The Paw Power Press

Our Counselors, Mrs. Kathy Milotich and Mrs. Linda O'Connell work tirelessly in support of our students and staff each day. Between social support or attending to an emotional need, they both focus on th whole child in helping the children succeed in school! Thanks to them both for all their work at Butler!

Coming soon, Butler PTO will be hosting Butler Bear Clubs - providing students with an opportunity for exploration of a hobby or interest after the school day. Whether your child is registered in a Bear Club or not, there are lots of ways to create an environment that helps to encourage opportunities for creativity for your child. In this month's National Association of Elementary School Principal's parent publication, Report to Parents: Encourage Your Child's Creativity to Flourish, this one-page article explores ways families can support their child's interests.

"Creativity has been called a key 21st century skill. That means it—along with skills like communication and critical thinking—will help students navigate the increasingly collaborative and information-rich world that awaits them once they leave school. The arts have been shown to boost students’ academic performance, perseverance, self-confidence, and more. Here are strategies for supporting your child’s creativity."

To read the whole article, please CLICK HERE to gather ideas on support student creativity.

Butler Elementary will always follow safety measures in place as it reflects our ability to hold recess outdoors during the winter months. Our plan will always be to go outside, but in making that determination, we will follow the safety measures of CBSD. This includes taking into account: the temperature, real-time wind speeds, precipitation, and the cold index temperature table. With this in mind, please be sure your child is always prepared to play outdoors so they are warm and comfortable. We do not have a space with additional supervision available in the event your child forgets to bring their coat, hat, gloves, etc. Thank you for reminding your child before they leave for school each day!

Circling back - the Butler Lost & Found has acquired a collection of jackets, sweatshirts, hats, gloves, and water bottles across varied outdoor recesses/basketball nights throughout the season. Encourage your child to visit the Lost and Found (or seek an office staff member to help) by the gym atrium doors. At the end of March (Spring Break Week), we will send to donation. So, if you cannot seem to find your child's warm, outdoor clothing at home, there is a good chance it was left behind at school waiting for your retrieval! Please visit the main office to peruse the racks to find you child's missing item!

In anticipation of the grade level realignment, the district extends an open invitation to parents, guardians, students, and community members to provide their questions and feedback here. We greatly value your input as it plays a vital role in our decision-making process, ensuring that our choices are in the best interest of our entire community. To learn more about this initiative, please visit our website: www.cbsd.org/cbrealign.

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.

This year, Central Bucks is launching into our Portrait of a Graduate initiative through our Comprehensive Plan highlighting seven attributes:

• Balanced Individuals - February Focus
• Responsible Citizens - October Focus
• Resilient Learners - December Focus
• Critical Thinkers - January Focus
• Effective Communicators - November Focus
• Thoughtful Collaborators
• Adaptable Innovators

To learn more about our monthly Portrait of a Graduate Page, please click here.

There is much to look forward to for our Spring Concert Series in grades 1-4. Here is a preview of the themes for each night!

April 3rd:

1st grade “It’s a Zoo Out There!” at 6:30pm: Hear us sing 27 small songs, in various musical styles, all about zoo animals! That’s one for every letter of the alphabet (and one more)! Students are encouraged to dress like their favorite zoo animal (or even a zoo keeper).

3rd grade “Circus, Circus!” at 7:30pm: The Circus is in town and you'll FEEL the excitement! ...But wait - the Ringmaster has come down with a case of laryngitis and they need to find a substitute - FAST! Students are encouraged to dress like clowns, jugglers, dancing bears, lions, or any other circus character for this event.

April 25:

2nd grade “Sing Me A Story!” at 6:30pm: Hear classic stories throughout time come to life in song and rhyme. Students are encouraged to dress like their favorite storybook character.

4th grade “Earworm Extravaganza!” at 7:30pm. This Recorder Concert is sure to get stuck in your head! Those one hit wonders and ear worms throughout the past 50 years will come alive! Students are encouraged to wear a fashion fad from the past (think 80’s legwarmers or parachute pants, 70’s tie-dye, or even the grunge flannel shirt fad from the 90’s)!

Sixth-grade students explore the construction and design of living spaces - constructing in Minecraft or using physical materials (such as cardboard, skewer sticks, model magic, and many more items). This challenge provides students an opportunity to show off their imaginative designs and building skills.

Each 6th-grade class had a different task from creating tiny living spaces, building a tree house, designing a food truck, or constructing an arcade game for younger students to play. Whatever the task, the objectives and outcomes were the same. Each supported students in their abilities to collaborate, think critically, show creativity, and communicate necessary information.

Students in all grades enjoyed playing winter themed games in December. Some of their favorite games were Grinch tag, knock down the snowman, snow fort knockdown, snowman down, and feed the reindeer!

