April 2024 Community Newsletter
March 27th, 2024
HAPPY SPRING!
Dear Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s):
April is upon us! Our school year seems to be flying by. I happen to love the month of April, as I love the concept of Springtime and renewal. Each of us has an opportunity for a fresh start in Spring - like nature, it is a time for us to feel energized, to feel growth. One of my favorite things at this time of the year is when the leaves are new - they are so vibrant. I love driving down my street, with the sun shining on the new green leaves - it reminds me that everything is a cycle. We may have difficult times, but those pass, and - overall - life is full of wonder.
April brings a start to many wonderful things in the Butler School District as well. When school reopens after break, we will be in the home stretch of the year. There will be State assessments, Spring concerns, exciting athletic events, celebrations, and so much more. The final 10 weeks of school will come and go so quickly - please plan on spending some time with us at one of the exciting things we will have going during that time.
I had mentioned State assessments, and I want to take this time to ask that you please speak with your children about the importance of these assessments. The Butler School District believes in educating the whole child - in offering a comprehensive educational experience; however, these assessments are also important as we use them for a variety of efforts within our schools. These assessments are part of our matrices for placement in our honors programs, gifted and talented programming, intervention efforts, and for college track planning. Additionally, the data we get from these assessments are part of our process for curriculum and assessment review in district. The more accurate the data, the better we can adjust our programs to fit the needs of our students. Shortly, your principals will be sending home letters regarding testing in the three schools - please note this information. Please add that to your calendars and be certain that your child(ren) are in school on those days. Please work to make sure that they have the proper rest and nutrition to come to school and perform at their best. Again - we know that students are so much more than a test score - and we pride ourselves on viewing our children through many lenses - but these scores do make up a part of that view, and we appreciate your assistance in making that as accurate a view as possible.
I hope that you all have a tremendous month!
Be Well!
Dr. J.
A Picture Is Worth a 1000 Words...
Butler In The News
Congrats to Mrs. Papa and Erin Tashian for representing Butler at the recent NJPSA/NJASA Women in Leadership Conference. Butler has been working for the past 6 years on SEL instruction and integration of mindful/wellness practices for students and our staff.
PIPPIN!
Congratulations to the BHS cast of Pippin! The production was tremendous, with our students showing how wonderful and integral the arts are within our district.
ADS Assembly
Thanks to thrive orthodontics and pediatric dentistry for giving a great lesson on oral hygiene
Read Across America
Aaron Decker School had a great time during Read Across America Week. They welcomed visitors from Cedar Crest Retired Educators Club, as well as peer leaders from Butler High School who came and shared best loved stories with our students. The love of reading is integral in the educational process for our students - and to share that love across our entire learning community demonstrates our commitment to reading as a life long choice within Butler.
Congrats Bowling Team!
Congratulations to our bowlers who attended the all county luncheon yesterday! Billy was third team all county while Kevin and Vinny were honorable mention. Also shoutout to Coach Marion who was coach of the year in the NJIC Colonial Division
Referendum Update
We have been busy working with our architects, engineers, and vendors on projects for our referendum. Projects will begin this summer, and all aspects of the referendum should be complete by the start of the '26-'27 school year.
This summer, we will begin work on the following projects:
- BHS Addition: we are excited at the renderings and planning that has taken place in order to provide our students, staff, and learning community with an updated high school that will have enhanced safety for all;
- Visitor Vestibules: we have met with the contracting company who will be installing the visitor vestibules at ADS and RBS, worked out the plans, chosen the colors, updated the technology needs, and we are excited to have these completed during this upcoming summer;
- ADS Drop Off Lane: we are scheduled to begin and complete the construction of the drop off lane at ADS this summer
- Restroom Updates: we have also met with the contractors for pre-construction meetings regarding the lavatory updates that will take place this summer at BHS and RBS. These updates will increase ADA Compliance, update fixtures for enhanced operations and safety, and provide students and staff with enhanced facilities
- BHS Gymnasium - we are excited to begin work on updating varied aspects within the BHS gymnasium for enhanced safety and operations. New bleachers have been bid, updated electric has been planned, painting is set, and new backboards, stantions, and scoreboards are all ready to installation
- RBS/BHS Locker Renovations - we have also begun the process of planning for locker updates for our students within the middle and high schools, allowing them access to places where they can safely store their personal belongings during the school day.
