We have created a "FIDS" page on our website to help keep everybody informed of what to expect for our upcoming Flexible Instructional Day on November 27. Click to visit that page>

Three local businesses have made generous contributions to the Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, Inc. through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit  (EITC) Program. Nextier Bank donated $20,000, First National Bank donated $5,000, and UPMC donated $1,000.

The donations will be used to support STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) education at Butler Area School District.

Please visit the Scholastic Foundation Website at https://www.goldentornadoscholasticfoundation.org/ to learn more about EITC and STEAM.

Dr. Brian White, Superintendent of the Butler Area School District, shared the recommendation of our Community Committee for School Organization at the School Board meeting on November 18.

The Community Committee for School Organization met four times before making a recommendation.

The report details Butler Area School District’s school organization process to date as well as a recommendation from the Community Committee for School Organization.

Click to view the report>

Students at McQuistion, Northwest and Summit had the opportunity to participate in the Ned Show’s Kindness Adventure Assembly. Using storytelling, music, interactive videos, illusions and more, the program took students on an international adventure to demonstrate how they can create a positive and caring school climate by showing kindness, respect and acceptance.

Our other elementary schools will have the opportunity to participate later in the school year.

BMS students Jaziah Godson, Dejamoura Griffin, Lucas Martin and Luke Monday participate in Mr. Sovek's iLab time. They helped make signs and medallions on the CNC machine and laser engraver for Summit Elementary School.

View more photos on Flickr>

Dear Butler Area School District Parents/Guardians: 

Butler Area School District has designated Wednesday, November 27 as a Flexible Instruction Day. Students will not report to school, but will have assignments to complete at home.

Flexible Instructional Days (FID) is a new initiative for schools launched by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Students will receive instructional materials from each of their normally scheduled classes for this day to take home. It is expected that all students complete the assigned learning activities and actively participate in the assigned activities. Students will submit work within 10 days (by December 9) to receive attendance credit for this day. Parents of secondary students (grades 7-12) will receive a Verification of Student Attendance form that will need to be signed and returned to designate that their child participated in the assigned student activities. Students with Special Needs will receive Flexible Instructional Day (FID) lessons designed in accordance to their needs as identified in their individualized education plans.

Vision To Learn is a non-profit organization that provides free eye exams and glasses to children in need. Vision To Learn will bring their mobile eye clinic to our schools and provide free eye exams to students within the next few weeks. In addition to the exam, students may also receive glasses. 

View the Vision to Learn letter to parents/guardians>

View the Vision to Learn flyer>

View the Vision to Learn consent form>

We are in the full swing of the school year and unfortunately cold and flu season are fast approaching. In an effort to be proactive, our school nurses would like to share with you preventative measures to avoid getting the flu and to minimize the spread of the flu in our schools. Click to read their November Newsletter>

Our own amazing Instructional Coaches were recently featured by the Professional Institute for Instructional Coaching! Congratulations to Dave Andrews, Tanya Lewis, and Karen Robb!

https://www.tpiic.org/mentor-blogs/1712/

Third graders received new furry reading buddies in Mrs. Scheidt’s class at Summit. View photos on Flickr>

The winter season will be here before we know it. I’d like to remind you of our school delay and closing procedures. 

I make the decision to delay or cancel school after I review the weather forecast and consult with our Transportation Department. When necessary, the district also consults with the municipalities and other resources within our community.  Each decision regarding whether or not to delay or cancel school is made with student safety as the primary concern. I recognize that any delay or cancellation can create hardships for our families and do not take this decision lightly.

Works of art created by Connoquenessing Elementary fourth grade students and Summit Elementary second grade students are on display at UPMC hospitals (Presby & Shadyside).