February 2024
January 29th, 2024
Welcome to February!
Dear Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s)
I hope that this newsletter finds you all well. We are officially half-way through the school year, students at the high school have started their second semester classes, we are preparing for an exciting month of activities and athletics, and we are working on the preparation for the 2024-2025 school year!
Some facts about February 2024
- This year is a Leap Year! Many people believe that the extra day brings luck for the year!
- Originally, February was the last month of the calendar year - in 450 BC, it was moved to its place as the second month
- February is Black History Month paying tribute to the generations of individuals who struggled through adversity to achieve full American Citizenship. During this month, we celebrate the central role African Americans took in our history. This year's theme focuses on the influence that African Americans have had in the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary, and other forms of cultural expression.
This Friday is Groundhog's Day! We will all wait to see if our friend, Punxsutawney Phil, emerges from his burrow to see when we can expect Spring to come! If I look at the forecast, it is calling for cloudy skies this Friday...which would most likely mean Phil won't see his shadow and we will have an early Spring. Let's see what comes of this fun tradition.
On February 10, we celebrate the Lunar New Year. This holiday is widely celebrated throughout East Asia, marking the first new moon after the Winter Solstice.
On February 13, Americans celebrate Mardi Gras, signaling the final day of feasting prior to the Christian tradition of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (on February 14th this year)
Of course, February 14th is Valentine's Day.
This month we also celebrate Presidents' Day, also known as Washington's Birthday. We actually celebrate both Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays in combination on this day, which extends to a celebration of our Nation's founding and values, as well as the office of the presidency.
So, despite it being the shortest month in our calendar, we celebrate a number of important and significant facets of our culture and society. As we progress through the month, I hope that each of you find time to appreciate each of these events. In a few short weeks, we will begin to prepare for the end of Winter with full anticipation for Spring - I, for one, cannot wait for the weather to get warmer!
Be Well!
Dr. J..
A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words
2023-2024 GEOY Educators and Educational Specialists of the Year
Annual RBS Spelling Bee
Hands On Science!
Mr. Manco stopped by Miss Gilroy & Miss Utter’s Kindergarten class during their recent science experiment. Mr. Manco helped them learn how blubber keeps polar bears warm in the cold snow! ❄️
Valentine's Day Dance
The RBS Student Council is hard at work on decorations for the Valentine’s Day Dance! Get your tix asap! ❤️
RBS GATEWays
Maddie & Noelle represented RBS at the Future City competition at @rutgersu. City is a hands-on cross-curricular educational program that brings STEM to life for students in grades 6 through 8.
School Counselor Week
National School Counseling Week is an annual celebration that always takes place during the first full week of February. As we embark on National School Counselor Week 2024. I am excited to recognize the school counseling staff within the Butler School District. School counselors help students in so many ways - maybe even more than you may realize. Our counselors help our students with academic achievement strategies, managing their emotions, and learning and applying interpersonal skills. They partner with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world. They work with our teachers to create an educational environment in which students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic, and optimistic aspirations for themselves. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program in Butler. It is my please to honor these individuals:
- Mrs. Sue Maurer, Butler High School
- Mrs. Emma Tagariello, Butler High School
- Mrs. Lisa Urbina, Butler High School
- Ms. Theresa Sansone, Butler High School
- Mr. Joe Fischer, Richard Butler Middle School
I encourage you to reach out and thank your child's counselor during National School Counseling Week to show them your support and appreciation for all they do.
News From Our Schools
Aaron Decker Elementary School - Mr. J. Manco, Principal
ADS Governor’s Educator of the Year and Educational Service Professional of the Year
On January 18, 2024, Mr. Clark and Mrs. Snyder were honored as Governor’s Educator and Educational Service Professional of the Year at the Board of Education meeting. We are beyond lucky to have both of them serving the students of ADS as dedicated, caring professionals.
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration for 2024-2025 school year will begin on Monday, February 5, 2024. Please click on link for more information: Kindergarten Welcome/Registration Letter
ADS Bulldog of the Month
Congratulations to Mrs. Marie Moujahed for being named ADS Bulldog of the Month! Mrs. Moujahed is a hard working paraprofessional who truly cares about Aaron Decker School and the students she works with. She is a team player and is always willing to help when needed. Thank you for your efforts everyday!
100 Ways to Show We Care Project
As you may know, each year schools celebrate the 100th Day of School. On February 8th, Aaron Decker School will celebrate our 100th Day of School. This year, in partnership with The Rockaway Food Closet, we would like to use this day to give back to our local communities.
We are asking each child to bring in one non-perishable item for the food pantry. The collection will run from February 5-9. Please see the list below for which items we are collecting at each grade level.
Pre-K : Fruit Cups/Cans
Kindergarten: Instant Mashed Potatoes
First Grade: Canned Beans/Vegetables
Second Grade: Rice
Third Grade: Oatmeal
Fourth Grade: Granola Bars
Thank you in advance for all of your support for people in need!
