Late Start Day

Halloween Parties in the afternoon

Nov 2     End of the First Marking Period
              1/2 day - dismissal at 12:05 p.m. (ELE only - virtual records day)
              Last day to turn in walk-a-thon donations in order to be included in the drawing

Nov 5      Girl Scouts visit during lunch
               Girl Scout Sign-Ups 6 - 7 p.m.

Lunch Menu Changes
Please note that the published lunch menu has changed a bit for this week. Mrs. Punches will be serving max cheese sticks on Tuesday (10/23) and nachos on Wednesday (10/24) instead.

2018-19 Musical Program Dates
All evening programs begin at 6:00 p.m.. Students will perform as dress rehearsal during that same day for the students and staff.  

2nd Grade - November 15th 

3rd Grade -  December 19th 

1st Grade  - February 6th   

4th Grade  - March 11th   

5th Grade  - May 29th 

Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Our Students

We know the power of "yet" at our school and are helping students to embrace the "struggle". Not everything comes easily to all - nor should it if authentic learning is occurring. Perceived "failures" often result in powerful learning opportunities. The video below describes what a growth mindset is and why it is so important to encourage both at home and in school. 

To lean more about the power of a growth mindset, check out this article:

Ten Ways to Teach Kids to Have a Growth Mindset

Click here for a 4-week guide to cultivating a growth mindset. 

Dressing for the Weather

It’s beginning to feel a little more like fall outside. Please be sure to send your child to school dressed in layers. The temperatures during the day can vary greatly from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.. Students are expected to be prepared for the elements so that they can fully participate in all three recesses and wait outdoors comfortably and the beginning and end of the day.


Health Related Absences
Just a reminder that when reporting your child is out sick we need to know what specific illness is affecting your child, including symptoms. This allows us to accurately complete our weekly report for the Berrien County Health Department. Remember, your child has to be fever free (without medication) for 24 hours before returning to school. 

If he/she visits the doctor, please get a note so that we can medically excuse the absence(s). This will prevent an the possibility of an accumulation of absences. Thank you!

October is Fire Prevention & Safety Month
Our primary students enjoyed a visit from the St. Joseph Township Fire Department for Fire Prevention Week. Thank you for sharing this important information with our students.

This is a good time of year to review your at-home emergency procedures, including planned escape routes and meeting places. Please take a few minutes to check your smoke alarm batteries too. Families needing smoke alarms are encouraged to contact the fire department. A little planning and preparation can make all the difference in saving your family from disaster.

Halloween Parties and Costumes
Our Halloween parties are scheduled for Wednesday, October 31st from 2:35-3:35 p.m., unless your child's class has a special at that time. All adults must sign in at the office.

Students may bring costumes to change into at last recess. Please be sure your child's costume is appropriate for school and make every effort to send a costume that could be worn over your child's regular clothing. This will help us start our parties on time. No weapons or scary masks are allowed.

If your child walks or is a car rider, he/she will be dismissed from school in costume. Bus riders will need to take their costumes off and stow them in their backpacks.

Community Corkboard
Looking for fall activities to enroll your child in?
Check out local offerings by visiting our Community Corkboard.

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.

News for October 15, 2018

Thank you for partnering with us in your child's education. Joining our staff to discuss your child's areas of strength and next steps is such an important part of our commitment to grow every learner. 

This Week at Brown School

Oct 15 Walk-a-Thon @ lunch recess (11:40-12:40)

Mr. Hubble is our celebrity walker today!

Oct 16 Walk-a-Thon @ lunch recess (11:40-12:40) - make-up day

Student Council meeting @ 11:50 a.m.

               Rep. Fred Upton visits 3rd grade @ 2:30 p.m.

               PTO meeting 7 p.m. in our media center  - please join us!

Oct 17 1 hour Late Start
Walk-a-Thon @ lunch recess (11:40-12:40)

Oct 19 School Spirit Day - wear maize & blue!

Walk-a-Thon @ lunch recess (11:40-12:40)

Celebrity walkers are SJ Varsity cheerleaders and football players!

Oct 21   Time Capsule Unveiling 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. 

Many classes around Brown started a new welcoming routine - morning greeters. 

Coming Up...

Oct 23 Donuts with "Dads" (or any special grown-up) 7:30 - 8:15 a.m.
Kindergarten classes to Dinge's Farm (a.m.)

Oct 24 Late Start Day

Oct 25 Parents as Teachers playgroup in the gym ( 9 a.m.)

Oct 29 Picture Re-Take Day (a.m.)

Oct 31 Late Start Day

Halloween Parties in the afternoon

Nov 1      Girl Scouts visit during lunch
               Girl Scout Sign-Ups 6 - 7 p.m.

Nov 2     End of the First Marking Period
              1/2 day - dismissal at 12:05 p.m. (ELE only - virtual records day)
              Last day to turn in walk-a-thon donations in order to be included in the drawing

Time Capsule

We will soon be unearthing the time capsule that was buried outside of the media center 20 years ago this October! Dr. Jarpe (beloved past Brown School Principal) will say a few words, then staff members and students from that time will dig in! Feel free to join us on Sunday, October 21st from 1:00-2:00 p.m..  

Our Walk-a-Thon Continues and we are in need of additional volunteers and helping hands to encourage students, punch cards, and hand out charms. Please consider sharing your midday time with our students and staff if you are able.
Remaining dates for this year's walk-a-thon are:

10/15, 10/16, 10/17, 10/19 (M, T, W, F) 

All dates are weather dependent. Please plan on joining us from 11:40-12:40 p.m. (during lunch recess). 

Please click on the link below to sign up your volunteering time slot for this year's walk-a-thon!

Walk-a-Thon Volunteer Sign Up

All school volunteers must complete an annual background check prior to your commitment date. Forms are accessible in the school office or by clicking here. Please turn completed forms into the office. 

Have YOU HEARD? YOU CAN COLLECT WALK-A-THON DONATIONS ONLINE NOW!  

Here's the link: 

http://www.payschools.com/cat.asp?id=69EA6370D03547538E996B7FBAD5C4B0

Please consider donating new or gently worn coats to Operation Coats, sponsored by the Women's Service League. The donation box is located in our office vestibule. Thank you for helping to keep our community members warm this winter! 

Our students have been hard at work! From Young Fives P.E. class to 4th grade Mystery Science, they've been engaged in learning new concepts!

Community Corkboard
Looking for fall activities to enroll your child in?
Check out local offerings by visiting our Community Corkboard.

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.