Paw Power Press

As we begin the month of August, summer days continue to pass by, bringing us closer to the 2026-2027 school year! We hope this Summer Edition of Butler's Paw Power Press offers a comprehensive look at the exciting events happening in and around our school!

Our dedicated Butler Office, Technology, and Operations Teams have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming year. They have been busy organizing supplies, staffing, setting up classrooms, and ensuring the entire facility is spotless! Our custodial team led by Mr. Gessner, interim head custodian, and the summer crew have made incredible progress in every room and hallway. The entire school is shining with that "first-day sparkle!" Our office team, Ms. Bernabei and Ms. Droxler, are diligently managing new registrations and other administrative tasks to support our teachers as they return. Mr. Funseth and Mrs. Brevic, our principals, are finalizing preparations for the new school year, including staffing, teacher training, and updates to Butler's Paw Power behavior support program.

We are all eagerly anticipating the start of school, ready and focused for an incredible year! Whether your student is a new Kindergartener stepping into our hallways as a Butler Bear for the first time or a seasoned 5th Grader, we can't wait to welcome everyone back!

Please see below for staffing grade level lists. Class Placement details will go LIVE on Thursday, August 6th via Parent Portal.

Much has happened since Butler's Move-Up Day on June 8th.

We are very excited to announce staff new to Butler this year!

(Listed Alphabetically)

Nicole DiTore - Kindergarten - Mid-summer, Butler added a 5th Kindergarten section (increased enrollment), and we are happy to welcome (back) Miss Nicole DiTore.

Carrie Gordon - Speech - Ms. Gordon will be joining our Speech team supporting Butler Students alongside Ms. Rothstein.

Kristen Kraus - Library - Mrs. Kraus will rejoin our Butler Library Team alongside Mrs. Hanna. Welcome back Mrs. Kraus, joining us on Day 4 of special rotations! She also serves the Buckingham community.

Hayley Montana - 3rd Grade - Miss Montana (former Butler Bear student), was initially announced to be leaving Butler. She will remain with our 3rd grade team again this year! Happy for her to continue!

Julia Post - 4th Grade (Zahustecher) - Miss Post will return to the 4th grade team following her 4th grade placement at the end of last year. She will be substituting for Mrs. Zahustecher who will return in December. Welcome Back!

Caela Tobin - QUEST - Miss Tobin will again be teaming alongside Ms. Augustine in the QUEST program on Day 5 of the special rotations. Miss Tobin serves as CBSD's floating QUEST teacher also serving Barclay and Groveland.

Over the summer months, the Butler Community is saying goodbye to an important member of our school team.

Mr. Josh Goodyear, Former Butler 5th grade teacher - who was moving to our 3rd grade, took a new position in the private sector. We would like to take the opportunity to wish him the best as he begins this new role. Prior to his 2-years at Butler, Mr. Goodyear spent 1-year at Bridge Valley in 5th Grade. During his time at Butler, he made positive connections with the staff and students. We wish him the very best in this next chapter!

1. The installation and reconstruction of a new elevator system in our main hallway.
2. Renovation of Ashley's Garden Gazebo (Courtesy of Girl Scout Troop 2508)
3. New Playground Equipment - Kindergarten Wiggle Playground
4. (Anticipated) Removal of Bear Den Modular Classrooms (Fall 2026)

Much has happened around Butler in the last three years including new back year signage, mini lift elevator in the primary hallway, interior camera system, additional exterior cameras for playground safety, playground lighting, WIFI for outdoor learning spaces, repaired stage for performances, repainting of the gym/cafeteria ceiling/walls, tree and grounds work, and much more! Thanks to the CBSD Operations Department for their consistent support of the safety and enhancements of our building and property!

This summer, we are excited to partner with many of our favorite local retailers who want to "reward our Butler Bear Readers!" Read below for a full description of the program as well as a list of participating retailers!

We hope you and your child(ren) have enjoyed exploring many wonderful books this summer! Please see school email for a copy of the summer reading log. The timing of our Summer Reading Reward Program began June 23 and runs through August 29 (with the final redemption date of August 29th)! Happy Reading!

