Bulldog Weekly Update
March 6th -10th
Monday Motivation
Notes from the Principal's Desk
Happy Sunday, Butler Crew,
Hope you are staying dry and warm on this snowy weekend. If you noticed anything about this week, it's that time moved fast. With the snow day, much of Tuesday's work was dispersed to the others remaining in the week. While we can't always predict snow days, especially in New England, we can plan for them. The snowy season is not over. March is the month when spring arrives but up until the 20th, and often for a week or so after, there are very real possibilities for heavy snow, sleet and ice.
What we ask of our team is to make sure students have a continued connection to school despite the cancellation. Students need reminders about missing work, make up work, and actions they can take to prepare for what they will engage with in class when they return. Even if every student in your class is fully caught up, what kinds of stimulating activities could you prepare and suggest--perhaps as extra credit, or to reinforce your classroom community—that can be addressed when school resumes?
You may want to take some time this week to put one or two assignments on standby and let your classes know that, should we have yet another snow day this month, there will be plenty available for them to do!
6th Grade Students Create Composite Teen Activist Posters
6th Grade Teen Activist Posters Detail Facts and Impact from Students' Essays
5th Grade Showcases Collaborative Argument Research Projects
5th Grade Showcases Collaborative Argument Research Projects
Students in 5/6 Adjustment Work on Descriptive Vocabulary after Viewing Short Story
Students in Mrs. Goodick's Class Practice Oral Language Through Drama
BMS HIdden Figures/ Butler Spotlight
March is among those quintessential months that prepares you for change. You may be familiar with the expression, "In like a lion, out like a lamb." March is that month of wild transition, taking us from some of our hardest weeks of the year to a time of temperate weather, softening soil, a little rain and a lot of sun. If there is anything mother nature tells us, it's that this time of year is one of renewal.
With that in mind, this week, Butler says goodbye and thank you to a longtime educator, advocate, and friend. Deirdre Coffey will be cleaning up her classroom for the last time after 18 years (12 as the EL Lead) at BMS this Friday, March 10th. Alas, Deirdre is moving forward with LPS in a new capacity supporting English Learners at the district level. Deirdre was a prime candidate for this position given her years of dedicated service in our district. She served many of those under the direction of District EL Director, Dr. Phala Chea and more recently under the direction of Aimee Sousa, Program Coordinator for Multilingual Language Learners (MLL).
Her passion for advocacy and her many years of experience will be put to important use in supporting the needs of EL teachers and students in LPS. In her new role as an MLL District Support Specialist, she will help create and facilitate continued professional learning, assist in the cultivation and review of curricular materials, and provide direct support for EL School Based Programs. Please wish her well, express your excitement and pride, as she leaves Butler to give back to our community in a greater capacity. As Deirdre notes, "This is not goodbye, it's see you later!”
March Math Energy: Who Doesn't Love a Good Pun?
Hopes for an Early Spring! Will Mother Nature Be Kind As Well?
Check out the January SOTM. February Will Be Up Shortly.
After School: Fiber Arts Club Makes Cute Pillows and Blankets
After School: Japanese Club Endows Students With A Whole New Language for Expression
After School: Painting Club Plays with Negative Space
Week at a Glance
- Operations Huddle
- Restorative Justice training after school
Tuesday 3/7
- SST
- Content CPT
Wednesday 3/8
- Admin CPT
- Early Release -- Courageous Conversations PD
Thursday 3/9
- Boast Your Alma Mater with your Favorite College Gear
- Butler Pride -- Rock Butler's Colors (Red, Black & White)
- Curriculum & Instruction Meeting
On the Horizon...
3/13 Climate and Culture Meeting
3/15 Teachpoint Educator Evidence Due
3/15 Wednesday Restorative Justice Training
3/16 School Site Council
3/17 St. Patty's Day / SEL FRIDAY
3/17 Friday -- Last Day of After School Session II
3/20 Progress Reports Are Due Home (WINDOW CLOSES 3/15)
3/20 Wednesday Restorative Justice Training
3/20 & 3/21 - Casna Visit
3/22 Wednesday RAMADAN Begins
3/22 Admin CPT - Inclusive Classroom presentation DESE
3/23 Parent Teacher Conferences
3/27 JEDI Field Trip
3/30 Casna Visit
3/31 Student Assembly Special Presentation
3/31 CPAC EL FAMILY NIGHT after school
Annual Youth Peace Poetry Contest Runs Until April 1st | See Ms. Capezio to submit student entries
Spirit Week Starts on Monday! In what ways will you participate?
