Bulldog News
Hello Bulldog Community!
I hope that this newsletter finds you all well. I cannot believe that we are in March - I know I start each newsletter in a similar fashion; however, the speed of this school year just is incredible to me! Spring is officially coming in the next few weeks, and, hopefully, the colder weather will start to wane bringing all of the things I love about Spring - the renewal through budding trees, flowers popping up in gardens, warm breezes, kids playing outside...so much to look forward to.
We are busy planning for the end of the year and all of the events that we have upcoming. Part of this includes a number of celebrations, State mandated testing, Spring sports, our musical, and so much more! I hope that you have the opportunity to spend some time in our District watching some of our events - our students are amazing!
There is a lot of great information in our newsletter this month - I hope that you take some time to read through and see all of the great things that make Butler the best small school District in the State!
Be Well!
Dr. J.
Butler School District Referendum
Building on Tradition
The Butler School District is excited to share our plans for a referendum project to prepare our district for the next 100 years. As we did with our Sports Complex Project, the main focus of this referendum will have a ZERO TAX IMPACT on our community. We are in a unique position where our current bonds are about to roll off and the State of New Jersey has presented a series of ROD grants - this combination will allow us to address SCHOOL SAFETY and OPERATIONAL CONCERNS due to aging facilities to provide our students with an optimal learning environment. The referendum will be presented in two questions - the first will have a zero tax impact and the second will have a minimal tax impact. We are unsure the exact cost of the second question as the State has not finalized our grant amount at this time - when we do have that information, we will share it with everyone to be transparent with our plans. Please take some time to review the short video overview of our plans above; as we work through this process, we will continue to provide information through a variety of forms.
This is an exciting opportunity to help prepare our schools for this generation of students and all future students so that they have all of the benefits we have created in safe, inviting facilities.
BUTLER SEL DAY
The Butler School District is proud to share the next part in our continued focus on Social and Emotional Well Being in our District. Friday, March 10th, 2023 is officially SEL Day in the Boro of Butler. The Butler School District, in partnership with Mayor Martinez, the Butler Town Council, and local restaurants, is encouraging all within our community to join us as we look to highlight self-care practices, encourage family time, and make a collective effort to be more aware of our Social and Emotional Well-Being. Throughout the week, our counseling staff have worked with our teachers to integrate SEL activities into daily lessons. We will have a number of activities planned throughout the week for our students. In addition, there will be no homework on March 9th and 10th to encourage families to spend more time together, as we know that is one of the strongest social and emotional supports our students can experience. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the activities and to take time throughout the week to connect and spend time with family, friends, and loved ones. Thank you to everyone who has made this event happen - you make a difference in the lives of children!
Please use this QR code to share photos of your SEL week - pics out to eat, pics from participating in activities, etc., with us - we would love to see our community all together!
ADS Family Literacy and STEAM Night
Aaron Decker School hosted a Family Literacy/STEAM night on March 2,2023. Over 200 members of the community attended the event to play literacy and STEAM related activities, listen to read-alouds, participate in SEL activities, and make new memories with families and friends. Twenty nine Aaron Decker teachers were on hand to help make the night a huge success. Feedback from those who attended was positive.
One of the highlights of the evening was an opportunity for students to read to Cody, a service dog who frequents area libraries.
Another great activity was the SEL room- a place where students and their families could learn skills to help relax, decrease anxiety and increase creative thinking. Students could take home sensory packs to promote calmness. Overall, the evening was a great success!
News From Our Schools
Aaron Decker Elementary School: Mr. J. Manco, Principal
Recognition of students demonstrating Perseverance
Perseverance is pushing yourself to work through challenges and obstacles. Perseverance is part of a growth mindset and also demonstrates Blue Grit.
