The Paw Power Press
Butler Elementary School - Volume 1 - September, 1 2020
BE-1!
Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year!
BE-1
Without a doubt, this is the most exciting time of the year as we welcome the Butler Bears back to school! Needless to say, this has been a summer like no other as a building principal or educator. We continue to adjust to the COVID-19 restrictions that have been set and it has made school planning extremely challenging as things seem to change very quickly on a daily basis. In addition, Butler has been undergoing an extensive HVAC Construction Project, which was delayed for 50+-days back in March/April. As a result, the project has been extended, and it will effect occupancy of classrooms for the start of school - further addressed below.
Regardless of this challenge, we have been working diligently to plan for the upcoming school year. These plans include new and unique scheduling needs, detailed building health and safety preparations, extensive training on virtual technologies, extreme cleaning protocols and general planning for various possibilities as the year progresses. This is the year where this building, this community, must remain diligent in our focus and to "BE-1" for our students and teachers. We must BE-1 in our resolve. It starts in each home, and grows into every classroom - reaching every aspect of the school community.
I can assure you that we greatly missed our students last spring and are looking forward to the day when they can step into school again - to return to normal. In the meantime, we remain committed to doing everything we can to provide the best education possible to our students through the virtual options that are available to us. In preparation for the start of the school year, there are three key dates that our students and families need to be aware of. They are as follows:
- Week of August 31 - Kindergarten through 6th Grade Students will pick up their devices (September 1 or September 2 - see schedule below.)
- Wednesday, September 2 - Student class placements will "go live" on the Parent Portal.
- Wednesday or Thursday, September 2 or 3 - Butler Elementary Students will receive a class "Welcome Letter" from their teacher.
- Date TBD Very Soon - District Materials Pick-Up will be scheduled and communicated with families. (This will be a separate schedule from Device Pick-Up.)
Please note, a majority of our teachers will be teaching from their classrooms at Butler once construction has ended. However, due to the delayed progress of the HVAC project, access to rooms is limited and roughly half of our teachers will need to begin the year teaching from home. Each day contractors work, significant progress is accomplished. As we receive clearance from the township to occupy, you will see that most teachers will return to their classrooms for daily instruction - either traditional, virtual or online.
All of us at Butler appreciate the support and understanding that has been shared with us through the spring and summer. Please know that we are working around the clock to provide your children with the best educational experience possible as we prepare for the start of the 2020-2021 School Year. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our main office at (267)893-4250.
Sincerely,
Karl Funseth, Principal
Jesse Brosious, Assistant Principal
Butler Elementary Staffing Update
Introducing the 2020-2021 Butler Elementary Teachers
* New to Butler
1st Grade: Mrs. Fernandez & Miss Garner (Traditional); Mrs. Dubinsky (Hybrid)
2nd Grade: Mrs. Kessler, Miss McAllister & Mrs. Zubak (Traditional); Ms. Rudolph & Mrs. Warner (Hybrid)
3rd Grade: Mrs. Gilluly & *Mrs. Mariello (Traditional); Miss Curran & Miss Kreppel (Hybrid)
4th Grade: Mrs. Charters & Miss Davenport (Traditional); Mrs. Bobrownicki & Mrs. Zahustecher (Hybrid)
5th Grade: *Miss Alexander, Mr. Guenst & Mrs. Schlotter (Traditional); Miss Bigler (Hybrid);
6th Grade: Mr. Harkrader & Mr. Kelly (Traditional); Mrs. Lynch & Mrs. Meehan (Hybrid)
Online Academy: Kindergarten - Mrs. Giuliano (AM/PM); 1st Grade - Miss Bortz; 2nd Grade - Mrs. Rosica & Miss Taylor; 3rd Grade - Mrs. Gelb & Mrs. Szczypiorski; 4th Grade - Miss Keller; 5th Grade - Mr. Filson & Mrs. Kurz; 6th Grade - Mrs. Brown; Learning Support - Mrs. Dudzinski; Art - Mrs. Casey; In addition to other teachers around the District.
