Brown MS Weekly Update

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Dear Brown MS Community,

At Brown MS, we work hard to be positive members of our community. We have our Bear Beliefs to guide us in making good choices for ourselves and others. Unfortunately, there are times when middle schoolers say or do hurtful things, and at this time of year - when we are all a little worn out - these types of behaviors increase. When these instances happen, the most frequent response from students is, "I was just joking." We spend a lot of time talking with students about intent vs. impact. When students step back and reflect on the impact of their words or actions, they are better able to learn to empathize and make changes to their behavior in the future.

It can be difficult as a parent to know how to begin conversations with our middle schoolers. My best advice is to first listen, and try to help them reflect on who they want to be and what they can do to best demonstrate that. Of course, this assumes you can get your middle schooler to talk to you. Generally speaking, the car is a great place for these conversations - with the ability to talk without having to make complete eye contact (and a captive audience).

Questions to ask your child:

• Have you every heard or seen something that you felt was unkind and didn't speak up? Why is that? What could you do next time?
• What did you do today that was kind to another student (beyond saying thank you)?
• How have you stood up for a friend this year? If you haven't, was there a time you could have? What held you back?
• Are friends behaving in a way that you aren't comfortable with, but you don't know what to do? How can I help you with that?

School has become more than just a place to learn reading, writing and math. Schools must also teach empathy, kindness, cultural awareness and advocacy. Our teachers weave in the Bear Beliefs throughout the school day and the school year. The vast majority of our students are consistently kind, caring and compassionate. I witnessed this first hand this week on multiple occasions - students encouraging each other to try something new, students providing companionship to someone who was left out. However, middle schoolers can engage in behavior or comments that are hurtful. We need to help our students to step in and step up when such things happen.

What I most want to do here, is create opportunities for conversations. When families engage in conversations about kindness and empathy, and teachers reinforce this during teachable moments at school, then we are all swimming in the same direction.

I wish you a wonderful weekend!

Best,

Kim Lysaght, Principal

February 14 & 15 (evening)- Brown MS Musical - Honk, Jr.

February 18-26 - School Vacation Week

March 7: 5th Grade Parent Information Night at Brown MS Auditorium 7:00PM

March 9: 8th Grade Family Information Night at NSHS, 6:30PM

March 23: Early Release Day (students dismissed at 11:20)

Our hearts are with the people in Turkey and Syria who are suffering and dealing with the mounting casualties from the devastating earthquake. In times of crisis such as this, we want to be supportive of our community members who may have family or connections in the area. If you or your family is affected by this event, please reach out to your student's guidance counselor to share how your student is dealing with it and how we can help.

It's time for Honk! Next week the show goes up after a very busy production week. Our cast and crew are thrilled to share their talents with you. Please come to see the show and support their hard work! Dates are listed below. Tickets are on sale during lunches.

Honk! Performance dates:

Tuesday, February 14 at 7pm

Wednesday, February 15 at 7pm

Snow Date - February 16 at 7pm

There are a lot of opportunities for students to get involved in after school activities. This is a great way for them to explore new interests and expand their friendship groups. Click here to view the schedule of after school activities.

The spring is coming, and it is time for our 8th graders to think about high school! Please click here for information regarding Newton South High School 8th Grade Family Night which will be on March 9th at 6:30PM. There will also be aNewton South Sports Night on March 16 at 7:00PM. Information regarding course registration will be shared with students in the coming weeks. Our counselors are available to answer questions regarding this process.

NPS is currently working to create a budget for the 2023-2024 school year. As you know the City of Newton is asking task payers to vote on a proposed override. The upcoming March 14 vote will have serious implications for our school budget, staffing and programming.

In the budget preview linked here (FY24 Budget Preview to School Committee - January 23, 2023) it demonstrates that without the override, NPS will have a deficit of $6-8 million dollars. This could result in cuts of 40-50 teachers across the district as well as programming such as after school enrichment, theater and athletics as well as our 1:1 Chromebook program.

Please take time to familiarize yourself with the presentations and background information on the City of Newton Override Webpage. If you have questions, please reach out to me, the school committee or the Superintendent in the days ahead.

Please click the picture above to see Brown's art update from art teacher, Jeremy Goldberg.

Do you play an instrument? Maybe in the String Orchestra or Band at school or even just for fun at home? We are pleased to offer students at Brown and Oak Hill an amazing opportunity to work with some of the finest high school musicians in the state in our new music mentor program on Tuesday afternoons at Newton South.

