Hello Butler Families!

This upcoming week we will have an early release at 11:40am on Wednesday and no school on Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving Break. As we approach this holiday, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the support and partnership of our school community. This time of year reminds us of the importance of reflection, connection, and appreciation for the people who enrich our lives.

At Butler, we are thankful for our students' curiosity, kindness, and hard work, which inspires us every day. We are equally grateful to our families for your unwavering commitment to your children's education and the strong sense of community you help create. Together, we are building a school where everyone feels supported and valued.

If you gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving Break, I hope you find time to relax, recharge, and celebrate the many blessings in your lives. Let's also remember those in our community who may need extra care and support, and find ways to extend kindness and generosity to one another.

Thank you for all you do to make Butler a special place. I wish you a safe, joyful and meaningful Thanksgiving.

Respectfully,
Julie Babson
Principal

November 27 - Early Release @ 11:40am
November 28-29 - Thanksgiving Break
December 5 - PTA Board Meeting
December 6 - Coffee with the Principal @8:45am Butler cafeteria

We want to remind you of the various ways you can find out about school delays and closings. As always, Belmont Public Schools will put out an automated call and email to parents and staff. School closing or delay decisions are made with the support of the other town departments as we consider the safety of our staff and students traveling to school. As usual, any snow days are made up at the end of the school year.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the various ways you can find out about an unexpected school closing or delay due to weather:

WBZ Radio (1030 AM) and TV (Channel 4) http://boston.cbslocal.com/closings/

WRKO Radio (680 AM) and WHDH TV (Channel 7) http://whdh.com/storm-closings-delays/

WCVB TV (Channel 5) http://www.wcvb.com/weather/closings

The BPS Website

Thank you to the PTA for helping fun some new chairs for the conference room and office!

Coffee and Conversation: A Look at Elementary Literacy in Belmont

Please join Butler reading specialists Jackie Duane and Alyssa Greene as well as Julie Babson, Butler School Principal, to learn about elementary literacy in Belmont on Friday, December 6th. We will gather in the cafeteria from 8:45-9:30am. Coffee will be served. Come hear about the structure of literacy teaching in the Butler classrooms and tiered levels of support.  Also, bring a favorite read aloud or read alone book that your child enjoys, as we hope to share and hear about books, which have engaged your young readers and writers.

Students on the Playground Before School Begins:
Students cannot be left on the playground before or after school without adult supervision for any length of time or for any reason. We understand, though, that some parents/guardians prefer for their children to play outside before school. Individual parents/guardians who choose to supervise their own children or children they are authorized to supervise through pre-arranged communications, before school, may do so. To keep all children safe, we ask that all adults please respect this policy. If you notice an unattended child joining the play being supervised by you, please check-in with that child in order to determine that they are not being supervised and then direct that child into the school.

Students on the Playground After School is Over:
We understand, though, that parents/guardians often want to stay and play with their children at the end of the day. Just as with the arrival process, individual parents/guardians who choose to stay may supervise their own children or children they are authorized to supervise through pre-arranged communications, no longer than one hour past dismissal or until: 3:50 PM Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; 2:30 PM on most Wednesdays; and 12:40 PM on Early Release Wednesdays. Again, if you notice an unattended child joining the play being supervised by you, please check-in with them to determine that they are not being supervised and then direct them to return inside the school. One hour after school dismisses (see above times) until 6:00 PM each day, the Butler Elementary School playground is reserved ONLY for children enrolled in the Butler Extended Day Program. 

The first Friday of every month, parents/guardians will have the chance to meet with Principal Babson to learn about school procedures, get answers to some of your questions, and meet other Butler parents. Some of the coffees will be in person in the school cafeteria after arrival and others will be virtual. Below are the dates, times, and locations. Hope to see you there!

December 6 - 8:45-9:15am - Butler cafeteria
January 3 - 9-9:30am - Virtual - meet.google.com/jgg-fzbb-pff
February 7 - 8:45-9:15am - Butler cafeteria
March 7 - 9-9:30am - Virtual - meet.google.com/jgg-fzbb-pff
April 4 - 8:45-9:15 - Butler cafeteria
May 2 - 9-9:30am - Virtual - meet.google.com/jgg-fzbb-pff
June 6 - 8:45-9:15 - Butler cafeteria