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Message from
Welcome one and all to Dr. Brown Elementary School!
Please allow me to take this opportunity to share the abbreviated version of the history of our school’s namesake: Dr. Gustavus Brown, Jr. The late Dr. Gustavus Brown was a Scottish physician who was (most notably) known to have been the last attending physician to attempt to save the life of his good friend, President George Washington. Unfortunately, Dr. Brown arrived to the aid of his friend too late to help. In 1974, Charles County built our school and named it in honor of Dr. Brown. Proudly we have been open ever since. To visit our school however, you would never know it is over 35 years old. A special thank you goes to all the dedicated CCPS employees that have maintained the building’s upkeep over the years.
Our school colors are blue and gold, the "Bulldog" is our school mascot and “Bravo” is a common term/token of encouragement and appreciation. This year’s dress code will consist of Bravo-Wear, to be worn on a daily basis. All students are encouraged to participate, as this will assist us in providing more focused instruction with fewer distractions. Special incentives will be offered to consistent participants as well. Click on the “Dress Code” link for details. On select days, (every other Friday) our staff celebrates school spirit by wearing our school T-shirts and we encourage your children to join in. Spirit wear is always available through our PTO.
Our student population equates approximately 430 students who are truly representative of our richly diverse community. At Dr. Brown, we offer a rigorous and challenging instructional program, per our charge as committed educators as well as your expectations as concerned parents. In addition to our academically-based instruction, our students are provided with rich opportunities to participate in various cultural, technological and physical types of education and activities. We believe in teaching the ‘whole child’, which includes a concerted effort in exposing our students to valuable learning outside of the traditional classroom setting. Such learning and exposure occurs for our students in the following areas: Art, Physical Education, Music, Band/Orchestra (5th graders), Library/Media, Computer Lab and Science (inside and outside lab, on the Wetlands site).
We also have additional human resources on our staff to help support the [quality] instruction and guidance that our students receive. Those staff members consist of an Instructional Specialist, a Reading Resource Teacher, a Gifted Education Teacher, 2 Reading Recovery Teachers, a Speech Therapist, a Psychologist, a School Counselor and a Tri-County for Youth Counselor. Additionally, Special education services are provided for specific students, as appropriate. Primary and/or intermediate special education teachers (4) along with two special education instructional assistants implement this service accordingly. We utilize a modified inclusion model as much as appropriate.
Our school also has a School-wide Improvement Plan, developed by our established School Improvement Team. Our plan is rooted in the school system’s Five-Year Plan and is reviewed annually. It is available for parent review upon request in our front office.
Dr. Brown Elementary School is fortunate to have the support of an active Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and strong core of parent volunteers and others are always welcome. We encourage you all to become involved in the extension of your child’s educational program, via the PTO and the efforts it supports and sponsors. Commitments made in this area are of great benefit to our students and our community at-large.
To those whom it applies, a before and after school daycare program is offered at our school, through the Alpha Best Company. The program opens at 6:00 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m. daily. You may call them directly at 301-632-6804 for more information.
Thank you in advance for supporting Dr. Brown Elementary School in our efforts this year. It is our hope that working together with you and your children, that we will make this their best school year yet. Feel free to contact us throughout the year as questions and/or concerns arise. We look forward to the many successes that our students/your children will have.
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Message from
I love new school years! Enthusiasm is abundant and the possibilities are endless. I am glad that you are a part of our school community. Dr. Brown is an excellent school and our staff, parents and community work collaboratively to provide a quality program for each of our students.
I encourage you to become involved. Stay in touch with your children’s teachers. Ask questions, share concerns and let us know when things are going well. We want to hear from you. And for our part, we will communicate with you - keeping you informed. Join our PTO and become a volunteer. Your children will love it and it shows them that you think that education is so important that you volunteer your time and talents.
Dr. Brown is a PBIS exemplar school and we are very proud of this. We believe in looking for positive ways to encourage our students to be the best students that they can be. We take time to teach students our procedures, expectations and rules and then we acknowledge them when they “get it right.” Ask your children how many bulldog bravos they have or whether or not the respect flag is flying. Through these efforts, we have created an environment in which children feel safe and their learning is maximized.
I look forward to meeting and working with all of our students and their parents. Together we will make great things happen!
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School Philosophy
We, the students, parents, and staff of Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School believe that the following statements reflect our views of what the school should provide for each child and the community. Our main objective is to provide a framework in which every child can develop to his or her fullest potential. To achieve this goal, we believe that:
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Who was Dr. Gustavus Brown?
There were two Dr. Gustavus Richard Browns - father and son. The elder Dr. Brown was born in Scotland, and came to Maryland in 1708. He worked as a physician in the Nanjemoy area of Charles County. He was also a judge.
His son, the more famous Dr. Brown, after whom the school was named, was born in Charles County on October 17, 1747. He, too, was a physician, who practiced across southern Maryland and Virginia. Like his father, he too was a judge. Dr. Brown was called to the bedside of President George Washington during his last illness.
Dr. Gustavus Richard Brown, Jr. was known to be a skillful gardener. He is also described as a scholar, a wise philosopher, a patriotic citizen, a generous friend, an elegant gentleman, and a hospitable neighbor.
It is recounted that he apologized for his mistakes, and was a calming influence on others.
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Parent Visitation & Classroom Observations
Parents are encouraged to come to their child’s school during normal operating hours. All visitors are asked to sign in at the main office and obtain a visitor’s badge to ensure the safety and security of students and staff.
Parents may either visit the classroom at the teacher’s/school’s invitation or request to make a formal observation of a classroom. Making an appointment with the school at least two (2) days in advance of an observation is not only a courtesy and a requirement, but enables you to schedule the observation for the maximum benefit. Teachers cannot stop teaching to confer with parents who stop by without an appointment. Parents may schedule up to two (2) classroom observations of forty-five (45) minutes in duration each grading period. Staff will accompany visitors to the classroom. Siblings should not attend. Teachers will be happy to discuss the observation at a mutually convenient time. Parents are welcome to visit the cafeteria and eat lunch with their child.
Principals retain the authority to deny access to the school for any individual who has or may disrupt or disturb the learning environment or who lacks a valid or legal purpose for entering the school. Our shared commitment and cooperation is essential for the safety of our students and staff.
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