Thank you to our local Chalfont/Montgomeryville partners:

Writing is another way to encourage children to exercise their minds during summer in powerful ways. It is only the beginning of August and there is still plenty of time to help ready your child for the learning to take place this school year! The National Association of Elementary School Principals organization published “Turn Summer Memories into Family Writing Adventures,” offering families ideas and strategies to help children keep core memories fresh in their minds before the end of summer!

"Summer break is a great opportunity for students of all ages to strengthen their writing skills. Regular writing practice helps children build confidence, retain important literacy skills, and start the new school year ready to thrive. Use these activities to make writing fun, meaningful, and part of everyday activities at home this summer."

To read the 1-page article from NAESP, please click here.

• Special Education case managers will contact families during the month of August.
• Math Placement for 5th will be communicated during the first days of school.
• Important School Information and general details are located on the Butler Website.

As a reminder, all placements are final. Our Butler Team of teachers (general education, special education, PEN, Reading Specialists), counselors, school psychologist, and principals worked extensively throughout June and into July in placing students carefully in balanced classrooms. Even one change can offset the academic and social-emotional needs the team which are so thoughtfully considered.

Gina (Giovinco) Gehlhaus (Recently Married), Certified School Nurse (M/T/Th/F) ggiovinco@cbsd.org

Tara Cheney, Staff Nurse (M-F)

Eileen McNammee, Staff Nurse (W)

Additional information about CBSD Health Services can be found here. If your child has any medical needs, please contact the Butler Health Room with any questions or concerns. The Health Office number is 267-893-4265.

Pennsylvania mandates the following health examinations as indicated:

• PHYSICAL EXAM – may be completed any time after September 1, 2025
• DENTAL EXAM – may be completed any time after September 1, 2025

Parents are encouraged to have these examinations completed by their family physician or dentist and to submit the forms by October 15. Forms can be found by clicking HERE. Please submit these forms to the school directly or via email to cbbutlernurses@cbsd.org.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health requires all students (Kindergarten-Grade 5) to be up to date on immunizations

IMMUNIZATIONS

Each year, all families are required to review and update information on their student(s) in our database. This annual update is critical for the dispensing of medication, reaching you in emergencies and urgent situations, and receiving important communications from CBSD and your school(s).

Updating your information is also required before you will be able to access student schedules and busing information when these details become available.

• To complete this process, log in at www.cbsd.org/parentportal. Once signed in, select "More" from the menu then "Annual Student Information Update."

• If you need help, you can contact parentportal@cbsd.org.

Thank you for completing this important process in advance. While the deadline is September 30, we hope you will update your information as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you and your students soon!

The district welcomes CB families in need of before and/or after school childcare provided by Central Bucks School District to register in the program now for the 2026-27 school year.

• Families who are returning to the program should register here.

• Families who are new to the program should register here.

As you complete registration for the 2026-27 school year, we encourage you to review the program's fee schedule and our Frequently Asked Questions, which explain how fees are determined and provide additional information about program operations, staffing, and student support.

If you have additional questions after reviewing the FAQs and the program’s parent handbook, please contact the Community School Office at 267-893-5702 ext. 5705 or childcare@cbsd.org. We look forward to welcoming all our new and returning families to the program in 2026-27.

Earlier this summer, the district received information from MySchoolBucks (MSB), our meal payment service, regarding upcoming pricing adjustments.

Beginning July 31, 2026, the fee for credit/debit card payments will increase to $3.75 per transaction from $3.50. According to MSB, the adjustment reflects rising costs and helps ensure MSB can continue to support Central Bucks with a secure, reliable payment experience, including live customer support, ongoing platform enhancements, and strong data security standards.

MySchoolBucks plans to send an email to families who have automatic meal payments set up through MSB by July 17. Parents and guardians can begin adding funds to their CBSD MSB account for the 2026-27 school year beginning August 10. As a reminder, parents and guardians can also send in a check with their student(s) that can be given to a cafeteria cashier. The e-check fee will remain the same.

If you have any questions, please contact MSB Admin Support at 1-800-803-6755.

