Bulldog Weekly Update
May 16th- May 20th
Monthly CRP Quote
“In recent years, there’s been a lot of talk about the reasons behind the low performance of many students of color, English learners, and poor students. Rather than examine school policies and teacher practices, some attribute it to a “culture of poverty” or different community values toward education. The reality is that they struggle not because of their race, language, or poverty. They struggle because we don’t offer them sufficient opportunities in the classroom to develop the cognitive skills and habits of mind that would prepare them to take on more advanced academic tasks (Boykin & Noguera, 2011; Jackson, 2011). That’s the achievement gap in action. The reasons they are not offered more opportunities for rigor are rooted in the education system’s legacy of “separate and unequal” (Kozol, 2006; Oakes, 2005).”
― Zaretta L. Hammond, Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
Environmental Control for Your Classroom
Our capacity to manage environmental fluctuations in the school and classroom can sometimes feel a bit beyond our control. In many districts, the school's actual edifice does not belong to the public school system but rather, the city or town. In this circumstance, the city or town manages the buildings larger scale maintenance issues. For this reason, the public schools are primarily in a position where they can make requests to address infrastructural and environmental safety concerns but the public schools cannot evaluate the concern independently, hire for repair, or pay the costs on their own. As you may know based on recent school committee and city-wide meetings, monies allocated to specific schools or projects must be written into a budget or grant, must be approved by the school board, and with regard to maintenance issues, the city--and then vendors, contracting for services, materials, long-term upkeep, etc. and the funding for all the above, become part of a proposal for review by the school system's and city's governing boards. It can look a little bit different from district to district but the bottom line is: it's a complicated process to have major repairs done and school sites, and their leaders, are not always in a position to wield power to improve infrastructural conditions with the school.
In the interim, student health and safety are still of utmost importance. In an article shared by the AASA, IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) can have a direct impact on student learning and performance. IEQ includes "air quality, aesthetics, acoustics, lighting, temperature, and the use of sustainable materials" and these influence how students perceive their experiences at school and, where health is concerned, they can have positive or deleterious affects on their growth. Excessive noise or exposure to noise pollutants are not only a constant irritant but, with prolonged exposure, can have serious influence on mood and overall wellbeing. Poor lighting can impact concentration, strain eyes, and even affect sleep. Cluttered, cumbersome walls and classroom desks can impact mental congestion. It can cause for overstimulation, distraction, and lowered clarity of thought.
The AASA shares that on average, "children spend 15,600 hours within a school over the course of their K-12 education." Additionally, each year over 14 million children "missed school days" due to poor air quality. This can trigger asthma or cause nasal/sinus blockage, or other bronchial issues. As variations in rules and regulations around mask use continue, district leaders may want to consider whether ESSER funding can be used to address indoor environmental quality. For us, in the here and now, we need to think about what non-intrusive items we can bring into our classrooms or share in order to optimize IEQ (for ourselves and for our students). If it is over 80-degrees and the heater is still on in your class, that needs to be addressed. When possible, fresh air should be brought into the classroom. If there are spaces in the span of the lesson to lower the use of artificial lighting, see if you can do this. If the sound of chairs scraping against the floor overwhelms the sound of students talking or sharing in class, consider whether foot pads on the chairs will help with noise reduction. If there is a part of the class which receives sunlight all day long and is creating a "green house" effect, ask about what you can use to create shade there. It may mean adding an impromptu curtain but it will turn that area of the class back into useable space and bring down the overall temperature. When you come in on Monday, as we face another week of high 70 and low 80 -degree weather, assess what you can do to improve your class IEQ. Ask teachers how they are managing aspects of IEQ that feel beyond their control. If we are innovative, if we pool resources, and if we ask students for their participation as well, we can ensure that learning conditions remain optimal from now until the end of the school year.
Sam Arnold takes home the Title Glove at Friday's Team Trivia
Mrs. Pena holds up the winning trophy after BMS dominates!
Mr. King and Mr. Francis Mean Mug the Competition
Team Work Makes the Dream Work for Micky Ward
Can't Fight the Enthusiasm After This Powerful Win
Bulldog Mascot Brings Good Luck to the BMS Team
5th and 6th Grade Students "Read to Succeed"
Award Ceremonies Celebrate Student Success this Week and Next
Award Ceremonies Celebrate Student Success this Week and Next
Notes from the Principal's Desk
We are now at the half-way point for May! As the weather improves, the days are becoming warmer. It behooves us all to remind parents weekly, if not daily, to send children with water bottles, to give them sunscreen or send them in with visors/hats/shades that can be worn outside. And, we need to let students know these are for outside use only, not for use in the classroom. When the weather is nice, we try to get outside every lunch period. It's also possible for teachers to take students outside during class. The majority of the recreational space we have is not shaded. There are some areas covered by natural canopy and others by the building shade but 80% of our play space is open to the sun's rays. Just as in the winter, we asked for support with reminding students to bundle up before they went outside, we now need teachers' help letting students know that a stop to their locker to drop off their sweatshirts or pullovers is a wise-idea before going to lunch. All you can do is provide the information and strongly encourage. Still, these messages home will indicate to parents that their children's health and well-being is our top priority. Some of our youngest students are just 10 years old; even our eldest students at 14 and 15 need to know someone is looking out for them in times of high heat and humidity. As we mentioned above, we are concerned with whether students feel healthy and well, that their bodies on not over-heating, and they are given ample access to water and breaks so they are able to continue engaging and so we can make the most of these last 4 weeks together.
7th Grade Jumping to New Heights
This last week, 7th grade experienced a celebration for exceptional citizenship. The 7th grade students who went to the Pelham, NH trampoline park were nominated to attend for demonstrating great effort in taking care of self, taking care of each other, and taking care of our community. These values remain a focus for BMS students and staff, and underscore our main goal of treating ourselves, one another, and our school, with high regard.
