Bulldog Weekly Update
February 13 - 17
Monday Motivation
Notes from the Principal's Desk
A busy but productive week is in the books! We are approximately one week out from February break and looking at an ambitious stretch ahead. What does this mean for us? What does it mean for our students?
A number of our youth will join us for February Vacation Week, and an even larger number will not. Our students will need balance during their days off. They should recharge but not totally check-out. What can we offer them over break to maintain a bridge to school without placing additional demands on this much needed time off?
As we think about this link, some possible options come to mind. What about asking of students to invest in creative, artistic, musical or project based outlets? Could we present students with a real-world problem and ask them to come up with a model or plan to fix it? Could we ask students to engage in "The 5 Day Journal" writing one sentence in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening about their day for five days straight? Could they come up with five math problems (one a day) for YOU to solve when we return? Is there a low-cost, safe science experiment they could try out and photo-document the process and results?
There are many ways to fortify a connection for students while they are away from school. Sometimes being artistic, investing in problem and puzzle-solving, or creating something new is just the kind of engaged relaxation we need.
BMS HIdden Figures
In this section we are introducing colleagues that hold multiple roles and are hidden figures amongst the Butler school community. A colleague shared this week that there is so much that goes on outside of their classroom bubble and they look to this publication for who, what and how we are doing as a school community.
Let us introduce you to Mr. Bryan Callahan! Mr. Callahan is our security paraprofessional. Mr. Callahan secures our hallways, works closely with our school's administration team, the districts technology department, supports our school's technology needs while building and fostering positive relationships with every student. He works closely with our adjustment team and supports our students in crisis.. Fun Fact: He knows every students name and can tell you their location without looking it up. He coaches our basketball and volleyball teams and now facilitates our Saturday school program. He works with our senior custodian on Sunday to prepare the building for future task. Mr. Callahan helps the school function on a day-to-day basis, including performing vital behind-the-scenes tasks, and maintaining the school while assisting students and staff with task small and large. Mr. Callahan maintains a positive disposition and has an incredible energy and a refreshing idealism that adds to our school community.
Week at a Glance
- Operations Huddle
- iReady Make-Ups
Tuesday 2/14
- SST
- Content CPT
- iReady Make-Ups
- Valentine's Day
- 6th Grade Q2 Award Ceremony
Wednesday 2/15
- Admin CPT
- iReady Make-Ups
- 7th Grade Q2 Awards
- Butler Step Team Performs at UML BBall Game 6 pm
Thursday 2/16
- Boast Your Alma Mater with your Favorite College Gear
- iReady Make Ups (LAST DAY)
- 5th & 8th Q2 Award Ceremony
- Butler Pride -- Rock Butler's Colors (Red, Black & White)
- Staff vs. Students Basketball Game
- Friendship Dance After School (5/6 and 7/8 are separate)
- Winter Break starts Feb. 18th - Relax and Rejuvenate
Award Ceremony Schedule
Feb. 14th - 6th Grade Q2 Awards 10:00
Feb. 15th - 7th Grade Q2 Awards 10:55
Feb. 16th - 8th Grade Q2 Awards 10:00
Feb.16th - 5th Grade Q2 Awards 1:10
On the Horizon...
- 2/27 Climate and Culture Meets
What's Happening in Our World?
Classrooms across the school have been paying close attention to what is happening around our globe. From ELA to Science to Social Studies and our EL Department, you can catch students taking in their 10 minutes of news coverage for the day. Students have been immersed in conversations and reflections around the earthquake in Turkey, the recent claims of global espionage, the President's State of the Union address, and other events occurring in countries near and far.
Students' engagement with carefully selected forms of news helps to build an awareness of how our world is changing. It can foster passion and empathy. It can work to dispel misconceptions about people, places and cultures. It can motivate students to do something for their local community or to act in service of those thousands of miles away.
Of her students' experiences with CNN10, Mrs. Coffey writes:
"Students love learning about and discussing the current events of the week that spark interest as well as enjoying the short pause from the daily reading/writing routine. Students also love taking guesses, and often times debate about the trivia questions embedded in the program. This week students engaged in lively discussions about the Chinese spy balloon and the very tragic earthquake in Turkey and Syria."
As you greet your students on Monday, be thinking about what useful news there is to share from the weekend. Did AI have a breakthrough? Was there an evolution in medicine that changes the way we screen for and treat cancer? Is there a new office within government forming in another country that ours should consider? Or simply, who won the super bowl--do we think the game was fair?
Stop and Smell the Roses
As you walk through the hallways, stop and smell the roses. From 5th grade to 8th grade, in every hallway, teachers are showcasing and celebrating student work. If you see something inside a teacher's classroom that catches your eyes, ask if you can pop in and take a closer look. Our students' talents and growing abilities are showcased around our school everyday. If you don't stop to take a look every now and again, you're going to miss it!
8th Graders chose real world concepts to show their understanding of expressions and equations
8th Graders chose real world concepts to show their understanding of expressions and equations
Conscientious Consumers: 7th and 8th Graders write product reviews for Company Executives
Mrs. Fraser's Class Celebrates Students iReady Progress
7th Graders Showcase Their Research Topics: The Stock Market
7th Graders Showcase Their Research Topics: Bullying
ILT Updates
Next Team meeting - 3/1 (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 2/17/23
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:
- 2/27
6th Graders Enjoy STEM Fieldtrip with Mr. Cruz
6th Graders Enjoy STEM Fieldtrip with Mr. Cruz
6th Graders Enjoy STEM Fieldtrip with Mr. Cruz
Butler Staff Spotlight - Kayla Athanasatos
After School Board Games: Students Teach Others How to Play Chess
After School: Students Build Social Skills and New Connections
February Staff Birthdays
Don't Forget to say " Happy Birthday"
Alex Torres Gonzalez 2/1 (Night Custodian)
Samantha Arnold 2/8
John Fugarino 2/14
Shawlette Howard- Smith 2/14
Jaime Moody 2/15
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/