Paw Power Press

When possible, Butler does anticipate 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.

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.

This year's PSSA Calendar has been set and Butler wanted to share our scheduling plans. Please review if your child is in Grades 3-6.

Please note, Science PSSA will be completed in the 5th Grade ONLY at Butler - a CBSD email was shared outlining the State's planning earlier this year.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday providing Americans with the opportunity to recognize his accomplishments in our country's history. This day (January 20, 2025) has been designated as a National Day of Service encouraging children and adults, alike, to volunteer to improve something in our community - be it at a shelter, food kitchen, or around your local schools. In this week's National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) - Report to Parents, a 1-page article shares 10 Kid-Friendly Volunteer Ideas for Families to consider in support of MLK, Jr. Day!

"Volunteering teaches kids the importance of giving back to their communities. It also appreciation. Families can use these kid-friendly volunteer ideas to encourage their children to make a difference in their community and help them cultivate compassion, empathy, and a passion for helping others."

To read the article, please click here.

At Butler, the use of student cell phone/SMART Watch/personal device usage in school is prohibited. As a reminder, these devices are to be silenced and remain in backpacks during the school day. Should there be a need for communication, that would take place with the support of the school office during the school day. Please be sure to share these expectations with your child as this policy will be enforced by teachers/staff in coordination with District policy.

CBSD provides a written review of Policies and Expectations for all students (and families) in the Central Bucks Family Handbook.

Additionally, Butler has a Parent/Student Handbook that applies these district policies specific to our school.

Please familiarize to both important documents as we continue throughout the school year.

Visit the CBSD Technology and Innovation website to troubleshoot issues with any district-provided device. Place a Help Desk Ticket through the website if the tips listed on the website do not resolve the issue.

A comprehensive directory of local supports for families; a guide for special education services in the district; and information about Title IX are three of several new resources that have been recently added to the district's "Making Practices Public" webpage. We invite families and community members to visit the page often for regularly added resources in our efforts to keep everyone informed!

Many students across the district currently have negative balances in their lunch accounts. We ask all parents and guardians to please check their MySchoolBucks account to view their balance and, if negative, to please make a payment. Even if you pack a lunch for your child(ren), they still may be purchasing cafeteria items.

To make a payment: Log in to MySchoolBucks and click MAKE A PAYMENT. Click CAFETERIA MEAL PAYMENT. Select or enter a payment amount. Click ADD TO BASKET. Click CHECK OUT NOW to complete the payment process.

For complete instructions on how to use your MySchoolBucks account, go to http://learnmyschoolbucks.com/Parent. You can also use MSB to monitor what your student is purchasing for breakfast and lunch and check your child(ren)'s account balance(s). If you have questions or concerns related to your child(ren)’s account(s), please call the Aramark Food Services office at 267-893-5758.

From January 1 through March 31, the GIANT Company invites customers to join in supporting its "Feeding School Kids" initiative by rounding up at the register. The GIANT Company will directly support customers’ generosity by matching all donations up to $100,000. The Barclay Elementary School Farmers Market is the beneficiary of the funds, which help to support families across CBSD's 23 schools.

Congrats to Holicong 8th grader Sulan Shi for winning the January round of CBSD's lock screen contest! Her original artwork inspired by the "Critical Thinkers" attribute of CBSD's Portrait of a Graduate will be featured on district devices throughout January. Students can now try their hand in the next round of the contest, the "Balanced Individuals" attribute. Submissions are due Jan. 20. View more details and a video highlighting the Balanced Individuals attribute.

All CBSD community members are invited to town hall meetings where members of district administration will share information and gather feedback regarding the future of Doyle, Kutz and Linden Elementary schools, with the goal of the School Board deciding on a plan to address the capital needs at these schools in May 2025. The town halls will take place on Jan. 30 at CB West; Feb. 27 at CB East; and March 27 at CB South, all beginning at 7 p.m. Learn more and submit comments or questions.