Upcoming Important Dates at ADS:
February 9, 2024 - Football Friday: Wear your favorite football team apparel in celebration of the Super Bowl
February 12, 2024 - Delayed Opening - Teacher In-Service 9:30 am
February 19, 2024 - Schools are closed
February 21, 2024 -ADS Second Grade Specials Night 6:00pm:; snow date 2/29/24
March 6, 2024 - ADS Literacy/STEAM Night 6:30 pm
We have several ways for you to stay connected to ADS. Follow us on Twitter at @ADS_Bulldogs and Instagram at @ads_bulldogs for news, announcements, and celebrations. A weekly update will be sent out for upcoming events and important information through Blackboard Communications. As always, thank you for your continued support!
Richard Butler Middle School - Mrs. M. Papa, Principal
RBS Governor’s Educator of the Year and Educational Service Professional of the Year
On January 18, 2024, Mrs. Paulison and Ms. VanderHoff were honored as Governor’s Educator and Educational Service Professional of the Year at the Board of Education meeting. These wonderful, dedicated staff members excel at serving the students of RBS.
February not only marks the midpoint of the academic year but also invites us to reflect on the accomplishments and growth of our students. As we embrace the theme of love, kindness, and friendship, we invite you to join us in celebrating the achievements and moments that make the RBS community so exceptional. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in the enriching journey of our students!
We are looking forward to celebrating with our students at the Valentine’s Day Dance for 7th & 8th graders and the Valentine’s Day Dance Party for 5th & 6th graders on Friday, February 9, 2024. Please note the snow date for these events will be Friday, February 16.
Blake Brandes impressed our students with his freestyle rapping talent and message of the power of the growth mindset. He encouraged our students with the idea that he was not always a talented rapper, but he worked hard and honed his skill. Students know that even if they don’t initially succeed, it just means they haven’t succeeded YET! We all have opportunities to learn and grow each day, and RBS students are constantly showing us how they embody this ideal. National School Counseling Week is February 6-10, and we’d like to offer our deepest gratitude to Mr. Fischer, Ms. Tagariello, and Ms. Stern for all of the support they provide our students! Scheduling for grade 8 is underway as BHS Counselor Ms. Sansone met with our 8th graders to begin preparation as they move on to Butler High School.
Students in grades 5-8 are enjoying Hot Chocolate Week sponsored by the RBS Student Council during this last week of January. Thank you to Ms. Spellman and our StuCo officers and reps for organizing this beloved RBS tradition. The RBS Winter Olympics has been postponed to Friday, February 16, 2024. Get ready for a fierce competition!
To give back for our 100th Day of School, RBS will be collecting for St. Anthony’s Food Pantry in Butler. Students in each grade level have been assigned items that can be purchased for 100 cents or less that will be donated. Each grade is assigned different items; we hope you’ll participate!
If you haven’t already, please check out our RBS Review newsletter. Helpful documents like the RBS Student Handbook, Bell Schedules, and Student Activities schedules can be found there along with current announcements and events. Please continue to stay connected with us through social media. Follow us on Twitter at @RBS_Bulldogs, Facebook at Richard Butler Middle School, and Instagram at @RBS_Bulldogs for news, announcements, and celebrations. Please feel free to call us at (973) 492-2079, write to Mrs. Molina at jmolina@butlerboe.org, or write to Mrs. Papa at mpapa@butlerboe.org.
Please join us in congratulating Teacher of Grade 5 Social Studies Mr. Robert Macaluso as he has been named Bulldog of the Month for January here at RBS. Mr. Macaluso is in his first year at RBS, and he is truly passionate about history. He is a welcomed addition to the 5th grade team as he shares in the philosophy of high expectations in order to provide a firm foundation for the rest of his students' time at RBS. Congratulations, Mr. Mac!
Butler High School - Mr. R. Fitzgerald, Principal
As we step into the second month of the year, I am excited to welcome in our second semester. February brings with it a sense of renewal and the promise of exciting opportunities for our students. The halls of our high school are filled with the energy of learning, creativity, and collaboration. I am very proud of the dedication and resilience displayed by our students throughout the 2023 - 2024 school year. Please check out some highlights and important events and celebrations below. Together, let us continue to foster a supportive environment where every student can thrive academically and personally.
BHS Governor’s Educator of the Year and Educational Service Professional of the Year
On January 18, 2024, Ms. Berkheiser and Mrs. Findura were honored as Governor’s Educator and Educational Service Professional of the Year at the Board of Education meeting. Both Mrs. Findura and Ms. Berkheiser excel at showing our students that they can accomplish anything if they dedicate themselves to the task. We are lucky to have them in our District!