Thanks to the support of NSHS department Chair Jeff Knoedler and Principal Tamara Stras, this program is free to all students. You do not have to be enrolled in music at school to join us; just complete this form and bring your instrument next Tuesday! Details of the program are listed below. If you have any questions, please reach out to newtonsouthmusicmentors@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely, Newton South Music Teachers,

Lisa Linde, Jazz and Band, lindel@newton.k12.ma.us

Benjamin Youngman, Orchestra, youngmanb@newton.k12.ma.us

All the Details:

WHAT: During our time together, you may get pointers on your specific instrument, enjoy playing as a group, and even learn some improv techniques! Bring your instrument, your questions, and your enthusiasm for music!

WHERE: Head to the NSHS Auditorium entrance after your middle school's dismissal on Tuesdays. Our high schoolers will be there to meet you. String orchestra will meet from 3:15-4:15; band will meet from 2:30-4:00. We realize Oak Hill and Brown have different dismissal times; don’t worry, just come as soon as you can. Invite a friend and walk over together!

WHEN: Every Tuesday there is school! If there is no school, or if school buildings are closed for a snow emergency, we will not meet. If for some other unlikely reason we need to cancel, we will email the contacts listed on your signup form and/or post in the Schoology group you will be added to after you sign up here.

WHO: All Brown and Oak Hill students are welcome, whether you are currently enrolled in the band or orchestra program at your school or not! All you need is your instrument and the desire to improve your musicianship in a collaborative community.

BAND MUSICIANS - END TIME IS 4 PM SHARP! It is appreciated when your ride is on time as our high school volunteers need to start their homework, or play in their own ensembles.

ORCHESTRA MUSICIANS - END TIME IS 4:15 PM SHARP! It is appreciated when your ride is on time as our high school volunteers need to start their homework, or play in their own ensembles.

OTHER NOTES: A weekly commitment is appreciated, but, like school clubs, it is understood that you may not be available to attend every week. That is completely ok, so, like school clubs, teachers will not take attendance and will not contact parents should a student not be present. Please make sure your family has a plan for your attendance and pickup!

While a teacher or staff member will be present, this program is primarily run by our high school music student leaders. They are members of state and national award winning ensembles, many have been selected to the Massachusetts All-State ensembles, and, most of all, they just love playing music!

We look forward to working with you!

Let’s Get to Work (ages 13.5 – 18 years old)

Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 10:30am-12:00pm

Thursday, February 23, 2023, 1:00pm-2:30pm

City Hall, War Memorial, 1000 Commonwealth Ave.

Join Youth Services for two employment-focused workshops in preparation for summer and post high school employment, as well as internship opportunities. Interested young people do not need to register for both dates.

• Tuesday, February 21st

• How to apply for a job
• Cover letter & resume review
• Preparing for an interview

• Thursday, February 23rd

• Offer letters & onboarding documents for employers
• Obtaining a work permit

Click HERE to register.

Career Exploration Event Series (grades 7 – 12)

Upcoming Thursdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm

Dates: February 16, March 23, April 27, & May 18

Newton Free Library, Druker Auditorium

Join Newton Youth services and the Newton Free Library for a four-part series exploring careers through in person discussions with professions working in the industry. Industry exploration includes STEM (February), Medical (March), The Trades (April), and Human Services (May).

Click HERE to register.

Dates for the administration of the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) have been set as follows:

English Language Arts:

March 28 & 29 - 7th grade

April 10 & 11 - 6th grade

April 12 & 13 - 8th grade

Math:

May 15 & 16 - 8th grade

May 17 & 18 - 7th grade

May 22, &23 - 6th grade

Science & Technology/Engineering:

May 24 - 8th grade only

The decision to close or delay school is made by the superintendent, in consultation with the Police Department and the Department of Public Works. You will be notified of school closing via email, text, phone, website, television news, and social media. Please make sure your contact information is updated in Aspen so that we are able to reach you in a timely manner (Aspen Login Link) If you do not remember your Aspen login information, please email: aspen@newton.k12.ma.us

Please visit this webpage for additional details: School Closings Due to Weather Webpage

As you shop for the holidays, please consider using amazonsmile. This program donates a portion of the proceeds to Brown PTO. Just designate Charles E. Brown Middle School PTO as your charitable recipient. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of your purchase price for eligible purchases towards our PTO. Click the picture below for a direct link to the site.

For more information about how this works, click this link to the PTO website.

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.

• What is discrimination?

  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.

  
  

• What is harassment?

  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.

  
  

• What is retaliation?

  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.

If you have not already done so, please be sure to update your student information on Aspen. It is important that we have correct contact information for school to home communication. Click here for Student Information Update instructions.

School Hours:

8:20AM - 2:50PM - Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.

8:20 AM - 2:05PM - Wed.

Click here for the NPS 2022-2023 school calendar.

Click here for the Brown Middle School 6-day rotation calendar for 2022-2023 with early release days and days of the cycle.

To report a student absence call: 617-559-6980

Brown Middle School

125 Meadowbrook Road

Newton, MA 02459

Absences: 617-559-6980

Main office: 617-559-6900