The Weekly Update #4
September 29th, 2022
Hello Bulldog Community!
Happy November
We have had a great first two months of school here in Butler, with so many wonderful things occurring.
As I shared last month, autumn is my favorite time of the year - and November is my favorite month of the season. November brings so much excitement: sweater weather, celebrations with family and friends, and great food - food is always better this time of the year because it smells of pumpkin and cinnamon and those scents seem to linger in our homes a little longer this time of the year!
I particularly like November, as it asks us to practice gratitude. Although this is something I would encourage everyone to practice regularly, having the practice of gratitude as a focus for November gives us all a perfect opportunity to let those in our lives know we appreciate and care for them. With so many things always occurring, at times we may forget to be thankful for the many blessings we also have in our lives. As Charmaine Forde shared, "Don't wait until the fourth Thursday in November to sit with family and friends to give thanks. Make every day a day of Thanksgiving!"
In this month's newsletter is a nomination form for our Educator of the Year and Educational Specialist of the Year award. Each year we celebrate two individuals in each school for the impact that they have had on young people and our District. What a great way to start the month's practice of gratitude - take time to nominate staff members for what they have done for our Bulldog Community. Even if those you nominate aren't awarded, every nominee gets to hear the nice thoughts shared with us in the nomination process. Please take time today to share your thoughts and let our teachers and staff know how grateful you are for their efforts.
I wish everyone a great November, a very Happy Thanksgiving, and a joyful end to the autumn season.
Be Well!
Dr. J.
Butler School District's Culture and Climate
The Butler School District is committed to created and maintaining a school culture and climate that encourages our students, staff, and community members to work as one unit in providing the children of Butler with a special experience that will mold their success in the future.
We are committed to the education of our children, and we have worked hard to expand on the educational opportunities within our District - from Coding and Engineering concepts starting in Kindergarten, to teaming in the middle school, to semester elective choices at Butler High School. We continue to try to find ways to make the education your children receive the best it could possibly be; but we also know that we need to educate in an educational environment that encourages acceptance, that celebrates diversity, that gives children the skills for conflict mediation, and that helps build gratitude. This month, we highlight some of those efforts.
Character Strong
Character Strong is the research-based Pre-K through 12th grade social and emotional curricula that we use within our District. Our goal in using this is to provide our students with a continuous learning model that uses the same educational vocabulary and which builds upon itself each year. Through this, the Butler Schools focus on the Social/Emotional Learning Competencies of self awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. In addition, this program allows us to focus on Character Development to help our students develop into thoughtful, health, and kind humans. This is a program that we started last year, and it was spearheaded by Mrs. Papa, Richard Butler Middle School Principal. Our staff and admin team all received training on the program, and we do monthly lessons as part of our intentional goal of creating the best culture and climate possible.
National School of Character
The New Jersey Alliance for Social, Emotional, and Character Development (NJASECD) named Aaron Decker Elementary School as a National School of Character in 2019 - a distinction that we hold for five years. This award demonstrates that the Mr. Manco and the staff at ADS work using the Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education in their practices at ADS.
Partnership with Thrive Alliance
This year, our Child Study Team members and our School Counseling staff are working with Dr. Marx and Thrive Alliance to become certified Mental-Wellness Specialists. Each month, this group works collaboratively to get focused professional training on different aspects within this certification. Through this, we will then work to garner TAG accreditation as a District, demonstrating our commitment to the mental health and wellness of all members of our school's community. The goal is to enhance our collective skills so that we can better serve our learning community by continuing our focus on climate and culture, enhancing our current efforts.
Programs
Each year, in addition to the aforementioned, our counseling staff and leadership team create opportunities for our students and staff to come together with a common goal of creating the culture and climate we know will enhance success for all. Some of the programs include, but are not limited to:
- Week of Respect
- School Violence and Vandalism Awareness
- RBS completed a paper-chain of Kindness
- Red Ribbon Week
- Educational Assemblies
- Mikie Fowlin
- Cyber-Bullying with Detective Ashley Craig
- Hidden in Plain Sight scheduled for 1/18/23
- JBWS Healthy Friendships and Relationships at RBS
- Our Peer Leaders from BHS meet with the freshmen to build community and help them transition to the high school
- All of our schools do varied Spirit Weeks throughout the year
- Unity Day at RBS
- ADS does the Kindness Challenge annually
- ADS does the Choose to Include Awareness Walk
Lastly, we are in the process of building ZenDens in each of our schools. These will allow our students to have a space if they need a moment to refocus and collect their thoughts.
Mindful Practices
As a District, we have partnered with Ms. Erin Tashian, The Mindful Educator, to bring mindful practices to our District. In this, staff members in grades K-8 received professional development in how to institute varied practices into their classrooms to help their students learn self-regulation skills, anxiety management, stress relief, and varied other coping skills. To assist in making these practices a priority, Mr. Manco worked to include mindful breaks into his schedule so that our teachers can spend time with students teaching and practicing these skills.
Additionally, Ms. Tashian has spent the past two years working with different staff member groups to help them with SEL as well. Staff members meet monthly with Ms. Tashian in support of creating the culture and climate we want for all within our District.
