Bulldog Weekly Update
February 28th - March 4th
Monthly CRP Quote
― Zaretta L. Hammond, Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
After School Students Study Skunk Pelt
After School Students Study LIVE Skunk (De-Skunked!)
After School Student Stretch Homemade Slime
After School Students Create Slime to Take Home
Art Students: The Sum of All Parts
Art Students Watercolor
Girls Ready for their first WIN!
Butler Students Welcome Guests to the Basketball Game
Allied Arts celebrates food from around the Globe
6th Grade Students Shine a Light on Main Ideas
5th Grade Students Share Compliments in Compliment Jars
Iconic Black Musicians Celebrated on 7th Grade Bulletin Board
5th Grade Art Display in Hallway
Lowell Art Fest
Lowell Art Fest
The Tree Remembers What the Axe Forgets
It is often easier for the perpetrator to dismiss the impact of hurtful words or actions. When we look at history through the lens of the systemically marginalized or oppressed, we cannot help but to better understand the detriment of generational trauma and pain. Our students may be early in their lives but some carry the burden of prejudice experienced by their parents or grandparents. So many of the investments we've made in our students this year have centered around their social, emotional, physical and psychological safety. Not all students who left our care on February 18th were excited to go home. For some, school is their safe haven. School is their place of recognition, of stability, of warmth. School is their self-care.
Trauma Informed Practice is one area of professional training where Butler Middle School is also looking to invest. Our school accepts the responsibility of raising the whole child. In doing so, sometimes we must help them work through the past--their own pasts and the ones they carry. As you welcome students in the door Monday morning, remember the words of the late Rita Pierson, "At times, teachers need to be great actors. You don't have to love all your students the same but the one's you don't can never, ever know it."
Notes from the Principal's Desk
Keepin' it Fresh
Butler Middle School is working hard this year to build students' pride in their communities. One way we all can pitch in is by taking responsibility for the communal spaces. If you see that a bulletin board has been empty for months, that is prime real estate we should be using to celebrate some aspect of Butler culture, Butler students, Butler Staff. The hallways, foyers and corridors say quite a bit about our school. Are they clean? Are they inviting? If a visitor walked by your class in September and again in March, would all the walls look exactly the same? We need to keep it fresh for our students, and find new and creative ways to celebrate what is happening in the classroom. If you walk past a corkboard that's full of torn up papers from 2020--it's time for a change. Feel free to add your two cents to it.
Lowell Winter Art Fest
Many in the circuit know that Butler Middle School has a thriving Art Scene. This weekend marked the annual winter art fest and BMS brought a strong presence. The winner of the Lowell Winter Art Fest this year was Lowell Community Charter. The 2nd place went to the Boys & Girls Club. Butler Middle School placed in third--WAHOO! Winners were interviewed by Lowell TV and the Lowell Sun. The show was a great success and showcased many students budding talents. See the photos here and congratulate our students.
Also seen above are samples from our 5th grade students' art work displayed in the hallway outside the Art room. Take time to admire our students' creations and read the descriptors posted by Ms. Hammond to learn more about the objectives in their art.
The Compliment Jars
5th Grade has introduced an SEL activity that includes all students. Jars are labeled by homeroom and students are given post-its to share compliments about their peers. Some are short, kind words. Some are several sentences long. They can be anonymous or signed off. What's important is that they provide students with another way to communicate their respect and appreciation for one another. Thank you to the 5th grade team for coming up with creative and collaborative ways to get students from different classes to engage positively. The Compliment Jars exercise could work well in collaboration with the children's book, "The Name Jar" by Yangsook Choi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjV315id75s with a positive, alliterative word associated with each student's name.
Partnerships A Game Changer for After School Program
Last week, students enrolled in the Animal Adventures club came face to face with a live skunk. Although no untrained person should ever take in a wild animal to keep, it turns out that trained professionals find skunks to be lively and loving animals. When a wild animal is sent to rehabilitate and cannot be reintroduced to the wild they often form bonds with their caretakers. The caretakers ensure the animals safety, nutrition and housing needs are met -- but they also can provide companionship, mental stimulation, and facilitate socialization with other injured animals of the same species. This skunk from Mass Audubon is de-skunked (spray gland is removed). Her name is LUNA and she was so impressed with the students she kept trying to sneak out of her pen to get a closer look. I bet she wasn't the only one!
Here, There, Everywhere: Join Us at the Science Fair!
Please show your support for the sciences! According to the national science council: "Science is the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of the natural world following a systematic methodology based on evidence." Science is the very reason for the progression of man! LPS has some amazing science instructors, teaching a subject that is foundational to the way we understand all matters of life. The Science and Engineering Fair will be held on Tuesday, March 1 from 5:00 - 6:00 at the Lowell High School Cafeteria. Come and show your support of our young scientists and engineers.
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!
REMINDERS:
The office must be called if you need assistance or a student sent to the office or to the nurse. Also, you MUST give a student a pass if they have permission to leave your class. DO NOT send a student to the office without calling first. Unless it is an emergency situation, the student will be turned away and asked to return to class.
VERO Support- is in the building for support Thursdays - Please utilize the attached google link to sign up for her support.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YTnCL6BiNvtwjdf8tYj90xSqzhn120orGcQqCQXM6ZY/edit?usp=sharing
Afterschool Academic Supports - To be compensated for the additional tier-2 ACADEMIC SUPPORTS teachers need to:
-Fill out this form weekly(this is for the current week)
-Keep attendance
-If you working with students remotely, print out a copy of student(s) Zoom attendance-https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CRCnE-ai2vvvGq2tmAuCiqNK82ZIQYDUXO92gsmD7Qs/edit?usp=sharing
Week at a Glance
Monday 2/28
9:30 Operations
SEL Morning Meeting
Tuesday 3/1
- 8:30 Student Support
- 3:30 RJT Meetings
Wednesday 3/2
- ILT
- Admin CPT
Thursday 3/3
- PBIS Team Meeting
Friday 3/4
- Fun FriYay! Wear your Butler Pride Gear
ILT Updates
Next Team meeting - March
Check-in with your grade level team representatives for more information.
RJLT
Next Team meeting - March
PBIS
Next Team meeting - March 3rd
We are working with the administration on upcoming school culture assemblies and grade level supports.
Please check with your grade-level PBIS representative for additional information.
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 ~ March
Sam Khoeun - 3/5
Lori Arnold - 3/7
Melinda Goodick - 3/16
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/