We take this opportunity to recognize our School Counselor team, Mrs. O'Connell and Mrs. Milotich - who both dedicate their days to supporting children's academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs in school. Thank you to both of them for always keeping children first. They work with both staff and students providing the supports and plans for every child's overall school success! We hope you had a great week!

Welcome New Families and Students!

Registration for students entering Kindergarten in fall of 2023 is now open. If any Butler Family has an incoming student, please be sure to register as soon as possible - as staffing and class sizes will be determined based upon the number of actual registrants! Be sure to also share this message around our neighborhoods if anyone has a Kindergarten-aged child ready to attend Butler! Please note, the Kindergarten-aged child must be 5 years old before September 1st – no exceptions.

More information can be learned by visiting the Central Registration Website - Please click here.

(Please Note: New Grade 1-12 students for the 2023-2024 school year will open in March 2023.)

Butler Elementary will be holding a book drive from February 16 through March 3 for Book Smiles.org.

BookSmiles promotes literacy and the joy of reading by giving books to children throughout Philadelphia and New Jersey. They provide students and younger siblings with high-quality new or gently used books, laying the groundwork for academic success.

Book donations can be placed in boxes that can be found throughout the school in each grade level. For more information, please visit www.booksmiles.org.

February:

Feb. 16-Mar. 3 - Book Drives for Smiles Collection (See Details Above)

Feb. 17 - Staff Development Day - No School for Students

Feb. 20 - President's Day - No School (Offices Closed)

Feb. 24 - Spirit Day - Wear your Workout Clothes

Feb. 24 - Family Fun & Fitness Night (Evening Event)

Feb. 27 - Mar. 3 - Read Across America Week! (Theme Week Below)

Feb. 27 - PTO General Meeting (ZOOM) - 7:30 PM

Feb. 28 - Middle School Orientation (Gr. 6 Only) @ Unami

March:

Mar 2 - Read Across America Day

Mar. 10 - Author Visit Grades 3-6 - Laura Magaziner

Mar. 14 - Clerical Day (PM) - Half Day for Students, 12:25 Dismissal

Mar. 14 - AM Kindergarten Attends Only (No PM Kindergarten)

Mar. 14 - CB School Board Meeting - 16 Welden Dr. 7:30 PM

Mar. 17 - Spirit Day - St. Patrick's Day - Wear Green!

Mar. 20 - Spring Begins (Free Rita's!)

Mar. 21 - National Down Syndrome Day - Rock Your Socks!

Mar. 27&28 - Half Day for Students (AM) - 12:25 PM Dismissal

Mar. 27&28 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (PM)

Mar. 27&28 - No Kindergarten

Mar. 29 - Kindergarten AM Attends ONLY in the AM (No PM KDG)

Mar. 30 - Kindergarten PM attends ONLY in the PM (No AM KDG)

Read Across America Week will be held during the week of: February 27- March 3! During the week, we will celebrate reading and the love of story. Each day beginning on 2/27, Butler will host specific dress up days for a little extra fun!

Monday, 2/27 - Wear A Shirt with a Favorite Saying

Tuesday, 2/28 - Wear a Hat Day

Wednesday, 3/1 - Dress in Stripes Day

Thursday, 3/2 (Read Across America Day) - Dress Like Your Favorite Character

Friday, 3/3 - Wear Animal Print/Colors Day

The American Association of University Women is presenting a program called Discover Your Future for girls in Grades 5-8. It is a hands-on workshop led by female STEM professionals in Biology, Chemistry, Technology, Engineering, Physics, Medicine, and a Discovery Lab.

Date: Saturday, March 4, 2023

Time: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Location: Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell, PA

For more information see flyer below or use this link for registration.

The iRun4Life Kids Only 3K Race is an inclusive running event for all children K-6th grades with awards, chip timing, music, raffles, community support, and FUN! iRun4Life, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help combat childhood obesity by establishing fun, noncompetitive running programs for boys and girls in elementary schools. Our focus is to teach children about exercise, healthy nutrition and giving back to the community in the form of good deeds. We believe that when children learn to love exercise at an early age and realize how fun it is to feel healthy and strong, then they will be more likely to live an active lifestyle throughout their lives.

Please use this link to sign up!

In honor of Kind Like Joey - Butler celebrates Random Acts of Kindness Spirit Week annually this time in February - every year. Our focus is highlighting how to BE KIND to others and what Joey embraced as a student at Butler and Unami Schools. Each day celebrated a special theme we were excited to share throughout the week!