NEWS FROM OUR SCHOOLS
Aaron Decker Elementary School - Mr. J. Manco, Principal
October was a very exciting month for the Aaron Decker students and staff:
Fall Scholastic Book Fair - Thank you to the PTA for all their work in making the week a success!
Culture and Climate whole school monthly meeting
Students and staff recognized the Week of Respect, School Violence and Vandalism week, and Red Ribbon Week all throughout the month.
The Butler Fire Department visited Aaron Decker School. Students sat through a small presentation by our firefighters and then took a tour of a few fire trucks.
First and Second Grade classes visited the Butler Public Library.
Kindergarten students participated in a Fall harvest day.
Aaron Decker School celebrated Halloween with their annual parade, class parties, and fun activities throughout the day. ADS Halloween Slideshow
Congratulations to Marie Burian for being our October ADS Bulldog of the Month recipient. Mrs. Burian continually motivates and encourages her first grade students to advance both academically and socially each and every day!! Her dedication to the teaching profession (both in and out of the classroom) should be applauded and recognized. Congratulations and thank you for all that you do!
Some events to look forward to in November include the Aaron Decker Island of Thanks, K–2 Harvest Dance sponsored by the PTA, and our annual Kindergarten Feast. We will also begin various charitable drives for the upcoming holiday season.
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
November is a month filled with gratitude and appreciation as we recognize everyone and everything for which we are thankful. At RIchard Butler Middle School, we are grateful for our wonderful students, helpful colleagues, and supportive families. We are over halfway through the first trimester, and students are getting into the groove of the school year. Our faculty have been covering such topics as ancient civilizations, unit rates, narrative writing, figurative language, the states of matter, science and engineering practices, and clay designs. In addition to the Parent Portal for our families, all students in grades 6-8 have access to the Genesis Student Portal so they can monitor their own progress. Please work with your children to check their grades and encourage them to contact their teachers if there are missing assignments or any concerns.
As the weather continues to get colder, please send a warm coat, hat, and gloves for students in grade 5 to use during recess. Additionally, Ms. Marion and Ms. Spellman have brought back Math Buddies, so if you’re interested in math tutoring for your 5th grader, please contact Ms. Marion to get paired up! The yearbook cover design contest submissions are due by Friday, November 4, and RBS Picture makeups are Tuesday, November 29.
We are excited to continue the RBS Veterans Day Breakfast sponsored by the BEA and RBS Student Council on Wednesday, November 9 at Memorial Field. If you know of any veterans who are interested in attending, please contact Ally Spellman at aspellman@butlerboe.org. Our Student Council Food Drive will start soon as well, so please consider donating items to help those in need during this holiday season. The collection runs now through November 17, and the grade level that collects the most items gets to tape Mrs. Papa to the wall in lunch!
We would love for your input on the Governor’s Educator of the Year awards for Richard Butler Middle School. Please nominate a teacher or educational services professional (counselor, CST, school nurse) for consideration using this form.
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Jon Calabro on being named the Bulldog of the Month for October here at Richard Butler Middle School! Jon is an essential leader in the Social Studies Department and a consummate informal and formal mentor to many at RBS. He's been a member of the Butler team for 18 years and is certainly going strong. Students in grade 8 just love participating in debates and working toward answering the "Ultimate Essential Questions" he poses. Jon is always willing to lend a hand, and he's recently begun working on bringing the Unified program to RBS.
Please continue to stay connected with us through social media. Follow us on Twitter at @RBS_Bulldogs, Facebook at Richard Butler Middle School, and Instagram at @RBS_Bulldogs for news, announcements, and celebrations. The community newsletter, The RBS Review, is updated frequently as well. Please feel free to reach out to me at (973) 492-2079 or mpapa@butlerboe.org. I’d like to wish all of our RBS families a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Butler High School - Mr. R. Fitzgerald, Principal
Good News from BHS
BHS had a busy month of October in the classrooms and on the fields. We had over 300 students attend the dance and it was great to see the students enjoying themselves all night. Thank you to athletic director Derek Hall, and teachers Lisa Reda and Reid Groder for organizing these events.
We had a great Pink Out Night on Memorial Field where $826 was raised during our Breast Cancer Awareness Miracle Minute. DECA members, with the help of Interact, ran around collecting as much money as possible in one miracle minute. With added profit from Pink Out shirts, bracelets, and ribbons; the DECA chapter will be donating $1,000 to a local community member currently battling breast cancer.
DECA Hosted their Halloween Pancake Breakfast fundraiser, at Applebees on Sunday October 31. Members enjoyed getting to serve pancakes to their families and friends, all while in costume.
We had our second College Fair for our 11th and 12th graders on October 26th. Thank you to Mrs. Barbi Gnecco for organizing this event for our students.
For Week of Respect and School Violence Awareness Week, we had several district-wide theme days planned. Mrs. Szabo shared some mindfulness tips during lunch and our PEER Leaders met with our Freshmen for their PEER Buddy Meet day. Ashley Craig from the Sheriff's Department came to speak to our 9th graders on 10/12 about HIB and the importance of reporting. Mykee Fowlin came back for an assembly to close out our October events on 10/31. He talked about the importance of staying true to yourself and respecting others. Thank you to the Butler Municipal Alliance for hosting this presentation!
