Paw Power Press
Butler Elementary School - Volume 1 - September 2025
Butler's Pledge: Be Respectful, Responsible, & Kind
First Day of School - 9/2/2025
Welcome Mrs. Brevic, Assistant Principal
Butler Elementary is excited to announce that Mrs. Melissa Brevic (mbrevic@cbsd.org) is the new Assistant Principal of this school community! She joins us beginning her second year in administration having served as the Assistant Principals of Kutz and Pine Run Elementary Schools. Prior to that, Mrs. Brevic taught in Central Bucks for 17-years in 4th, 6th and Quest (8-years). She also has experience in the New Jersey Public School System.
In the last few weeks, Mr. Funseth have worked together in preparing for the upcoming school year - she is so excited to join the Butler Community! Welcome Mrs. Brevic!
Thank you, Sponsors! Butler's Summer Reading Initiative a BIG Success!
Important Information
Standard School Day - Butler "C-School" Hours
Butler School Day - "C" School:
Grades 1 through 6 - 9:05 a.m. — 3:45 p.m.
AM Kindergarten: 9:05 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. (Mid-Day Pick-Up)
PM Kindergarten: 1:10 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (Mid-Day Drop-Off)
Typical 2-Hour Delay Schedule:
Delayed Opening Arrival - 10:45 a.m. (K-6)
Normal Dismissal - 3:45 p.m. (K-6)
AM Kindergarten - 11:05 a.m. - 12:50 p.m. (adjusted hours)
PM Kindergarten - 2:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. (adjusted hours)
** Early Dismissal Days / Or Scheduled Half Days - 12:25 p.m.
Daily Recess/Lunch Schedules
6th Grade - 11:00-11:30 - Recess / 11:30-12:00 Lunch
4th Grade - 11:30-12:00 - Recess / 12:00-12:30 Lunch
1st Grade/EDK/ELDK - 12:00-12:30 - Recess / 12:30-1:00 Lunch
5th Grade - 12:30 - 1:00 - Recess / 1:00-1:30 Lunch
2nd Grade - 1:00 - 1:30 - Recess / 1:30-2:00 Lunch
Reminder: Elementary Specials Class Scheduling System
Central Bucks adopts a rotating specials schedule (Art, Library, Music, Physical Education, and QUEST). It follows a Day-1 through Day-5 schedule for a "better distribution" of scheduled special classes for all elementary students.
Tuesday, September 2nd, the first day for students, will be Specials Day-1. The remainder of the days will follow the school calendar and are set for the year. If there happens to be a day cancelled (due to inclement weather, etc.), the district specials schedule will follow the predetermined day. Therefore, students, staff, and families know that each special class is assigned to one of the numbered days.
Days 1-4 will begin during September 2-5 followed by Day 5 on Monday, September 8th. Classroom teachers will be sure to communicate the schedule regularly, so children are prepared for each day's special.
Schoolhouse Driveline: Carline Program & Procedures
Butler always strives to achieve smooth dismissal procedures for our students, families, and staff! The system in place works well when EVERYONE follows the plans of the school. There is always a learning curve the first few days/week of school. Soon after, the efficiency of the system becomes optimal once everyone is familiar with the plan (Students/Staff/Families). Butler will again be using Schoolhouse Driveline assigning a specific number to each family. A placard will be provided to hang around the rearview mirror. Staff will enter this number into the system upon parent/guardian arrival to quickly identify and organize students to the flow of the carline.
Car Rider Arrival & Dismissal Reminders
Arrival and Dismissal procedures are paramount in our operation during the two busiest times of our school day - especially Car Line Procedures. Please be reminded:
ARRIVAL
- School Doors officially open at 8:45 AM.
- PLEASE have car-riders REMAIN in vehicles until staff is in place at 8:45 AM.
- Walkers will be assembling under the canopy by the front doors, but we request car-riders remain in vehicles so traffic is not moving while children are walking to school.
- We will have a crosswalk attendee supporting student walker arrival and traffic flow.
- Please keep your eyes open for student walkers and adhere to speed limit postings.
DISMISSAL
- Car Rider dismissal will again take place from our Gym Atrium Doors.
- A placard will be provided to each new family on the first day - please make sure this is displayed around your rearview mirror each day. Returning families, please use last year's #.
- IMPORTANT - Parents remain in vehicles at all times; a staff member will identify the Schoolhouse Driveline Family number to call the student(s) to meet the vehicle in our circle (See Details Above).