News From Our Schools
Aaron Decker Elementary School - Mr. J. Manco, Principal
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration for 2024-2025 school year continues. Please click on link for more information: Kindergarten Welcome/Registration Letter
ADS Bulldog of the Month
Congratulations to Mrs. Toni Anne Jack for being named ADS Bulldog of the Month. With an understanding of the unique needs of our students, Mrs. Jack goes above and beyond in creating inclusive learning experiences. Her expertise in occupational therapy seamlessly integrates with teaching practices, fostering an environment where every student can thrive. Whether it's designing personalized interventions, collaborating with teachers, or providing support to individual students, Mrs. Jack consistently demonstrates a deep sense of compassion and empathy. Congratulations, Mrs. Jack, on this well-deserved recognition!
Read Across America Week
We would like to thank our guest readers from both Cedar Crest Senior Living Community and students from Butler High School for coming to Aaron Decker School and reading to our students. Thanks for great read alouds! The students were so excited!
Kids Heart Challenge
Thank you to all who participated in this year's Kid's Heart Challenge. We raised over $7,800 as a school for the American Heart Association. Great Job! Thank you again toMr. Clark for arranging this great event!
Upcoming Important Dates at ADS:
March 29 - April 5 - Spring Break
April 18 - Second Grade Field Trip to Turtle Back Zoo
April 22 - April 26 - PTA Spring Book Fair
April 23 - Author Visit to ADS
April 24 - Third Grade Field Trip to Turtle Back Zoo
April 24 - Animal Show visit to Preschool Classes
April 25 - First Grade Field Trip to Turtle Back Zoo
May 2 - Spring Art Show/ 3rd and 4th Grade Spring Concert (More details to follow)
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
As we transition into the vibrant month of April, we're excited to share some exciting updates and upcoming events happening at Richard Butler Middle School!
🎉 Spring Break: We hope all our students and families have a rejuvenating Spring Break! We're can’t wait to welcome everyone back to school feeling refreshed and ready for an exciting final stretch of the academic year.
🌟 Student Achievements: We're incredibly proud of our students' achievements and successes both inside and outside the classroom. From academic achievements to extracurricular accomplishments, we celebrate the dedication, perseverance, and talent demonstrated by our students each day. We can’t wait to celebrate the successes of our students throughout the rest of the school year!
📚 The PTA Scholastic Book Fair is back the week of April 8-12 with a fun afternoon & night event on Wednesday, April 10. All students will have the opportunity to visit and make purchases during their ELA classes, so you can load E-wallets as soon as possible!
🎭We hope you’ll join us for the RBS Drama, Madhouse!, April 19-20 as the cast and crew have continued furiously preparing for an awesome performance!
There’s mayhem in the mansion! When the greedy family of the recently deceased mystery author Byron Pembroke gathers on a dark and stormy evening (of course!) for the reading of his will, each family member can practically taste the dough! But his four adult children soon find out that the rich and famous author isn’t done creating mysteries. Instead of naming an heir, Byron instead condensed his fortune into one mysterious object and left it to... whoever finds it first!
We’ll be sure to share ticket information as soon as it becomes available.
Congratulations to the March Bulldogs of the Month! These students have been recognized for displaying exemplary TEAMWORK! Way to go!