Kindness Week was 2/14-2/20 but We Remain Committed to Kindness All Year Round
National Junior Honor Society | What Does This Mean For Our Students?
There were 132 eligible students at BMS. At present, we have 50 members in the National Junior Honor Society for the remainder of 22-23 school year. Students were given acceptance letters and contracts to sign on Tuesday. The first NJHS meeting will be held in a couple of weeks. March 15th after school.
NJHS has a team of teachers and other faculty supporting as an advisory council. The council and students will work on determining the school's community service project that the NJHS students will participate in as a group this year.
There will be several community service opportunities for students in the program to choose from. Below is the information students received in their acceptance letters:
In order to maintain your membership, you have to meet the following requirements:
GPA on or above 80% in all core and AA classes
Service - complete at least 5 independent hours of service to the school and community; previous service hours from this school year will be accepted.
Participation in NJHS all-member community service project/activity.
Leadership - being positive and showing leadership qualities.
Citizenship - take part in various clubs and activities.
Character - good behavior.
Important Dates: NJHS members are required to attend the monthly meeting held on one Wednesday of each month (dates to follow). In addition to our monthly meetings, we will have practice meetings for our induction ceremony, with dates to be determined. Further information will be sent home for families. The induction ceremony is scheduled for April 26, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The NJHS is a great opportunity for students to contribute to their local communities and to participate in civic engagement. NJHS sets a bar for our students to achieve high goals. We need to consider NJHS as an opportunity for which any child in our school could be eligible. Students have the chance to work toward important benchmarks that will carry them into high school and beyond. When the next NJHS recruitment cycle opens, connect with the advisory council around the process, and think about students for whom enrollment in NHJS would be out of reach. What can we do to motivate all students to strive for NJHS eligibility? We look forward to the amazing work they will achieve in this foundational year!
AN ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN VALUES
Students in Ms. Andrew's and Mrs. Curran's ELA WIN Block have been hard at work in Quarter 3. This term, students are focused on defining for themselves what are American Values. In a capstone persuasive essay, which comes after nearly three semesters of cultivating global awareness, students come back to focus on the US. Each student has researched examples of American Values and the American Dream, drawing on the experiences and investments of figures domestically and internationally that model important values--values that American Society also espouses--but perhaps in some cases, doesn't do enough to actively reinforce. The attached, by Ayva Kapala, is just one snapshot of the range of essays students are writing that support what it means to be an American, the rights and limitations, and what we must do and contribute to ensure these values remain staples in our communities. Ayva writes about the freedom of education, and about access and opportunity, noting what some leaders lose in their fight to ensure that all people in their country learn how to think, read, and write.
ILT Updates
Next Team meeting - 3/22 (Ch. 5 &6)
Check in with your grade-level team representatives for more information. Meetings take place every other Wednesday. ILT content is shared by grade representatives on the team at Grade Level CPTs. What happens in ILT drives what will happen in CPT!
ILT REPS:
Brett Sullivan -- 5th
Cheryl Ferris -- 6th
Alie Cabrera -- 6th
Peter Francis -- 7th
Jen Fraser -- 8th
Christina Pappalardo -- 8th
Vannak Theng -- EL
Krista St. Louis - Special Education
Lori Casey - SEL
SEL
Please see Lori Casey for any updates. NEXT SEL is 3/17/23
Culture and Climate
Check in with your grade level team representatives for more information. A calendar of upcoming dates will be forthcoming!
NEXT MEETINGS ARE AFTER SCHOOL MONDAY:
- 3/13 after school
March Staff Birthdays
Don't Forget to say " Happy Birthday"
- Vannak Theng 3/3
- Hong Man 3/8
- Maria Lagou 3/13
- Melinda Goodick 3/16
- Ambar Vargas Marte 3/20
- Mara Picanco 3/26
- Kristin Capezio 3/28
Butler Community
Email: jmoody@lowell.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Domain/10
Location: 1140 Gorham Street, Lowell, MA, USA
Phone: 978-937-8973
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lpsdbutler/