- Walkers will be released from Front or Back of the building once bus and car traffic has exited - usually around 4:00 pm. Parents meeting walkers in front by the corner or Ashley's Garden. Children are not to cross the roadways unattended for parents waiting in vehicles.
With the start of the new year, timing will continue to improve - new routines for students and personnel makes things a little slower the first few days. There is always a dramatic improvement in timing from day one to day two - Thank you, families! Soon, our dismissal procedures will be efficient and familiar - we just ask (kindly) for your understanding and patience.
School Backpacks for Students
Student 1:1 Device Assistance
District Messages & Announcements
ANNUAL STUDENT INFORMATION UPDATE - MUST COMPLETE by 9/30
Each year, all families are required to review and update information on their student(s) in our database. This annual update is critical for the dispensing of medication, reaching you in emergencies and urgent situations, and receiving important communications from CBSD and your school(s).
Updating your information is also required before you will be able to access student schedules and busing information.
To complete this process, log in at www.cbsd.org/parentportal. Once signed in, select "More" from the menu then "Annual Student Information Update."
If you need help, you can contact Lori Rebstock at lrebstock@cbsd.org or 267-893-5714. You can also contact parentportal@cbsd.org.
Flexible Instructional Day (FID) Bags
During our Back to School Nights, Flexible Instructional Day (FID) Bags will be distributed to families to hold at home in the event we have school cancellation due to inclement weather days. Like last year, blue drawstring bags will be provided to keep at home (they will be collected at the end of the year) and will include the first 2-workbooks.
Please Note: Until the days are announced and scheduled, please do not write names on the bags. Likewise, do not write on the workbooks until they are ready to turn-in for credit. The booklets are grade-level specific and will begin starting the SECOND snow day of the year.
More information will be shared, but we wanted to be sure parents were aware of this plan in advance!
CBSD Attendance Letter
Bus Safety Program to Help Enforce Traffic Violations
CBSD, in partnership with BusPatrol (a safety technology company), bolsters the safety of all bus passengers which is in line with PA Motor Vehicle Code § 3345. CBSD buses are equipped with photo enforcement cameras to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped buses while the stop sign is deployed and red lights are flashing. Every captured incident will be reviewed by a law enforcement officer before a violation notice is issued to the motorist. Drive carefully!
Aramark - Food Services Update
For the 25-26 school year:
School Breakfast is Free for All Students
School Lunch meals cost $2.85.
We encourage all families to put money on their students account through MySchoolBucks.com - and are attempting to limit the need for cash transactions to simplify the process for your elementary child.
- All menus are available to be viewed online up to 2 weeks in advance by visiting cbsd.nutrislice.com.
Application for Free and Reduced Meal Pricing 2025-2026 - Now Available
The application for free and reduced meal pricing for the 2025-26 school year is open. Your child(ren) may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Please note, at the high school level, only families eligible for free and reduced priced meals receive free breakfast. Learn more and apply.
Changes to MySchoolBucks Fees and Meal Payment Limit
Earlier this summer, the district received information from MySchoolBucks (MSB), our meal payment service, regarding upcoming pricing adjustments.
Beginning August 1, 2025, the fee for credit/debit card payments will increase to $3.50 per transaction from $3.25. Additionally, the maximum meal payment limit will increase to $150 per transaction. According to MSB, the increase is being implemented to help cover rising operational costs and to continue offering a secure and user-friendly online payment experience.
MySchoolBucks plans to send an email to families who have automatic meal payments set up through MSB by July 21. Parents and guardians can begin adding funds to their CBSD MSB account for the 2025-26 school year beginning August 1. As a reminder, parents and guardians can also send in a check with their student(s) that can be given to a cafeteria cashier. The e-check fee will remain the same.
If you have any questions, please contact MSB Admin Support at 1-800-803-6755.
Before & After Care for the 2025-2026 School Year
The district welcomes CB families in need of before and/or after school childcare provided by Central Bucks School District to register in the program now for the 2025-26 school year.
Families who are returning to the program should register here.
Families who are new to the program should register here.
The school-based CBSD Before and After School Childcare Program is a natural extension of the school day that benefits families and the community by providing a safe, nurturing space for children to grow socially and emotionally while having fun. If you have any questions, you can contact CBSD School Age Childcare Program Coordinator Dana Hahn at dahahn@cbsd.org.
Fee Payments for One-to-One Technology
The one-to-one fee payment system is open. All CB students will either receive a device this year or continue to use the device issued last year. Information about distribution will come from your principal. Read more about the plan and the next steps.
