Paw Power Press
Butler Elementary School - Volume 11 - February 2026
Butler's Pledge: Be Respectful, Responsible, & Kind
Important Information
National Association of Elementary School Principals - Beyond the Bell: Family Resource on Fun, Age Based Activities to Strengthen Kids’ Problem Solving at Home
Taking time to spend engaging with your children in positive and enjoyable ways can be so meaningful and impactful to their growth. The time together, screens aside, is an important matter for many households. In this month's National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), Beyond the Bell, offers ideas and resources for families on how to engage their children with problem solving strategies in fun and meaningful ways.
Beyond the Bell: "From sorting games to chess strategies, these age-based strategies offer practical ways families can nurture logic skills in their child at home."
To read the 1-page article, please click here.
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.
Anticipated PSSA Schedule - Grades 3-6 (2026)
Please refer to the tentative schedule below. All assessments will be digital this spring. more information to come in the coming months.
PSSA Schedule (Tentative):
English Language Assessment - 3-Sections - 4/21-4/23 (Grade 3-6)
Math - 2-Sections - 4/28 & 4/29 (Grade 3-6)
Science - 1-Section - 4/30 (Grade 5)
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
District Messages & Announcements
All Students New to CB in 2026-27 Can Now Register!
Check CBSD "e-Flyer Folder" Regularly for Info on Community Events
Did you know there's a webpage on CBSD.org where you can get information on various community events and activities happening around Central Bucks? Check it out now! Recent additions include information on a Junor Cheer Clinic and a CB West Softball Clinic.
Round Up at GIANT to Support Barclay Farmers Market
From now 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. Participating GIANTs are at Town Center in New Britain, Easton Road in Warrington, and Swamp Road in Doylestown.
Aramark - Please Remember to Pay Lunch Balances
All parents and guardians are asked 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.
Join the CBSD Team: Supervisor of Educational Technology (K-12), Nurses, Assistant Coaches, CB Aquatics Personnel, and Other Fulfilling Positions Available
- CBSD welcomes qualified candidates to apply for a range of full-time career opportunities, many with benefits. View all available positions and apply now!
- CBSD welcomes qualified candidates to apply for a range of full-time career opportunities, many with benefits. View all available positions and apply now!
School Calendar & Updates
School Calendar
February:
Feb. 2 - Groundhog's Day
Feb. 6 - PTO Butler Ball (6:00 PM & 8:00 PM)
Feb. 11 - Butler "World's Fair" Multicultural Night - 6:00 PM (Cafeteria)
Feb. 13 - Spirit Day: Love (Valentine's Theme)
Feb. 13 - Half Day for Students; 12:25 PM Dismissal
Feb. 13 - AM Kindergarten Attends; No PM Kindergarten (PM Staff Development)
Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day (Saturday)
Feb. 16 - School Holiday: Building Closed/No Students - Presidents Day
Feb. 17 - School Holiday: Office Open/ No Students - Lunar New Year
Feb. 18 - Open House at Mill Creek (For Affected Butler Boundary) - 6:00 PM
Feb. 20 - Family Fun & Fitness Night - 6:30 PM (2/27 Snow Date)
Feb. 23 - 5th & 6th Grade Middle School Parent Orientation Night - Unami Auditorium - 7:00 PM
Feb. 25 - CBSD Wellness Fair - CB South (6:00 PM)
Feb. 26 - CBSD School Board - Educational Services - 7:00 PM
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: Advance ticket purchase is required!
Volunteer:
Please consider signing up to volunteer for the event here .
Snack Donations:
Please sign up to donate food items for the event here.
Floral Discount: Gordon Florist (215-716-3332) will be offering a 5% discount for corsages/ boutonnieres purchased for the dance. Please place your orders by Friday, January 30th and mention Butler Elementary to receive the discount.
CB East Patriot Players Children's Theatre Workshop, Feb. 7
The CB East Patriot Players theatre group welcomes CB students in grades 1-6 to the annual Children's Theatre Workshop, benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 1-4:30 p.m. in the CB East auditorium. The event has been taking place at CB East for over 20 years and has raised tens of thousands of dollars to grant many wishes for children facing life-threatening illnesses or diagnoses in our area. Students who attend the workshop will be a “Junior Patriot Player” for the day, singing, dancing, and acting with their high school student Patriot Players. Students will also perform for parents at the end of the day! Registration is $30 a students and is limited to the first 120 students and can be completed at www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome. Registration includes a T-shirt and snack.
Butler World's Fair Family Event - Celebrating our School Cultures - 2/11/26
Join Butler on Wednesday, February 11, from 6:30–8:00 PM for our first-ever World’s Fair! An evening of cultural displays and experiences from around the world, music, dance, arts and crafts, traditional games, photos, and interesting cultural facts. This exciting, family-friendly event is a great way to celebrate our diverse community and learn together. We hope to see you there!
