Paw Power Press
Butler Elementary School - Volume 8 - December 2025
Outdoor Recess During Winter Season - Reminders and FYIs
When possible, Butler anticipates holding recess outdoors. Health and wellness are important to the whole child and children benefit from fresh air and exercise. During the winter months, we manage our decision on whether there is precipitation and if the air temperature is at a safe level - following defined procedures provided to us by our CBSD health department. We encourage parents to have their children prepared for outdoor recess even if we need to decide to remain inside from day to day. While recess is a half-hour of time, we want to be sure students are safely prepared and dressed appropriately with coats/hats/gloves/and long pants. All students will be outside - so be prepared!
Also, if missing winter items like coats, sweatshirts, hats, and gloves - we have a collection of clothes ready to be reclaimed! Parents, please visit the front office for help and/or encourage your students to visit our lost and found located by our gymnasium.
Butler Cell Phone/SMART Watch/Personal Device Policy
When in school, personal student cell phone/SMART Watch/device usage are to be silenced and remain in backpacks during the school day. In some instances, students need their device to monitor health status through each day, and this will remain in place. However, should there be a need for any student/home communication, it will take place with the support of the teacher/school office during the school day. These district expectations have been shared with students, and we appreciate your support with your children as we navigate each school day.
We invite you to watch a short video as a reminder about the guidelines for student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices, including smartwatches, in our schools.
Student 1:1 Device Assistance
Registration Open for Students Entering Full-Day Kindergarten in 2026-27
We are excited to welcome our first, district-wide class of full-day kindergartners in the 2026-27 school year! Online registration for next school year is now open for families of students who will be eligible for kindergarten in CBSD. Registration for all grades will open on Monday, Jan. 26. Learn more about registration and start a new registration application.
Congrats to December Lock Screen Winner, Next Round of Submissions Due 12/23
Congrats to Holicong 7th grader Emma Kim for winning December round of CBSD's "See the Good, Be the Good" lock screen contest and earning a gift card to her restaurant of choice! Her original artwork is featured on district devices throughout December. Students can now try their hand at being the first winner of 2026 in the next round of the contest, "See the Good, Be the Good in the New Year." Submissions are due Dec. 23. More details
Helping Families Manage After-School Device Use
Families looking for support in managing students’ screen time can now enroll in the optional Lightspeed Parent Portal, which lets parents view their child’s after-school internet activity on district devices. The tool provides weekly activity reports and simple controls to pause browsing or block certain content outside of school hours. Parents and guardians can sign up through the Parent Portal in Infinite Campus and find full details in the online Lightspeed guide.
CB Farmers Market: Get What You Need, Share What You Can
The CB Farmers Market offers fresh food and essentials to any district family in need, and all are welcome with a quick pre-registration for a membership card and pick-up time. Families looking for support can learn more and sign up through the CB Farmers Market webpage. Community members who want to help can donate food or gift cards, or volunteer as a “grocery buddy,” with details available online.
December Edition of "The Feed," CBSD's Food Services Newsletter by Aramark
Get the latest scoop on everything tasty happening at Central Bucks! Our newest newsletter is packed with info you need. Free Breakfast Fun Facts: Discover why your daily free breakfast is the best way to start your day! The Jalapeño Popper Burger: Get the delicious details on this month’s spicy-cheesy Limited Time Offer (LTO). Eat Well, Be Well: Find out which healthy, featured ingredients we're spotlighting in December! Read the full issue!
Flexible Instructional Days and School Closing Info
This year, we will continue to hold flexible instructional days (FIDs) after the first traditional “snow day” is used. FIDs provide remote learning options when school buildings need to close due to weather or other emergencies. Learn more about FIDs and our general school closing procedures.
Flyers Fans: Support CB Education Foundation and Take a Shot at Game Tickets
The Central Bucks Education Foundation is raffling off two great seats to a Flyers game at the Wells Fargo Center, just 18 rows from the ice. The games are on Feb. 5, March 5, and April 2, 2026. Tickets are $5 each, with bundle options available, and all proceeds fund teacher-submitted grants that directly support CBSD students. The winner will be announced on January 23, 2026. Get your tickets now.
New School Board Members Sworn In, Leadership Elected, 2026 Meeting Calendar Set
At the Dec. 2 School Board Organization Meeting, Heather Reynolds was unanimously elected President and Susan Gibson was unanimously elected Vice President. The four board members elected in November were also officially sworn in by Judge Stephen A. Corr and the board approved its business meeting schedule for 2026, moving the meetings from the third Thursday of the month to the fourth. The first meeting of the new year is Jan. 22. Read more
School Calendar
December Continued:
Dec. 22 - Spirit Day - Ugly/Festive Holiday Sweater Day
Dec. 23 - Half Day - Dismissal Begins at 12:25 PM
Dec. 23 - Spirit Day - Pajama Day
Dec. 23 - PM Kindergarten Attends (AM Kdg. - No School)
Dec. 23 - Holiday Concert - 9:30 AM (Family Concert - Gymnasium)
Dec. 23 - Holiday Sing - Student/Staff Assembly (Only)
Winter Break: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - Friday, January 2, 2026
January:
Jan.1 - Happy New Year!
