Paw Power Press
Butler Elementary School - Volume 15 - April 2021
BE - 1!
Health and Safety Information
CBSD Update to Health & Safety Plan
CBSD’s Board of School Directors approved changes to the district’s health and safety plan, including implementation of modified quarantine protocols beginning on Monday, April 19, 2021. More details may be found on our website at www.cbsd.org/2020-21. Review updated questions and answers at www.cbsd.org/help.
The use of this procedure, outlined in greater detail on the linked infographic (also below), will enable Central Bucks students who have elected the in-person instructional mode to remain in-person following a low-level exposure to an individual with COVID-19.
To review the Central Bucks Health & Safety Plan, Click Here - Updated 4/13/2021.
CBSD - Reminders if Child is Not Feeling Well
NAESP: Report to Parents - Social & Emotional Learning: Helping Children Understand Self & Others
The National Association of Elementary Principals (NAESP) shares publications for families. A recent Report to Parents - Social & Emotional Learning: Helping Children Understand Self & Others explores ways for students can use their creativity to learn more about themselves, their friends, and others through the Arts.To read this issue of NAESP's Report to Parents, click here.
"Social and emotional learning are lifelong processes that enable people to be socially aware, build relationships, be aware of and manage their own feelings and behavior, and make responsible decisions. Equally important as academics, social and emotional skills are crucial for students to learn in order to thrive and reach their full potential. While these skills and mindsets have always been important, the COVID-19 pandemic and recent events that address centuries of social injustice have increased the need to help children understand self and others."
With many creative opportunities having been offered through this winter's Butler Bear Clubs and, now in April, the "Get Cooking" classes - our school community continues to encourage exploring interests and events which help children learn more about themselves. Check out Crayolas free activities offered as a link within the article, too!
Important Announcements
PSSA 2021 - Planning for Mandated State Assessments
With State requirements to complete assessments for English/Language Arts (E/LA) & Math (Grades 3-6) and Science (Gr. 4) for PSSA, the District has finalized the CBSD PSSA Schedule for Testing across all our schools. All PSSA assessments will be conducted on computer inside the school setting - for every in-person and virtual student Grades 3-6. Our test dates have been determined by the District, and there is no adjustment to this schedule for our building - as they are very close to the end of the CB school calendar.
PSSA 2021 Schedule at Butler:
- Tuesday, June 1 - Science - 4th Grade Only
- Thursday, June 3 - E/LA - Day 1 - Grades 3-6
- Friday, June 4 - E/LA - Day 2 - Grades 3-6
- Monday, June 7 - E/LA - Day 3 - Grades 3-6
- Tuesday, June 8 - Math - Day 1 - Grades 3-6
- Wednesday, June 9 - Math - Day 2 - Grades 3-6
Student Make-Ups for missed sections are required and will be completed during set Make-Up times. The Health & Safety Plan will be followed for all students while testing at school. Please refer to the official email notification for further details.
Kindergarten Registration 2021-22
Families of new students who are eligible to enroll in kindergarten in the 2021-2022 school year are invited to begin the registration process. Get the details on eligibility, what documents to gather, and how to navigate the online registration process at www.cbsd.org/register. We look forward to welcoming the class of 2033!
Bucks County Medication Disposal Program
Free Breakfasts and Lunches Continue Through End of Year
Free Breakfast and Lunches are Available to All Students DAILY through the completion of the 2020-2021 School Year.
All Meals will be served with choice of milk, 4oz fresh vegetable and either 4oz of fresh fruit or 100% fruit juice to follow USDA guidelines for what makes a meal. Any second entrée will be charged a la carte pricing to the students account. All menus can be found by going to www.cbsd.nutrislice.com/menu
Curbside pickup is still available on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:30am-12pm at CB East, CB South, and CB West. Students do not need to be present at pick up.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
CHIP is Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program for uninsured children and teens up to age 19.
Click on the link for more information about CHIP; Click on the link for the online application.