Have You Changed Addresses?
If you have moved, please make sure you update your address with Central Registration. The office can be reached at 267-893-2111 or centralregistration@cbsd.org.
Department Update: Health Office
Health Room Update - Required health Exams for the 25-26 School Year
Required Health Examinations - Pennsylvania mandates the following health examinations as indicated:
Physicals: School entry, grades 6 and 11
Dentals: School entry, grades 3 and 7
Parents are urged to have physical and dental examinations completed by their family physician or dentist and submitted prior to October 15th of the year that they are due. Exams may be completed any time after September 1st of the prior calendar year. Forms can be found by clicking HERE. Please submit these forms to the school directly or via email to cbbutlernurses@cbsd.org.
PA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has the following immunization requirements for students:
- 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (1 dose on or after 4th birthday) (DTaP)
- 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given) (IPV)
- 2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- 3 doses of hepatitis B (Hep B) properly spaced
- 2 doses of varicella or evidence of immunity (chickenpox)
You may check your child’s school immunization record by logging onto the parent portal through the district website at www.cbsd.org or by consulting with your child’s physician. Immunization records can be sent to the school directly or via email to ggiovinco@cbsd.org.
Instrumental Enrollment - Grades 4-6
Please scan the QR code below or click this link: Instrument Lessons Enrollment to sign up for instrumental lessons. Returning students from last year should also re-enroll online.
String Lessons are available to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders.
Band Lessons are available to 5th and 6th graders.
In the first weeks of school, we held an assembly for 4th and 5th grade students to demonstrate all the different instruments, answer questions, and share with students the joy of being a musician and joining the music program. We always encourage students to pick the instrument that they like the sound of the most. Mrs. LaRose (Orchestra Director) and Mr. Robinson (Band Director) want to see a lot of new band and string students this year, and we cannot wait to get started!
If you have any questions, please email the string or band teacher:
STRINGS: Ashley LaRose – alarose@cbsd.org
BAND: Mike Robinson – msrobinson@cbsd.org
School Calendar & Updates
School Calendar
September:
Sept. 1 - Labor Day Monday - School/Offices Closed
Sept. 2 - TUESDAY - First Day of School for Students (Day 1 - Specials Schedule)
Sept. 4 - BTSN Grades: 6 & 5 (Schedule Below); NAMI Parent Presentation @ 6:00 PM (Gym)
Sept. 8 - BTSN Grades: 4 & 3 (Schedule Below); PEN BTSN @ 6:00 PM (Gym)
Sept. 9 - Picture Day (Make-Ups 10/29)
Sept. 10 - CB South BTSN
Sept. 11 - BTSN Grades: Kdg (Gym), 2, & 1 (Schedule Below)
Sept. 17 - Unami BTSN (8th & 9th Grades)
Sept. 18 - CB School Board Meeting - 7:00 PM - 16 Welden (ESC)
Sept. 19 - Butler PTO Bingo Night - Evening
Sept. 23 - Rash Hashanah (No School/Offices Open)
Sept. 29 - PTO General Meeting - 7:00 PM, Library
Sept. 30 - Half-Day for Students (12:25 PM Dismissal)
Sept. 30 - **Annual Student Update Information Due (Click Here)
Butler Back to School Night Dates
With the start of school comes our Back to School Nights (BTSNs) as they are an important opportunity for all parents to meet their child’s teacher and learn about the year ahead!
BTS Nights will be held according to the following schedule:
- Thursday, 9/4 - Gr. 6 @ 5:00 PM; Presentation - National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) - Gym @ 6:00 PM; Gr. 5 @ 7:00 PM. ** 5th & 6th Grade parents are encouraged to arrive for/stay through the 6:00 PM presentation in the gym. **
- Monday, 9/8 - Gr. 4 @ 5:00 PM; PEN @ 6:00 PM - Gym; Gr. 3 @ 7:00 PM
- Thursday, 9/11 - Kindergarten @ 5:00 PM - Gym; Gr. 2 @ 6:00 PM; Gr. 1 @ 7:00 PM
*Please Note: When you arrive, walk directly to your child’s classroom so you do not miss any of your teacher’s presentation - presentations will last 45-minutes. Kindergarten and PEN - please report directly to the Gymnasium. For each of our grade levels, BTSN will start promptly at noted times.