With the official first day of winter on Dec. 21, CBSD families are reminded of district procedures should winter weather impact the school day schedule. You can find all related information on this webpage. If school buildings need to close or operate on a modified schedule due to present or pending weather conditions or any other emergency, the district will endeavor to communicate the schedule change to families as soon as possible. Please note that this year, CBSD will be utilizing Flexible Instructional Days (FIDs) should school need to close after the first use of a traditional snow day. You can learn more about the procedures for FIDs here.

The CBSD instructional calendar for the 2025-26 school year was approved by the Board at its monthly meeting on Dec. 2. View the calendar

Welcome to CBSD! Online registration for the 2025-26 school year is now open for families of students who will be eligible for kindergarten in CBSD and students in all grades who will be new to CBSD next school year. Learn more about registration here and start a new registration application here.

The Central Bucks Education Foundation is proud to offer a needs-based "Holicong Road Scholarship" of up to $50,000 annually to a current senior at CB South, CB East, or CB West who is graduating in June 2025 and plans to attend a 4-year college or university in summer or fall 2025. The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student with demonstrated financial need who has a strong academic history and is actively involved in school activities or within the community. Applications are being accepted now through Jan. 15, 2025. Learn more and apply.

CBSD welcomes qualified candidates to apply for a range of full-time career opportunities, many with benefits. School bus aides might be the perfect fit for parents and others looking to make a difference while working the same hours as a school day. View all available positions and apply now!

January Continued:

Jan. 20 - School Holiday - MLK, Jr. Day (Schools Closed)

Jan. 21 - School Assembly (Brain Challenge)

Jan. 27 - General PTO Meeting (ZOOM)

Jan. 28 - Half-Day - Dismissal Begins at 12:25 PM (Staff Development)

Jan. 28 - PTO Jump Night (Gr. 3-6 ONLY) - 5:30-7:30 PM

February:

Feb 2 - Groundhog's Day (Sunday)

Feb. 7 - PTO Butler Ball (Gymnasium) (Snow Date: Feb. 13)

Feb. 13 - Spirit Day - Valentine's Celebration!

Feb. 13 - School Board Meeting - 7:30 PM - ESC, 16 Weldon Dr.

Feb. 14 - No School - Professional Development Day (Office Open)

Feb. 17 - No School - President's Day (Office Closed)

Feb. 21 - Family Fun & Fitness Night - 6:30 PM (Non Drop-off Event)

Feb. 25 - *UPDATE* 6th Grade Parent Middle School Orientation - 7:00 PM (Unami)

Congratulations to Luca S. (Gr. 6) for scoring in his middle school game this past Sunday. CB South B-Team is currently in 2nd place in their division! To see any upcoming games and to root on CB South's Middle School Teams (and current Butler Bears: Luca, Eamon, Penny, Liam, and Lucas M. (Gr. 6)), see the schedule below!

Please see details below on STEM Clubs with the Fab Lab!

For the details on all upcoming events, go to our website: www.BucksIU.org/FabLab/Events

To register for any of the below clubs, click here!

Find the QR Code for details about the next session - which begins on February 4th. Young Rembrandt Drawing classes provide students with a unique experience in design, composition, and illustration following a step-by-step drawing process. Classes begin February 4th for the next session.

Beginning February 3, Chess Wizards offers challenging chess lessons, fun group activities, exciting tournaments, and more! If your child is new to chess, we will teach them the basics and get them playing right away! If they're a seasoned checkmate artist, they'll learn new ways to show their creativity on the chess board. Please see below for more information!

Please see details below about the CB East Children's theater Workshop:

Calling all elementary school students! Do you love to sing and dance? You are invited to be a "Junior Patriot Player" for the day!

February 22, 2025 - 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM; CB East Auditorium (Front Entrance). Proceeds benefit the Make a Wish Foundation.

Session 1: 6:00 PM -7:30 PM

Session 2: 8:00 PM -9:30 PM

This is not a drop-off event!

