Brown School News!

Sunday, October 27, 2019

News for October 28, 2019


                
Thank you, Superheroes, for joining us for donuts this week! Your partnership and support help to make us an impactful team for your child's growth.



This Week at Brown School


10/28 D Day
          Picture Re-Take Day (a.m.)
          Mrs. Lear's class to Calling All Colors 9-11:30 a.m.

10/29  E Day

10/30  F Day
           Late Start Day
       
10/31  A Day Halloween!
Classroom Halloween Parties @ 2:30 p.m.; 1st-5th grade parade @ 3:15 around the track (weather dependent)

11/1    B Day
           Popcorn Friday!
Mrs. Rank's and Mrs. LeClear's classes, as well as our Kindergarten classes enjoyed a beautiful morning at the pumpkin patch this week!

Coming Up...

11/4     2nd Grade Performance @ 6 p.m.

11/5     Hassenger to Calling All Colors 9:05 a.m. -11:30 a.m.

11/6     Late Start Day

11/7     1/2 Day - Dismissal at 12:06 p.m.

11/8     1/2 Day -  Dismissal at 12:06 p.m.
            Pajama Day!
            Walk-A-Thon Drawing and Celebration 

Our Brown Bear Credit Union, in partnership with Honor Credit Union, is now open for deposits every Friday morning! 

What is Kagan Cooperative Learning?

Students throughout SJPS engage in learning structures specifically designed to ensure active engagement and processing. Miss Grimm's second graders recently participated in a structure called Quiz-Quiz-Trade in which academic vocabulary was read and shared verbally prior to processing it in the upcoming unit. Learn more about structures for engagement by watching the short video linked below. 


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.

After School Club Opportunity
Our St. Joseph Public Schools' partnership with the  Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor will continue to develop with the return of the Passport to Manhood and Smart Girls programs that were hosted last year at E. P. Clarke. We're very excited about partnering with the Club and are looking forward to extending the opportunity to Brown and Lincoln School students as well this year.  The program runs Nov. 5th - Jan. 23rd.  Sessions will meet at Clarke Elementary Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-6:00 p.m..  Students will be eligible to ride the shuttle bus to Clarke after school. 

The program is free to club members. All students are eligible to join the Boys and Girls Club.  The annual membership fee of $5 entitles a child to full club benefits. To learn more about what the Boys and Club offers, please visit their website www.bgcbh.org or call 269.926.8766.  

The application for the club and registration form for the program will be sent home with all 3rd-5th grade students Monday and may be turned in to the office.  Space is limited so register as soon as possible. The forms are due by Friday, November 1, 2019.

Halloween Parties and Costumes
Parties are scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. on October 31st, with the exception of classes with specials at that time.
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. 

In addition, 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). 

PTO Corner



Thank You!
Thank you volunteers for running another successful Donuts With Your Superhero.  It was great seeing so many of our students and their heroes!

Many thanks to the crew that hosted our first movie night this year!

Thank you volunteers for sorting and counting the nearly 2,000 Box Tops that were turned in!

Announcements
Walk-A-Thon
We have completed the walking aspect of our annual Walk-A-Thon and now we are onto the fundraising! Money donated is used to fund all our PTO sponsored activities like Movie Night, Science Night, Donuts with Superheroes, Teacher appreciation, and much more!

The blue pledge forms were sent home with your student last week, thank you to everyone that has already turned in your donation.  Donations are due by Monday, November 4th to qualify to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing for a Kindle Fire!  One entry will be given to any student that donates $30, with additional entries for every $10 over that. The drawing will take place on November 8th. 

If you would like to donate online please visit  http://Bit.ly/WalkathonDonations. If you wish to sponsor a student you may do this online by using ‘sponsor student’ in the student name section. Thank you!

Box Tops
Our Box Tops collection ended this past Friday. Please continue to use the Box Tops App to Support Brown School!  We will have one final Box Top collection in the spring, so be sure to save any you find in the next few months.

