Brown MS Weekly Update
May 19, 2023
Dear Brown MS Community,
This time of year is so packed with events that it is hard to keep track of everything. I hope this newsletter is helpful in managing all that is coming up in the final four and a half weeks of school! The end of May is a time when many of us are counting the days. As we begin the process of celebrating our successes and saying goodbye, students react in different ways. Some will be thrilled for summer, others will feel anxious about changing routines and still others will have a hard time saying good bye to trusted adults. The end of the school year has always been bittersweet for me. The number of activities happening make it hard to stop and soak in these fleeting moments. I am trying to be mindful of our Bear Belief to "Be Here" each day by pausing, listening and engaging with our special community - to make each day count. I am grateful to be part of the Brown MS community and feel truly blessed each day.
We continue to celebrate AAPI month in May. Today we had a wonderful presentation by some of our students during all three lunches (see pictures below). A number of our 7th graders danced to a mash up of Carnatic, pop and folk dance. It takes a lot of courage to get up in front of your peers in middle school and we are so thankful to them and to Ms. Priya for helping to make this possible!
I recommend you check out the NPS District Newsletter here if you haven't already. Dr. Anna Nolin, our new Superintendent of Schools, introduces herself and shares some of her vision for the future of NPS in this letter. She has some terrific ideas for meeting members of the community, so please take a look!
On a personal note, it is official, we have a full house at home again! I know this because there is more happy noise - music, laughter, the click of the back door as friends go in and out of the house. Also, my stash of Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies is completely gone, there is a an empty milk container in the fridge and the counter of my kitchen needs to constantly be wiped down...
I hope you enjoy your weekend (especially if you are lucky enough to be seeing Taylor Swift!),
Kim Lysaght, Principal
Library Books Wanted
Ms. Quesada Montville is looking to get all of the library books that have been checked out back before the end of the school year. Here are some dates to be aware of:
June 7 - last day to check out books (limit of one)
June 14- all library books are due
June 15/16th- bills for lost books will be sent
8th Grade End of Year Events!
We are gearing up for the end of the year and the PTO 8th Grade Events Committee has been hard at work designing fun events for our soon to be high school students! Here are all the events, so mark your calendars, 8th grade families! Payment for the events is available through the PTO newsletter. If you are in need of scholarship, please reach out to Margaret Power, executive secretary, at 617-559-6900.
June 8 - Boston Harbor Cruise
A two-hour cruise
Delicious buffet with freshly prepared entrees, salads and desserts
The best views of the Boston skyline and waterfront landmarks, including Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, Boston’s Seaport District and the USS Constitution warship
Onboard entertainment with DJ music, access to shared spaces and interactive games
June 9 - Step up day
leave Brown at 11:30 to walk over to NSHS for the afternoon
return to Brown at 2:30 for some popsicles and chill time with you friends
8th grade students who will be attending Newton South or North High Schools next year will be visiting those schools for an orientation program.
Students who will attend private school next year or are moving away will be dismissed at 12:50 and will not be traveling to either Newton North or Newton South. Buses will pick students up from Brown at this dismissal time. In the past it has become problematic for students who won't be attending these schools to go to the Step-Up day programs so we appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this matter.
June 15 - Field trip to Hudson Roller Kingdom
- Unlimited laser tag
- Karaoke
- Arcade games
- Roller skating and/or roller blading
- Races
- Pizza
June 20
Graduation rehearsal
Fun activities with teachers
Yearbook distribution and signing
Cool Cow Ice Cream Truck in the afternoon
June 21
8th graders clapped around school during advisory
9:30 - 10:00 lining up by team and begin procession over to Winkler Stadium
10:15 graduation* at Winkler Stadium (students sit on the bleachers and audience sits on the field)
11:20 - They are all done with middle school and are official high school students! Congratulations!!!
*Graduation is a special occasion and most students in the past have dressed up a bit for this day for pictures with family.
Additionally, every 8th grader will be getting a custom T-shirt designed just for the graduating class. We plan to give these out ahead of the Hudson Roller Kingdom trip so you can all wear them that day.
7th Grade Dance - June 2!
Ms. Messina is working with a group of 7th graders to plan a Spring Fling Dance. The dance will be June 2 from 5:00-7:00PM in the Brown MS Cafeteria.
Tickets will be on sale for $10 each at lunches the next 2 weeks. Only Brown Middle School students are permitted to attend and their tickets must be purchased in advance (no tickets will be sold at the door).
A sign up genius went out to all 7th grade parents this week looking for help. If you did not get the email, please contact Ms. Messina at messinae@newotn.k12.ma.us to see how you can help.
After School Activities - Last day Thursday, June 8th
Please take a look at our spring extracurricular activities. There continue to be many opportunities for students to get involved. 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.
