Brown MS Weekly Update
April 5, 2024
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Dear Brown MS Community,
I included flowers as the background for this update because, despite the snow on Thursday, I am sticking to the fact that it is now spring! There is spring weather on the way and I am certainly ready for that. We are also one week away from April vacation. This is a long awaited break for students and staff and I encourage all of you to truly take time to rest and replenish after a very long series of school weeks.
This past week Brown MS parent and Newton Food Pantry College Liaison, Rebecca Diamondstein, spoke to our 6th grade about the Newton Food Pantry and how to combat food insecurity in Newton (pictured below). Brown MS is currently in the midst of our annual food drive for the Newton Food Pantry. Our 6th graders take the lead by amplifying the message to the rest of the school through announcements. Each 6th grade advisory did a "drop in" to a 7th or 8th grade advisory to encourage participation. If you have not yet donated, it is not too late. We are still collecting food items until Tuesday, April 9. Please see the details in this newsletter for more information. I also would like to thank sixth grade teachers Wendy Kritzer and Jen Carlise for their leadership in this effort each year.
This Monday is the solar eclipse! We will be holding an eclipse watch event and invite parents to join us. We will supply students with eclipse glasses to protect their eyes during the event. If you would like to help out, please come to the school by 2:45. We will all gather on the back hill after dismissal. More information about the event is included below.
Finally, this coming Tuesday night at sundown is Eid al Fitr, marking the end the month of Ramadan. We wish all that are celebrating Eid Mubarak!
I wish you all a good weekend,
Kim Lysaght
Upcoming Dates:
Mon., April 8: 8th Grade ELA MCAS
Mon. April 8, 2:50 - 4:00: Eclipse Watch Event after school on the back hill - we will provide eclipse glasses! All students are welcome.
April 13 - 21: April Vacation - no school
Fri., May 3: 8th grade dance
Fri., May 10: Principal-Parent coffee, 8:30AM in the library
Assistant Principal Announcement
April 5, 2024
Dear Brown Middle School Community,
It has been a pleasure to work with the Brown Middle School Assistant Principal Search Committee throughout the interview process. Our committee included teachers, teaching assistants, behavior therapists, parents, coordinators, counselors and administrators. The committee did a thorough job during the search process, and I am grateful for their commitment to finding a highly capable leader for our school.
I am delighted to announce that Matthew Bailey-Adams will be the next Assistant Principal at Brown Middle School. Matt did an excellent job during the entire interview process and demonstrated that he is ready to be a school leader at Brown. During both the initial and the finalist interviews, Matt clearly demonstrated his expertise as an instructional leader, his cultural competence and his strong understanding of students, teachers and families.
Matt has been a music teacher at Brown MS for the past 10 years. He is passionate about building relationships with students and engaging their families in the school community. Matt received his Masters in Educational Leadership and Policy from Boston University. He has been interim Assistant Principal twice now at Brown and has demonstrated his capacity to be a leader who listens and puts students at the center of what he does each day.
Matt is a systems person and will be an asset to our school as we continue to support the variety of needs of our students in both a social-emotional and an academic sense. Matt consistently demonstrates strong communication skills and innovative thinking. His honest and open approach, along with his organizational skills are focused on building systems that increase our capacity to support and challenge students. Matt is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a leader at Brown. I know that you will join me in welcoming him into this role in our community.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Lysaght
Principal, Charles E. Brown Middle School
MCAS 8th Grade ELA this week
8th Grade: Monday, April 8
Please be sure to help 8th grade students get a good night's sleep and a solid breakfast prior to coming into school on these morning. Please check this document so make sure your child's Chromebook is ready to go.
Term 2 Report Cards
Brown MS term 2 report cards became available on the Aspen family portal on Monday, April 1. You can access them by logging into Aspen using your Aspen ID and password. Students can also log in using their username and password. The report card PDF appears in the Published Reports list.
Teachers spend a lot of time deliberating over the comments they put onto students' report cards. While the letter grade gives you some information about a student's mastery of the material, teacher comments are essential to gain a clearer picture of what is working and what needs attention. Please be sure to discuss the report card grades and comments with your child.
Printed copies of the report cards were distributed this past week. We do this to ensure students really look at the comments and reflect on their progress. Students have a tendency to compare themselves with one another when report cards come out, and we find this to be an unhealthy practice. All students are individuals, and the report cards are personal information for them and you. We appreciate your help in supporting this message.
In Classrooms at Brown this Week
8th Grade Health
Advisory
7th grade Advisees have some fun together by starting their "Fun Friday" with a card game.
8th Grade Music
Students are learning how to play the guitar. They have spent the past few classes learning how to play notes and practicing playing a simple song. When they are ready, they perform it for Ms. Nelson.
Brown MS Annual Newton Food Pantry Drive
In advisory, we have been discussing hunger, food insecurity, and the importance of helping our community in order to kick off Brown Middle School’s Annual Food Drive to benefit the Newton Food Pantry.
All donations are greatly appreciated. Items that the pantry needs the most are listed below. Please note: items should be unopened and within the expiration date, and no glass please!
Cereal: 12 – 16 oz., brand names preferred
Hearty soups: meat, bean, veggie
White tuna in water: 5 oz.
Ground coffee: 1 lb.
