Welcome Back to School 2020
Our Brown School staff can hardly wait to welcome our new and returning students and their families to the 2020-21 school year. Whether you are returning to site-based instruction or attending virtually through SJVS, we are confident your child will learn and grow in a nurturing environment.
Throughout the summer we have been busy learning together and preparing our school environment, keeping safety and social connectedness in mind. Please be sure to watch the video linked below regarding our new school routines and procedures for site-based instruction. Keeping our students and staff members safe is a top priority for us all.
We look forward to beginning another year together as partners in your child's educational journey.
Best,
Kristen Bawks
Proud Principal
2020-2021 Attendance Times
8:45 a.m. Students Enter Building
8:55 a.m. Tardy Bell Rings
3:50 p.m. Dismissal
Students enter at 9:45 a.m. on late start days
Half Days Dismissal is at 12:34 p.m.
Please note that due to the phase-in schedule, there will not be a late start on September 16th.
Due to safety concerns, students may not be dropped off prior to 8:45 a.m. (9:45 a.m. on late start days). There will not be before school supervision this school year.
Students will not be gathering on the playground as in past years. Instead, they will enter the building according to the maps below and head directly to his/her classroom.
If you have children in multiple grade levels, please determine which location is best for your family. You will only need to go to one spot for drop-off and pick-up.
Students and adults must wear masks at all times while outside of the vehicle.
All students and staff members are required to wear a mask to school daily. SJPS will be gifting your child two masks. You are certainly welcome to send your child in a different mask as well. Please keep in mind that all masks must cover the face from the the top of the nose to under the chin. Homemade masks are great and should be at least two layers. Masks must be taken home and washed daily. Thank you for your help with protecting our SJ Bears!
Phase-In Plan and Survey
This year we have a staggered start over the first two weeks based on student last names. Please study the infographic linked here to plan for your child's first two weeks of school.In addition, please complete this survey as soon as possible: Return to School Phase-In Planning Survey
Please click on the video linked above to view our 2020 Return to Learn video.
Transportation Arrangements for Dismissal
If your child is planning to ride the bus this year, please be sure that you complete the Transportation Ridership Survey as soon as possible. We will not have families complete the yellow ridership cards this year.
Bus Routes are posted on our Brown School page of the district's website.
You will need to determine the stop closest to your home for pick-up and drop-off for all students in Young 5s through 5th grade. If you have additional transportation needs, please contact Sara Petrosius, SJPS Transportation Director, at spetrosius@sjschools.org or 269-926-3900.
Your child’s safety is a top priority for us! Please be patient the first few days of school as our drivers work to welcome new riders, establish routines, and double check student names. Often, routes tend to run a little longer the first few weeks.
Bus Routes are posted on our Brown School page of the district's website.
You will need to determine the stop closest to your home for pick-up and drop-off for all students in Young 5s through 5th grade. If you have additional transportation needs, please contact Sara Petrosius, SJPS Transportation Director, at spetrosius@sjschools.org or 269-926-3900.
Your child’s safety is a top priority for us! Please be patient the first few days of school as our drivers work to welcome new riders, establish routines, and double check student names. Often, routes tend to run a little longer the first few weeks.
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| If you or another adult plans to pick your child up from school at least once per week, click on the link below to register for a rearview mirror tag. Tags will be required for pick-up in our parking lots this year. Pick-Up Mirror Tag Form |
Crosswalks for Safety
For everyone's safety, please use extra caution as you approach the crosswalks in the school parking lot. In effort to keep the traffic flowing, DO NOT park along the grass next to the parking lot where marked.
For everyone's safety, please use extra caution as you approach the crosswalks in the school parking lot. In effort to keep the traffic flowing, DO NOT park along the grass next to the parking lot where marked.
Mr. Hernandez joined our teaching team this year. He and Mrs. Hassenger will team up in fourth grade.
Mr. Jager has followed our fifth grade graduates to Upton Middle School. He will continue to teach physical education to our secondary students. Mr. Pfahler will lead our students in physical education class this year. Welcome!
Mrs. Huber is also teaching fourth grade this year. We wish her all the best with her transition back into the general education classroom at E.P. Clarke. Mrs. Warsow will teach art to all of our Brown School students this year.
Ms. Mac has moved to Lincoln full time to teach Young Fives. Mrs. Richards will teach music to our students this school year. Welcome, Mrs. Richards!
Mrs. Harmening joins our Brown School staff in first grade this year after many years in first and second grade at Lincoln School. Welcome to Brown!
Welcome to Mrs. Parra, our new Speech and Language Pathologist! We are delighted to have you join our amazing staff.
Mrs. DeLapa and Ms. Wiley will join our education partner, Edmentum, to teach students virtually this year. We look forward to sharing the news of our newest staff member very soon.
Young Fives & Kindergarten Orientation is
Tuesday, September 1st!
We look forward to welcoming our youngest students and their families on the playground according to the schedule below:
A - K: 5:30 - 5:50 p.m.
L - Z: 6:00 - 6:20 p.m.
