Paw Power Press
Butler Elementary School - November 2018 - Issue 6
BUTLER, THINK BIG!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Important Announcements
NAESP's Principal's Report to Parents: The Art of Giving
Service Learning Projects are an important part of our school culture - and the benefits of thinking about others is often so prevalent this time of year with the coming Holiday seasons. This week's Report to Parents, "The Art of Giving," discusses how service learning benefits children about empathy and service - and is most effective when it is a shared responsibility between home and school.
"Schools across the country are getting children as young as kindergartners and preschoolers involved in service learning — a blend between community service and expanded instruction. Many service learning advocates feel that by helping others, children can learn responsibility, build character and citizenship, and discover the special joys of giving."
To read the entire article from the National Association of Elementary School Principals, please CLICK HERE.
Central Bucks District Calendar Corrections - *Error in 2018-2019 Calendar & Parent Handbook
This message is to update families on a number of corrections that were made to the district’s printed calendar of events:
- December 10 – Regular School Day (Previously stated “No Kindergarten, Grade K Parent Conferences”)
- December 12 – Regular School Day (Previously stated “Early Dismissal K-6, Elementary Conferences, Full Day 7-12”)
- December 17 – CORRECT AS LISTED - No Kindergarten – Kindergarten Parent Conferences
- December 21 – Early Dismissal K-12, PM Kindergarten Attends in the AM (Previously stated “No PM Kindergarten”)
- March 15 – Early Dismissal K-6, Full Day 7-12, PM Kindergarten Attends in the AM
- *June 14 – Last Day of School, No PM Kindergarten, K-12 Early Dismissal (Previously stated “No AM Kindergarten”)
* Date Subject to change due to school cancellations
Butler Calendar Updates
- 3rd Grade Celebrate Education Day - Now scheduled for Monday, November 19th (9:15 AM-10:45 AM -or- 1:30 PM-2:45 PM)
- Picture Retake Day - Will be December 3rd (please bring child's picture package to exchange)
Please call the Butler Office with any questions.
Fall Conference Sign-Ups - Now Open
If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher.
Emergency Preparation: ALICE Lockdown Drill
The Central Bucks School District is committed to providing the safest possible environment for its students and staff. Last year, Central Bucks adopted a set of federally-endorsed protocols for an intruder on campus situation, known as ALICE. The acronym stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate.
All Central Bucks teachers, staff, students, and administrators were trained in the ALICE protocols last year. On Tuesday, November 27th at 10:00AM, Butler will be conducting this year's first Lockdown ALICE Drill with students and staff. The Drill will last approximately 15-20 minutes.
If you know your child has an appointment during this time, please plan accordingly - no students will be able to leave while the drill is in progress.
If you have any questions, please contact the main office.
Lost & Found
As you visit the school (whether it is to pick up your child(ren), drop-off a forgotten item, visit your child's classroom or Parent/Teacher Conferences, etc.), please be sure to visit our "Lost and Found" area outside the gym atrium between now and Winter Break (12/21). Many student items are located on racks and hangers - in addition to other items like water bottles, hats, gloves, etc.
As we head into Winter Break this December, Butler will be donating the items to a shelter or local clothing bank. As the weather begins to cool, it will be important for the children to dress appropriately for outdoor recesses - and have the items they need to stay warm.
News and Upcoming Events
Calendar
- November 19: 3rd Grade Celebration Education Day (See Schedule)
- November 20: Half-Day for Students (Clerical Day) - Dismissal 12:25 PM (No PM Kindergarten)
- November 21-23: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
- November 22: Happy Thanksgiving!
- November 26: Community Connection - Library at 6:00PM (Dr. Kopicki)
- November 26: General PTO Meeting - Library at 7:00PM
November 27: Emergency Preparation - Lockdown Drill - 10:00am (All Students)
November 27: Central Bucks School Board Meeting - 7:30pm - Educational Services Center
November 30: Holiday Secret Shoppe & Vendor - Timing TBD (PM)
December:
- December 1-20: Gift Giving Tree Continues
- December 2-10: Hanukkah (Begins at Sundown 12/2)
- December 3: Picture Retake Day (Rescheduled)
- December 4: 1st Trimester Ends
- December 4: Spirit Assembly (Wear Butler Gear)
- December 11: Parent Portal - Report Cards LIVE - 9:00 AM (Kindergarten Printed)
- December 11: CB School Board Meeting - 7:30 PM - Educational Services Center
- December 13&14: Half-Day for Students - 12:25 PM Dismissal
- December 13&14: PM Parent/Teacher Conferences (Sign-Up Genius)
- December 13, 14&17: No Kindergarten (Kindergarten Conferences)
- December 18: All School Assembly
- December 20: Spirit Day - Ugly Holiday Sweater Day
- December 21: Half-Day for Students - 12:25 PM Dismissal (No AM Kindergarten)
- December 21: Spirit Day - Cozy Pajama Day
- December 22-January 1: Winter Holiday - No School for Students & Staff
- December 24 - Christmas Eve
- December 25 - Christmas
January:
- January 1: New Years Day - No School for Students and Staff
- January 2: School Resumes (Grades K-12)
Butler PTO General Meeting
Young Rembrandts December 10 - February 4
Does you child have a passion for art? Consider signing up for Young Rembrandts! This 6 week course is held on Mondays at Butler from 4:00-5:00pm . Click here for more information for the next session.