Grade 5 - Jackson Jones and Mia Fernandez
Grade 6 - Brooke Puleo and Jacob Rivera
Grade 7 - Jocelyn Badillo and Andrew Rea
Grade 8 - Alexa Sinopoli and Gianna De Pascale
As April 8-12 is National Assistant Principal's Week, we want to recognize the dedication and commitment Ms. Molina has shown in the short time she has been at RBS. She has quickly worked to build relationships with students, staff, and families that have supported the sense of trust, respect, and belonging that we have created together at RBS. We are so grateful to have you with us, Mrs. Molina!
As we look ahead to May, we’re excited for the TREP$ Marketplace, which will be held on Wednesday, May 1 from 6:30pm-8:30pm. All are welcome, so bring cash to support our students' ingenuity and entrepreneurship!
Butler High School - Mr. R. Fitzgerald, Principal
Welcome to April, BHS learning community! As we step into the vibrant month of April, we are greeted with a sense of renewal and growth. Spring has sprung, bringing with it blooming opportunities and exciting adventures for each and every one of us at Butler High School. As we navigate through this month, let's embrace the spirit of positivity and possibility, seizing every moment to learn, grow, and connect with one another. From academic achievements to extracurricular endeavors, let's continue to shine brightly as a community. Here's to a month filled with success, joy, and memorable experiences. Welcome to April, where endless possibilities await!
Congratulations to BHS’s Top Dawgs for the 3rd marking period:
- English - Kevin Budesheim
- Math - Hailey Ferrier
- Science - Nate Martinka
- Social Studies - Emily Banfield
- Physical Education - Oscar Zacharski
- Business - Jessica Markey & Emily Loganchuk
- Art - Alexis Nogrady
- Music- Paige Caputo
- Foods -Isabella Kloss
- World Language -Riley Malone
- ELL - Yurem Arias Garcia
- Shared-Time Student - Ashley Mendel
Congratulations to our BHS MP 3 Leaders of the Pack - Theme - Balanced:
- 12th grade- Robyn VanderGoot
- 11th grade- Kasey Lewis
- 10th grade- Peyton Kiburz
- 9th grade- Bianca Corna
Unsung Hero Award Winner - Passaic County
Delaney Diaz was honored as the BHS Passaic County Unsung Hero on March 11, 2024. Congratulations Delaney!
Unsung Hero Award Winner - Morris County
Mario Bardales was honored as the BHS Morris County Unsung Hero at County College of Morris on March 20, 2024. Congratulations Mario!
Eisenhower Award Winner
Congratulations to Butler High School’s 2024 Dwight D.Eisenhower Award Recipient- Veronica Brynczka
Boys State Representatives
Josuel Barrios, Matt Barile, Vincent Marino,William McHone
Girls State Representatives
Veronica Brynczka and Hailey Ferrier
Pippin
Congratulations to BHS Theater Director Ms. Kelsie Daniels and all of the Butler Drama students for their outstanding performances over the weekend at our spring musical - Pippin!
Congratulations to Mrs Fatzer and Mr. Johnson’s art students who received scholarships and recognition at the Mt. Olive National Art Honor Society Invitational:
-Jack Hou received a 1,500 pre-college scholarship to Montserrat’s College of Art
-Isabella Kloss received a scholarship to Moore College of Art and Design worth up to 100,000.
-Margaret Gryglak received a 5000 scholarship to Montserrat College of Art,
-Margaret Gryglak also received a scholarship to Moore College of Art and Design worth up to 100,000.
-Margaret Gryglak was also the recipient of the largest scholarship of the night which was a guaranteed 120,000 to the University of Hartford.
-Margaret Gryglak was also the sole recipient of the Best of Show Award for the entire show.
Congrats Coach!
On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Phil Simms North-South All-Star Football Game, congratulations to BHS Head Football Coach Jason Luciani for being selected as a coach in the Phil Simms North-South All-Star Football Classic being held on June 9th at Kean University. He is one of only 24 coaches chosen from the 386 football playing high schools in New Jersey. Congratulations to Coach Jason for this outstanding recognition.