BHS enjoyed a great Halloween with many students and staff participating throughout the day.
BHS 8th Grade Parent Night Open House - November 3, 2022 - 6:30 pm. If you’re a parent/guardian of an 8th grader, please feel free to come and see why Butler High School is such a great place!
BHS Teachers spent professional development time analyzing their students’ fall benchmark assessments and setting goals for growth for the remainder of the year.
Congratulations to our Senior AP Scholars who were honored at the 10/27 BOE Meeting.
BHS will host a Job Fair for all students on November 29, 2022. All high school students are welcome to attend. Local businesses will be in attendance offering jobs and explaining opportunities for after high school.
DECA will be holding their DECA Doughnuts Krispy Kreme Fundraiser this November. All orders and money are due by Tuesday (11/15). The doughnuts arrive on Monday (11/21) for pickup! Email lchestnutt@butlerboe.org for more details or ask a DECA member to place your order!
Thanksgiving Dinner for the Community!
Please join us for a FREE Thanksgiving Dinner at St. Anthony’s Community Center on Thursday, November 24, 2022 from 11 am til 1 pm!
Dine In or Take Out
Please call the church office at 973-838-0031 By November 17 to let us know how many are coming.
St Anthony’s Church and Community Center
65 Bartholdi Ave. Butler
Gather together for a wonderful feast!
November Events at BHS
November 3 - 8th Grade Parents Night - 6:30 BHS
November 4 - Delayed Opening Teacher In-Service
November 5 - SAT @ BHS @ 7:30AM
November 8 - End of MP 1 BHS
November 9 - MP 2 Starts BHS
November 9 - BHS Student Badge/ID Distribution
November 9 - BHS Underclassmen Retakes in Auditorium
November 9 - BHS Veterans Day Tribute
November 10 and 11 - NJEA Convention Schools Closed
November 15 - December 15 - Interact - Toys for Tots
November 18 - BHS MP 1 Report Cards Posted BHS
November 22 - NHS Food Drive
November 23 - ½ Day Thanksgiving Holiday
November 24 and 25 - No School Thanksgiving Holiday
November 24 - BHS Turkey Trot
November 29 - BHS 2022 Job Fair
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at 973-492-2000 ext 1504 or rfitzgerald@butlerboe.org . Thank you always for your continued support!
Athletics and Activities
Athletics
We have had a great Fall Season. Our coaches and student-athletes have done a tremendous job representing the Blue and the Gold.
- Our girl's soccer team, under the leadership of Coach Macmanus, qualified for the State Tournament after ending with a record of 8-10-1. They played Pequannock in the first round and gave it their all.
- In addition, our girl's field hockey team coached by Coach McAuliffe had a tremendous season, finishing with a record of 7-11-1 and also qualifying for the State Tournament where they played Pompton Lakes in the first round.
- Our Football team, led by Coach Jason Luciani, has entered the State Tournament as well after finishing with a record of 6-2. In the first round of the States, our Bulldogs defeated a tough North Warren team. We move on to the next round, playing Weequahic HS on Friday, November 4th.
Co-Curricular Activities:
We have had a great number of awesome things happen within our Co-Curricular offerings this fall as well.
- The Marching Bulldog Band has had a tremendous season led by Dr. Nishimura and Ms. Lowndes. This year they won the 2022 3A Region 10 Championship; they received a tremendous score of 85.98 and took first place with best Visual and best Music at the Sparta Band Competition; they hosted their first Butler Band Competition; and they were awarded 2nd Place in the New Jersey State Championship Group 3 A Class. So proud of these kids!
- Our DECA program had a successful Pink Out Game raising awareness and money for breast cancer. Our community raised over $800 in one minute for a family in need. They then had a successful Applebee's breakfast fundraiser.
- NHS hosted their Butler Boo Bash at the high school, inviting local community members to participate in some Halloween fun!
HALLOWEEN IN THE BUTLER SCHOOLS
NOVEMBER'S UPCOMING EVENTS
November 3 - 8th Grade Parents Night - 6:30 BHS
November 4 - Delayed Opening Teacher In-Service
November 5 - SAT @ BHS @ 7:30AM
November 8 - End of MP 1 BHS
November 9 - RBS Veteran’s Day Breakfast @9:00-10:30AM
November 9 - MP 2 Starts BHS
November 10 and 11 - NJEA Convention Schools Closed
November 15 - MP 1 Grades Due BHS
November 15 - BOE Committee Meetings
November 15 - ADS School Pictures
November 15 through December 15 - Interact Club - Toys for Tots
November 17 - BOE Meeting
November 18 - Report Cards Posted BHS
November 18 - ADS Harvest Dance
November 23 - ½ Day Thanksgiving Holiday
November 24 and 25 - No School Thanksgiving Holiday
November 24 - Booster Club Turkey Trot
November 29 - RBS Picture Makeups