Congratulations to the following students:
Kindergarten: Timur Beano, Emma Daly, Theodore Fredericks, Julian Guilaume, Chelsy Morales, Camila Pinue, Noah Ponczek
First Grade: , Cecila Cabrera Chong, Thomas DiGiacomo, Ariana Drasheff, Salma Echchelth, Rebecca Goddard, Vincent Martinez, Joel Rojas, JJ Schmeidhauser, Gavin Switaj, Gemma Tacineli-Honsberger, Mark Topolia,
Second Grade: Alexa Dela Cruz, Melvin Diaz Mendez, Sasha Drozdowski, Aliannah Eastmond, Kali Lopez, Jan Lubas, Chloe MacDonald, Alex Martinez, Jayson McMinn, Savanna Nelson, Dylan Paddock
Third Grade: Daniel Codero,Matthew Faber, William Goddard, Malecki, Evan Pauta, , Remi Strohl, Zara Tailor, Vash Russo
Fourth Grade: Jeiren Alburquerque, , Edwar De La Cruz Gonzalez, Evan Garcia, Addison Kochan Lopez, Damian Welsh,
ADS Bulldog Of The Month
We would like to congratulate Ms. Carly Goldsmith as our recipient of the March ADS Bulldog of the Month Award. She is commended for her work as our World Language teacher at Aaron Decker School. Ms. Goldsmith continually motivates and encourages all our students academically, socially , and emotionally each and every day. She is also one who, on a daily basis, will help out in different capacities in the building during the school day. Thank you for everything that you do!
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration for 2023-2024 school year will begin on Monday, February 6, 2023. Please click on link for more information: Kindergarten Registration/Welcome letter
Upcoming Important Dates at ADS:
March 10th- Tech Free Day SEL Day - Assembly NED's Mindset - Butler SEL Activities
March 13 - 17th Prevention is Key Assemblies for Grades 2-4
March 22 - March 23- Parent/ Teacher Conferences - Parent/Teacher Conference Letter
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
Welcome to March! We are feeling lucky to have such amazing students, staff, & families at RBS! This March is going to be a busy month as we have our volleyball clinics, preparations for the TREP$ Marketplace will begin, and rehearsals and set construction for the RBS drama, Channeling Grimm, will continue. We will also be partnering with the BPD to offer a program for our 7th graders that will address interpersonal relationships, anti-bullying, and anti-bias topics. The Spring Book Fair will be held the week of March 27, and students will have the opportunity to purchase items during an ELA class and lunch. Thanks, again, to our PTA for the $5 coupons to use toward any book purchase. The Winter Carnival and Family Fun BINGO Night are coming to RBS during the month of March as well!
RBS Conferences will be Wednesday, March 22, Thursday, March 23, & Friday, March 24. Each grade level has a staff member point of contact, so please watch your email for a letter with information about how to reserve a meeting time. For students in special programs, please contact your child’s teacher.
On April 4, 2023 at 5pm, RBS will be hosting Multicultural Night, a night where RBS students and families can share their cultures and traditions with others in the community. Students are invited with their families to attend Multicultural Night as a guest by coming to look at the tables and participating in the activities brought by certain families, or they can set up their own table to teach others about a certain country or culture. Students who would like to set up a table must be accompanied by a parent, and bring one or more items to share with others about their culture. Families can bring traditional outfits, food, or music. Families could also perform a dance, bring pictures of certain landmarks, play an instrument, teach others a traditional game or skill, and anything else that you would like to share with the community. If you would like to work with another student or family to set up your table, you are welcome to. If you would like to sign up for a table, please fill out this form by March 30, 2023. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Young, RBS School Counselor, at eyoung@butlerboe.org.
March is National Nutrition Month!
Take this month to evaluate your nutritional choices. A balanced diet is key to health and wellness. The choices of food that we consume today can impact the rest of our lives, especially in adolescence. Start making changes now to help live healthier and feel better. One small change that many people can make is limiting the amount of sugary drinks they consume.
Health screenings are underway! If your child is in need of a referral an email and a paper letter will be sent home approximately within the week of the health screenings. Referrals are sent out to students who may have deviations in their prospective health screenings. Health screening referrals are recommendations for further evaluations by a health care provider.
5th grade scoliosis screening
6th grade vision screening
7th grade scoliosis and hearing screening
8th grade vision screening
RBS Students Of The Month
RBS Students of the Month for Work Ethic are:
Grade 5 - Maximus Waer and Valerie Pecho
Grade 6 - Dulce Cabrera and Abigail Ricker
Grade 7 - Nicholas Ventrella and Marisa Pollard
Grade 8 - Kayleen Leyva and Dylann Davidoff
RBS Bulldog Of The Month
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Elisabeth Krauze on being named the Bulldog of the Month for February here at Richard Butler Middle School! Although she's been in the district for 12 years, Ms. Krauze currently serves as the RBS Teacher of Gifted & Talented and the RtI Coordinator. Students and staff alike have benefited from Ms. Krauze's professionalism and commitment to our students. She certainly runs a mean spelling bee, and she's definitely been on the most (virtual) field trips out of all of us. We're truly grateful for all Ms. Krauze brings to RBS!
