Brown MS Weekly Update
April 26, 2024
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Dear Brown MS Community,
The month of May is full of observances including Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month and Memorial Day. For today, I would like to share some thoughts regarding the mental health of our young people and the digital world we live in.
Brown MS teachers and counselors work with students daily to develop social-emotional skills such as self awareness and management, responsible decision making, relationships, social awareness and self advocacy. In recent years this has become more challenging. Certainly, some of this is a due to the isolation of the pandemic. At that time, many kids were given smart phones, social media and other digital venues earlier than we normally would have in order to keep them connected to their peers. Unfortunately, we now see an empathy deficit in our young people and a social immaturity surplus. It is not uncommon to see kids sitting with their friends scrolling, texting and not interacting with those who are next to them. In contrast, kids spend hours responding, commenting or observing others online and these interactions are not always kind nor appropriate.
As adults, we know how easy it is to access inappropriate sites that spew hate, violence or sexualized content. Additionally, we have all seen the poor behavior of adults in the comment sections on social media. Our middle schoolers are reading and learning from this - and they are sometimes spending more time consuming this negative content than pursuing positive endeavors such as school work, community activities, sports, music, etc. Our School Resource Officer Zoi Lazarakis did presentations on cyber safety for our 6th and 7th grade students earlier this year which was valuable. However, conversations about being safe and appropriate online need to become a regular part of our children's lives and they need to happen frequently with parents/guardians.
Middle school is a time when many students receive their first phone. Providing a child with a smart phone is an enormous commitment on the part of a parent/guardian. Before you give your child this powerful tool, you must make a plan for how you will keep them safe and teach them well. Consider these points:
- You must learn how you can put parental controls on the device.
- You must create "phone-free" zones in your home and set limits on screen time.
- You must regularly check on what your child is watching, reading and sharing on any social media or other platform you allow them to use.
- You have to keep up with all the new apps.
This is an enormous investment of your time - so be certain YOU are ready to take this on before handing them that phone.
The book First Phone: A Child's Guide to Digital Responsibility, Safety and Etiquette by Catherine Pearlman is a book we recommend students to read that teaches them how to be safe, kind and careful online. I would recommend reading it with your child - even if you gave them a phone 4 years ago - it is never to late to begin the conversation.
Additionally, we need your help to reinforce our expectations for electronics at school (see below). We see evidence of addiction to screens from a number of our students, and it is playing out in a variety of ways. Some students are using their phones during the school day and while we would like to believe teachers have eyes in the backs of their heads, the reality is, we are not able to "catch" it every time. For this to work, we need them to understand why they need to give themselves a break from their phone so that they can fully Be Here (Bear Belief). Please review these with your child.
Electronic Devices (smart phones, watches & earbuds)
Personal devices must be off and stored safely in a locked locker from 8:20 - 2:50
Personal devices can be used only for educational purposes when teacher-directed (i.e. earbuds to listen to videos, phones to take pictures for a project, etc.)
Personal devices should NOT be used during passing time.
If a student is using a personal device without permission, the student must give the phone to the adult who will take it to the office. Students will pick up the phone at the end of the day.
2nd time parent will be informed
3rd time student must turn in phone in at main office before school each day
Finally, I apologize for the length of this letter - there is so much more to say about it, and I encourage you to talk to one another (parent to parent) to support each other as we all navigate this important time in their lives!
I wish you all a wonderful weekend,
Kim Lysaght
Upcoming Dates:
Fri., May 3: 8th grade dance - Brown cafeteria, 6:30 - 8:30
Fri., May 10: Principal-Parent coffee, 8:30AM in the library
Fri., May 10: Emerald Team Edward M. Kennedy Senate experience field trip
May 15 & 16: 6th Grade math MCAS
Tues., May 21: Indigo Team Edward M. Kennedy Senate experience field trip
Mon., May 27: No School for Memorial Day
Thurs., May 30: Violet Team Edward M. Kennedy Senate experience field trip
Fri., May 31: 7th Grade Dance, 6:00-8:00 - Brown cafeteria
In Classrooms at Brown this Week
8th Grade Science
Students explore Newton's Second Law of Motion by experimenting what happens when different weights are added to a vehicle put in motion.
6th Grade Technology and Engineering
Students work collaboratively to create a structure out of paper and tap that can hold a glass token at the top.
6th Grade Music
Starting off the first class of quarter 4, students work with a partner to select a musical artist and name as many songs as they can from that artist.
Advisory checking in!
Advisory learning about Neurodivesity
Administrative Assistants Day was Wednesday
At Brown we are lucky to have a terrific team of administrative assistants. They are the face of Brown Middle School and help EVERYONE with EVERYTHING. We celebrated them on Wednesday with flowers, balloons and many thank yous from staff and students. Here is a group of 8th grade students sharing what they are specifically thankful for with our front office staff.
Jewish American Heritage Month
During the month of May we will be sharing about Jewish Americans who have been influential in our society. We will have displays and announcements to help everyone discover, explore, and celebrate the vibrant and varied American Jewish experience. We will also haveadvisory lessons about Jewish American heritage in our country.
Asian American Pacific Islander Month
May is also AAPI Month. Our AAPI club and their advisors are working on plans for us to celebrate the influence and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Announcements and displays will be up around the school to celebrate the month. Lessons will be presented during advisory as well.
Bike Month - May 2024
Celebrate bike month by joining students across Massachusetts to walk, ride, or roll to school on Wednesday, May 1. Brown has many bike racks available for students to lock up their bikes, so let's fill them up!!
Newton Serves - May 5, 9 - 12 at Brown
IMPORTANT SAVE THE DATE!