Kindergarten students have been working on locomotor skills and different levels of movement. Students in grades 1-6 finished up their motor skills and movement patterns unit in December and started their manipulative skills unit in January.

1. Grade 1-3 Students practiced manipulative skills through "throwing & catching" practice and games.
2. Our 4th, 5th & 6th graders played target games to advance their manipulative skills, as well as strategy, during game play.

First grade students researched deer in Library class. They used a database called PebbleGo to read and learn about deer, and especially loved listening to the sounds deer make. First graders enjoyed sharing newly learned information about deer and creating an illustration to match their facts.

First grade artists made symmetrical paper Kokeshi Dolls of themselves for their Self-Portrait. Kokeshi are wooden dolls from Japan that have no arms or legs. They are generally handmade and have simple features and clothing. Kokeshi are purchased as collectables, ornaments and are also a popular tourist souvenir. Artists demonstrated emotion with Kawaii style facial expressions.

There is a lot happening in our PEN Room with Mrs. Byrne!

• 1st Graders are wrapping up animal research and in the process of creating a book that summarizes the facts that we have learned.
• 2nd Grade "detectives" have just finished learning about chromatography and have used their new learning to solve The Case of the Missing Diary.
• 3rd Grade are studying Game Mechanics, learning during our "Game-On" Unit. We worked to understand and strategically use these mechanics while we played our new games.
• 4th Grade students have collected problems from their family, teachers, and own lives. We are moving on to generating solutions as we work to our Invention Convention.
• The 5th and 6th Grade Robotics Unit is coming to a close next week! Teams are working hard to earn bronze, silver or gold medals at the Robotics Convention.

Please join NAMI Bucks County, CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) Primary Care Doylestown, and HighPoint on Thursday, February 8, 2024, for a free NAMI Forum on Anxiety in Children and Teens. In this Forum moderated by Naline Lai, MD, presenters Deborah Pulver, MD, Kelly Cann, MD, Urszula Wierciszewska, MD, Susan LoGiudice, LCSW, and Lora Klein, LSW, will discuss techniques to calm everyday anxiety and medication myth busters.

Parents, children, and teens are all welcome!

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED at www.namibuckspa.org/anxiety/

Date: Thursday, February 8, 2024

Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Format: IN PERSON

Cost: Free

Venue: Free Library of Northampton Township

Address: 25 Upper Holland Rd, Richboro, PA 18954

Questions: nemeigh@namibuckspa.org or 215-343-3055

February:

Feb. 2 - Groundhogs Day

Feb. 8 - Spirit Day - Pink & Red Day "Love Day"

Feb. 12-15 - Random Acts of Kindness/Kind Like Joey Week (See Themes Below)

Feb. 12 - CBSD Job Fair - CB South Auditorium Lobby @ 4:00-7:00 PM

Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day

Feb. 16 - Professional Development Day - No School for Students

Feb. 19 - Presidents Day - No School/Offices Closed

Feb. 20 - CBSD Wellness Fair - CB South Cafeteria @ 6:00 PM

Feb. 23 - Family Fun and Fitness Night (Evening Event)

Feb. 29 - Leap Day!

The week of February 12 through 15 is Random Acts of Kindness and Kind Like Joey Week at Butler! We also will be holding our 28-Days of Kindness Challenge - so look for more information on Monday, 2/5 to come home then.

Theme Days:

• 2/12 - Monday - Dreaming of a World of Kindness - (Wear Your PJs)
• 2/13 - Tuesday - Nothing Beats Kindness - (Wear Favorite Team/Music/TV or Butler Gear)
• 2/14 - Wednesday - Kind & Loving Bears - (Wear Your Favorite Valentine's Day Colors)
• 2/15 - Thursday - Kicking Kindness into High Gear - (Wear Yellow and Black (Kind Like Joey Day))

https://LVBASEBALL.org

CB Kids Triathlon is on May 19th at CB South High School. This is a district-supported event that is only open to Central Bucks K-6 elementary school students. The event registration is open and is limited to 1,000 students, so once the limit is met, no additional students will be able to participate in the event. Register now! CBSD.org/triathlon

CBSD is holding a job fair to join our staff. Please come to CB South on February 12 - from 4:00-7:00 PM. Bus Drivers / Custodians / Classroom & Office Support / Personal Care Assistants / Full-Time / Part-Time \ Substitute Positions Available

The Central Bucks School District is hosting a comprehensive wellness fair for the community on Tuesday, February 20th from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Central Bucks High School South, with a snow date of February 26th. Come talk to providers to get more information about mental health, behavioral health, and general wellness services/options in the community. This exciting event will be represented by over 60 vendors that have availability for kids, teens, and families. Please see the attached Save-the-Date, and please look out for more information as the event gets closer. You will not want to miss this!

