Pat Butler Weekly Update

Posted Date: 11/08/26 (10:17 AM)

Dear Pat Butler Families,

My heart is full after spending Thursday evening with some of my favorite people—our wonderful students and their families! Gathering together at The Backyard for some good old fun was such a treat. Beyond being a fantastic fundraiser, it was a great quality time where we were able to gather together to connect, laugh, and enjoy time together as a community. It truly reminded me of how proud and grateful I am to be a Bear! A HUGE thank you to our amazing PTA for putting it on. If you missed out this time, don't worry—we will definitely make sure we do another one soon!

Call for Help: Christmas Parade Float The Christmas Parade is approaching fast, and we are looking for someone that has a truck and a flatbed for our school float! If you would like to help, please reach out to patbutlerptainfo@gmail.com. Thank you for supporting our Bears!

Just a reminder: We will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day.

November Gratitude

As we move into November, our school community carries on a cherished tradition of slowing down and expressing our gratitude for the incredible people who make our school a home. It is a wonderful opportunity to make sure our staff members feel genuinely seen, appreciated, and valued for everything they do for our children.

We invite you and your children to take a moment to reflect on the dedicated staff who make our days brighter and help carry the load—whether that’s a classroom teacher, a trusted mentor, a dedicated paraeducator, our custodial team (Mr. Bill, Mr. Eli, and Ms. Patricia) keeping our school running, our yard duty supervisors keeping our kids safe, our librarian (Mrs. Greaves-Ross) inspiring a love for reading, or our kitchen team (Ms. Amy and Ms. Jan) serving warm meals with a smile. These are the amazing individuals who share sunshine, step up to take on every challenge alongside our students, and make Butler Bear a truly special place to learn and grow.

If you or your child would like to send a message of appreciation to a staff member, please submit your thank-you note using the attached Google Form. We will make sure your kind words reach them and bring a smile to their day!

School Site Council- Rescheduled

Please note that our next School Site Council meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, November 18th at 2:30 p.m. in Room 16. We will be discussing how Prop 28 funds will be used to support our Visual and Performing Arts programs on campus. Everyone is welcome to attend—we hope to see you there!

Math Night- rescheduled

We are so excited to host our first Math Night of the school year! To ensure as many families can join us as possible, we are rescheduling this special event—stay tuned for our updated date coming soon.

Math Night is designed to help bridge our school-family partnership and empower you to support your student's learning at home. During the event, we will explore the intentionality behind Common Core math standards, share strategies for building your child's math automaticity and overall number sense, and demonstrate how you can easily connect with your student through fun math games.

We can't wait to learn, play, and make sense of math together. Thank you for your continued support, and we will share the new date very soon!

Reminder: No candy or toys at school

As we head into the week, here is a friendly reminder that per our school wellness policy, candy is not allowed at school so we can focus on creating calm, regulated learning spaces for all students—please save all sweet treats for home! Additionally, personal toys from home, including squishies and fidgets, have become a significant distraction to learning and need to stay at home as well. Please know that if a student requires sensory support, we have appropriate tools in the classroom ready to give them. If candy or personal toys are brought to school, our protocol is simply for an adult to hold on to the item during the day and send it back home at dismissal. We truly appreciate your support and partnership in keeping our classrooms focused and ready for learning!

Counselor's Corner:

This month my class counseling lessons will focus on helping students understand, practice, and express gratitude, emphasizing how appreciation strengthens our school community and boosts personal well-being. GRATITUDE CAN CHANGE OUR ATTITUDE. Families can reinforce these important messages at home by practicing daily reflections, recognizing the positive actions of others, and using any of these strategies:

Name three good things: Share three things you are thankful for each evening at dinner or before bedtime to build a habit of positive thinking.
Write a thank-you note: Encourage your child to draw a picture or write a short letter to a friend, family member, or teacher showing appreciation for something specific.
Practice mindful appreciation: Pause during daily activities—like sharing a meal or enjoying outdoor play—to talk about why that moment feels special.
Model appreciative language: Use clear, explicit "thank you" statements that highlight why you appreciate someone's effort (e.g., "Thank you for helping clear the table without being asked").
Create a family gratitude jar: Keep a jar and slip of paper nearby where family members can write down positive moments throughout the month to read together later.
Perform small acts of kindness: Look for simple ways to give back, such as helping a neighbor, sharing a toy, or offering a kind word to someone who looks down.

Unlock Your Child’s Bright Future: Join Us for Parent University on "Literacy by 3rd Grade"! 📚✨

Did you know that 3rd grade is a crucial milestone in a child’s reading journey? Up until 3rd grade, children are learning to read—after 3rd grade, they are reading to learn!

We invite all parents and guardians to our upcoming Parent University session focused on Literacy by 3rd Grade. Whether you have a toddler, a kindergartener, or an upper-elementary student, this session will give you practical tools, engaging strategies, and simple daily habits to support your child's reading confidence and comprehension at home.

Parent University: Literacy by 3rd Grade

5th and 6th grade Basketball Information