BHS 2024-2025 scheduling begins on February 2, 2024. All grades 9 -11 must enter their electives in the Genesis Parent Portal during the window of February 2 - 9, 2024. Please see the link below for directions:
2024 - 2025 BHS SCHEDULING PARENT LETTER
BHS 2nd Marking Period Report Cards were posted on the Genesis Parent Portal on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Seniors who need to send mid-year grades to colleges should report to the school counseling office starting February 9, 2024 to fill out a mid-year grade request form
We were informed this fall that our dual-enrollment marketing course agreement with William Paterson University will see a rise in tuition to approximately $600 for the 2024 -2025 school year. In addition, a textbook may be required to purchase for the course as well. Stay tuned for more information. Please take this into consideration when selecting this course for next year. It is still a substantial saving compared to the current cost per credit at William Paterson University. ( 3 credit courses = approx. $1200)
- Math - Daniel Akhtar and Brendan Combs
- Science - Madison Meyers
- Social Studies - Leonid Meto and Joneisy Sepulveda
- World Languages - Mario Bardales
- ELL - Ashley Garcia Garcia
- Language Arts - Emily Loganchuk
- Art - Isabella Kloss
- Music - Natalie Roszkowski
- Foods - Bella Biancamano
- Physical Education - Andrew Combs
- Business - Jenesy Sepulveda
- Shared Time Student - Logan Sykes
- Senior - Anna Henderson
- Junior - Josuel Barrios
- Sophomore - Gianna Rossi
- Freshman - Anabella Cole
Congratulations to the following DECA members who placed at Regionals and will now go on to compete at the state level!
State’s Qualifiers:
Danial Akhtar
Team of: Matthew Barile / PJ Coffey
Jake Fiorenza
Rachel West
Jenesy Sepulveda
Alaina Entice
Naomi Espinoza
Sabrina Chen
Gianna Kilmat
Team of: Marc Rosania / Matthew Shultis
Peter Calvi
Team of: Ava Assorgi / Cassidy Boasso
Jason Chrostowski 3rd Place
Kyle McKernan 5th Place
Luca Toriello 4th Place
Congratulations to Laura Tomasella for taking third place in girls' high score and third place third high series during the Morris County Tournament with a score of 155!
Congratulations to Robyn Vandergoot for receiving the NJSIAA National Girls and Women’s Sports Award for 2023.
Congratulations to the following Seniors who will be earning their Seal of Biliteracy in the spring of 2024:
- Gabriela Lopez
- Sofiia Vivchar
- Arda Simsek
- Yira Escobar
- Mario Bardales
- Kasey DeRitter
Upcoming Events:
February 5 - 9, 2024 is National School Counselor Week! Thank you to Ms. Sansone, Mrs. Urbina and Mrs. Maurer, and Ms. Tagariello for all you do!
All Butler Schools will be closed for President’s Day on February 19, 2024.
Important Dates: March 11th - 15th: All 11th graders must take the NJGPA Assessment at Butler High School per NJDOE. More details are to be shared by March 1, 2024.
Please continue to stay connected with us through social media. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for news, announcements, and celebrations:
Athletics Twitter @bhsbulldogsnj
Athletics Instagram @bhsathletics1
BHS Counseling Instagram @butlerhscounseling
District SAC @mstagariello
Athletics and Activities
We are proud to share piece of Butler History. Our girl's wrestling participated in their first ever dual match as we teamed up with Lenape Valley to take on Mount Olive!
We had a great event where our alumni fencers came back home to Butler for our first Alumni Fencing Tournament! We had a such a great turnout, and it was great to have our current fencers connect with the alumni.
Congratulations to Billy McHone for finishing 1st place individual high score in the Morris County tournament. Congratulations to Laura Tomasella for finishing 3rd place overall for girls.
We are also excited to share we had our first alumni wrestling event this past month as well, as we focus on continuing our connections with prior Bulldogs, knowing that all roads lead back to Butler. Our team defeated Weehawkin that night.
Congrats to Andrew Kaynak for being selected as an outstanding Scholar-Athlete by The Greater Morris Chapter of the National Football Foundation. He was selected for his football ability and outstanding scholarship and citizenship. Andrew will be honored at The NFF banquet on March 21.
From Our Health Offices
Welcome to the Health Office section of the newsletter! Here you will be able to find out what is going on in our health offices along with tips and tricks to maintain health and wellness.
Our health offices are all working on health screenings for our students. If your student is in need of a referral a referral will be sent home approximately within one week of the health screenings. Referrals are sent out to students who may have deviations in their prospective health screenings. Health screening referrals are recommendations for further evaluations by a health care provider.
Join us on February 2, 2024 wearing red to support heart (cardiovascular) health as it is the leading cause of death in America.
Five ways to improve your cardiovascular health include:
Eat a balanced diet
Get active
Maintain a health weight
Manage stress
Receive adequate sleep
February is dental health month! Did you know that good dental health goes beyond just a sparkling smile and good breath, it can help in preventing heart disease, diabetes and many other diseases.
Give Kids a Smile kicks off on February 2, 2024! Give Kids a Smile is an American Dental Association program that offers free oral health services to qualifying children. These free services are provided at more than 100 dental practices and clinics every year in New Jersey. See the attached flyer or this link https://www.njda.org/for-the-public/gkas for participating locations and how to register.