The Paw Power Press
Butler Elementary School - Volume 16 - April 2024
Butler PSSA Schedule - Grades 3-6
Please see the below schedule for family planning purposes. Students in grades 3-6 will take the state assessment on the following dates. Refer to March 11th email sent by Butler for details. For more information, here are PSSA FAQ's.
Please contact Mrs. Dowd, Assistant Principal - ladowd@cbsd.org, with any questions specific to the upcoming assessment.
NAESP - Report to Parents: Hearing Health Guide for Kids
Our Health Room focuses on the well-being of our students each day in varied ways - following specific health needs of children or in the day-to-day visits that occur. One important task that takes place each year are hearing screenings which are conducted in our primary grades and special education classrooms across the district. In this month's National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Report to Parents, they focus on ways to protect our hearing (especially since headphones/AirPods are more prevalent when gaming or listening to music).
"A child’s hearing is crucial to their overall well-being and development. This guide has tips and strategies to help families understand the mechanics of hearing and empower them to take steps toward protecting this vital sense for their children..."
To read further, please click here.
CB Realignment Plan - Community Update/Board Decision
Thank you to those who have provided feedback and helped guide our decision-making processes. The board also approved the Realignment plan to be implemented in fall, 2026. That plan includes:
• Realignment to a K-5, 6-8, 9-12 configuration. (Current grade configuration is K-6, 7-9, 10-12).
• Implement full day kindergarten in all elementary schools in fall, 2026.
• Establish a full day kindergarten pilot for the 2025-26 school year.
• The Administration will prepare a timeline of tasks to be implemented prior to fall, 2026.
To read the most recent press release about realignment, please visit here (3/13). If you have questions, concerns, or feedback, you can share it here.
Dr. Scanlon, Superintendent
CB's E-Friday Folder - Online Location for Community Offerings
To learn about programs, events, clubs, and athletic organizations in our local area, please be sure to check on e-Friday Folder by clicking here.
Student 1:1 Device Assistance
CBSD Portrait of a Graduate
- Balanced Individuals - February Focus
- Responsible Citizens - October Focus
- Resilient Learners - December Focus
- Critical Thinkers - January Focus
- Effective Communicators - November Focus
- Thoughtful Collaborators - March Focus
- Adaptable Innovators - April Focus
To learn more about our monthly Portrait of a Graduate Page, please click here.
Spring Health Curriculum Update - 5th & 6th Grades
Dear 5th and 6th grade parents/guardians - This upcoming week, you will receive an email communicating that your child will be participating in health instruction in May (5th grade- HIV/AIDS; 6th Grade Human Growth and Development and HIV/AIDS). You will only need to complete the form if you would like to opt your child out of instruction. The opt-out form will be made available in parent portal on April 18. (Do not complete any form if your child is to participate.)
School Calendar
April Continued:
Apr. 18 - School Assembly - Sportz Comedy Assembly (All Students)
Apr. 19 - Butler PTO Lip Sync (5th & 6th Grade Performers) - 7:00 PM (Evening Event - Butler Students/Butler Families Welcome to Attend)
Apr. 22 - Earth Day (Spirit Day "Earth Day Week" Themes Below)
Apr. 23 - No School for Students - Primary Day (Voting)
Apr. 24-26 - PSSA ELA - Grades 3-6
Apr. 24 - Administrative Professionals Day
Apr. 29&30 - PSSA Math - Grades 3-6
May:
May 2 - PSSA Science - Grade 4 Only
May 7 - National Teacher Appreciation Day & National School Nurses Day
May 8 - Butler Concert: Gr. 2 (6:30 PM); Gr. 4 (7:30 PM)
May 9 - Spirit Day - Anything Disney
May 13-17 - PTO Book Fair (School Day)
May 13 - 4th Grade PEN - Invention Convention
May 15 - Butler Concert: Gr. 1 (6:30 PM); Gr. 3 (7:30 PM)
May 20 - 6th Grade Visit to MBIT
May 21 - 6th Grade Orientation - Unami (Students Only)
May 22 - Field Day (Rain Date 5/31)
May 23 - Early Dismissal (Professional Development) - 12:25 PM
May 24-May 27 - Memorial Day Weekend - Office Closed
Earth Day Spirit Week
This year Butler will celebrate Earth Day the week of April 22nd. Students will complete activities with their classrooms that focus on keeping our Earth healthy!
Spirit Week Color Themes:
Mon. 4/22 - Wear Brown (For the Soil)
Tues. 4/23 - No School - Primary Election Day
Wed. 4/24 - Wear Blue (For the Air)
Thur. 4.25 - Wear Yellow (For the Sunlight)
Fri. 4/26 - Wear Green (For the Plants/Trees/Recycling)
Butler Music Concert Series - Date Changes/Updates Gr. 1-4
Butler Update to our Spring Concert Schedule - Please Make Note Grade 1-4 Families:
May 8th evening performance of 2nd grade “Sing Me A Story” and 4th grade “Earworm Extravaganza!” Show.
2nd grade evening show starts at 6:30pm
4th grade evening show starts at 7:30pm
May 15th evening performance of 1st grade “It’s a Zoo Out There” and 3rd grade “Circus ,Circus”.
