Paw Power Press

Butler is so fortunate to have a great Custodial Team keeping our school clean and ready for each new day of school! Thanks to our daytime crew, Mr. Gessner and Mr. Tongue - and to our second shift: Mr. Acevedo, Mr. Lukens, and Mr. Whitecavage! Happy National Custodians Day!

Butler is invited to support Caring for Friends, a nonprofit organization that delivers meals and companionship to seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Through weekly meal deliveries and friendly visits, the organization helps address both food insecurity and social isolation.

On October 18, Caring for Friends will host a FREE Family Pumpkin Carving and Thanksgiving Food Drive. Families are encouraged to come together for a fun community event while helping collect Thanksgiving food donations for those in need. The event will be held in the St. Jude parking lot and will move indoors if there is inclement weather.

Event Registration:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/caringforfriends/2379399

Need Food Assistance?
https://caringforfriends.org/find-food/

As the holiday season approaches, Butler Elementary is extending an invitation to families who may be experiencing a challenging time to participate in our Holiday Giving Tree Program. If your family needs assistance, please reach out to your school counselor by October 26th.

Mrs. Kathy Milotich (Grades: 1, 3, 5) kmilotich@cbsd.org

Mrs. Linda O’Connell (Grades: K, 2, 4) loconnell@cbsd.org

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.

Next week, Oct. 19–23, is National School Bus Safety Week, a reminder that every driver plays a role in keeping students safe. Please slow down, put away distractions, and be especially alert near bus stops and during morning pickup and afternoon drop-off times. Watch for children approaching or leaving buses, allow extra travel time, and obey school bus signals and stop arms. Thank you for helping our students get to and from school safely every day!

CBSD wishes to remind families and students of the importance of obeying e-bike laws for the safety of all CB residents. The Central Bucks Regional Police Department has provided the district with this flyer to stress what defines a street legal e-bike and when an e-bike is not street legal. To be street legal, an e-bike must have working pedals, be limited to a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph, and the rider must be at least 16-years-old. E-dirt bikes, electric or gas-powered "mini-rides" with seats, and off-road-only bikes and scooters are not street legal. We thank our families and students for following these laws.

During the 2026–27 school year, CBSD invites students to create original artwork for display on district laptops and ClearTouch panels with a focus on looking ahead with optimism, creativity, and purpose. Students are asked to think about what makes our schools special today and what is possible for tomorrow, and to capture the people, places, ideas, and experiences that inspire this year's districtwide theme “Move Forward. Imagine More." Entries are being accepted for the October contest until Oct. 15. Read more about how to enter.

Join the more than 520 alumni from the Class of 1964 through the Class of 2025 who are staying connected with CB by sharing what you're doing and joining our alumni mailing list! Complete the survey now.

Get ready for the October edition of The Feed, featuring Doyle Elementary star Jill Susco, a deep dive into everyday healthy options, and a breakdown of the newly revised Dietary Guidelines! Read the full newsletter

Did you know that CBSD residents ages 65 and up can attend many after-school events for no or minimal cost as part of the district's Gold Card Program? Gold Card membership provides cardholders free attendance at CB home athletic games (regular season), concerts, public art shows, and certain musicals. Learn more about how to apply for a Gold Card and the events open to Gold Card members.

Fifth grade artists created a realistic pumpkin drawing using oil pastels to explore the art element of value. They practiced blending colors, creating highlights and shadows, and using light and dark values to show form and make their pumpkins appear three-dimensional. Students applied observation and color-mixing techniques to create a finished fall-inspired artwork.

Recently, Mrs. Milotich and Mrs. O'Connell held new student lunch bunches - as a way to welcome the children to their new school! Students got to meet others and had their questions answered in a friendly, informative way! Mrs. Milotich also read Brave Everyday to her 1st grade classrooms while Mrs. O'Connell read On the First Day of Kindergarten. Our students are becoming very familiar with Butler and our new school routines!