The Central Bucks School District is hosting a college and career fair for all that are interested. On Wednesday, March 13th from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Central Bucks High School South, all are welcome to get more information from numerous colleges and local businesses. If you have a high school student, then this event is for you! Please see the attached Save-the-Date and be on the lookout for additional information.

CB West Baseball's annual youth clinic will be held on Sunday, February 11, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. and is open to children K-7th Grade (regardless of future high school). This is an important fundraiser for CB West Baseball and a great way for kids to interact with the high school players and coaches.

Organized by CB South Baseball Coach and Players - scheduled for 2/16/2024. Register at www.mypaymentsplus.com

CB South Ice Hockey Week in Review - Good Luck against North Penn!

Refer to this Calendar to anticipate Spirit Days for the year! **Updated dates for December and January.

Leading up to MLK, Jr. Day, Butler classrooms took part in learning about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his message of civility, equal rights for all, and positive change. Classroom projects included learning opportunities in writing, reading, and social studies/current events. To share a few, Kindergarten students shared their dreams about the future. Some of our third graders celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by reflecting on their own character traits that help them to be the change that they wish to see in our world. Students in fourth grade read stories and identified powerful words in writing - using "Art-Hub" to draw and decorate their work. We hope our Butler Community used the day as an opportunity to volunteer and learn about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This week, Butler hosted the NOVA organization in their District-Wide initiative in supporting students in 4th and 5th Grades.

In 4th Grade, the presenters discussed NOVA's 4 U 2 Know program that educates on student empowerment and personal safety. The 5th Grade interactive NOVA Cyberbullying prevention program promoted skills and habits for students to use on their digital devices - so it is done in a healthy and appropriate way. Both programs focused on supporting students in positive and safe ways.

Groundhogs Day is a fun way to teach about "predictions" - what they mean and how to test over time across the next few weeks. With today's Punxsutawney Phil prediction being Early Spring - whether that excites or frustrates the snow lovers - this is a fun way to think about the coming spring and the fun events throughout the month of February!

Unami Middle School Performing Arts Team put on an incredible performance for our Butler and Mill Creek 6th Grades on January 18th - featuring their highly talented music department! Orchestra, Band, Jazz, Ensemble, and Chorus showcased the middle school students - most whom came from both respective elementary schools. The directors shared a bit about each of the groups and students detailed their experiences to our students. It definitely grew our students' excitement levels - and gave all of them something to look forward to when they head to Unami!

A local arts appreciation organization, Arts Goes to School, visits local schools to hold discussions and conversations around the style, themes, and feelings one might get when observing. In some cases, there is a historic background in a piece or a purpose that is explored about the artist, as well. Speakers visited each class to explore many famous art pieces with students throughout the week of 1/22-1/29/2024.

On Friday, February 2nd - Butler Elementary celebrated their ALL-SCHOOL-BINGO day! Over the course of last month, students worked to earn 100 Paw Prints for their classroom. When every classroom in the school reaches the 100 Paw Print mark, the school holds a special event! This reward is part of our Positive Behavior System to help us celebrate our committment to Butler's Pledge to:

Respect * Responsibility * Kindness!

Roles have been set, script is written, the teams are in place, and sets are being built! Such is the life of a school musical! Director Mr. Guenst and his team of staff have begun the work with students in preparing for our Butler Musical Revue: Music Mania! Over the course of the next few months, the production will come together having focused on the Props & Construction Crew, chorus, leads, lighting/sound, and promotion. It will be such a fun event with the culminating performances taking place in March!

On Tuesday, January 23, Butler PTO hosted "Jump Night" for our intermediate students at the local Sky Zone. Students enjoyed the physical activity and bouncing around in their amazing facility. Thanks to the PTO for hosting an enjoyable event!

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".

1/26 Winners: Christian N. (Kdg.), Max J. (Gr.1), Madi A. (Gr.2), Wyatt L. (Gr.3), Chase M. (Gr.4), Juliana B. (Gr.5), Xavier D. (Gr.6), T-Shirt - Ben M. (Gr.6)

2/2 Winners: Karsyn L. (Kdg.), Sebastian L. (Gr.1), Izzy S. (Gr.2), Liam Mc. (Gr.3), Jaxon W. (Gr.4), Declan D. (Gr. 5), Matteo M. (Gr.6), T-Shirt - Maddi F. (Gr.5)

Congratulations to all students who earned Positive Paw Power awards!

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.

Principal: Karl Funseth

Administrative Assistant to Principal: Peggy Bernabei

Assistant Principal: Lauren Dowd

Administrative Assistant to Assistant Principal: Michele Droxler

Website: https://www.cbsd.org/butler
Location: 200 Brittany Drive, Chalfont, PA, USA
Phone: 267-894-4250
Twitter: @CBButlerElem

Acting Superintendent: James Scanlon, Ed. D.

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

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

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