Thanksgiving Luncheon
November 12th is the Thanksgiving Luncheon.  Kindergarten classes will be singing for their fellow students at this lunch.  In the past, parents have only been allowed to attend if they were volunteering at the luncheon.  We have revisited our space and will be allowing Kindergarten parents to attend in standing-room only capacity to watch their children.  Parents will be asked to attend a performance based on their child’s class, so look for more information to come home with students. Also, due to space constraints, we ask that only those volunteering to serve lunch remain for the entire lunch period. If you would like to sign up to serve, you can do so at this link:  https://signup.com/go/QznndWP

Reminders
Please download the Box Tops for Education app by visiting https://www.boxtops4education.com/.  Local stores that have shown up in the submission list include Meijer, Aldi, Martins, and even Costco.

Turn in your Walk-a-Thon donations as soon as you have collected them!  Please indicate online payments on the donation form.

Upcoming Volunteer Needs
Let us know events you are interested in by filling out the form at http://bit.ly/VolunteerAtBrown.  This is not a firm commitment!  You will be contacted by the committee with specific needs at the appropriate time.
  • Committee Chair Position:  Do you like to plan and organize?  We are looking for someone to chair the Spring Picnic committee.  We have a binder of information to get committee chairs started, you won’t be in this alone!  Please let any PTO board member or Kristen Bawks know if you are interested.
  • Media Center:  There are still plenty of dates available to help in the Media Center!  If you are interested in assisting with book returns, check-out, reshelving books and class activity centers, please fill out a volunteer form and we will contact you.  You choose which shifts (45 minutes per shift) you would like to sign up for - the teachers for each shift are listed so you can coordinate with your student’s time in the Media Center.
  • Book Fair: The Brown Media Center staff host a Scholastic Book fair a few times a year.  Helpers are needed to run the check-out and tidy up stock. Shifts are 1 hour and primarily occur during the school day, though a few evening slots may be available.



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! 

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.

Posted by Kristen Bawks at 11:02 AM
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Sunday, October 20, 2019

News for October 21, 2019




What a fabulous final day of our 2019 Walk-A-Thon! We would like to thank our amazing committee and troop of volunteers who supported this year's primary fundraiser. We would also like to thank all of our families for collecting pledges and cheering on your children. Your support is key in our success!
                                

This Week at Brown School

10/21 E Day

10/22  F Day
Donuts with my Superhero 7:30 - 8:15 a.m.

10/23  A Day
Late Start Day

10/24  B Day
Parents As Teachers Playgroup 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Kindergarteners to Dinge's Farm (a.m.)
Girl Scout Recruiting @ lunch time

10/25  C Day
Brown Bear Student Credit Union grand re-opening!
Movie Night 6pm
Coming Up...

10/28 Picture Re-Take Day (a.m.)
          Lear to Calling All Colors (a.m.)

10/30  Late Start Day

10/31  Classroom Halloween Parties - 2:30 p.m.; 1st-5th grade parade @ 3:15 around the track (weather dependent)

We had several "Celebrity Walkers" join us for our Walk-A-Thon days this fall. Thank you to the St. Joseph Township Fire Department, City of St. Joseph Police Department, St. Joseph Varsity Football and Cheer Teams, Dr. Bruce, and Mr. Hubble for your support! 

Digital Citizenship Week 
This week we take time to build awareness with our students around the topic of digital citizenship. In this digital age it is more important than ever than we educate our children on the power of their digital tattoo. Please click here to visit Common Sense Media to learn more about how you can support this work at home.


We honored our amazing transportation staff on Wednesday with a clap-out and a delicious hot breakfast. Thank you for your support, Brown School PTO!









PTO Corner



Thank You!
Thank you for sending in your Box Tops!

Also, thank you to those who helped celebrate our drivers (bus, shuttle, van, etc) on Bus Driver Appreciation Day!  We were able to provide breakfast for them this past week as a thank you.

Thank you Justin Edmonds, Jessa Calderwood, and Jenna Hawkins for taking on the Lego Night committee.  Our students really enjoy this event!

Announcements
Walk-A-Thon
Our annual Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser had an amazing finish! We greatly appreciate all the parent volunteers that have come out to help.  As a school we have walked or run almost 2000 miles!

Thank you to everyone that has returned your blue pledge forms, our goal this year is to have 100% returned. We are currently at 70% so please keep sending them into the office. If you need another copy you can find one here. It is not too late to turn in your forms!

Your pledge forms will be returned to you next week and donations will be collected at that time.  Please visit http://Bit.ly/WalkathonDonations to donate online. If you wish to sponsor a student you may do this online by using ‘sponsor student’ in the student name section. 