Second graders began exploring books in the Red Dot Fiction section of the library. This section houses our early chapter books. There are many benefits to reading early chapter books such as building reading stamina, developing reading confidence, strengthening comprehension skills, expanding vocabulary, supporting reading fluency, promoting critical thinking, and fostering a love of reading. Our second graders were ready and eager to begin checking out some of these titles to read independently or along with someone at home.

2nd Grade students have been exploring pitch movement and playing festive songs on the keyboards and xylophones.

Unit 1 in physical education class is personal responsibility - which includes personal space, participating safely in physical activities, and recess games. Since the start of school, students in the primary grades participated in low organizational games like red-light/green-light, sharks & minnows, and hula hoop rock, paper, scissors. The children in 3rd and 4th grades played recess games which included run the bases, four-square, and cornhole. Our 5th graders learned how to play ultimate frisbee with forty-four signed-up for the afterschool ultimate frisbee club!

Kindergarten students are using 21st-century skills as they explore the best materials for building a new house for the Three Little Pigs. They are working together, sharing ideas, and trying different ways to build strong houses. Students are using creativity and problem-solving as they build, test, and make changes to their designs. Through play and teamwork, they are learning how engineers solve problems.

October Continued:

Oct. 22 - PTO Dine & Donate - Spatolas (Chalfont) - 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Oct. 22 -CB School Board Meeting - 7:00 PM - 16 Welden (ESC)

Oct. 23 - Haunted Gym - 6:30 PM (Grades 3-5 Only) - Not a Drop Off Event

Oct. 26-30 – Red Ribbon Week (Spirit Days Below!)

Oct. 26 - Superintendent's Community Forum - Jamison Elementary - 6:00-7:30 PM Register now!

Oct 28 – Picture Retake Day – Bring Original Photos

Oct. 30 – Halloween Festivities AM (Half Day Dismissal - 12:25 PM)

Oct. 30 - Halloween Parade - 9:30 AM (Outside - Weather Permitting)

Oct. 30 - Classroom Parties - 10:30 - K/1/2; 11:15 - 3/4/5 (Following Parade)

Oct. 31 - Halloween (Saturday)

November:

Nov. 3 - Election Day - No School for Students

Nov. 5 - Butler Scholastic Book Fair!

Nov. 11 - Veteran's Day Holiday

Nov. 11 - Spirit Day - Wear Red White & Blue

Nov. 13 - World Kindness Day

Nov. 13 - Butler's Veteran's Day Ceremony (RSVP)

Nov. 23 - Early Student Dismissal - 12:25 PM

Nov. 23 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - By Schedule

Nov. 24 - Early Student Dismissal - 12:25 PM

Nov. 24 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - By Schedule

Nov. 25 - Fall Break Begins - No School for Students

Nov. 26-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov. 30 - School Resumes

A fun community connecting event to welcome in the fall spooky sweet season. Details below!

Support our Local Fire Department - The Chalfont Fire Company

From 4:00 PM- 8:00 PM on October 22nd, eat or order take-out from Spatolas on Butler's Night! Be sure to remember to tell your server, "It's for Butler!"

All 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders are invited to experience Butler PTOs Haunted Gym - Held on Friday, October 23rd from 6:30-8:00 PM! Wrist Bands required for entry! Students MUST be accompanied by a parent - this is a Non-Drop Off Event!

CB East's Patriot Players annual HALLOWEEN PARTY will provide a fun and exciting space for trick-or-treating and character meet & greets. Elementary students are encouraged to dress in costume to meet some CB East members! Join them on Sunday, Oct. 25, 1-3 pm in the CB East Cafeteria.

All proceeds benefit Broadway Cares, Equity Fights Aids.

Check the schedule below for Red Ribbon Week Spirit Days! Be a Hero - Live Drug Free! Teachers will also be delivering Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs District Curriculum this week.

Butler Elementary is already planning and preparing for Halloween, Friday, October 30th!

Parade - Friday, October 30 - Outdoors - Beginning at 9:30 AM. All are welcome to join the parade route - which will be shared in the next two weeks. This is a weather permitting event.

