Butler PTA

December 2024 Newsletter

Stay Connected: Future Events, Volunteer Openings, and Past Highlights!
peace

Sending Peace and Joy Your Way!

It’s hard to believe that we’re preparing to turn the calendar to 2025! We’re thankful that you’re part of our Butler community, and we hope to see you again soon! 

In January, we have the PTA General Meeting and STEM Night to look forward to. Please come join us! You’ll meet other Butler parents and caregivers and you’ll learn what the PTA does and why we’d love for you to get involved. 

For more information, please check the PTA section of the Butler website, and join the Facebook page Butler Elementary Belmont MA Parents. 

See you soon!

Sara Carson and Colleen Hartley
PTA Co-Presidents

Upcoming Events

jill

PTA Board Meeting
12/19, Thursday (6-7 PM virtually)

All attendance and ideas are welcome!

Agenda:
- General Business > Greeting, Approval of Minutes, Finances
- Our Invited Guest > Dr. Jill Geiser, Superintendent of Schools
- Upcoming Events/Planning > STEM Night
- Closing Business > Q&A

Connect via: Meeting ID 838 4603 3956 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83846033956?pwd=ULc5BybsgaxAMCzXTohy3HJqWW0Vt5.1

coffee

Coffee with the Principal
1/03, Friday (9:00-9:30 AM virtually)

Let’s join Principal Babson virtually for her monthly Coffee with the Principal series. More information will be shared in Principal Babson’s newsletter!

Connect via: meet.google.com/jgg-fzbb-pff

PTA General Meeting
1/09, Thursday (5:30-7:00 PM in person)

In Butler’s Library *Enter through door near gym
Save the date! It’s the second PTA General Meeting of the academic year (there are only three)! We provide babysitting for preschool and elementary-age children (no diapers). No worries if you need to arrive late or leave early.

Agenda:
- Introduction to the PTA
- Updates from the Board and Principal
-
A (brief!) overview of this year’s remaining events
-
Meet, Greet, and Mingle *Light refreshments available

light

STEM Night
1/24, Friday (6:30-8:00 PM in person)

In Butler’s Cafetorium

For this event to be successful, we need 18-24 volunteers. If you’re interested, please complete the 2025 STEM Night Volunteer Form. 

STEM Night volunteers aren’t just parents and caregivers. They’re also high school students, grandparents, and family friends! It’s a great way to support and participate!

We've got a spot for anyone who can help:

🟨 Develop a new activity 
🟨 Run an activity done in the past
🟨 Publicize the event
🟨 Make lab notebooks   
🟨 Fill in the gaps as a “floater” during the actual night 

If you have questions, please email Julie Crockett (juliescrockett@gmail.com) or Carolyn Romero (cdc5774@gmail.com).

stem

More Volunteer Opportunities and News

🔴 Digital Directory (coming soon!)

Our digital directory is nearly ready!  Thank you to Lori Ray and Jesse Haley for their work on the new directory.  We will begin sending the directory to included families at the end of this week.  If you would like to add your name to the directory and you did not previously opt in, please enter your information here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_8OvSYybaXBgC3E-oF8MYqXiS_dMU4GA4HFMWKp-vxddcBA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Please note that if you have NOT opted in or added your information to the directory you will not receive the link.  If you’d like a copy, please message us: butlerpta@gmail.com

🔴 Library Volunteer (during school)

Come volunteer in the library during your child’s/children’s library time. Our Library Aide Ms. Joanne is preferably looking for parents who can commit to multiple times throughout the year.

If you missed orientation, you can still volunteer by:
- Reading through the Library Training Slides
- Making sure your CORI and confidentiality paperwork is submitted and up-to-date
- Signing up via Butler Library’s SignUp page.


🔴 Other Open Positions

We have many open coordinator and board positions with the Butler PTA. Please check out the list of descriptions, complete with commitment level, by clicking here. 

We are especially in need of:
- Secretary: The secretary records meeting minutes and retains them for record. They maintain a membership list with names and addresses of members. 
- VP, In-School Enrichment: Field trips are back! This VP of in-school enrichment works directly with Principal Babson, the teachers, and the PTA to manage budgets for in-school enrichment or out-of-school field trips. Responsibilities include communication about, booking, and managing finances for field trips.
- Bookkeeper: We are looking for a bookkeeper this year, who can shadow our current treasurer with deposits, payments, and account reconciliation. The hope is this individual will learn this year and move into the Treasurer role in the future. While a background in accounting is helpful, it is not required. 

Interested in joining? Complete this short survey to let us know your interests!

Have questions? butlerpta@gmail.com


🔴 Box Tops!

Please scan your digital or paper receipts in the Box Tops app and money goes directly to the Butler PTA! For more information about Box Tops, check out their website: https://www.boxtops4education.com/s/ 

You can also get the app:
- Visit this site: https://www.boxtops4education.com/s/get-the-app
- Use referral code: KPKD0K2P
- OR search for Butler school via the drop-down menus.
- Then, just shop for groceries as normal! Don’t forget to scan your (digital or physical) receipts.

Click here for a YouTube video that shows how to scan receipts 

Earn a bonus for Butler by inviting family and friends!
- Go to the Box Tops app home screen
- Click on the "person icon" in the upper-right corner
- Go to the Invite Friends section
- You’ll get a referral code that you can share.

When your friend scans their first receipt, Butler will earn 20 Bonus Box Tops!

Event Recap

winter

Winter Assistance Program

Thank you to the many families who supported our collective initiatives. A special thanks, in particular, to Ms. Romig for organizing the Winter Assistance Program. It's truly uplifting to see how we unite as a community to support one another!

Because of our community’s care and generosity, these efforts have developed into an annual Butler tradition and together, we’ve supported Butler families in need by offering gift cards, winter clothing, gifts, and groceries for Butler children.

tree

Green Team Garden Clean Up

We had another successful “Put the Garden to Bed” event for the winter! We trimmed plants at the end of their lifecycle and put a blanket of leaves on the garden beds. Volunteers planted bulbs out in the garden and in front of the school.

Please look for more opportunities to volunteer this spring!

donate

Please support the PTA before December 31st! 

Haven’t had a chance to contribute to the PTA yet? We are still working towards our goal of 200 families and need your help!  

Donations to the Butler PTA fund enrichment programs (including all-school assemblies and field trips) support our students. To donate, click here. All donations are tax-deductible.

Families who donate in December will be entered in a drawing for gift certificates to local businesses and restaurants including Ovenbird, Mark & Toni’s, Art’s Specialities, Bessie Blue, Curate and Koshari Mama.