Learning Support: Miss Detweiler, Miss Dopson, Mrs. Durns, Mrs. Firely, Mrs. Matteson
Nurse: Karen Dearmond, CSN
PEN: Mrs. Neal, Mrs. Long, Mr. Fillette
Reading Specialists: Mrs. Burkholder, Mrs. Kuhn, Mrs. Meade, Mrs. Sauers
Specials: Mrs. Zachmann (Art), Mrs. Griffin (Music), Mrs. Engart (Phys. Ed.), Mrs. Hanna (Library), Ms. Augustine (QUEST)
Speech: Mrs. Sand
Student Support Counselors: Mrs. O'Connell (Grades K,2,4,6) & Mrs. Milotich (Grades K,1,3,5)
School Information
Class Placement Information - LIVE in PARENT PORTAL - September 2
Please do not request any changes to placement - A significant amount of time and effort has been placed in assigning students to their classroom teacher. Hours have been dedicated to creating balanced classes per the family-selected mode for learning (Traditional/Hybrid/Online). All received parent input was reviewed and applied when able. Thank you for your support and understanding of this process under the variety of options for families.
Butler's Technology Distribution Schedule
Please contact the Butler Office with any questions at 267-893-4250.
Important Information and Details on the 1:1 Technology Plan (like checklist, practice, iPad and Laptop Setup, etc.) can be accessed via the District Website Here.
Supply Lists for Each Grade
Elementary
White board and dry erase markers (being purchased by the District, but have not arrived)
Jump Rope
Any size ball
Sidewalk chalk
5 plastic sleeves/sheet protectors
Headphones or earbuds with microphone
Pencil
Erasers
Color pencil (12 ct.)
Washable markers (broad tip, 10 ct.)
Crayons (24 ct.)
Black sharpie (fine Point)
Glue stick
Scissors
Watercolor (8 ct.) and brush in the set
Hi-lighter
K-2 only:
20 small items that can be used as counters: Example – beans, beads, macaroni, jelly beans, etc.School Start Day
Butler School Start Day - "C" School:
Grades 1 through 6 - 9:05 a.m. — 2:45 p.m.
AM Kindergarten: 9:05 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
PM Kindergarten: 12:25 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Attendance Expectations
Students are expected to be logged on virtually daily and present for daily instruction - both synchronous (LIVE) and asynchronous instruction. In the coming days, teachers will communicate a daily schedule. Children will be expected to attend all elements of the school day, unless they have an excused absence (i.e. illness, appointment). It is important to understand that attendance is mandatory for all students per the compulsory attendance laws of Pennsylvania. Attendance will be taken each school day. Students that are not logged on at the start of class will be marked absent or tardy if they arrive late to their virtual class.
If your child will not be able to attend school virtually, parents need to email butlerattendance@cbsd.org. Email is strongly preferred but if you are unable to email the school, please call the school attendance line at 267-893-4. PLEASE DO NOT SEND WRITTEN NOTES UNLESS IT IS FROM A PHYSICIAN. Students must be in school or logged on before 10:30 AM in order to get credit for the day.
If a student needs to leave classes before 2:00 PM, they should email our secretary, Judie Pereira, or call the main office - 267-893-4250.
STUDENT EMERGENCY & INFORMATION FORM
Each year, the Central Bucks School District asks our families to fill out a Student Emergency & Information Form. The online form will ask you to confirm and/or update the following:
- Demographic Information
- Emergency Contacts
- Health Information, including permission for emergency care and analgesic administration
- Media Release Preferences
Click here to be directed to your Parent Portal account to complete the form. Thank you for taking the time to update this important information.
Butler Communication
We pride ourselves on communication at Butler. There are a number of ways we provide information and updates for our parents. They are as follows:
- Bi-Monthly Newsletter - The newsletter typically comes out via email on the 1st and 15th of each month, running from September through June. The newsletter is designed to be informational and substantive. There is always a chronology of upcoming events listed. All present and past Butler newsletters can be found on the Butler website.
- School Website - The Butler School Website is another area to learn about school news and updates. Plus there is information about the school, in general, such as information pertinent to parents and students can be found in the "Parent/Student" section of the website.
- E-Mail Blasts - Email blasts at Butler are used when an important message needs to be sent to parents quickly. PLEASE review all messages.
