Brown MS Weekly Update
April 14, 2022
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Dear Brown MS Community,
Hooray - We made it to April Vacation! Students and adults are certainly in need of some time to relax and unwind! This year is the first "real" full year of school we have had in two years, and student stamina is definitely an issue. Educators recognize this and are continuing to work on providing movement/brain breaks in classes and time for fun in advisory and on team while still holding students to high standards. The balance is a tricky one, and I want to thank all of the teachers for working so hard to engage, support, inspire and motivate their students.
As we move into the last stretch of this school year, it will be important for students to get plenty of nightly rest (8-10 hours is recommended for this age!), to spend time outside getting exercise and to eat healthy meals. I realize that bedtime can be a debate at this age and am sharing this website from KidsHealth as a resource. Technology makes bedtime even more difficult, and the best way to eliminate this is to have a set time that cell phones and technology are shut off. (Having phones charge in a room other than their bedroom is a solid step towards that.).
I am looking forward to vacation and am sure all of you are as well. First, there are a number of celebrations this weekend. Tomorrow night is the beginning of Passover which lasts until Saturday, April 23 and Easter is this coming Sunday. I wish everyone celebrating Passover or Easter a happy and fun holiday! We will be traveling to North Carolina for an accepted students event at Elon University with my daughter. I am looking forward to the warm temperatures and just some time to get away with my family. Enjoy the break, everyone!
Best,
Kim Lysaght, Principal
Brown MS Annual Food Drive a Success!
Advisories did an excellent job collecting non-perishable items for the Newton Food Pantry this week. Items were brought to the front lobby and driven to the food pantry by parent volunteers (thank you!). Our 6th grade advisories deserve a big thank you because they presented the information about the food drive to the 7th and 8th grade advisories last week. As you can see from the picture, it was a huge success and the food pantry is very grateful for this annual event. Way to go, Brown!
Spring Play!
This year's spring play production, "For Your Entertainment" is a collection of ten short humorous skits that illustrate life's challenges and escapades both in school and out. The skits are under the direction of Robin Miller and Rebecca Cohen. There will be one performance on Wednesday evening, April 27th at 7:30 p.m. in Brown's John F. Jordan Auditorium. Tickets are $10 at the door, (cash only please) The cast and crew would be grateful if the audience could wear masks for the duration of the performance. The performance will last about an hour and ten minutes, with no intermission. Come support 31 hardworking cast and crew members in our spring production!
From the nurse
Upcoming Screenings, week of April 25:
- Postural Screening for all grades during PE/FAA blocks all week. This is an opt-in screening, forms must be received by 4/25.
- Hearing and Vision screening for 7th Grade during PE/FAA blocks all week.
- SBIRT - Substance Use Screening for 8th Grade - Advisory, Thursday, 4/28.
Step Up Day - Friday, June 10
Step Up Day is an opportunity for our 5th and 8th graders to tour their next-year-school and learn what to expect in the fall.
8th graders will walk across the fields with their teachers and go to NSHS at 11:40. They will return to Brown at 2:20 and be dismissed from Brown at regular dismissal time.
6th and 7th graders will be dismissed at 12:50 (regular bus routes will happen at that time).
5th graders will be leaving their elementary schools with their teachers at 12:20 to come to Brown. They will return to their elementary schools in time for regular dismissal.
8th Grade Year End Events
Step Up Day - Friday, June 10
Canobie Lake Park Trip - Thursday, June 23
Graduation - Friday, June 24 at 10:00AM
Our 8th grade parent planning committee is also working on an 8th grade after school party (likely the afternoon of June 21 immediately following school).
Stay tuned for more details!
Parent Social Media/Technology Night and Brown MS Tour
We are currently working on providing a night for parents to hear a presentation from the Middlesex Partnership for Youth regarding raising tweens and teens in a technology world. We would like to combine this with an opportunity for parents to get a tour of our building and have an opportunity to socialize. The PTO, the Brown Middle School Council and the Brown Administration will be working on this with the hope of holding something in early May. More details to follow.
Covid Update
This week we had 2 individuals that tested positive. COVID test kits were distributed to all students who have opted into our testing program today. The 2 tests in the kit are meant to be used on the Sunday before returning from break (Sunday, April 24th) and on the Tuesday following the break (Tuesday, April 26th.)
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.
Additional information:
Creative Arts and Sciences AUTHORFEST 2022
This week we had authors visit us at Brown.
6th Grade: Rob Buyea
7th Grade: Tae Keller
8th Grade: Marcella Pixley
Students were able to hear from authors of books they have read about the writing process. They really enjoyed the presentation and were great audiences. We are grateful to the PTO and Newton Schools Foundation for making this program possible.
Urban Improv
Our 7th graders had the pleasure of experiencing a workshop with Urban Improv this week thanks to a grant from METCO and NSF. They learned about microaggressions and were invited to participate in role plays. Our 6th graders already had this workshop and our 8th graders will be able to participate after vacation. The students really enjoyed the workshop and the actors were fantastic!
Earth Day - April 24
Celebrate Earth Day with a festival on Sunday, April 24 from 1-4pm outside of City Hall! With electric vehicles and entertaining performances, bike rides and bees, ice cream and info on home energy improvements, we’ll have something for everyone to mark the day.
See a full list of activities at GreenNewton.org/EarthDay.
Event will take place rain or shine. Newton’s Earth Day Festival is hosted by Green Newton, the City’s Climate Team, and Newton’s EV Task Force.
Collaborative for Healthy Families out of Mass General Brigham, Newton Wellesley Hospital
Drug Use Is On The Rise: How To Identify The Signs In Your Child Or Loved One:
This event will highlight the types of drugs that are circulating in our communities, ways to recognize the signs of drug use in your child or loved one and how to talk with your kids about drug use before it starts. Hosted by the NWH Substance Use Services Council
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
7 – 8:30 p.m.
https://partners.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LhV8dBxVRZ-nzo3mISytjQ
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