Paw Power Press

Butler Elementary welcomes (back) Mr. Dave Filson as interim Assistant Principal through to the end of the school year. In the fall, Mr. Filson began in administration in Central Bucks School District after teaching 5th & 6th grades at Butler for 6-years. We are excited to have him return to our school in support of the students and teachers at 200 Brittany Drive!

There is one final day to submit all of your reading 2025 times for our Spring Reading Incentive: Spring into Reading with Rita’s! Butler Bears in K-6 are asked to read (or be read to) at least eight times between April 1st and April 16th. If your child completes the challenge, they will receive a coupon for FREE Rita’s Water Ice to be redeemed at Rita’s on 178 E. Butler Ave in Chalfont.

When your child completes the challenge, please record your child’s reading using the QR code or link below by April 23rd. If you have any questions, please reach out to Leesa Meade at lmeade@cbsd.org

Please see the below schedule for family planning purposes. Students in grades 3-6 will take the state assessment on the following dates. For more information, here are PSSA FAQ's.

Please contact Mr. Funseth, Principal - kfunseth@cbsd.net, with any questions specific to the upcoming assessment.

This time of year, we have an opportunity to start anew, providing our homes and spaces with a "fresh outlook" on spring! Many of us take the first warm days of the season to do a "spring cleaning" - both inside and outside of the house. Involve the children and make it a fun, family event where everyone contributes to prepping and cleaning for the spring season... together!

"As the days grow longer and the weather warms up, spring is the perfect time to refresh your home. For families, having a clean and disinfected living space can create a more positive home environment for your kids and helps to prevent the spread of illness-causing germs—at home and in the classroom. Springtime marks a great opportunity to tackle household spring cleaning projects and create a fresh environment for your family..."

To read the 1-page article, please click here!

At Butler, the use of student cell phone/SMART Watch/personal device usage in school is prohibited (medical exemptions apply). As a reminder, these devices are to be silenced and remain in backpacks during the school day. Should there be a need for communication, that would take place with the support of the school office during the school day. Please be sure to share these expectations with your child as this policy will be enforced by teachers/staff in coordination with District policy.

CBSD provides a written review of Policies and Expectations for all students (and families) in the Central Bucks Family Handbook.

Additionally, Butler has a Parent/Student Handbook that applies these district policies specific to our school.

Please familiarize to both important documents as we continue throughout the school year.

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.

Have a Student Who Will be New to CBSD in 2025-26? Register Now!

Welcome to CBSD! Please register ASAP! Online registration for the 2025-26 school year is open for families of students who will be eligible for kindergarten in CBSD and students in all grades who will be new to CBSD next school year. Learn more about registration here and start a new registration application here.

Central Bucks School District recently made a change to the age of admission for student enrollment in kindergarten. Effective beginning the 2025-26 school year, students may be admitted to kindergarten who will be five years of age from September 1 through October 31. Learn more and access information on how to apply.

CB South is actively seeking local businesses interested in participating in the Community Internship Program. Companies looking to mentor and support students in their professional growth can contact Will Melvin, Internship Program Director, at wmelvin@cbsd.org for more information as well as attend an informational event on the Community Internship Program on Thursday, April 24 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at CB South (1100 Folly Rd., Warrington). RSVP is requested by April 18. See flyer to learn more about this event.

Hold onto your lunch trays, Central Bucks! We've got a flavor extravaganza happening in our cafeterias this April: the Turkey & Apple Melt LTO is about to change your lunch game. Plus, get the inside scoop on student taste tests, genius snack hacks, and more in our newsletter. Don't just eat, experience! Read "The Feed"

Notice is hereby given that the Central Bucks School District’s April 17, 2025 School Board Meeting has been rescheduled. The April School Board Meeting will be held on April 24, 2025. The location and start time remain the same: 7 p.m. in the board room of the district's Educational Services Center located at 16 Welden Drive in Doylestown, PA.

Congrats to Barclay 5th grader David Martinez-Cortes for winning the March round of CBSD's lock screen contest! His original artwork inspired by the "Thoughtful Collaborators" attribute of CBSD's Portrait of a Graduate is featured on district devices throughout March. Students can now try their hand at winning the next round of the contest, inspired the "Adaptable Innovators" attribute. Submissions are due April 20. More details

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? Recent additions include flyers about Metro Esports and Girls Empowered summer camps. Check it out now!

Second graders studied Mural Artist, Chris Uphues, for their unit on making secondary colors. They experimented with mixing primary colors, analyzing their new color-creations! The children employed problem-solving skills while mixing paint to create the intended secondary color. Finally, artists added creativity and personality to the hearts with cartoon faces.

First graders have been learning research skills in Library. With BIRDS as a research topic, students have read and located relevant facts to include in their projects. Children also learned the important skill of bullet-pointed notes including the most important words when sharing their information.