Shelf Stable Milk (almond and soy)
Oatmeal
Pasta
Dry beans
Tea
Cooking oil
Shampoo and Conditioner
Deodorant
Toothpaste and Individually wrapped toothbrushes
Diapers
Baby wipes
Donations should be brought to your child’s advisory any day between Tuesday, 4/2 and Tuesday, 4/9. Donations will be delivered to the Newton Food Pantry on Tuesday 4/9.
Wish List: The Newton Food pantry has created the option of ordering some of the most–needed items from their Amazon Wish List. The order will be delivered directly to the food pantry—just select ‘Newton Food Pantry’ as the delivery address upon checkout.
Thank you for your support!
National School Librarian Day was April 4!
We all want to send a huge "Thank you!" to our own librarian, Felicia Quesada Montville for all of her hard work in making our library a place where students feel welcome. She has worked for years to make sure our library has books that represent the diverseness of our student population. She also works with our teachers to build robust lessons for students in our content classes. We are thankful for her hard work and care for all of our students.
National Assistant Principal Week
At Brown we are lucky to have wonderful administrators. Julian Turner, Matt Bailey-Adams, Samantha Bracy and (recently retired) Ruthe L'Esperance work tirelessly to help keep Brown Middle School running. They are a fantastic team and put student safety and care first in all that they do. Thank you to our Assistant Principal teamfor being a solid support to our entire school community.
Eclipse Watch Event - April 8
On Monday, April 8 we will hold an Eclipse Watch Event for any students that wish to stay after school to observe. Students learn about eclipses in 6th grade and our science teachers will be reminding 7th and 8th graders as a review before the event.
The eclipse will begin at 2:15 (while school is still in session) and will be at its maximum coverage of 93% at 3:30. Students that ride the bus can take the 4:15 late bus home. We will provide eclipse glasses for all students during the last class of the day. Please make sure your child is aware that they must wear these glasses if they plan to look up at the sun during any portion of the eclipse. Ms. Lysaght will also take time on Monday morning to emphasize the importance of wearing them when looking up at the sun.
If you are a parent that would like to join us and help chaperone, please reach out directly to Ms. Lysaght.
Pick up and Drop off
Please remember to abide by the traffic expectations during drop off and pick up. Our Newton Police will be monitoring the rotary during opening and dismissal to make sure everyone is following the rules of the road. It is a safety issue for our students. NPD will begin issuing citations to those who are not abiding by the traffic signage.
Joint Middle School Clothing Drive - Thank You!
Thank you to all that donated for the clothing drive! All collected items will be delivered to Cradles to Crayons this weekend. This was part of a school sponsored student leadership program by 5 eighth graders from Brown and Oak Hill.
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
Substance Use Referral with Brief Intervention - 8th Grade
This year NPS are continuing a screening program in grades 8 and 10 related to the use of alcohol, marijuana and other substances. The goal of this program is to let students know that we are available to reinforce healthy decisions and to assist them in obtaining support if needed for substance use related problems.
Data from the Newton Public Schools Youth Risk Behavior Survey consistently demonstrates that by the end of high school, significant numbers of students report use of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and other drugs: either having tried it or using it regularly. In order to help prevent students from starting to use substances, or intervene with early use, we will be conducting a verbal substance use screening program in grade 8 on April 25, 2024.
The goals of this screening program are to:
Reinforce healthy decisions
Help prevent students from starting to use substances
Intervene with early use
Assist students in obtaining support if needed for substance use related problems
Comply with state law M.G.L. Chapter 71, Sections 96 & 97
All screenings will be conducted confidentially by our school nurses, health teachers or counselors in private one-on-one sessions. Student responses will not be shared with parents unless they rise to a specific level of risk, and the student signs the Consent to Disclose Confidential Information form as per state guidelines. Students who are not using substances will have their healthy choices reinforced by the screener. The screener will provide brief feedback to any student who reports using substances, or who is at risk for future substance use. If needed, screeners will refer students to school counseling staff for further evaluation. This program focuses on harm prevention and does not generate disciplinary action. Results of the screening will not be included in your child’s school record.
We will be using the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program that utilizes the CRAFFT +N screening tool: the most commonly used substance use screening tool for adolescents in Massachusetts. This is a structured, evidence-based verbal screening that promotes prevention, early detection, risk assessment, brief counseling and, when needed, referral to treatment.
As with any school screening, you have the right to opt your child out of this screening. Please contact the school nurse if you have any questions about this program, or if you do not want your child to participate in this screening. Additionally, screening is voluntary and students may choose not to answer some or all of the screening questions.
We encourage all parents/guardians to talk with their child about substance use. For ideas on how to begin these conversations, please visit the SBIRT section on our School Health website for links to helpful resources: www.newtonma.gov/schoolhealth
Sincerely,
Lucy Boyer, RN, BSN, NCSN 617-559-6906 boyerl@newton.k12.ma.us
8th Grade End of Year Events
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, May 3, 6:30 - 8:30: 8th Grade Dance - This is now the official date!
- Friday, June 7: Step Up Day
- Monday, June 17: Boston Harbor Boat Cruise
- Thursday, June 20: Graduation Rehearsal
- 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:
Grade 6: April 4 & 5
Grade 7: April 2 & 3
Grade 8: March 28 & April 8
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.
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.
Click here for the2023-24 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)
The School Committee has voted the calendar for the 2024-25 school year. 2024-25 School Year Calendar
*Please note for the 2023-24 school year calendar, additional revisions may need to be made if there are any snow days.
Brown Middle School
125 Meadowbrook Road
Newton, MA 02459
617-559-6900