Register now on My Payments Plus for the Butler Ball. This event is designed to be a special night experience for your Butler Student and their VIP Adult Guest. There will be a DJ and professional photographer to take photos. Admission is $8 per student and includes one special VIP adult guest. Select which session you'd like to attend before registration closes on February 5th at 12:00 AM. Refreshments and snacks will be served. (Snow Date 2/13)

*** DATE CHANGE ***

Dear 6th Grade Parents - Please join the Middle School Staff at Unami -NOW- on Tuesday, Feb 25th from 7-9 pm. More details will be shared after the New Year in anticipation of the date. Unami Middle School is excited to host the parents of future 7th graders!

Communication and planning support family-efforts on important school events. See below!

Art plays an important role in developing a child’s imagination. That is why we are always excited to host the Art Goes to School Program - which arrived at Butler this week! Art volunteers spoke to the students through an instructive presentation while encouraging the children to “look, listen, and feel” art. Admiring art allows others to explore a wide cross-section of people and cultures, places and things. The art leads incorporated art history, techniques, and backgrounds on the artists and their inspirations. Thank you to the Art Goes to School Program!

Butler Bears are proud of our school in so many ways - including always doing our best to demonstrate our collective Pledge to being Respectful, Responsible, and Kind! During the shortened months of November and December, students were "caught" demonstrating one or more of our 3-pledges during school! Each classroom tallied their accomplishments and once each room reached 100 paw prints before the end of the window, we celebrated a special school-wide Bingo inclusing prizes and excitement! This was held on Friday, January 10th!

The Butler 6th Grade was able to travel to Unami on Thursday, January 16th to get a music preview for what is offered in Middle School. Our "Soon to be Middle Schoolers" saw students (formerly of Butler and Mill Creek) perform on the stage. It showcased so much musical talent and built upon the excitement of Middle School!

Butler Bears are the brightest! Especially when it was NEON Spirit Day on Thursday, January 9th. Students and staff had a lot of fun wearing crazy bright colors celebrating January!

Butler Elementary celebrated the upcoming playoffs and successful season for our Philadelphia Eagles! Even if Mr. Funseth was wearing Buffalo Bills gear, we all decided to celebrate in style!

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 "Breakfast with the Principals".

1/10 Winners: Evan M. (Kdg.), Zoie L-N (Gr.1), Alex R. (Gr.2), Brooklyn T. & Brooklyn P. (Gr.3), Kate B. (Gr.4), Jack A. (Gr.5), Liam V-M (Gr.6), Staff Winner - Mrs. Misciagna (Support Staff)

1/17 Winners: Charlie C. (Kdg.), Leah M. (Gr.1), Olivia K. (Gr.2), Amelia M. (Gr.3), Kailah P. (Gr.4), Kira G. (Gr.5), Eamon R. (Gr.6), Staff Winner - Mrs. Fullerton (Support Staff)

Individual student winners choose a special activity from the "Choice Board" - where they identify a special event in which they will participate.

"Welcome Back!" - The Butler PTO Newsletter is an informative publication that provides insight and info for events hosted by the Butler PTO. Please click here to open the newsletter.

The PTO, in consultation with Butler administration, has made the difficult decision to not run Butler Bear Clubs this year. This decision was made based on a few factors, the most significant being difficulty securing enough volunteer support to successfully run the clubs. We understand that this may be disappointing news for many. We are open to continuing the clubs in the future if we have the necessary volunteer help. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please reach out to ButlerESPTO@gmail.com. Thank you.

Superintendent: Steven Yanni, Ed. D.

Assistant Superintendent-Secondary: Charles Malone, Ed. D.

Assistant Superintendent-Elementary: Nadine Garvin, Ed. D.

Website: cbsd.org
Location: 20 Welden Drive, Doylestown, PA, USA
Phone: 267-893-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbschools/
Twitter: @CBSDSchools

Principal: Karl Funseth

Principal's Secretary: Peggy Bernabei

Assistant Principal: Lauren Dowd

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