Brown MS Weekly Update
May 20, 2022
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Dear Brown MS Community,
As I shared earlier this past week, we discovered yet another swastika in one of our bathroom stalls. We recognize the pain this causes each time it happens and will continue to investigate with the hope of putting a stop to this for good. In an effort to empower our students to do something positive, I shared this video during advisory on Thursday morning. I have included pictures of some of the messages they created during lunches on Thursday which are now displayed in our front lobby. It filled my heart to see so many of them come together at lunch, heads down, markers coloring, sharing their messages of unity and kindness. This coming Monday, I will meet with the middle school and high school principals to work out plans for a "No Place for Hate" walk with our students. More information to follow.
Stamina - that seems to be the word of the month. For so many teachers, students and parents, this year is feeling long and the challenges we face regarding the social-emotional needs of both our students and ourselves are exhausting. When teens and tweens are exhausted, interactions and behaviors decline. We are noticing that our students are struggling more to keep it together. Please take some time this weekend to ask yourself and/or your child:
- How are you are doing?
- Are you getting enough sleep?
- Are you eating healthy food?
- Are you treating others the way you would like to be treated?
- Are you getting some time away from screens?
- What can you do this weekend to reenergize yourself for the last month of school?
We have talked a lot about self-care, yet it continues to feel like there is simply no time to actually take care of ourselves. We need to give ourselves permission to take a beat and step away from the pressures we face. With the forecast for temperatures in the high 90's, it is my hope that you all find a cool place to unwind. I have solid plans this weekend to go to the beach and just sit there. I hope you all can find your own place to just sit for a while.
Best,
Kim Lysaght, Principal
P.S. We have entered the countdown to prom (10 days to go!) at the Lysaght house.
- Hair appointment - check
- Mani-pedi appointment - check
- Dress alterations - check
- Shoes - check
- Transportation - working on it...
After School Enrichment End Date
All after school enrichment activities and athletic programs will conclude the week of May 31- June 3. Due to Memorial Day, Monday, May 23 will be the last day for Monday enrichment activities. Friday, June 3 will be the final ending date for all activities. We thank all students, staff and coaches for participating and making these programs a success.
Presentation for Parents on Social Media and a Tour of Brown MS!
RESOURCES
Common Sense Media (commonsensemedia.org)
Connect Safely (connectsafely.org)
Family Online Safety Institute (fosi.org)
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (netsmartz.org/parents)
National Crime Prevention Council (ncpc.org)
FAMILY MEDIA PLAN - https://www.healthychildren.org/English/media/Pages/default.aspx
VIDEOS
Teen Voices: Oversharing and Your Digital Footprint
Social Media Experiment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P_0s1TYpJU
GUIDE FOR PARENTS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA SITES
Roblox
TikTok
https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/esafety-news/tik-tok-app-safety-what-parents-need-to-know/
https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/social-media/instagram/
Snapchat
https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/guidance/snapchat-safety-a-how-to-guide-for-parents/
Discord
5th Grade Parent Coffees!
This past week we had successful parent meet and greets at Countryside and Mason Rice. This coming week the dates for Angier and Williams are listed below. At these informal session parents will meet with the principal and a school counselor as well as a Brown PTO representative to ask questions and hear more about Brown MS.
- Angier: May 25, 8:20AM
- Williams: May 26, 8:30AM
Additional 5th grade information:
PTO information: click here for their website
5th grade parent night: click here for the slide deck
World language selection: click here (The form also gives you an opportunity to sign your child up for our optional band, orchestra or chorus electives.)
Brown MS Music Department - Spring Concerts!
Brown Middle School Music Department is proud to present our spring concert dates! All ensemble members are expected to attend their concert. Details (call times, dress code etc.) to follow.
Wednesday June 1, 2022, 7:00pm
6th 7th & 8th grade Orchestra
7th & 8th grade Chorus
6th grade Chorus
Brown Middle School, John Jordan Auditorium
Thursday June 2, 2022, 7:00pm
7th & 8th grade Band & 6th grade Band
Brown Middle School, John Jordan Auditorium
Step Up Day - June 10
Step Up Day will be Friday, June 10th this year. On this day our 8th and 5th graders will have an opportunity to tour their new schools and learn about what to expect in the fall.
All 6th and 7th graders will be dismissed at 12:50 that day. There will be regular bus services for 6th and 7th grade students who regularly take the bus home at that time.
5th graders will arrive at Brown from each of the 4 feeder schools at 12:50 and will see a short presentation in the auditorium. They will then be put into groups and met by our 6th grade teachers who will share more about what they can expect in 6th grade and give them a tour of the building. At 2:20, 5th graders will be transported back to their elementary schools for regular dismissal time.
8th graders will have lunch at 11:15 and then walk over to Newton South at 12:00 for a presentation and tour. They will return to Brown in time for our 2:50 dismissal. Buses will be available to 8th graders at 2:50 just as usual.