Mill Creek Open House - Affected Butler Boundary Families - 2/18 @ 6:00 PM
Butler Elementary School Families impacted by the most recent boundary adjustment
Mill Creek and Butler Elementary Schools invite you to attend a special Open House for your family. This event will be Wednesday, February 18, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Mill Creek Elementary School. Please plan to enter through the Main Entrance (Yellow Door).
The evening has been thoughtfully planned to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about Mill Creek Elementary School and to support you during this transition and decision-making process.
The program will include:
- Introductions of the Mill Creek Elementary administration team
- A greeting from the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education
- An overview and informational sharing about Mill Creek Elementary School
- A guided tour of the building
- A question-and-answer period with administration
We hope this evening offers your family a welcoming environment to learn more about our school community, our programs, and the opportunities available to your children.
5th & 6th Grade Middle School Orientation - Save the Date - 2/23/2025 (Monday Evening)
Dear 5th & 6th Grade Parents - Please join the Middle School Staff at Unami on Monday, Feb 23rd from 7-9 pm. More details will be shared in anticipation of the date. Unami Middle School is excited to host the parents of future 6th & 7th graders!
Save the Date: Annual CBSD Wellness Fair at CB South - Feb. 25
The district will host its annual Wellness Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at CB South, offering an evening focused on mental health, support, and community connection. The free event begins with a featured presentation by a representative from Minding Your Mind from 6 to 6:40 p.m. in the auditorium, where the speaker will share a personal and relatable mental health journey. This will be followed by the fair in the cafeteria featuring more than 50 local and regional wellness, mental health, and family support organizations. The event is open to all CB students, families, employees, and community members and pre-registration is not required. Learn more
Butler Spring Fair - 3/28 Save the Date!
Planning is in full swing for our Traditional Spring Fair Event - It is the biggest fundraiser of the year and supports all of our supports for the school. We hope you can join us! March 28, 2026 (10:00 am - 3:00 pm).
Spring Concerts - Save the Dates Gr.1-4, 5th & 6th Gr. School Musical
Please mark your calendars for our Spring Concert Series for chorus/music.
-Ms. Griffin
Butler Spirit Day Calendar
Please see the attached calendar for our Spirit Day Themes!
Save the Dates for our 5th & 6th Grade Butler Promotions - June 2026
Please save the dates for our upcoming 5th & 6th Grade Promotions which will be held on two different nights in June - both beginning at 7:00 PM. We have coordinated our night events with those of Unami, CB South, and MBIT in order to avoid any potential conflicts (as best as possible) in order to maximize participation for our students and families!
School Happenings
Town Hall Assembly - on Respect (For Ourselves) - NAMI
On Friday, January 30th, Butler Elementary hosted a Butler Town Hall Assembly discussing one of our most important pledges: RESPECT! To support the message, Mia (from the Bucks County Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)), came to discuss the importance of positive self-talk and personal forgiveness when we make mistakes. Having RESPECT for ourselves is very important when making personal choices and decisions. It was a positive message and one in which we ALL can practice and use each day!
CB Health & Wellness Curriculum - NOVA Personal Safety Presentations
Kindergarten in Library - with Mrs. Thomas
Mrs. Thomas's Kindergarten library class, students from Miss Halderson's class had the opportunity to take advantage of our snowy days to experiment with color! After reading Leo Lionni's A Color of His Own and Little Blue and Little Yellow, students mixed color into pans of snow. They were amazed at how red and blue food coloring combine to create a new color and how the colors did not "fall out" of the snow. They ended their day asking for more!
Butler Skate Night Was a Rolling Success! - 1/23
Butler Skate Night had the rink buzzing with energy as students and families filled the floor with smiles, high‑fives, and nonstop fun. With skates laced up and music pumping, everyone enjoyed an evening full of spins, laughter, (a few falls), and great memories.
A special thank‑you to all our Butler families who came out to skate, share a few laughs, and make the night truly special. Thanks for creating more memorable moments!
Student Showcase
January Lock Screen Winner, Kelsey Stevens, recognized at School Board Meeting
I final congratulations to Butler 5th grader, Kelsey Stevens, for winning the January 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 was featured on district devices throughout January.
She had a final recognition at the January 22nd CB School Board Meeting, where Dr. Malone shared a few words and presented her with a certificate. Great job, Kelsey!
Paw Power Winners -1/23
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!
1/23 Winners: Nilavan K. (Kdg.), Serena O. (Gr.1), Emirhan G. (Gr.2), Lucas V. (Gr.3), Cecilia H. (Gr.4), Brayden R. (Gr.5), Vincent D. (Gr.6), Staff Leader - Mr. Funseth
1/23 Winners
1/23 Staff Winner - Mr. Funseth
Student Choice Board Celebrations
Students are celebrated for their positive behaviors
From the Butler PTO
The Butler PTO Newsletter
Butler PTO Family Directory
Butler "Snow Day" Dine & Donate at New Britain Inn
Thank you to everyone who braved the frigid, icy weather to support our New Britain Inn Dine & Donate event on January 26th. We’re already working on scheduling another Dine & Donate at NBI, so stay tuned for more details coming soon.
District Details
Central Bucks School District
Interim 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