CB Help Desk
Need Tech Support for Students Device? Set-up a Help Ticket by clicking here. The Technology & Innovation Department Support Team is ready to help!
Department Updates
Counselor's Corner
Bringing career education and development to the elementary grades is one of the primary goals of the district’s K-12 Guidance Plan and of these Sparks articles. Recently, students in Central Bucks took a huge step toward this by the introduction of SmartFutures (SF) to students in grades 3 through 6.
SmartFutures is an online career development and portfolio platform which focuses on grade-specific activities for students and manages the outcomes of the activities in a portfolio which meets the required PA Career Readiness Standards. With just introducing SF this spring to our elementary students, they are not required to complete all the available activities, but they will begin the goal of developing a career plan. Beginning next fall, students in grades K – 2 will also begin using SF.
SF allows students to discover what they like to do, learn about careers they might want to investigate and even how to develop a budget. To learn more about SF, watch this short video and you can always ask your child to log onto SF to see what they are learning. Click Here.
For comments or questions, please contact Ginny Barrett at vbarrett@cbsd.org.
SmartFutures: Career Readiness Program
Connecting to the above SmartFutures notice, Butler began working in the classrooms as students explore modules. Mrs. O’Connell and Mrs. Milotich did a virtual training with all classrooms grades 3 through 6 of SmartFutures. They demonstrated how to access SmartFutures through student Classlink accounts and walked students through one of the activities.
Student feedback was positive:
“This was easy to get to.”
“The videos were fun to watch.”
“I liked learning about myself and my interests!”
Additional Resources for Parents:
- Bucks County Division of Human Services is pleased to launch -The Hub! A new resource of services and supports for families. Please click the link for information.
- Please click here for CB Elementary Schools April 2021 Counselor’s Corner – Problem Solving Skills
For more information, visit SmartFutures.org
Notes from the Health Room
Hello from the Health Room!
1. Spring is here and so is pollen! This time of year tends to be challenging for those students with allergies and asthma. As a reminder, it is a district policy that inhalers, and all other medications, are to be kept in the health room office along with the completed medical dispensing form signed by the physician as well as a parent. Additionally, due to COVID, we are requesting an aero-chamber for all students needing an inhaler.Several inhalers have been found on the playground with no names. Please remind your student to make sure they bring their inhaler to the nurse labeled.
2. If you haven't already done so, please return your kindergarten and/or entry physicals and dentals, 3rd grade dentals, and 6th grade physicals to the health room as soon as possible. You may also start sending the necessary forms for the following year. Also, please remember to keep a copy for your records.
3. If your child has an injury and requires a boot, ace wrap, sling, cast, crutches etc, please notify the health room, even if your child is virtual. We will need written restrictions by an MD for gym class as well as recess. We do encourage our students to go outside for fresh air even when they are unable to have an active recess, unless otherwise written by the MD.
4. All height, weight, and vision exams have been completed for all traditional students. If your child did not pass the vision exam, a parent has been notified. You may find your child’s BMI in the Parent Portal. Due to COVID, hearing screenings have only been done for students in learning support. If you suspect your child has difficulty hearing, please contact the Nurse's Office and we will be happy to screen them.
Nurse Karen
Art Palatte - K-6 Virtual Art Assembly - Reggie Laurent - Abstract Artist!
Music - Hitting High Notes!
2nd grade has been combining poetry and the Garage Band app to create their own Spring Raps!
News from the Library
First grade students have been researching various types of penguins during their Library special. After browsing through seventeen breeds of penguins, each student chose one to research. Students read about their penguin in PebbleGo, an online database used for reading and gathering information on a variety of topics.
First graders then took notes on their whiteboards and transferred the information into Seesaw. Following notetaking, students colored a visual representation of their penguin, according to the specific facts and information they learned. Sharing their penguins’ unique characteristics with their classmates was the final step in our research process. Did you know there are penguins with blue feathers?