- Text SMS - Many District communications are accessed via text message. Occasionally, in emergency scenarios, Butler will communicate via text message. Please update your contact information on Parent Portal to receive messages.
- Twitter - Messages and pictures are sent to the community frequently to highlight unique events happening in school. Follow us on Twitter @CBButlerElem
- PTO General Meetings - These are great opportunities to hear what is happening with the Butler PTO and their positive impact on the school. This year, the format and timing for General PTO Meetings will be determined, meetings will be managed virtually,
- Teacher Websites/Canvas - All teachers are expected to maintain an updated school website/ Canvas homepage. These sites are useful for knowing what is happening in class, assignments, etc.
- Parent Portal - All grade level information and report card results can be accessed using the Parent Portal. If you are having any trouble accessing your child's information, please contact the guidance department at 267-893-4250.
News & Upcoming Events
School Calendar
Sept. 1&2 - Grades K-6 Device Deployment (See Schedule)
Sept. 2 - Class Placements on Parent Portal
Sept. 7 - Labor Day Holiday
Sept. 8 - First Day of School (All Virtual)
Sept. 8 - CB School Board Meeting - 16 Welden Dr. - 7:30 PM
Sept. 11 - Patriots' Day - September 11th
Sept. 14 - Grade 1 & 2 Virtual Back to School Night
Sept. 15 - Grade 3 & 4 Virtual Back to School Night
Sept. 16 - Grade 5 & 6 Virtual Back to School Night
Sept. 17 - Constitution Day
Sept. 19 - Rita's Dine & Donate 3:00PM-8:00PM (PTO Event)
Sept. 19 - Rosh Hashanah Begins (Sundown)
Sept. 21 - Kindergarten's Virtual Back to School Night
Sept. 22 - Autumn Begins
Sept 22 - CB School Board Meeting - 16 Welden Dr. ESC - 7:30 PM
Sept. 29 - School Holiday - Yom Kippur (No School)
Butler's Virtual Back to School Night Schedules
Grades 1 & 2 - September 14
Grades 3 & 4 - September 15
Grades 5 & 6 - September 16
Kindergarten - September 21
Further instructions on how to access the presentations will be forthcoming over the next weeks.
Rita's Dine & Donate
Saturday, September 19 | 3-8pm
It's a SWEET combination! Help a local business and help our school at the same time! Simply mention Butler when you order, and a portion of your sale will go back to the Butler PTO.
Click here for the flyer.
CHIP (CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM)
CHIP is short for the Children's Health Insurance Program, Pennsylvania's program to provide health insurance to uninsured children and teens who are not eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance.
CHIP is brought to you by leading health insurance companies. You'll have a choice of major insurance companies with networks of physicians, specialists, and care facilities near you. Your kids may even be able to keep visiting the same doctors they see today.
School Happenings
HVAC Construction Scheduled for Completion - October
As a result, approximately half of the building will be available for teachers to facilitate virtual instruction from classrooms to start the year. The remainder rooms will be available in the coming week(s) - so out of necessity - those teachers in the unfinished rooms will begin the year teaching from home. All staff will have access to the same technology and systems-in-place for virtual learning.
While the added stress of a construction project seemed to multiply what we were already experiencing - we are excited for the finished product: new environmental lighting, freshly painted classrooms, high efficiency ventilation system, upgraded boiler system and air conditioning for an entire school! See the photos taken throughout summer as Butler was "Under Construction."
District Contacts
Central Bucks School District
Superintendent: John J. Kopicki, Ed.D
Assistant Superintendent-Secondary: Abram M. Lucabaugh, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent-Elementary: Nadine M. Garvin, Ed.D.
Website: cbsd.org
Location: 20 Welden Drive, Doylestown, PA, USA
Phone: 267-893-2000
Twitter: @CBSDSchools
Butler Elementary School
Principal: Mr. Karl Funseth
Assistant Principal: Mr. Jesse Brosious
Principal's Secretary: Mrs. Judie Pereira
Assistant Principal's Secretary: Mrs. Michele Droxler
Website: cbsd.org/butler
Location: 200 Brittany Drive, Chalfont, PA, USA
Phone: 267-893-4250
Twitter: @CBButler