Butler High School: Mr. R. Fitzgerald, Principal
Butler High School continues to shine as we move through March. We are excited for all of our upcoming programs and events from now until Graduation. Please reach out with any questions or concerns at any time. Here are some highlights at BHS over the past month and important events to look forward to:
Important Dates:
2-27 - Access Testing Begins
3-3 - Faculty Advisory Meeting Lunch A
3-6 - Faculty Meeting
3-6 - Faculty vs Senior Basketball Game - 6:00 PM
3-6 - 3-10 Butler SEL Week
3-7 - Winter Pops Concert - 7:00 PM
3-9 - The College Process for Athletes - 6:00 PM @ Pequannock HS
3-10 - Delayed Opening PD
3-10 - SEL DAY
3-10 - Mr. Butler - 7:00 PM
3-13 - 3-16 - NJGPA Testing
3-30 - BHS End of MP 3
3-30 - Morris Hills HS Career Fair
3-31 - 4-2- BHS Spring Musical
Important Testing Information!
March 13 -16th - NJGPA 11th Grade Testing - See link below:
Our PEER Leaders also had a great time reading with our friends at ADS for Read Across America Week! We visited each classroom to read stories and share our love of reading!
Mrs. Reda’s Honor’s Psychology class did a project on child development over the past couple weeks.
BHS Bulldog Of The Month
Congratulations to BHS Math Teacher Ms. Melissa Berkheiser for receiving the February Bulldog of the Month Award. Ms. Berkheiser is here early every morning and stays late whenever she can. She coaches several sports and gives everything she has to support our students yet holds them accountable with her expectations in the classroom. She has high standards in the classroom and continues to get the best out of all of her students.
Butler High School is teaming up with neighboring high schools to educate student athletes and their families about college sports on March 9th, 2023 at 6 pm at Pequannock High School.
Please see the link for detail
College Process for Athletes Night
SEL Week at BHS - March 6 -10- Butler High School is excited to offer many different activities for SEL - See flyers below
District SEL Information
Butler High School SEL Information
- Elizabeth McBride and Sarah Higgins: Placed FIRST overall in Project Management Sales Project. This team wrote a 20 page project outline and presented a corresponding presentation as their competitive event.
- Tori Coffey: Placed SIXTH overall in Project Management Community Giving Project. She also wrote a 20 page paper and presented a corresponding presentation for her event.
- The chapter earned six leadership academy spots by organizing and managing multiple DECA events this past fall - qualifying our school as a THRIVE level chapter.
Parents and students interested in attending a Career Fair at Morris Hills HS on March 30th, 2023 at 7:00 pm, please see the link below
Upcoming Events
Hope One
Hope One is back in Butler on March 17 starting at 10am. Contact hopeone@co.morris.nj.us for more information!
Senior vs. Faculty Basketball Game
This Monday at 6:00 PM come out and watch the BHS Seniors take on the BHS faculty in the faculty vs seniors basketball game!
Come see our choir perform on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm performing “An Evening of Disney”
March 4- PTA Winter Carnival
March 5 - PTA Winter Carnival(snow date)
March 7 - BHS Pops Concert
March 10 - Delayed Opening Teacher In-Service
March 11 - SAT @ BHS @ 7:30AM
March 13 - ADS/RBS End of Trimester 2
March 13 - 17 - 11th Grade NJGPA Testing
March 14- Beginning of Trimester 3 ADS/RBS
March 16 - BOE Meeting
March 17 - ADS Shamrock Dance
March 14 - Kindergarten Screenings
March 21 - Kindergarten Screenings
March - 10th and 11th Grade College Planning Night 6:30pm
March 22 - ADS/RBS Trimester 2 Grades Posted
March 22,23,24- ADS/RBS Conferences( ½ days)
March 27-31 - RBS Book Fair
March 28- Kindergarten Screenings
March 29 - RBS 8th Grade v. Staff Volleyball Game
March 30 - RBS 8th Grade v. Staff Volleyball Game (snow date)
March 30 - End of MP 3 BHS
March 31 - Start of MP 4 BHS
March 31 - BHS Spring Musical (3/31, 4/1 & 4/2)