The 100th day of school is a significant event in the eyes of our primary students in our Kindergarten through 3rd Grades! This week, our 100th day of school occurred on February 7th (Grades 1-3 and EDK) (with our kindergarteners celebrating on February 13th.) Students and staff highlight the special day with math activities like identifying patterns, sorting, and counting. In some classes, students wrote about what it might be like to be 100 years old! It is fun to immerse ourselves in with these fun themes highlighting 100!

Third Graders conducted research through the inquiry process to learn about a hero of their choice. Students used online resources and books from the library to gather facts, create an informational brochure and write a short speech about their hero. On “Presentation Day” students came to school dressed as their heroes and presented their inquiry projects to their class.

Playing the game of checkers was going viral in Mr. Guenst’s class! Eesa M. started to share his passion for the game with his friends. Soon the whole class was captivated by jumping the red and black checkers to make Kings!

Fifth Grade class representatives worked hard to create a sign-up sheet for each of the fifth-grade classes. Then they created tournament brackets for the checkers’ competitors just like March Madness!

After weeks of playing checkers during indoor recess and throughout the day, the winners of each class were:

• Schlotter- Jeremey M.
• Maduzia- Shawn L.
• Guenst- Patrick J.
• Farrell- Jesse R.
• Filson- Aubrey T. and Mr. Filson

The fifth graders came together as friends, competitors, and teammates to play for positivity and showcase their awesomeness. Looking ahead, to finalize the competition, the class winners will play against Mr. Filson! Who will wear the crown?

Friday, February 10th was an evening filled with majesty and excitement as our Butler Families enjoyed the PTO led Butler Ball. Even without any snow on the ground, it was a magical event for our boys and girls who were in attendance with their parent or family friend. This year, all were welcomed to attend the early or late event which celebrated with music and dancing in the Butler gymnasium. Thanks to everyone who made it a special event!

The popularity of the Butler PTO's Butler Bear "Clubs" is seen 5-days a week as students remain after school to participate in special interest activities - which are organized and managed by parents, community organizations, and local businesses. This week, the clubs began - historically during the winter months - as children explore many activities including robotics, essential oil crafts, soccer, karate, cheer, tinker space, dance, Legos, photography, yoga, chess, and more! Thank you to all the volunteers who support both the special interest classes or who are managing the daily events, themselves. Without our volunteers, this wonderful school tradition could not be enjoyed by our students!

The popularity of the Butler PTO's Butler Bear "Clubs" is seen 5-days a week as students remain after school to participate in special interest activities - which are organized and managed by parents, community organizations, and local businesses. This week, the clubs began - historically during the winter months - as children explore many activities including robotics, essential oil crafts, soccer, karate, cheer, tinker space, dance, Legos, photography, yoga, chess and more! Thank you to all the volunteers who support both the special interest classes or who are managing the daily events, themselves. Without our volunteers, this wonderful school tradition could not be enjoyed by our students!

Butler students colored Valentine's Day Cards for their Grand-Friends at New Seasons Senior Living Community.

Butler Elementary School prides itself on upholding to the highest standards of conduct and good work. When students demonstrate and emulate our Positive Paw Power attributes, it is noticed and acknowledged. Students receive Power Paw slips and place in our collecting bin in hopes of a special selection, which may include a unique Butler t-shirt or Breakfast with the Principals! With this week's breakfast, students had special time with Principals (Mr. Funseth & Dr. Doherty) and Student Counselors (Mrs. Milotich & Mrs. O'Connell) while being honored with a special certificate acknowledging their effort. Students work hard at helping our building rise to the top each and every day!

Butler Elementary School practices the Paw Power Attributes of B.U.T.L.E.R.

Butler (at its Best!); Understanding; Teamwork; Leadership; Educational Excellence; Respect

Each week, students earn Positive Paw Powers for their good behaviors and positive attitudes at school. Children enter them into our collection bin where names are then drawn for a special treat each Friday for every grade level.

Winners 2/3/23

Kindergarten- Claire M., 1st- Lukas S., 2nd- Jace M., 3rd- Nicholas K., 4th- Porter D., 5th- Eunseo L., 6th- Madison T. T-Shirt Winner- 4th Grade Vivian CS

Winners 2/10/23

Kindergarten- Antonio M., 1st-Jackson F., 2nd-Amelia S., 3rd-Kira G., 4th-Riley K., 5th-Abi S., 6th-Jayden S. T-Shirt Winner Kindergarten- Jackson M.

To read the most recent PTO Newsletter, please click here.

Please join the Butler PTO for our General Meeting (on Zoom) - Monday, February 27th. The Zoom Link will be shared soon.