While we are not able to hold a traditional Ice Cream Social this school year, we will be sharing a welcoming video with our new and returning students later this week - stay tuned!
Due to safety protocols, our Back to School Night event will also be a virtual event this year. Your child's teacher will be sharing more information soon.
Emergency Contact Information
Please take a moment to update and sign your child's emergency information form that was mailed to you in your Back to School packet. This should be sent to school the first day your child attends.
Please note that address changes require a proof of residency. See Sara Codde in the school office if you have recently moved.
Attention Families New to Brown School:
All enrollment/registration materials need to be complete before the school year begins. If you still need to upload your child’s birth certificate, immunization record, physical, hearing/vision tests, or your proof of residency, please do so as soon as possible. Your child cannot attend school until the record is complete.
School Supplies
St. Joseph Public Schools will provide your child with all necessary materials for school. If you would like to provide additional supplies, we would suggest the items listed by grade level below.
Attention Families New to Brown School:
All enrollment/registration materials need to be complete before the school year begins. If you still need to upload your child’s birth certificate, immunization record, physical, hearing/vision tests, or your proof of residency, please do so as soon as possible. Your child cannot attend school until the record is complete.
School Supplies
St. Joseph Public Schools will provide your child with all necessary materials for school. If you would like to provide additional supplies, we would suggest the items listed by grade level below.
National School Breakfast and Lunch Program
Our breakfast and lunch calendars can be found on our website linked here.
Breakfast
Grab-n-go bagged breakfast will be offered daily in the cross halls from 8:45 a.m. - 8:55 a.m. Students will eat breakfast in his/her classroom.
Lunch
Student lunches are available for purchase daily.
Please click here to learn more about setting up your child's lunch online account. School lunches will be delivered to your child's classroom. Every class will have their very own adult supervisor daily!
Our breakfast and lunch calendars can be found on our website linked here.
Breakfast
Grab-n-go bagged breakfast will be offered daily in the cross halls from 8:45 a.m. - 8:55 a.m. Students will eat breakfast in his/her classroom.
Lunch
Student lunches are available for purchase daily.
Please click here to learn more about setting up your child's lunch online account. School lunches will be delivered to your child's classroom. Every class will have their very own adult supervisor daily!
Free/Reduced Meals Applications for free and reduced price breakfast/lunch were included with your child's welcome back mailing or can be filled out online at www.lunchapp.com (one application per household). Breakfast/Lunch must be purchased until applications have been received and qualification has been determined. Families will be notified when their application has been processed. If there are any questions regarding your application or if assistance is needed filling out the form, please call Demrhy Youngquist at (269) 926-3127.
Our PTO Welcomes You
To our Brown School Families-
Welcome to the 2020-21 school year! Whether you are a returning family or new to our community, please let me extend a warm welcome on behalf of the Brown Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
As we are all intimately aware, this year will look very different from past years. That said, it is the mission of the PTO to continue to support the educational and social needs of our students, partner with our teachers and staff, as well as promote communication between the administration, staff, parents and the community. Accomplishing this goal takes the volunteerism of many, and we are very pleased to have a strong PTO Executive Board ready to lead and meet the challenges we find our community in today.
As a family with a student at Brown, you are automatically a member of the PTO. We would love for you to show your support by participating in the virtual events and activities planned throughout the year. In addition to events, we invite you to attend our monthly PTO meetings.
It is likely that many of our traditional Brown events will look and feel different this time around. Nonetheless, your time and involvement is essential to a strong and vibrant school community.
We also encourage you to join our private Facebook group - Brown Elementary PTO and look for PTO updates in the PTO Corner in Mrs. Bawks weekly blog.
Thank you for all that you do for our Brown Bears! I am looking forward to a year of growth and excitement in learning as we navigate this new normal together.
Sheri Baker
Brown PTO President
Brown School PTO Board
President - Sheri Baker
Vice President - Brandi Johnson
Secretary - Jessamyn Calderwood
Treasurer - Robin Lawrence
Contact us at:
brownelementarysj.pto@gmail.com
PTO Virtual Meeting Dates
September 15 @7pm
October 20 @12pm
November 17 @7pm
January 19 @12pm
February 16 @7pm
March 16 @12pm
April 20 @7pm
May 18 @12pm
Contacting Our School Office
We are here to partner with you! Please don't hesitate to reach out to our school office at 269-926-3500.
When calling school to report your child's absence, please press 1. Calls related to attendance are required prior to 8:45 a.m.
The school office is open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. during the school year. Please leave a message if calling after hours. You may also reach office staff via email:
kbawks@sjschools.org
Sara Codde, School Secretary
Sara Codde, School Secretary
scodde@sjschools.org
Looking for fall activities to enroll your child in? Check out local offerings by visiting our Community Corkboard.
PHEW...that was a lot of information. Here's a recap of what we'd love for your family to complete as soon as possible:
- Return to School Phase-In Planning Survey (all students, one per student)
- Transportation Ridership Survey (daily or occasional bus riders only)
- Pick-Up Mirror Tag Survey (end of day car riders only)
- If applicable, complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application linked here.
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.
