Senior High News

Dear BASD Families:

The winter season is just about here. 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.

Delay/Closing Plan

In an effort to maximize in person instruction for our students, we will have traditional snow days this year. This means students will not have school, nor will they have to learn remotely. The days will be made up according to our calendar. 

If we have a particularly bad winter with more than a few snow days, it is possible that we will  move to remote learning. In that case, we will distribute devices and/or learning materials to students. More details will be shared if we get to the point where we have to implement a flexible instructional day.

If we have to delay, all BASD schools will operate on our two hour delay schedule.

Delay/Closing Communication

If a school delay or closing is necessary, families can get the information from a variety of sources.  

• Our school district website –  www.basdk12.org 

• Facebook – www.facebook.com/butlerareasd 

• Twitter – www.twitter.com/butler_area_sd 

• Instagram – www.instagram.com/butlerareasd 

• KDKA TV and www.kdka.com

• WPXI TV and www.wpxi.com 

• WTAE TV and www.thepittsburghchannel.com 

• An automated phone call, text message and email

We recommend that families use our website (www.basdk12.org) as their primary source of information. This is the first place the information is posted. Our website (www.basdk12.org) gives us the flexibility and space to share all necessary information. 

Please do not rely solely on the media (KDKA, WTAE, WPXI). There have been occasions beyond our control where we have not been able to report accurate or timely delay/closing information via media. We will not be able to include detailed instructions via these sources. Thus, they should only be used as a secondary source.

Update Your Contact Information

We also recommend that you take a moment to make sure your contact information is up-to-date and your communication preferences are set in the Tyler Parent Portal. We will contact parents/guardians via phone, text and email. 

Please remember changes may not take effect immediately, so be sure to update your information as soon as possible. 

Thank you for your patience this winter!

Sincerely,  

Brian J. White, Jr., Ed.D.
Superintendent
Butler Area School District

The Senior High School donated a record breaking 16 Thanksgiving dinners to families in need. In addition to a turkey, families received everything they need to make all the traditional Thanksgiving side dishes and desserts.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible, including our school police officers who delivered some of the meals to families.

Despite the age gap, the teachers noted how well the students were collaborating as the classrooms had a notable hum of productivity. 

The winter concerts are just around the corner. Don't miss an opportunity to hear our talented students perform!

December 6
7th and 8th grade bands and the Tornado Big Band Holiday Show at 7 pm at the IHS Auditorium

December 8
Orchestra Winter Concert at 7 pm at the IHS Auditorium

December 10
Winter Wonderland Extravaganza featuring The Tornado Varsity Voices at the IHS Auditorium

The Winter Wonderland Extravaganza is from 2-4pm on Saturday, December 10. From 2-3pm guests can walk through the hallway of lights and decorations, then enter the "Reindeer Games" area with activities and games for kids of all ages. From 3-4, we'll have the concert featuring the 6th grade chorus and the Tornado Varsity Voices. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated!

December 14
SHS Winter Chorus Concert at 7:30 pm at the IHS Auditorium

December 14
IHS Winter Chorus Concert at 6:00 pm at the IHS Auditorium

December 15
6th Grade Chorus @ 6:30 pm at the IHS Auditorium

Each year during American Education Week, senior class officers begin the process of selecting a graduate from Butler High School to receive the Distinguished Graduate Award.

Do you know a past graduate who has achieved something outstanding in their chosen profession or has made contributions to the community, state, or nation? You may obtain a nomination form from the Senior High website (under Quick Links) or at any school office. Click to complete the form.

The deadline to submit your nomination for this distinguished award is April 1, 2023. The recipient is announced each year at commencement.

Did you know you can check out our fish at any time? Check out the live stream to see what's going on in our Senior High catfish tank, McQuistion trout tank and McQuistion catfish tank.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5cxpLatASRgPvQ70Jzv1sw

Butler Area School District students and staff have been working hard to display positive behavior in school and their efforts show!

This year, many of our schools have been recognized for implementing School-Wide (SW PBIS) or Program-Wide (PW PBIS) Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports with fidelity at the Tier 1, 2 and/or 3 level during the 2021-2022 school year. 

“Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports is an evidence-based, cost-effective, systems approach for establishing the social culture needed for schools to be effective learning environments for all students. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports eliminates barriers to learning, creates and maintains a safe and effective learning environment in schools, and ensures that all students have the social and emotional skills needed to succeed in school and beyond. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports helps schools teach students expected behaviors and social skills, creates student behavioral health and academic support systems, and applies data-based decision-making to discipline, academics, and social/emotional learning. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports uses the three-tiered approach of universal interventions (for all students and settings), secondary interventions (for students who are at-risk), and tertiary interventions (for individual students needing specialized assistance).” (papbs.org) 

• Center Avenue Community School successfully implemented SW PBIS with fidelity at Tiers 1, 2 & 3.
• Center Township Elementary School successfully implemented SW PBIS with fidelity at Tiers 1 & 2. 
• Summit Elementary School successfully implemented SW PBIS with fidelity at Tiers 1 & 2. 
• Connoquenessing Elementary School successfully implemented SW PBIS with fidelity at Tier 1. 
• Emily Brittain Elementary School successfully implemented SW PBIS with fidelity at Tier 1. 
• McQuistion Elementary School successfully implemented SW PBIS with fidelity at Tier 1.
• Northwest Elementary School successfully implemented SW PBIS with fidelity at Tier 1. 
• Intermediate High School successfully implemented SW PBIS with fidelity at Tier 1. 
• Senior High School successfully implemented SW PBIS with fidelity at Tier 1. 

