Paw Power Press

With Winter Break in the "rear view," January is a time to focus on new resolutions and healthy habits! Health & Wellness are important for many reasons, including strong school attendance - especially during this stage of the 2nd into the 3rd Trimester at the end of January. Good nutrition and thorough handwashing are important habits to encourage. Proper warm clothing is also needed during the winter recesses - as we encourage outdoor activity when temperatures are safe. In this month's National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) - Report to Parents, 4 Tips to Promote Winter Wellness, learn about some ideas to help start the New Year on a healthy note!

"During the winter season, it becomes easier for kids to come into contact with germs that cause illnesses like cold and flu. Encouraging healthy habit practices at home - starting with these strategies - a proactive measure to help ensure kids maintain their health and contribute to the overall well-being of their school communities."

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

At Butler, the use of student cell phone/SMART Watch/personal device usage in school is prohibited. 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.

With the official first day of winter on Dec. 21, CBSD families are reminded of district procedures should winter weather impact the school day schedule. You can find all related information on this webpage. If school buildings need to close or operate on a modified schedule due to present or pending weather conditions or any other emergency, the district will endeavor to communicate the schedule change to families as soon as possible. Please note that this year, CBSD will be utilizing Flexible Instructional Days (FIDs) should school need to close after the first use of a traditional snow day. You can learn more about the procedures for FIDs here.

The CBSD instructional calendar for the 2025-26 school year was approved by the Board at its monthly meeting on Dec. 2. View the calendar

Families of students who will be eligible for kindergarten in CBSD in 2025-26 are invited to register online. Families of students in any grade who will be new to CBSD in the 2025-26 school year are also able to register. Learn more about registration here and start a new registration application here.

The Central Bucks Education Foundation is proud to offer a needs-based "Holicong Road Scholarship" of up to $50,000 annually to a current senior at CB South, CB East, or CB West who is graduating in June 2025 and plans to attend a 4-year college or university in summer or fall 2025. The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student with demonstrated financial need who has a strong academic history and is actively involved in school activities or within the community. Applications are being accepted now through Jan. 15, 2025. Learn more and apply.

As a result of adjustments to the 2024-25 school calendar that added two half-days to the end of the school year (June 11 and June 12), CBSD kindergartners who attend the AM session this school year will have their last day of school on Wednesday, June 11 in the AM and there will be no PM session. Kindergartners who attend the PM session will attend in the AM on Thursday, June 12 and their last day of school will be Friday, June 13 in the AM.

CBSD welcomes qualified candidates to apply for a range of full-time career opportunities, many with benefits. School bus aides might be the perfect fit for parents and others looking to make a difference while working the same hours as a school day. View all available positions and apply now!

1st-6th grade celebrated positive Butler Bear behavior with a glow in the dark art party.

Our annual holiday sing was held December 20th. Over 800 students and staff sang, danced, played instruments, and enjoyed games to celebrate the start of the holiday season and New Year! It is always a joyous way to end the last day of school before the holiday break!

Our Butler Bears love reading together in the library! The holiday excitement could not be contained as classmates shared holiday book favorites, both old and new! Our Bears also enjoyed choosing books that many were looking forward to reading over our long Winter Break.

2nd- Most recently, junior animators designed their own claymation stop-motion films. Students worked hard to maintain a consistent camera angle and use many small movements to create the appearance of fluid movement. Detective Science will begin in the new year!

3rd- The Game On Unit has officially kicked off as we are learning about the history of games including Mancala, Nine Men’s Morris and Chess. Students have created their own unique avatars to collect badges throughout our unit. Be sure to ask how they earn them!

4th- Inventor duos are interviewing family members and collecting ideas for problems that plague our lives and world. Student teams will use this information as a launch point for invention brainstorming.

5th & 6th- Students (below) have been studying the art of comedy, as well as the various forms it may take. As a culminating activity, students selected two of their own humor creations to submit for our L.O.L Awards. 48 total pieces were entered into the competition, and the students voted for the best comedic example in 7 different categories. Congratulations to all the students for their wit and creativity!

5th & 6th Continued: We have some future lawyers in the making! Our Law Unit is underway as students have learned about the general framework for our country’s government and gained some background knowledge about our court systems. After each session of law school, students participate in their version of a bar exam to test their knowledge.