8th Grade Year End Events
Step Up Day to NSHS - Friday, June 10
8th Grade Party - June 21 - 3:00PM
Canobie Lake Park Trip - Thursday, June 23
Graduation - Friday, June 24 at 10:00AM
Look for more information in the BBR's from the PTO.
Summer Reading and PTO Book Fair
The selections for this summer's reading for middle schoolers are below. Consider reading one of these with your child. It makes for a terrific way to connect over the summer!
Incoming 6th Graders: Frazzled by Booki Vivant and another book of their choosing
Incoming 7th Graders: "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead and another book of their choosing
Incoming 8th Graders: Select 2 books from this list.
Click here to link to the Brown Library website for more suggestions.
The PTO will be holding their annual book fair at Brown on June 1, 2, and 3. Students will be able to browse and purchase books on these days during their ELA classes. More information to come in the Brown Bear Report from the PTO.
Covid Update
This week there were 25 individuals that reported testing positive for Covid this week. Given the increase in cases in our community, the Newton Public Schools STRONGLY recommends students and staff wear a mask. A well-fitting mask is very effective in reducing the transmission of COVID.
Please have your child continue to follow the daily health assessment guidelines above each morning. Students enrolled in our testing program should all take their tests on Tuesday morning as usual.
To “opt-in” to the testing program.
Access the Opt-in form through Aspen parent/guardian account: Aspen
Follow these instructions (link) once you are logged into Aspen
Only positive results need to be reported by completing this Form - Positive Result from At-Home Rapid Antigen Test - State Program. Nurses will provide follow up information to families, including the date for return to school, following a positive test.
The data dashboard can be found here: COVID Testing Data Dashboard and on our website here: COVID Testing Webpage. For information on COVID cases and vaccination rates in the Newton Public Schools, please visit this page on the City of Newton Website: Newton HHS COVID Data.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
And save-the-dates for these upcoming programs:
Mental Health: Crisis Intervention Panel (Zoom webinar) - Wednesday, June 1st at 6:30pm
Mental Health: Teens and Parents (at Newton North HS) - Wednesday, June 15th at 6:00pm
SPACE Camp for Summer 2022!
S.P.A.C.E. Camp is a four-week summer enrichment program run by the Newton Public Schools from July 5th through 28th. Students entering kindergarten through 9th grade in the Fall of 2022 are eligible to attend. We offer two programs - an upper camp (entering grade 5-entering grade 9 in the Fall of 2022) and a lower camp (entering kindergarten-entering grade 4). Check out the S.P.A.C.E.website for more information or REGISTER NOW! Questions? SPACE@newton.k12.ma.us
Bus registration 2022-2023
Bus registration for the 2022-23 school year will open the week of May 23rd. Please watch your email for instructions on how to register your student(s) for the bus. NPS strong recommends that you complete your registration prior to the end of this school year. As always, please visit the NPS Transportation website for more information.
Food Services for 2022-2023
The Newton Public Schools Food Services website has been revised for easier use and with updated information. Please check out the new format and to learn about upcoming changes for the 2022/23 school year.
The current free meal service program that has been operating the past two years is ending on 6/30/22, which will require a return to paid meals for those students not eligible for free or reduced-price meals. In addition, all meals will need to be served only in the cafeteria and students will need to have their meal counted or to pay for their meal or a la carte items.
Recommendations for paid-meal pricing will be shared with the School Committee as part of their 5/23/22 agenda.
How to report an instance of harassment, discrimination or retaliation.
NPS has recently updated their non-discrimination protocol and reporting process. 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 needs to be reported, you can contact the school directly or you can fill out this Online reporting form.
Discrimination includes, but is not limited to, excluding from participation, denying the benefits of, or otherwise discriminating against individuals on the basis of a Protected Class, or any other category protected by state or federal law.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome, inappropriate, or illegal physical, verbal, written, graphic, or electronic conduct that relates to an individual’s actual or perceived Protected Class, that has the purpose or effect of creating a hostile education or work environment. Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to, conduct that denigrates, demeans, or stereotypes a person and/or group based upon disability, gender identity, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, race, color, religion, or sexual orientation. Sexual harassment is also included in this category.
Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, coercion, intimidation, interference, punishment, discrimination, or harassment against any member of the school community in response to that member’s oral, written, formal or informal reporting or filing a complaint, cooperating in an investigation, aiding or encouraging another member to report or file a complaint.
Need to update your information in Aspen?
The Annual Student Information Update is available on Aspen. Please update your information. Directions for families can be found here.
Calendar and School Hours
School Hours:
8:20AM - 2:50PM - Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.
8:20 AM - 2:05PM - Wed.
Click here for the NPS 2021-2022 school calendar.
Click here for the NPS 2022-2023 school calendar.
Click here for the Brown Middle School 6-day rotation calendar with early release days and days of the cycle.
Absentee Line:
To report a student absence call: 617-559-6980
Brown Middle School
125 Meadowbrook Road
Newton, MA 02459
617-559-6900