Butler has adopted Schoolhouse Driveline program to support our carline dismissal procedures. It is always our goal to make our dismissal procedures smooth and coordinated for our students, families, and staff! The system in place works BEST when EVERYONE follows the plans of the school. There is always a learning curve the first few days/weeks, but soon after, the efficiency of the system becomes optimal once everyone is familiar with the plan. In the next few weeks, more information will be provided on our procedures for carline process - which will include details for Schoolhouse Driveline as parents/guardians arrive to the school to pick up their child.

Registration for all new K-5 students remains OPEN across Central Bucks Schools. Please use this link to begin the registration process for your child in the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. CLICK HERE.

Register today! We look forward to welcoming our new Butler Bears!

If you have moved, please make sure you update your address with Central Registration. The office can be reached at 267-893-2111 or centralregistration@cbsd.org.

August:

Aug. 6 - Class Placements Published (via Parent Portal Backpack) 3:00 PM

Aug. 27 - New Family Tours (AM) - See Below for Details

Aug. 27 - Kindergarten Welcome and Transportation Orientation (PM) - See Below for Details

Aug. 27 - CB School Board Meeting - 7:00 PM - 16 Weldon (ESC)

Aug. 31 - MONDAY - First Day for Kindergarten (Only) (Day 1-Specials Schedule)

September:

Sept. 1 - TUESDAY - First Day of School for Gr. 1-5 Students (Day 1 - Specials Schedule)

Sept. 3 - BTSN - Grade 1, Grade 3, Grade 5 - 5:00 PM (Report Directly to Classroom)

Sept. 4 - Only Grades 1-5 Report; No School for Kindergarten

Sept. 7 - Labor Day Monday - School/Offices Closed

Sept. 10 - BTSN - Kindergarten, Grade 2, Grade 4 - 5:00 PM (Report Directly to Classroom)

Sept. 11 - Picture Day (Make-Ups 10/28)

Sept. 10 - CB South BTSN

Sept. 14 - BTSN - PEN - 6:00 PM (Report Directly to Gymnasium)

Sept. 16 - Unami BTSN (Gr. 6/7/8)

Sept. 18 - CB School Board Meeting - 7:00 PM - 16 Welden (ESC)

Sept. 18 - Butler PTO Bingo Night - Evening

Sept. 28 - PTO General Meeting - 7:00 PM, Library

Sept. 30 - Half-Day for Students (12:25 PM Dismissal)

Sept. 30 - **Annual Student Update Information Due (Click Here)

On the morning of August 27th, our new students and families to Butler Elementary are invited to join our 5th Grade Butler Ambassadors and staff for "In-Person" School Tours! Come directly to the gymnasium entrance for our program - beginning at 10:00 AM. We hope to see all of our newest Butler Bears to learn all about the school and community!

With the start of school comes our Back to School Nights (BTSNs) as they are an important opportunity for all parents to meet their child’s teacher and learn about the year ahead! For each of our grade levels, BTSN will start promptly at noted times.

BTS Nights will be held according to the following schedule:

• Thursday, 9/3 - 5:00 PM - Grade 1, Grade3, Grade 5

• Thursday, 9/10 - 5:00 PM - Kindergarten, Grade 2, Grade 4
• Monday, 9/14 - 6:00 PM - PEN Program (for the parents of enrolled students only)

Please Note:

*When you arrive on your date, walk directly to your child’s classroom so you do not miss any of the teacher’s presentation. Presentations will last (no longer than) 45-minutes.

*This is a non-student event

*For parents of enrolled PEN students, only, please report directly to the Gymnasium on 9/14.

Picture Retake Day is scheduled for October 28th, 2026

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

Following the classroom placement process going live in CB on August 6th, the Butler PTO will send communication for a sign-up genius to begin planning for the 26-27 homeroom coordinator & party planner process. The PTO is organizing Homeroom Parent Volunteers early in order to prepare for the important school events throughout the year.

**IMPORTANT: "Volunteer Clearances" are essential to fulfill and participate in these rolls. Please be sure to complete any required paperwork (Access forms using link in email) in order to volunteer and support your child's classroom or school-wide PTO Events.

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