NAMI: Ending the Silence - 5th & 6th Grade Parents - September 4 @ 6:00 PM (In-Between BTSN Sessions)
At 6:00 PM on Thursday (9/4) of Back to School Night, 5th and 6th grade parents are encouraged to attend National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) presentation on Mental Health Conditions and Recovery. This Central Bucks partnership provide information on children's mental health and safety signs.
Butler Family Bingo
When: Friday, September 19 | 7:00-8:30 PM
Where: Butler Gymnasium
Join us for the first PTO event of the new school year... Butler Family Bingo! There will be light snacks and water, as well as fun prizes to win! We hope to see you there!
Please note, this is a family event (i.e. not a drop off event).
Hellerick's Farm "Dine & Donate" -->November
Come out to Hellerick's Farm to enjoy time on a local farm throughout the fall season. Be sure to include code "SBES" so families get 5% discount, and our school gets a 10% donation after the fall season!
The Butler PTO Monster Mash (K-2 Event Only) - 10/3
When: Friday, October 3rd | 6:00-7:30 PM
Where: Butler Gymnasium and Cafeteria
There will be music, crafts, Halloween activities, and a costume parade at this years Butler Monster Mash! We hope to see you there! Please note, this is a family event for current K-2 students (i.e. not a drop-off event).
Butler Picture Day - 9/9/25
Picture Retake Day is scheduled for October 29th, 2025
CENTRAL BUCKS H.S. EAST & CENTRAL BUCKS H.S. WEST FIELD HOCKEY CLINIC
Join the players & coaches from Central Bucks East & West FieldHockey programs for a day of skills, training, game play & fun!
Registration can be found at www.mypaymentsplus.com.
The World Famous Harlem Wizards Basketball Game vs. Butler Teachers! - 11/6
Be sure to catch the most electrifying event of the year - The Harlem Wizards! Check out this Hype Video for what's to come!
School Happenings
New Family School Ambassador Tours - 8/28
This year's Butler 5th & 6th Grade Student Ambassadors led our newest Butler families on a tour of our school - introducing them to the building and what it means in becoming Butler Bears! Our Ambassadors identified many of the various rooms and areas of our school, with some sharing their favorite things about Butler! Mr. Funseth and Mrs. Brevic launched the event with an introduction and welcome while the PTO shared a preview of the year ahead highlighting all of our important events we hold within our community. At the end, families met the teams of teachers across all grade levels - looking forward to the 25-26 school year!
Kindergarten Welcome and Bus Orientation - 8/28
Butler's Chalk the Walk!
Butler Bear Families always strive to brighten someone's day! And that was the case when teachers and support staff arrived at Butler on the 1st day of school! Over Labor Day Weekend, families decorated the school sidewalks with kind, welcoming, and friendly messages excited about the school year! Thank you to all the families who participated!
New Butler Elementary Sign for Highland Entrance!
Thanks to the Butler PTO, our new school sign was installed at our back entrance - identifying our amazing school! Located at the end of the bus loop when pulling in from the Highland neighborhood, the CB Operations Department installed the sign this July. We love finding ways to make Butler Elementary an attractive place within our neighborhood community!
Emergency Preparations and Planning - 1st Fire Drill!
Safety and security are priorities for Butler Elementary School and we coordinate among our staff and students early on in the school year. While holding monthly fire drills, we already completed our first drill on Wednesday! Our CERT Team and staff will hold many state-mandated emergency preparations in the event of a weather alert or school threat. In all of our planning, our teachers will meet with students to share expectations, celebrations, and goals around our safety procedures.
"SLAM DUNK" Teacher Lunch - Thank You PTO!
From the Butler PTO
The Butler PTO Newsletter
Butler PTO General Meeting - 9/29 - 7 PM
District Details
Central Bucks School District
Substitute Superintendent: Charles Malone, Ed. D.
Assistant Superintendent-Secondary: Charles Malone, Ed. D.
Assistant Superintendent-Elementary: Helen Sclama-Zaleski, Ed. D.
Website: cbsd.org
Location: 20 Welden Drive, Doylestown, PA, USA
Phone: 267-893-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbschools/
Twitter: @CBSDSchools
Simon Butler Elementary School
Principal: Karl Funseth
Principal's Secretary: Peggy Bernabei
Assistant Principal: Melissa Brevic
Assistant Principal's Secretary: Michele Droxler
Website: https://www.cbsd.org/butler
Location: 200 Brittany Drive, Chalfont, PA, USA
Phone: 267-894-4250
Twitter: @CBButlerElem