All health screenings will be done at the end of December - unless the student was absent or needs a retest. Parents can log onto the parent portal to see their child's screening information.

The district updated all health office websites. Check out Butler's new Health Office website here.

- Nurse Gina

January:

Jan. 2 - School Resumes (Thursday)

Jan. 9 - Spirit Day - Wear Neon Colors

Jan. 13-17 - Art Goes to School Programs (All Classrooms)

Jan. 13 - Butler PTO Spring Fair Planning Cmmt. - 6:45 PM (Library)

Jan. 16 - 6th Gr. Unami Bridge Concert (Performing Arts Preview) (Students Only)

Jan. 20 - School Holiday - MLK, Jr. Day (Schools Closed)

Jan. 21 - School Assembly (Brain Challenge)

Jan. 27 - General PTO Meeting (ZOOM)

Jan. 28 - Half-Day - Dismissal Begins at 12:25 PM (Staff Development)

Jan. 28 - PTO Jump Night (Gr. 3-6 ONLY) - 5:30-7:30 PM

Find the QR Code for details about the next session - which begins on February 4th. Young Rembrandt Drawing classes provide students with a unique experience in design, composition, and illustration following a step-by-step drawing process. Classes begin February 4th for the next session.

Please see details below about the CB East Children's theater Workshop:

Calling all elementary school students! Do you love to sing and dance? You are invited to be a "Junior Patriot Player" for the day!

February 22, 2025 - 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM; CB East Auditorium (Front Entrance). Proceeds benefit the Make a Wish Foundation.

Session 1: 6:00 PM -7:30 PM

Session 2: 8:00 PM -9:30 PM

This is not a drop-off event!

Register now on My Payments Plus for the Butler Ball. This event is designed to be a special night experience for your Butler Student and their VIP Adult Guest. There will be a DJ and professional photographer to take photos. Admission is $8 per student and includes one special VIP adult guest. Select which session you'd like to attend before registration closes on February 5th at 12:00 AM. Refreshments and snacks will be served.

Dear 6th Grade Parents - Please join the Middle School Staff at Unami on Tuesday, Feb 18th from 7-9 pm. More details will be shared after the New Year in anticipation of the date. Unami Middle School is excited to host the parents of future 7th graders!

Communication and planning support family-efforts on important school events. See below!

The Butler 5th & 6th Grade String and Band Musicians held an enjoyable and festive Holiday Concert the morning of Friday, December 20th. Families were able to enjoy the musical talents of our students - strings led by Mrs. LaRose (directing her first Butler Concert) and band led by Mr. Robinson. Students have been working since the beginning of the school year in their preparations for the concert - they did a wonderful job performing for their classmates and families!

This December, our first graders worked on “growing the Grinch’s heart” by being respectful - responsible - and kind. Each class earned 100 paw prints and they celebrated with a fun-filled Grinch-themed day the week before winter break. The day included reading the Grinch’s story and answering questions about the text, applying phonics skills to words found in the Grinch story, writing about how the students would grow the Grinch’s heart, and playing a few special games, too! We even get to dress up, play fun games, and enjoy special centers. It is one of our favorite days in first grade!

During the last week of December, there is a lot of fun happening around school - big anticipation, spirit day fun, and holiday assemblies fill our days. If that is not enough, we find time to hold our Winter Party which our homeroom parent organizes with the help of the party planners! Each grade held there time - making crafts, eating snacks, and playing games. Thanks to all of the parents who helped organize and facilitate - thank you Butler PTO!

Students and Staff celebrated in "tragic" style on Tuesday, December 17th - for our Ugly Sweater Spirit Day! Students and staff were feeling festive in some crazy outfits!

It is always fun for the students and staff to head into the Holiday Sing and Winter Break feeling comfy! That's why Butler celebrated our final Spirit Day of 2024 in cozy holiday PJ style! It was a great way to enjoy the day before break! Happy Holidays!

Photographs from around Simon Butler Elementary School!

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".

12/20 Winners: James M. (Kdg.), Emma B. (Gr.1), Jackson M. (Gr.2), Victoria A. (Gr.3), Lily H. (Gr.4), Amelia N. (Gr.5), Ash A. (Gr.6), Teacher Winner: Miss Montana (Gr.6)

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: Lauren Dowd

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