People & Pets Fosters Positive Reading Experience for 5th Graders
Therapy dogs “Bridget”, a brindle Scottie, and “Fella”, a full sized poodle, brought smiles and joy to fifth graders on Friday. In small groups of four and five, students took turns reading short stories to these lovely furry friends. Students learned about proper pet care, safe food and dangerous foods for dogs, and the difference between service animals, therapy animals, and pets. Students could not stop asking when the dogs would be back and hoped to have the opportunity to read to Bridget, Fella or another furry friend in the new school year.
Wicked Smaht School
Butler took the cake at the LPS trivia night and fundraiser for the Micky Ward foundation. Schools from across the district competed on a wide range of trivia items with Butler Middle School clinching the win.. A huge and special thanks to Sam Arnold for coordinating this opportunity for Butler teachers, and for taking home the champ title, another nod to BMS!
In Ms. Arnold's words:
The Micky Ward Trivia event included all of the schools in Lowell Public Schools. The room was jam packed with teachers, principals and representatives from Central Office. The questions varied from flags, entertainment, demographics, to food. Our team won for multiple reasons. First, we had our lucky mascot along with us that we (Julie Cooper) and she held him up every time we answered a question correctly. Which, by the way, happened for each and every single question asked!! Second, we had a teachers of all ages, and we had each subject area present at the table. Third, we had high staff morale. Since our team won, we were able to keep the famous trophy! Also, a Micky Ward glove was raffled off to someone on the winning team. Teresa picked the name from a hat and I won! Gooooooooooo Bulldogs!
6th Grade Joins 5th in Read to Succeed Program in May
Volunteer and donor, Chris Margulies, took this past week to sew 25 pillow cases and pair them with 25 grade level texts for 6th graders to participate in the Read-A-Thon this month. Students have a wide range of texts to choose from including the Black Panther comic series, Batman comic series, and a slew of new chapter books. This is part of the Read-to-Succeed efforts to get students reading before they go on summer break!
Award Ceremonies Started This Week!
Q3 award ceremonies started this week with 5th and 6th grade. This award ceremony is especially important as it is the last of this year. It offers parents an opportunity to participate in person. Many who attended clapped hard and loud to see their kids up on stage, proud of the recognition they received for their hard work this year. There are no Q4 awards as report cards are sent home directly when the school year ends. If you see a student in the hall who recently received an award, don’t forget to stop and congratulate! There is always a moment in the day for a kind word and a little praise.
What is new in your world? If you would like to make sure the Butler community is informed on new happenings and learning opportunities in your classroom, make sure to connect with the school's admin team. Just write “Bulletin” in the subject with your submission. Pictures are always a plus!
5th Grade Students Take Turns Reading to Bridget, a Brindle Scottie
5th Grade Students Take Turns reading to Fella, a full sized poodle.
Thank you cards from 5th grade to "Pets and People Foundation"
5th Grade Students Wrap Up Narrative Writing With Celebration
5th Grade Students Wrap Up Narrative Writing With Celebration
5th Grade Students Wrap Up Narrative Writing With Celebration
7th Grade Rock Stars Have an Absolute Blast At The Trampoline Park!
Mrs. Morse Attempts to Take Down a Student in the Ultimate Battle
7th Grade Students Pose for a Photo Before Getting Back on the Trampolines!
Trampoline Basketball... You Can't Lose!
Climbing Out of the Foam Pit
Mrs. Curran works with students on Wednesday to Clean Up the Front of the School
Week at a Glance
Monday 5/16
9:30 Operations
SEL Morning Meeting
Tuesday 5/17
- 8:30 Student Support
- SCI MCAS
Wednesday 5/18
- SCI MCAS
- Admin CPT
- Pena Leadership
- 3pm ILT
Thursday 5/19
- 9 am Curriculum and Instruction Meeting
- Elementary Parent Meeting
- Q3 Ice Cream Reward
- Special Education PLC
- 3 pm Special Education PLC
- Field Day
- Fun FriYay! Wear your Butler Pride Gear
- 5th Grade "Read to a Pet" Program After School
ILT Updates
Next Team meeting - May 18th
Check-in with your grade level team representatives for more information.
RJLT
Next Team meeting - TBA
Restorative Justice Implementation Note:
When we teach people to swim, we don't throw them out to the deep end, toss them all overboard, and shout "trust is the most important part" and wonder why they could not all make it back to shore without being harmed.
Rather, we scaffold the skills from small to large, empower them with recognition and encouragement, begin in low-risk spaces as we build trust, then move toward more challenging work when we all feel equipped to do so safely. Perhaps feeling challenged, but not feeling fear.
Do not wait until a disaster to begin implementing restorative practices. Begin now, work slowly, so that when the big moments come, we feel empowered, equipped, and prepared.
If you feel uncomfortable about the circle you are planning to lead, then stop. Do not move forward, take about six steps back and begin from there.
Ms. Casey is available to assist too!
PBIS
Next Team meeting - first Thursday of the month
Please check with your grade-level PBIS representative for additional information.
YOU'VE BEEN MUGGED!!
(Please take a picture of you and your mug and send it to mcurran@lowell.k12.ma.us)
Be on the lookout
And open your eyes
One day soon
You may find a surprise
Upon your desk
So if you get one
Please pass on a mug
And continue the fun
A little small treat
Is all it will take
To make someone smile
Whose day will you make?
Monthly Motivation
It's always great to start on an inspiring note. This month we will add speeches from the MLK Oratory competition.
Staff Birthday Shoutouts ~ May
Doungserey Chhim - 5/1
Teresa Soares Pena - 5/15
Julie Cooper - 5/22
Ann Early - 5/26
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/