Donuts with Superheroes
Where: Brown School Gym
When: Tuesday October 22, 7:30am
Muffins, donuts, milk, juice, and coffee provided by: Brown School PTO
Younger siblings are welcome to attend.
Students can choose to bring a mom or a dad, a grandparent, or any other special adult in his/her life. We do ask that students only bring ONE superhero along, but not to worry, we will have 2 events this school year (in the fall and in the spring) as in years past.
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Movie Night
Our first movie night this year will be this coming Friday, October 25th, at 6:00pm.  This is a free event; bring a chair or blanket and your favorite snacks/food! The movie shown will be determined by our Box Tops competition (either Toy Story 4 or Secret Life of Pets 2).

PTO Meeting
Minutes from this week’s PTO meeting can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/PTO_Meeting_Minutes.  Our next PTO meeting is Tuesday, November 19, at 8:30am in the Media Center.  Please join us if you are available!  

We will be voting on changes to the bylaws, which are open for review and public comment.

Box Tops
Our Box Tops collection ended this past Friday. Please continue to use the Box Tops App to Support Brown School!

Spelling Bee
I hope your kids are getting excited for this year’s spelling bee! Keep a lookout for more info coming in early November. In the meantime, encourage them with some casual practice by challenging them to spell words during car rides or while making dinner. I am looking forward to a great year!  - Brandi Johnson 

Thanksgiving Luncheon
November 12th is the Thanksgiving Luncheon.  Kindergarten classes will be singing for their fellow students at this lunch.  In the past, parents have only been allowed to attend if they were volunteering at the luncheon.  We have revisited our space and will be allowing Kindergarten parents to attend in standing-room only capacity to watch their children perform two short songs.  Parents will be asked to attend a performance based on their child’s class, so look for more information to come home with students. Also, due to space constraints, we ask that only those volunteering to serve lunch remain for the entire lunch period.
Reminders
Please download the Box Tops for Education app by visiting https://www.boxtops4education.com/.  Local stores that have shown up in the submission list include Meijer, Aldi, Martins, and even Costco.
Upcoming Volunteer Needs
Let us know events you are interested in by filling out the form at http://bit.ly/VolunteerAtBrown.  This is not a firm commitment!  You will be contacted by the committee with specific needs at the appropriate time.
  • Thanksgiving Luncheon: 30-40 volunteers are needed to help with each shift for the Thanksgiving Luncheon on November 12th.  Choose one or two shifts.  
  • Committee Chair Position:  Do you like to plan and organize?  We are looking for someone to chair the Spring Picnic committee.  We have a binder of information to get committee chairs started, you won’t be in this alone!  Please let any PTO board member or Kristen Bawks know if you are interested.
  • Media Center:  There are still plenty of dates available to help in the Media Center!  If you are interested in assisting with book returns, check-out, and class activity centers, please fill out a volunteer form and we will contact you.  You choose which shifts (45 minutes per shift) you would like to sign up for - the teachers for each shift are listed so you can coordinate with your student’s time in the Media Center.



Great Lakes Great Books Program

Each year, the Michigan Reading Association selects eight books in grades K-1, 2-3, 4-5, middle school, and high school to be a part of the Great Lakes Great Books awards program.  Books are nominated by community members across our state and a committee narrows the selection down to eight in each grade level group.  The eight books chosen are read by students and/or teachers throughout the fall and early winter.  All students participating then have an opportunity to vote on their top choice to win the award.

Students in grades K-3 will hear the stories either during their library times or in their classrooms.  Due to the length of the 4th and 5th grade selections, students may choose to read any of the books and will have a chance to vote if they've read at least three of the selected titles.  Those 4th and 5th grade students participating in book club this year will read two of the titles as part of their assigned reading.

This program is a great way for students to be exposed to high-quality literature and it gives kids an opportunity to express their opinions about their reading experiences. To see the books selected for each grade level group, please click the links below.  Titles and some book trailers can be viewed in each collection.  
Grades K-1 Great Lakes Great Books
Grades 2-3 Great Lakes Great Books
Grades 4-5 Great Lakes Great Books



Classroom News
Mrs. Lokey's Classroom News
Mrs. Hassenger's Classroom News
Mrs. Nimtz's Classroom News
Mrs. Schueneman's Classroom News
Ms. Zelenock's Classroom News


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.
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Posted by Kristen Bawks at 9:36 AM
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