Jan.5 - School Resumes
Jan. 9 - Spirit Day - Mustache Day
Jan. 12-16 - Art Goes to School Week (By Schedule)
Jan. 19 - School Holiday - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Jan. 22 - CB School Board Meeting - 7:00 PM 16 Welden (ESC)
Jan. 23 - PTO Skate Night (Inline 309) - 5:30 PM
Jan. 26 - Butler PTO Dine & Donate - New Britain Inn (5:00-8:00 PM)
Jan. 30 - Town Hall Assembly (NAMI - Respect)
Early Dismissal for ALL Students on Dec. 23
All students will be dismissed early on Tuesday, Dec. 23. The district's 12-month print calendar mistakenly lists early dismissal for grades 1-6. Families are encouraged to also check the district and school online calendars on the district and school websites for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
Butler Ball - Save the Date - Feb. 6
One of our best community traditions is the Butler Ball - held at two times to accommodate our school population. Tickets on sale in My Payments Plus. Questions? Contact the Butler PTO.
Young Author Visit - December 8th
On December 8th, Butler had the incredible opportunity to welcome Jerry Pallotta, celebrated children’s book author! From his classic ABC books to the wildly popular Who Would Win? series, Jerry’s work has captured the imaginations of readers everywhere—especially the students at Butler!
During his visit, Jerry shared stories about his life, his love of reading, and the inspiration behind many of his books—the ocean. Growing up along the Massachusetts coast sparked his creativity, which shines through in his books. Students loved his humor and storytelling, while teachers appreciated the fresh ideas and insights he offered for engaging students.
Thank you to the Butler PTO for making this event possible and to Mrs. Hanna for coordinating efforts to bring Jerry Pallotta back to Butler. It was truly a day to remember!
Butler TM-1 Spirit Assembly - 12/3
Butler celebrated the end to the first Trimester on December 3rd with an "All-School" Assembly. We had a full-school Paper/Rock/Scissors Celebration from each grade level and sang our Butler Anthem with pride! To end, we enjoyed a slide show celebrating everything we have done this first part of the year! Thanks to the Spirit Committee!
5th & 6th Grade Middle School Music Presentations - 12/3
With realignment happening next year, our 5th & 6th grade students have been making plans for their Middle School experience! Recently, Mr. Beal, Choir teacher from Unami, held an information session with our students on each of their music options when they reach Middle School. He gave an overview of the program and introduced choir, band, and orchestra! Students have begun planning, but if parents need more information, a flyer went home with contact information and additional details!
PTO Family Movie Event - 12/7
On December 7th, it was a fun day out at the movies for the Butler Community who gathered at Flagship Cinema Water Tower to see Zootopia 2! This special event brought our community together to enjoy laughter, adventure, and the magic of the big screen. Thanks to everyone who organized and facilitated the event from sales to check-in, to Flagship Cinema for hosting, and to all the families who made this event a success. Your support makes a difference!
Paw Power Winners -12/5 & 12/12
Simon Butler's students and staff embrace the Butler Pledge, the foundation of our school's positive behavior program. Our Butler Community promises to:
Be Respectful * Be Responsible * Be Kind
This pledge to all Butler Bears upholds our traditional Pillars: B.U.T.L.E.R.
Butler (at its Best!); Understanding; Teamwork; Leadership; Educational Excellence; Respect
Each week, students earn Positive Paw Power Coupons for their good deeds and honorable actions as recognition. Children enter them into our collection bins where names are drawn to earn a special reward from the Choice Board!
12/5 Winners: Elina C. (Kdg.), Dominic B. (Gr.1), Kelsey L. (Gr.2), Cooper D. (Gr.3), Lux D. (Gr.4), Caitlin M. (Gr.5), Rylin G. (Gr.6), Staff Leader: Ms. Matteson
12/12 Winners: Derek M. (Kdg.), Amelia T. (Gr.1), Dylan K. (Gr.2), Emerson R. (Gr.3), Vedant A. (Gr.4), Grace C. (Gr.5), Eloise K. (Gr.6), Staff Leader - Ms. Griffin
Winners - 12/5
Staff Leader - Ms. Matteson
Winners 12/12
Staff Leader - Ms. Griffin
Special Announcer
Game Time with Mrs. Baker
Game Time with Mr. Funseth
The Butler PTO Newsletter
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/
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