NewtonServes Annual Community Service Day will be in action at Brown Middle School. Join Brown parents and students working together planting, mulching, raking, cleaning up our school grounds and making Brown more beautiful! Bring or loan shovels, wheelbarrows, clippers and your gardening spirits! Sign up Genius to follow! Any questions please email: Brown PTO: brownpto@brownpto.org
Athletics & After School Enrichment
Please click the link above as we have additional offerings now!
If you have any further questions, please email Katrina Antonellis our after school program director. She can be reached best through email antonellisk@newton.k12.ma.us
2023-24 District Annual Report
Please be sure to read our 2023-24 district annual report. The report shares progress on district goals, budget information, and student achievement data. You can find a PDF version here:
NO PLACE FOR HATE WALK AND RALLY 2024
As part of our journey to create a more inclusive community, we have to create opportunities for students, staff and parents to lift their voices. We have begun planning for our No Place for Hate Walk 2024 in collaboration with the students and faculty at Newton North.
This year’s event will take place on Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Every year we have parents and staff supervise students walking from Brown and Oak Hill at dismissal to the Newton South High School Stadium to participate in the rally as we stand as a community against acts of hatred and bias in our community and world.
If you are able to help up on in any way, please sign up using the Google form below:
5th Grade Principal Visits to Elementary Schools
The next step in the transition to middle school area the principal visits to the elementary schools. There will be a parent meeting first and then the principal and a counselor from Brown will meet with the 5th graders. See the schedule below:
May 23 - Countryside Elementary Visit
May 24 - Angier Elementary Visit
May 30 - Mason Rice Elementary Visit
May 31 - Williams Elementary Visit
8th Grade End of Year Events
8th Grade Almost Summer Dance!
Our 8th grade committee is now selling tickets at lunch ($10) for the 8th grade dance coming this Friday, May 3 from 6:30 - 8:30 in the cafeteria. The theme is "Almost Summer". We are looking for parent support for this. If you are able to help contribute in anyway, please click this link for a sign up genius.
Mark Your Calendars
We are currently working on our 8th grade End of Year Events. A big thank you to PTO Co-chairs Wendy Cohen and Lucy Mermagen. Below are the dates we have determined thus far:
- Friday, June 7: Step Up Day
- Monday, June 17: Boston Harbor Boat Cruise
- Thursday, June 20: Graduation Rehearsal - Yearbooks will be distributed to all 8th graders there
- Friday, June 21: 8th Grade Graduation - 10:00AM - NSHS field
Laps at Lunch - The kids need this and we need you!
Laps at Lunch continues! It is a program for students to get outside, stretch their legs and walk during lunch. Laps at Lunch monitors are outside with the kids as they walk laps.
CLICK HERE to find a time slot that works with your schedule!
Laps at Lunch Monitors will need to complete and submit CORI/SORI forms
- CLICK HERE To PRINT FORMS
- Completed forms with a copy of photo ID ( drivers license -passport works as an ID -must be up to date)
- Scan and email to Courtney Ross at the front office at Brown rossco@newton.k12.ma.us
- Processing usually takes 5-7 business days to be run through NPS - HR office. You only will be notified if there is a problem
MCAS Dates
ELA Tests: Complete!
Math
Grade 6: May 15 & 16
Grade 7: May 21 & 22
Grade 8: May 17 & 20
Science/Technology
Grade 8: May 9 & 13
Social Studies MCAS Field tests for 8th grade
During social studies classes in the month of May. Click here for the Department of Education FAQ about this field test.
CAREGIVER BOOK CLUB: SUPPORTING KIDS' BELONGING
Caregivers of Brown Middle School students (parents, guardians, and educators - that's you!) will gather to discuss ideas and share how we can help our kids feel seen, heard, and welcome in the Brown community.
Choose one book and join our discussion - current choices include:
- Above Ground, Fierce Femmes & Notorious Liars
- This Is How It Always Is,
- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers
We meet May 8 on Zoom. Facilitated by 6th grade parent Ashia Ray.
NCE Summer Camp
Let your kids discover new passions and make lasting memories with our lineup of camps, including Java Minecraft Modding, Hola! Spanish Summer Intensive, Chess, Theatre Camp, and our full day sports camps! With expert instructors and a focus on fun and learning, our camps provide the perfect opportunity for your child to keep growing and socializing during the summer months.
Sign up today for a summer filled with exploration, creativity, and friendship. Visit our website to view our full lineup of camps and secure your child's spot!
School Transfer Requests 2024-2025
Please click here if you are interested in applying for a school transfer within Newton Public Schools.
How to report an instance of discrimination, harassment or retaliation.
NPS is committed to preventing discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Here is a link to a document that gives an overview of the process and how to report incidents. If you experience an incident that you feel should be reported, you can contact the school directly or you can fill out this Online reporting form.
MySchoolBucks
Please check your MySchoolBucks (MSB) account for any outstanding invoices.
You can pay directly online on MSB (please keep in mind, you are not allowed to use your lunch account balance to pay for invoices.) Check payments are also accepted by mailing your payment with your statement to:
Newton Public Schools
Attn: Business Office
100 Walnut Street
Newtonville, MA 02460
Brown MS Meal Calendar
Withdrawing your student?
If you are moving or your student will be leaving Brown MS, please use this link to unenroll them from Brown.
Calendar and School Hours
School Hours:
8:20AM - 2:50PM - Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.
8:20 AM - 2:05PM - Wed.
The School Committee has voted revisions to the 2023-24 school year calendar and has voted the calendar for the 2024-25 school year. Both calendars are linked below:
2023-24 School Year Calendar (revised due to strike)
Click here for the 2023-2024 Brown Middle School days of the cycle full year calendar. (revised 2/5/24)
Brown Middle School
125 Meadowbrook Road
Newton, MA 02459
617-559-6900