Quest
It is no surprise that technology is ever changing. To stay current, today’s teachers must find creative ways to engage and motivate students while targeting curriculum and the demands of 21st- century learning. Just walk the halls of Butler and you can see students engaging in lesson content while leveraging their technology. The goal of any technology tool or application is to impact student learning. Minecraft Education Edition, when used proactively and with teacher direction and guidance, has proven to be such a tool. If there’s any video game that has successfully made its way into the classroom, it’s Minecraft. There’s a small subset of teachers using all kinds of digital games in interesting ways, but the blockbuster hit Minecraft and its educational counterpart MinecraftEDU have reached much wider audiences.
What is Minecraft: Education Edition?
Minecraft: Education Edition is a version of Minecraft designed for education in a classroom setting. Education Edition allows teachers to create fun and interactive lesson for their students through the game of Minecraft. MEE offers a feature companion known as classroom mode. Classroom mode allows the teacher to have control of game features. For example, a world that is created by the teacher can be set in peaceful and creative mode. This eliminates aspects that are not necessary for the prescribed lesson. Game elements such as anything destructive are eliminated from a student’s learning experience as they are not conducive to the learning objectives established for the lesson. This is important to know, as Minecraft in the classroom should always be facilitated in an educational manner to drive student learning.
Why Minecraft: Education Edition?
MEE promotes creativity and problem-solving as it boosts engagement. It’s easy for students to become absorbed in Minecraft worlds, mainly due to the game’s “sandbox” nature–it’s open-ended and offers unlimited possibilities for math, science, and building challenges. Minecraft isn’t just for QUEST classes, either. It can help build social and emotional skills, it can illustrate concepts found in reading and content area lessons. Some teachers use it to teach math concepts like ratios and proportions, while others use it to support student creativity and collaboration
Physical Education
- 5th Grade students working on their long jump rope skills. Students also practiced with individual jump ropes. Jump rope can be a great way to improve endurance, agility and coordination.
- 2nd Grade students doing the Marcarena. Students also tried a fitness version of the Macarena, as well as a few other dances (Chicken Dance, Cha Cha Slide and Cupid Shuffle).
- 6th Grade students playing tennis. Students worked on individual skills and then participated in tennis matches.
News From PEN
Fundraiser for Bike MS
Last year, a group of then 6th grade PEN students raised money for Bike MS (MS = Multiple Sclerosis). “Bike MS is the largest fundraising cycling series in the world. Each year, nearly 75,000 cyclists and more than 6,000 teams ride together to change the world for people with MS.” (2021 The National Multiple Sclerosis Society).
Ainslie Kieschnick, now a 7th grader at Unami, spearheaded this initiative project last year in her PEN class. Here, she is being presented with the check to give to the organization. The Chipotle fundraiser took place last year right before the pandemic shutdown. Mrs. Neal and her PEN students thank the Butler community for your support, and we are happy to belatedly support this great cause.
Theo in Pippin
Second-grader, Ethan Ross, is featured in the CB West Harlequin Club’s performance of Pippin. Ethan is cast as “Theo,” and superbly plays the young character. Ethan is a multi-talented performer. The Butler community is very proud of him! The performance dates are April 15-18th.
Calendar and Upcoming Events
School Calendar
April:
Apr. 19-23 - Autism Awareness Spirit Week (See Schedule Below)
Apr. 26 - General PTO Meeting (ZOOM)
Apr. 27 - CB School Board Meeting - 7:30 PM (16 Welden)
Apr. 28 - Administrative Professionals Day!
Apr. 30 - Half-Day for Students (Dismissal 12:25 PM); PM Kdg Attends
May:
May 4 - Teacher Appreciation Day
May 5 - School Nurses Day
May 11 - CB School Board Meeting - 7:30 PM (16 Welden)
May 12 - Virtual Academy Material Distribution (11am-2pm - bus doors)
May 18 - General Election Day - Virtual Learning Day for ALL Students
May 21 - 6th Grade Unami Orientation (Virtual Presentation)
May 25 - CB School Board Meeting - 7:30 PM (16 Welden)
May 27 - Field Day (RainDate: 6/2)
May 31 - Memorial Day Holiday (No School)
Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month
April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism is a condition that affects people differently - but individuals with autism may have trouble with social skills, communication, relationships, and controlling their emotions. Each day next week, we will recognize Autism Awareness by wearing different clothes to demonstrate how all Butler Bears understand and accept people with autism and their differences! Please see the schedule below!
