May 20-23 - MCAS Make Up Testing
May 20 - PTA Board Meeting (virtual)
May 26 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
June 2 - PTA General Meeting (in person - Butler library)
June 4 - Color Day! (Rain date June 11)
June 6 - Coffee with the Principal @8:45 (in person - Butler cafeteria)
June 12 - School Advisory Council @7pm (virtual)
June 13 - Moving On Ceremony for 3rd Grade @9am (Butler gym)
June 17 - Last Day of School! Dismissal @11:40am
May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
More than 27 million people in the U.S. have asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition that causes airways to become swollen and inflamed, making it hard to breathe. There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed and controlled. Common symptoms of asthma include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness (or pain). Asthma may lead to a medical emergency so it is important to know the signs of a severe asthma episode (or asthma attack). The best way to manage asthma is to avoid triggers, take medications to prevent symptoms, and prepare to treat asthma episodes if they occur.
Allergies occur when the body’s immune system sees a substance as harmful and overreacts to it. The substances that cause allergic reactions are allergens. The symptoms that result are an allergic reaction. Types of allergens include foods, stinging insects, medications, latex, mold, pollen, and pets. Allergies are increasing, affecting as many as 30% of adults and 40% of children in the US. Allergy symptoms can simply make you uncomfortable such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, a rash or hives. Other more serious symptoms, like trouble breathing and swelling in your mouth or throat, may be a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.
The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid your allergens. It sounds so easy, but you can’t always avoid them. For example, it’s not possible to avoid all outdoor activities if you’re allergic to bees and wasps. There are steps you can take to reduce your chances of being stung and you can carry the medicine you will need if you are stung such as epinephrine autoinjectors. It is important to prepare and have an allergy action plan.
If you have allergies, be sure to schedule a routine appointment with your doctor and keep medicine with you at all times so you can treat an allergic reaction.
Seasonal pollen allergies are causing problems in many children here at school. It can be difficult to tell if allergies or a cold are to blame for the runny nose and watery eyes, in the absence of fever, preventative measures of clean face and hands, good nutrition/fluid intake, adequate rest, as well as daily over-the-counter allergy preparations, can help decrease symptoms. If your child is particularly “drippy” then he/she should stay home until the symptoms are under control enough to participate fully in the activities of the school day. While some supportive measures can be taken during the school day such as rinsing faces and washing hands after coming from outside, keeping up with home medication routines are vital this time of year.
Other Spring Health Reminders
The sunshine is coming and so are the sunburns! It is important every day, but especially now with warmer weather approaching, that sunscreen becomes part of the morning routine. Many people don’t realize that the sun in the spring is just as strong as it is in late summer. A sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher applied prior to school will protect your child through the school day, as well as decrease the risk of skin issues later in life.
Despite the days of warm weather, it is NOT time for flip-flop shoes. Children need solid, supportive foot protection here at school to avoid injuries. Even open-toed sandals put young feet at risk in this busy environment. Children should wear sneakers, especially to participate in gym class and be active and prevent injuries during recess.
Remind your children to wear helmets when riding bicycles, scooters, and skate boards. Helmets reduce the risk of brain injury by as much as 88%.
Check your children for ticks daily after they have spent time outside under trees, in tall grass, or brushing against vegetation. Many people get ticks in their own yard or neighborhood.Be sure to check yourself and your children if you have been around pets. Ticks do not jump or fly but will cling to animals and humans as they pass by. Tick exposure can happen year round but ticks are most active in warmer months.(April – September).
Keep a water bottle handy. As our children become more active, they need to increase the amount of liquids they drink. And please make sure they do not share water bottles-- illnesses can be transmitted that way even if a friend “looks healthy.”
As always, please reach out if you have questions or concerns.
Lisa Harteveldt, BSN, RN
Butler School Nurse
phone 617-993-5556
fax 617-484-7921
3rd grade parents/guardians!
Save the date! Families are invited to the 3rd Grade Moving-On Ceremony: Friday June 13th, 2025 9-10AM
During the ceremony we will be presenting a slideshow of our 3rd graders' time at Butler. Please send photos of your child (and their friends) to jessehaley@gmail.com or upload to this link. Please name your photos student's FIRST-LAST-TEACHER.jpg
Each year the graduating class at Butler creates an art project that is installed in the school as a lasting memory of their time at the school. This year our 3rd graders have an unprecedented opportunity to not only create a fun, original art project, but to also give a lasting gift to the school. The 3rd graders will create mosaic tile squares for two benches that will be permanently added to the school grounds. To successfully execute this project we need your help to install the two benches (lay the pavers and then install the benches). Installation will take place the weekend of May 17-18. Please email Shannon - shannon.j.sadowski@gmail.com if you could be available to help.
Sat 5/31, 9am-2pm
St. Luke’s Parish Beech St Parking Lot (12 Beech St)
Get rid of ANYTHING with a plug or a battery, from $5 to $40 per item. Bring computers/monitors/TVs, small/large appliances, and more! PLUS - Drop off BIKES (in any condition) and smaller items for FREE. Just drive up and we'll help unload. Please come support BUTLER while clearing out clutter and disposing of obsolete electronics in an eco-friendly way.
This one can go in all your remaining newsletters for the year:
Volunteer For the PTA for the 2025-2026 School Year
The PTA has several open coordinator and board positions. If you are interested in finding out more, check out our open positions for 2025-26 and fill out the form here. We are especially looking for Co-Vice Presidents and a Bookkeeper. We would love to have you involved next year!
We are so excited for Butler Color Day 2024 on Wednesday, June 4 (rain date 6/11). This is one of our biggest events of the year, and in order to make this day happen, we need your help. This event runs on Volunteers and LOTS OF THEM! Please save the date, more details forthcoming!
Please reach out if you have any questions to Jenette Jurgens at contejenette@gmail.com