1st grade evening show starts at 6:30 pm
3rd grade show starts at 7:30pm
*FREE* CB South Titans Wrestling Sessions - K-8
Starting Friday April 26th (through June 7th), the CB South Titan wrestling program will be hosting a “Free” Friday night wrestling and play session for all interested students grades K thru 8 for 6-weeks!
- Grades K thru 4 - Arrive 5:45 PM - 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Grades 5 & 8 Arrive 6:45 PM - 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Students will learn, it’s not a matter of size, skill, or natural athletic ability. Champions come in all shapes and sizes! Participating schools include all buildings who feed into CB South.
Sessions held at CB South Wrestling Gym will combine wrestling-based drills along with gymnastic style games that introduce the sport to your child and begin forging the basic skills of our sport into future wrestlers. NO EXPERIENCE is necessary.
Wrestling more than any sport your child can compete in teaches and instills:
- Overall mental and physical fitness.
- Good listening skills.
- Self-confidence and independence.
- Self-discipline and respect for others.
- The ability to cope and deal with failure.
- The value of hard work in pursuit of one’s goals.
- Self-defense (Wrestling is the Ultimate Martial Art)
CB South Titans Volleyball Camp - June
Interested in learning more about Volleyball or enhancing your skills with a new sport? Join the CB South Titan Volleyball Teams - both boys and girls - for a focused and energy-filled experience. Please see details below - registration can be found on MyPaymentsPlus - CB South Volleyball!
CBSD Kids Triathlon - 5/19 (Register Now!)
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
Bucks County Reading Olympics - 4/2
The Bucks County Reading Olympics is an annual county-wide program with participating teams of 5th & 6th graders reading from a list of 25 books. This year, Bridge Valley hosted several schools which included our Butler students. Led by Butler's Reading Olympics Building Coordinator, Mrs. Hanna, and four team coaches (Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Lynch, Mrs. Maduzia, and Mrs. Schlotter), student teams read for months in addition to attending team meetings with their coaches. The culminating activity was on the April 2nd competition night when each team participated in three rounds of questioning. Butler shined again this year!
- 6th grade Book, Line, and Sinker (Mrs. Brown) earned a first-place blue ribbon!
- 6th grade Reading Ramens (Mrs. Lynch) earned a first-place blue ribbon!
- 5th grade Bookeater Readers (Mrs. Maduzia) earned a second-place red ribbon!
- 5th grade Book Bears (Mrs. Schlotter) earned a first-place blue ribbon!
We also want to recognize our Reading Olympians for their outstanding sportsmanship and excellent behavior throughout the evening. Congratulations to the student participants for their dedication and commitment to teamwork and reading!
Total Solar Eclipse - Apr 8
A total solar eclipse passed over North America on Monday, April 8. This is a rare and exciting phenomenon that had not occurred to this magnitude in Pennsylvania since 1806 (with the next North American eclipse occurring in 2044)! With the help of district curriculum committees and Ms. Augustine, our teachers reviewed the event and watched educational specials about the science of the "shadow". Even though we were in the 90% zone (and some cloud cover), the students and staff enjoyed this opportunity!
Heritage Conservancy Visits Butler 4th Grade
Last week, our fourth-grade students had the opportunity to enjoy a visit from The Heritage Conservancy. The children experienced science centered hands-on learning that focused on Watersheds, Water Quality, and the Water Cycle. Using a model of a watershed, they observed how different pollutants can get into our water from land and impact plants, animals, and humans. The students observed invertebrates from Neshaminy Creek and learned that "the type of insects" can tell us if the water is healthy. Last, the students followed a raindrop to learn the process of the water cycle. Each student enjoyed an engaging and educational experience!
Parent/Teacher Spring Conferences
During our half days on Thursday and Friday, parents and teachers met to discuss our students - highlighting the growth from the start of the year until now - reviewing the 2-trimesters of learning and activities for our children. Our focus also sets goals for students that take us to the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year as we look ahead!
Butler Art Exhibit - State Representative Shelly Labs Office
Butler Elementary was offered the opportunity to showcase artwork created during class throughout the year. Mrs. Casey's art instruction encompasses a vast array of techniques and approaches in guiding students to explore their creativity through various mediums and styles. She includes practical demonstrations, hands-on exercises, and constructive feedback to foster artistic development.
Many of these items are on display at our local State Representative's, Shelly Labs, office located at:
Silo Hill Professional Building
1032 N. Easton Rd.
Doylestown, PA 18902
Parents of students whose art is on display are invited to see their child's work through the month of April - Congratulations Butler Students!
Paw Power Winners - 4/4 & 4/12
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 "Breakfast with the Principals".
4/5 Winners: Evie M. (Kdg), Logan W. (Gr.1), Stella C (Gr.2), Jace M (Gr.3), Brian P. (Gr.4), Kiernon O. (Gr.5), Colby F. (Gr.6), T-Shirt - Jack W (Gr.4)
4/12 Winners: Rayne G. (Kdg), Connor D. (Gr.1), Izzy B. (Gr.2), Brianna C. (Gr.3), Aiden B. (Gr.4), Katrin B. (Gr.5), Kayleigh R. (Gr.6), T-Shirt - Zoe D. (Gr.4)
Congratulations to all students who earned Positive Paw Power awards!
Simon Butler Elementary School
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
Central Bucks School District
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