4/19 Monday: Wear your favorite team jersey or Butler gear to show that we work together as a team. Together Everyone Accomplishes More.
4/20 Tuesday: Wear a hat or crazy hair. Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon, is autistic. He used his unique perspective to create the world of Pokémon.
4/21 Wednesday: Wear tye-dye, camouflage, or rainbow colors. Although we come in different colors and have different abilities, we blend together as one.
4/22 Thursday: Wear comfortable clothes. Many people with autism have a variety of sensory needs. This can involve sights, sounds, taste, touch, and balance.
4/23 Friday: Wear blue to show your support of people with autism. We wear blue because more boys than girls are diagnosed with Autism.
Butler PTO - Cooking Class - 4/9
Let's Get Cooking! Please click here to view the full schedule and participation info. All classes are held virtually at 7:00pm on the dates specified. All are welcome to participate! No registration required.
UPCOMING CLASSES (Zoom links and info in flyer here)
April 16 | Candy Sushi with Donna & Riley (click here for ingredients)
April 23 | Tiramisu with Patricia, MJ & Annabelle (click here for ingredients)
April 30 | Chicken & Soups with Sherri & Gray (click here for ingredients)
Please email Jeannie Redner with any questions. Thank you.
CBSD - Art Scholarship Fundraiser
Support the Central Bucks Art Scholarship Fund by purchasing an original design on a T-shirt. All proceeds go to one high school senior at each CB high school to pursue his or her dreams in art! Please go to My Payments Plus to order.
To order, please click here for information.
CB Cares Boomerang Award Nomination
The Boomerang Youth Recognition award is a district wide monthly program which recognizes and honors youth in our community by exemplifying and living by one of the chosen developmental assets. Students can be nominated by teachers, peers, family, and community members. Please consider nominating a student for April.
The Asset for April is #25 Reading for Pleasure. Young person reads for pleasure most days, either alone, with family members, or with friends.
Nomination forms can be found clicking here and can sent to Mrs. O'Connell by Monday, April 26th, 2021
School Happenings
Butler Cooking - April 9th
School Scenes
Student Showcase
March Boomerang Winner #30 - Responsibility
Neighborhood Lemonade Stand
Butler Kindergartener (from Mrs. Giuliano's classroom), MacKenzie R., recently held a lemonade stand (fresh lemonade & muffins) to share with her family, friends, and neighbors. In turn, they kindly made donations for her efforts! MacKenzie wants to help others in her community and decided to share all proceeds to the Butler Scholarship Fund! Even as a new Kindergartner, MacKenzie already feels a strong connection to her school and the Butler Bear Community! Thanks to MacKenzie and family for their efforts in helping Butler students for future special events and/or activities!
From the Butler PTO
Butler PTO Newsletter
To read the most recent online Newsletter from the Butler PTO, please click here. The newsletter is a great way to stay on top of all that is happening at Butler
District Details
Central Bucks School District
Acting Superintendent: Abram M. Lucabaugh, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent-Elementary: Nadine M. Garvin, Ed.D
Website: cbsd.org
Location: 20 Welden Drive, Doylestown, PA, USA
Phone: 267-893-2000
Twitter: @CBSDSchools
Butler Elementary School
Assistant Principal: Mr. Jesse Brosious
Principal's Secretary: Mrs. Judie Pereira
Asst. Principal's Secretary: Mrs. Michele Droxler
Website: cbsd.org/butler
Location: 200 Brittany Drive, Chalfont, PA, USA
Phone: 267-893-4250
Twitter: @CBButler