CB Cares Boomerang Nomination for November
Students/Parents/Teachers, please nominate a Butler student by clicking here! In your paragraph, include how your nominee exemplifies this month’s asset. Nominations are due to Mr. Anderson, Counselor, by Monday, November 26th.
School Happenings
Honoring our Community's Veterans - 11/9/2018
On Friday, November 9th, Butler Elementary School proudly honored over 80 Veterans and service members at an assembly program. During the program, students read essays themed, “Why the American Flag is Important to Me”, the orchestra performed a patriotic medley, and the entire school sang patriotic hymns, “This Land is our Land” and “God Bless the USA!”
To begin the ceremony, our Butler boys and girls scouts posted our nations colors just before we announced our honored guests. Today’s program also honored, former CB EAST 2011 graduate, First Lt. Connor Bednarzyk - paying tribute to Connor’s life, his commitment to his country, and the sacrifice he gave for our continued freedom.
As a school community, Butler has raised over $800 to support TEAM RUBICON, a program that provides disaster relief to those affected by natural disasters, and pairs the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders and medical professionals. Butler continues to be proud of the patriotism and civility that is shared in our program with our Veterans and students!
National Celebrate Education Week - Parents Visit Classrooms
6th Grade Reaches High at the Ropes Course!
Scholastic Book Fair
Third Grade Begins their Embryology Unit - Baby Chicks!
Student & Staff Showcase
Unami Robotics Students Present to Butler 6th Graders
Former Butler Students (now at Unami) - Adrienne Juba, Riya Senthil, Holly Mirales, Grace Neumann, and Thanu Yalamanchi - shared about their robotics team, Kosmic K-9's, to our Butler 6th grade PEN students. The Kosmic K-9's are a self-created (unafiliated) team who utilizes STEM as they compete against other robotics teams in local competitions across the area. Recently, the "K-9's" began a research-based project where they are creating an A-1 companion dog for astronauts who are performing missions in outer space!
This team shared their ideas which demonstrate understanding and application in trigonometry, physics, marketing, engineering, chemistry and key 21st century technology skills (critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, leadership, initiative, technology literacy) - all future generations will need to master. The work that Adrienne, Riya, Holly, Grace, and Thanu are doing is important - and we are Butler Bear Proud of these future innovators and leaders!
Celebrating our Support Staff at Butler!
On Wednesday, November 14, 2018, Butler celebrated National Educational Support Professionals (ESP) Day - recognizing the contributions that educational support professionals make to Butler school-wide!
The Educational Support Professionals (ESP) of Central Bucks work as facility specialists, building utility, custodians, mechanics, plumbers, electricians, grounds crew, staff nurses, secretaries, office clerks, personal care assistants, education assistants, duty & transportation assistants, IT & security departments. Support staff play a vital role ensuring that our students are learning in a safe, clean, healthy and supportive environment.
Central Bucks continues to rank among the best school districts in Pennsylvania and the nation - as well as being highly respected in communities both near and far. These accolades are due to the combined commitment of our educational support professionals, teachers, administrators, school board members and greater Butler families & community working together daily.
Thank you for all you do, Butler Support Staff!
From the Butler PTO
PTO - Constant Contact - 11/16
District Details
Central Bucks School District
Superintendent: John J. Kopicki, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent-Elementary: Nadine Garvin, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent-Secondary: Abram Lucabaugh, Ed.D.
Website: cbsd.org
Location: 20 Welden Drive, Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone: 267-893-2000
Twitter: @cbsdinfo
Butler Elementary School
Principal: Mr. Karl Funseth
Assistant Principal: Mr. Jesse Brosious
Principal's Secretary: Mrs. Judie Pereira
Website: cbsd.org/butler
Location: 200 Brittany Drive, Chalfont, PA 18914, USA
Phone: 267-893-4250
Twitter: @CB_Butler