Fifth grade students have spent most of the year traveling the music timeline. We began during the Baroque and Classical music periods, into American Folk and then music through the decades. Students are creating a “Soundtrack” for their lives, presenting music that has been influential to them.

Butler PE Classes are heavily practicing for our upcoming May Field Day! Students are working through the new games and other "favorites" - understanding the rules and regulations - all in preparation for Field Day 2025! The introduction of new games and relays helps to make Field Day run smoothly. Students will be able to have a say in some of the activities for their grade and class! We are getting excited for Field Day on May 22!!

Fabrication skills are continuing to develop in QUEST. Sixth-grade students are using Chompsaws to build Micro:bit Cardboard Pets for primary-aged children. Inspired by Tamagotchi pets from the '90s, students are collaborating w/ peers to create unique pets from cardboard. Each pet must include movable parts and be able to hold a Micro:bit (a small, programmable computer board). Once the pet is constructed, teams will design a computer program using Micro:bit, allowing younger students to interact and play. By using sensor commands and expressive outputs, the pets will respond to motion and sound.

Since our last message, several families have been able to donate clothes for the health room - which are used with students during any given school day. Thank you to those who donated clothes which no longer "fit" their needs - it is very appreciated!

April Continued:

Apr. 17 - No School for Students (Thursday) - Staff Development

Apr. 18 - School Holiday - No School

Apr. 21 - No School for Students (Monday) - Staff Development

Apr 22-25 - "Earth Day" Weeklong Activities (Details Below) & Spirit Week

Apr. 23-25 - PSSA English Language Arts (ELA) - Gr. 3-6

Apr 23 - Administrative Professionals Day - "Thank You, Office Staff!"

Apr. 26 - CB Kids Triathlon (Pre-Registrants Only - See details below)

Apr.29-30 - PSSA Math - Gr. 3-6

May:

May 1 - PSSA Science - Gr. 5 (ONLY)

May 2-9 - PSSA Make-Ups (Begin May 2)

May 5-9 - PTO Spring Book Fair (Class Schedule)

May 6 - National Teacher Appreciation Day

May 7 - National School Nurse's Day

May 8 - Spirit Day - Destination Day - Wear Something from a "Place"

May 12 - Grade 1 (6:30 PM) & Grade 3 (7:30 PM) Concert

May 19 - Butler PTO Dine & Donate - McDonalds Chalfont (4:00PM-8:00PM)

May 19 - Grade 2 (6:30 PM) & Grade 4 (7:30 PM) Concert

May 20 - No School - Primary Election Day

May 21 - PTO General Meeting - 7:00 PM (Wednesday) - Library

May 22 - Field Day - Schedule to Follow (Rain Date - 5/30)

May 23 - No School for Students - Professional Development Day

May 26 - Memorial Day - No School for Students and Teachers

With Earth Day on April 22nd, Butler will be recognizing ways in which we can celebrate our Earth while being conscientious of how we reduce, reuse, and recycle. On Tuesday, April 22nd, we will hold a friendly competition between grade levels calculating the grade who uses the least amount of trash during lunches (per student). Also, we will be holding special Spirit Days for each day of the week! See below.

Starting Friday April 25th, the CB South Titan wrestling program will be hosting a “Free” Friday night wrestling and play session for all interested students from the schools noted below grades K thru 8 for 6 whole weeks.

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 that 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 - forging the basic skills of our sport into future wrestlers. NO EXPERIENCE is necessary.

Wrestling 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)

Head Coach Dan McAuley, JR Titans - (Tamanend-Unami); dmcauley@cbsd.org; 267-614-6322

Calling all kindergarten to 6th-grade students -- it's almost time lace up your sneakers for the first annual CB Kids Run event on Saturday, April 26 then get ready to TRI something new at the third annual CB Kids Triathlon on Sunday, June 8. Register for both events is now. Learn more and register!

Our local McDonald's (@ Butler/County Line in Chalfont) has scheduled a Butler Dine & Donate for Tuesday, May 19th - between 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM! Fifteen (15) % of proceeds will come back to the Butler PTO to support our school community! (Same Night as the 2nd & 4th Grade Concert!)

Save the date for 6th Grade Promotion - to be held on Tuesday, June 10th in the Butler gymnasium. The ceremony will begin at 7:00 PM - with more information to be sent from the school later this spring. We look forward to celebrating this group of special Butler Bear students!

Spring Music Concerts at Butler - See dates below!

Check out the schedule for opportunities with upcoming summer music camps in CB!