BHS Bulldog of the Month
Congratulations to Mrs. Elena Bocchino on receiving the March Bulldog of the Month. She is one of the shining and positive faces of BHS each and everyday. She loves her job, her students, and her colleagues. Her passion exudes every minute she is here. So much in fact, that she created a Staff Choir Group to surprise and perform at her Pop's concert a few weeks ago. The students were surprised and thrilled to see their teachers up there singing, and singing impressively well. Mrs. Bocchino makes magic happen in her classroom everyday and it is clear how appreciated she is by students and staff alike. Recently she led over 20 members of her PEER Club down to Aaron Decker School and read to the elementary students as part of Read Across America.
WDHA Teacher Who Rocks
Congratulations to our very own Lisa Chestnutt who has been selected as a winner of the Class of 2024 WDHA Teachers Who Rock! Mrs. Chestnutt has revived the DECA program at BHS, reopened the school store, and brought in new electives for our students. In addition, she has worked to train a therapy dog, Gucci, who makes visits to BHS during our SEL efforts. Most recently, she was chosen to lead the East Coast DECA association. She is a wonderful educator, person, and representative of all that is Butler.
Her story will be shared on 3-29 on WDHA during the 9:00 am hour on the morning Jolt and WMTR Morning Show. Mrs. Chestnutt will also be attending an awards banquet on Wednesday, May 8th at Casa Bianca in Oak Ridge.
Twenty eight DECA members competed at the three day State Competition in Atlantic City, from Monday, March 4th to Wednesday, March 6th. The conference was a wonderful learning experience and networking opportunity for chapter members. In competition, the team of Matt Shultis and Marc Rosania made finals in their event, and placed top twelve overall. Also, the team of Jess Markey and Emily Loganchuk placed fourth overall in the state in their event. This team will represent Butler High School at DECA Nationals in Anaheim, California, next month. We wish them all the best with the next level of competition!
Upcoming Events
March 29 through 5 - No School - Spring Break
April 8 - Start of MP 4 BHS
April 12 - MP 3 Grades Posted BHS
April 17 - BHS Family Feud Night
April 27-30 DECA Nationals - California
May 2 - BHS NHS Ceremony
Follow Us On Social Media
Butler High School (Instagram & Twitter) - @butlerhsnj
Athletics Twitter - @bhsbulldogsnj
Athletics Instagram - @bhsathletics1
BHS Counseling Instagram - @butlerhscounseling
BHS SAC - @mstagariello
Athletics and Activities
Congratulations to Jason Murray and Coach Luciani for being selected to play and coach in this years North South All Star Game. The game will be played on Sunday June 9th 5:00 pm at Kean University.
Health and Wellness From Our Nurses
As we head into the beautiful weather of the spring we want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. However, many people suffer from spring time allergies and range in different levels of severity. Use these tips to attempt to decrease springtime allergy symptoms.
Wash hands when coming inside from outside
Keep windows and doors shut at home
Change clothing when entering from outdoors
Shower when entering from outdoors
Do not touch your face (mouth, nose, eyes)
Wear a face mask when outdoors
Follow the pollen count and stay inside when possible on high pollen count days
Please keep the school nurse informed and up to date with all medical concerns/issues that arise throughout the school year. Feel free to email or call the nursing team with information.
Students should stay home when ill to prevent the spread of germ to others. Students need to be fever free without fever reducing medication for 24 hours before returning to school. Students must remain home for 24 hours after vomiting or having diarrhea.
Be sure to call and report student absence for all reasons.
ADS: (973) 492-2037
RBS: 973-492-2079
BHS: (973) 492-2000
Upcoming Events
April 1 through 5 - No School - Spring Break
April 8 - Start of MP 4 BHS
April 8-12 - RBS Book Fair
April 12 - MP 3 Grades Posted BHS
April 9 - Kindergarten Screenings
April 15- SEPAG 6pm
April 16 - Kindergarten Screenings
April 27-30 DECA Nationals