Classroom Parties - Following the parade, each classroom will host our first Party Celebrations for the school year! This event is for staff, students, and confirmed Parent Party Volunteers Only (w/completed clearances).

Half-Day Dismissal - Dismissal begins at 12:25 PM (PM Professional Development Day). For those parents volunteering, if you plan to take your child for early dismissal, please notify the office in advance.

Something big, green and very hungry is taking over the CB West stage. The school's Harlequin Club will present "Little Shop of Horrors" from Nov. 20-22, featuring a student cast and crew and Monkey Boys’ Audrey II puppets -- the only set of Audrey II puppets built by individuals directly involved with the 2003 Broadway show and the subsequent 2004 national tour. Tickets are on sale now at https://our.show/cbwestlittleshop

Our planned monthly Spirit Days for this school year!

On Tuesday, October 13th, the Chalfont Fire Department visited Butler Elementary to speak with students in grades K–3 about fire safety. Firefighters shared important safety tips and demonstrated how to respond in case of a fire emergency. They also wore their full protective gear to help children become familiar with what firefighters look like during a rescue. The visit was both educational and reassuring, helping our young learners feel more confident and prepared. Thanks to the Chalfont Fire Company for their guidance during Fire Prevention Month!

On 10/13, 5th graders traveled to Peace Valley Nature Center to participate in a district-sponsored trip to engage in hands-on science field experiences exploring local ecosystems. During the visit, students investigated both the living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components of habitats, collected data, and made careful observations in forests, fields, and around streams and ponds. They compared findings, evaluated evidence, and deepened their understanding of how organisms interact within ecosystems. This learning experience brought classroom science to life and appreciation for the natural world.

Members of the Butler PTO drove the Snack Cart around school offering teachers and support staff some refreshments and snacks throughout the day on October 12th! It was a nice way to begin our week as the cooler temps begin to make their way into our fall season! Thanks to everyone who supported this October Appreciation!

The start of the school year doesn't just mean that school is happening, it means that all types of teams are "in-season!" On Friday October 9th, Teamwork Spirit Day had our staff and students wearing favorite pro, college, or local team we all can cheer on to victory!

Each year, Giant Food Store in Chalfont donates items for our classrooms. On Monday, October 12th, members from Giant dropped off items for our students. We appreciate the thoughtfulness and support of our community partners!

Scenes from around our School!

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!

10/2 Winners: Parker S. (Kdg.), Ava B. (Gr.1), Ruby W. (Gr.2), Tyler E. (Gr.3), Kiera M. (Gr.4), Ola Z. (Gr.5), Staff Leader - Mrs. Bennett

10/9 Winners: Phoenix T. (Kdg.), Ava K. (Gr.1), Maddie M. (Gr.2), Charlotte L. (Gr.3), Max J. (Gr.4), Nolan H. (Gr.5), Staff Leader - Miss Patterson

As students earn paw prints, weekly winners from each grade will have a choice for a positive reward! More to be shared as students are celebrated for their Butler Bear Behaviors!

President: Kelly Kaufman

Co-Vice Presidents: Heather Contes & Sarah Villamayor

Treasurer: Christine Hartman & Meghan Dippel (Asst. Treasurer)

Co-Recording Secretaries: Anne LeClercq-Hyk & Elisa Zizza

Co-Family Programming Chairs: Gelena Tonkonogi & Julie Welsh

Fund Raising: Colleen Ciccariello & Shira Wade

Superintendent: Joanna Wexler, Ph. D.

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

Assistant Superintendent-Elementary: Helen Sclama-Zaleski, Ed. D.

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

Instagram: @cbsdschools

Twitter: @CBSDSchools

Principal: Karl Funseth

Principal's Secretary: Peggy Bernabei

Assistant Principal: Melissa Brevic

Assistant Principal's Secretary: Michele Droxler

Website: cbsd.org/butler
Location: 200 Brittany Drive, Chalfont, PA, USA
Phone: 267-893-4250