On Thursday, April 10, five teams of Butler students competed at the Bucks County Reading Olympics Competition at Cold Spring Elementary. Each summer, this annual program coordinates a list of 25 books that 5th & 6th graders read. Then, interested students participate in a competition to answer questions about those books. Under the direction of our Reading Olympics Building Coordinator, Mrs. Hanna, Butler students read for many months and attended monthly team meetings with their coaches during their recess. As the culminating event, each team participated in three rounds of questioning against other schools. As usual, Butler shone bright again this year!

• The 6th grade team, The Apples, coached by Mrs. Brown & Mrs. Matteson, earned a first-place blue ribbon!
• The 6th grade team, The Reading Raptors, coached by Mrs. Maduzia, earned a first-place blue ribbon!
• The 5th grade team, The Nine Dynamic Diamonds, coached by Mr. Guenst, earned a second-place red ribbon!
• The 5th grade team, The Super-Duper Book Bears, coached by Mrs. Schlotter, earned a first-place blue ribbon!
• The 5th grade team, The Last Book Readers, coached by Mrs. Teeple, earned a first-place blue ribbon!

Thank you to all of our Reading Olympians for outstanding sportsmanship and excellent behavior throughout the evening while representing our school. We are all so proud of you! Congratulations on your dedication and commitment to reading and teamwork - job well done!

The Butler PTO hosted another amazing evening event for our 5th & 6th grade families and students on Friday, April 11th. The Butler Lip Sync is a school-wide Grade 5 & 6 tradition where students can perform in groups or individually to perform a "lip sync" to popular, school-friendly music. Other children acted as MC's introducing many of the acts and "back stage" to make sure each group's presence was seen by the crowd! Student performers incorporate style, themes, costumes, choreography, and accuracy into their performance. Teacher volunteers act as judges choosing winning performers across several categories! Thanks to Mrs. Abelson (and her final Lip Sync event after many years as a Butler parent) and Mr. Bender - who both organized and facilitated the planning, week's long rehearsals, and organization of the live acts on Friday night! It was an incredible event!

The Butler PTO provides fun and entertaining school assemblies for our students and staff during the school year. On Tuesday, April 8th, Li Liu came to school to perform - showcasing her talents as an acrobat! Li Liu was born in the city of Shenyang beginning her acrobatic training at the age of 6 years! She is the recipient of many awards and prizes having also traveled extensively with Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus! Li has been a freelance performer since 2003. performing on cruise lines, at NBA and even the Late Show w/ David Letterman! Li included the children in her performance and dazzled us with her balance and strength! Thank you PTO!

The Central Bucks South - School-Aged Child class completed its final visit on Thursday, April 10th. High School students have been visiting Butler across 4-weeks, many of whom are interested in becoming teachers one day! The culminating activity was to create a game that connected to the classroom curriculum - introduced, facilitated, and presented by the CB South presenters to students. Each classroom who hosted loved having their CB South student visit each week!

Butler Spirit was high for our support of World Autism Awareness Day - Light it Up Blue!

Please congratulate the following Butler students, whose artwork is currently on display at the office of State Representative Shelby Labs. We are very proud of their exemplary work and artistic talent:

Evelyn M., Alina Y., Jeremy L., Sophie L., Mabel S., Kieran O’H., Julianna B., Samantha C-K., Cooper D., Hanna B., Chase S., Shoshana C., Haviva C., Hara J., Elina R., Jordyn W., Victoria A., Aleksa M., Emma S., McKenna T.

1032 N Easton Rd, Doylestown, PA 18902

For over thirty years, the Thompson Organization has been sparking the creativity of local young minds with their exciting Draw the Future Contest. Overflowing with imagination and boundless aspirations, kids from kindergarten to sixth grade across Bucks and Montgomery counties were invited to envision the next-generation vehicle! This year, Butler's Kaydence C. (Gr.4), won the car drawing contest. Her impressive drawing will be featured on a local billboard and in the newspaper! Congratulations Kaydence!

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".

4/4 Winners: Max G. (Kdg.), Kelsey L. (Gr.1), Reagan O. (Gr.2), Naida Q. (Gr.3), Kieran D. (Gr.4), Alesia N. (Gr.5), Samantha C-K (Gr.6), Staff Winner - Ms. DiTore

4/11 Winners: Isaac Park (Kdg.), Shane D. (Gr.1), Gianna B. (Gr.2), Jack K. (Gr.3), Noah R. (Gr.4), Vincent D'A. (Gr.5), Matthew F. (Gr.6), Staff Winner - Mrs. Sisca

Individual student winners choose a special activity from the "Choice Board" - where they identify a special event in which they will participate.

"Welcome Back!" - 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.

Superintendent: Steven Yanni, Ed. D.

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

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

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

Principal: Karl Funseth

Principal's Secretary: Peggy Bernabei

Assistant Principal: Dave Filson

Assistant Principal's Secretary: Michele Droxler

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