Congratulations to our students and staff! Great work!

The National Honor Society has started the Peer Tutoring program! The NHS members will meet with students through Google Meet. If students need help while doing homework or studying for a test.

Click to sign up for Peer Tutoring

Juniors Nicanor “Jun Jun” Andrada, Jr. and Meghan Reay were crowned the 2022 Tornado Prince and Princess at Butler High School’s homecoming on Friday, September 30.

Other members of Butler’s homecoming court included Zeta Achezinski, Ava Brewster, Grace Nichols, Sarah Szebalskie, Riley Chapla, Noah Collins, Coleton Welter and Legend Wilkinson-Icenhower.

Congratulations to all of these students!

Dear BASD Families, 

We are very fortunate to have the support of The Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, Inc. in our school community. The Foundation directly gives back to our Butler Area School District students and schools through their programs. 

Did you know they awarded more than $122,000 in scholarships to BASD students in 2022? In addition to awarding eighteen $2,000 scholarships, the Foundation facilitates more than 40 scholarships backed by private donors. 

In addition to supporting scholarships, the Foundation awards up to $30,000 for educational Creative Teaching Grants each year. These grants support creative and innovative projects that promote excellence in teaching and learning in BASD classrooms. 

The Foundation has been instrumental in creating the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Room at the Senior High School. Students in multiple classes utilize the room’s innovative technology such as laser engravers and a 3D printer. The hope is to expand the program and establish a similar room at the Intermediate High School.

Not only is the Foundation supporting educational initiatives across the district, they are also committed to fighting hunger by supplying weekend food for students in need. Each student who participates in the program discreetly receives a plastic bag every Friday that is packed with child-friendly, single-serving snacks and easily prepared meals in their backpack. 

All of this and more is made possible through the generous support of our incredible community. You can support the Foundation through a monetary donation, volunteerism and attending their events, such as the upcoming Tuff Tornado Run. 

Show your support while having a blast at the Tuff Tornado Run!

The Tuff Tornado Run is a fun family friendly event that will take place this Saturday, October 1 from 1-4 pm at Alameda Park. All levels of runners, walkers and teams are welcome to participate. Come join us for an afternoon of fun and fitness while supporting the Foundation’s causes – and prepare to get dirty as you make your way towards the finish line to the mud pit. There will be food trucks, a DJ and plenty of fun activities.

It’s not too late to register! Visit the Foundation’s website for more information and the link to register.

Thank you for your support of our students and schools!

Sincerely,

Brian J. White, Jr., Ed.D.
Superintendent
Butler Area School District

Jack and Jane Arthurs generously left a gift of $100,000 to The Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, Inc. Their gift will be used to further the mission of the Foundation, including supporting need based scholarships for students. 

Jack and Jane Arthurs were incredibly involved in the community throughout their lives. They were both especially passionate about helping children. Although Mrs. Arthurs passed away in 2015 and Mr. Arthurs passed in 2020, their legacy continues today. 

“My aunt and uncle never went to college. They really wanted to make sure that kids in need received help to go to college or a trade school,” said Pat Green, Mr. & Mrs. Arthurs’ niece. “They were passionate about being able to provide an educational opportunity for children who may not otherwise be able to afford it.”

“The Arthurs generously made five major gifts, including the gift to The Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, Inc.. Helping and supporting children was the common theme,” said Mr. Dick Musko, who was a close friend of the couple for 45 years and currently serves as a board member for The Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, Inc.

“Their goal was that whatever they had left would be used to support different charities,” said Mrs. Green. “Anything to do with kids was important to them.”

“We are incredibly grateful that Jack and Jane Arthurs felt compelled to support our Butler Area School District students and schools,” said Dr. Brian White, Superintendent of the Butler Area School District. “The Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, Inc. is able to do incredible work throughout our school community thanks to the support of generous donors, such as Jack and Jane Arthurs, as well as the work of many dedicated volunteers.”

In addition to their desire to support education, the Arthurs were supporters of St. Jude's and The Shriners Children's Hospital in Erie, PA.

Mr. Arthurs proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy, and was later a representative of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. In addition, he served on many local charities and organizations, and was previously on the board at Slippery Rock University. 

Mrs. Arthurs was also involved in the community as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a board member of the Music and Arts Festival, and a member and historian for the Carlisle Newcomer’s Club. 

“Their gift to The Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, Inc. will have a major impact. It will make a difference.” said Mr. Musko. “I hope their generosity will inspire others to do something similar.” 

The Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, Inc. is an independent nonprofit organization that promotes excellence in the Butler Area School District through programs like Creative Teaching Grants, The Kids' Weekend Backpack Program, funding scholarships for graduates, and by raising the profile of public education in the Butler community. This gift will be used to further support the Foundation’s mission.
 

Congratulations to the 2022 Butler Senior High School Homecoming Court!

Pictured front row, left to right:
Grace Nichols, Meghan Reay, Sarah Szebalskie, Zeta Achezinski and Ava Brewster

Pictured back row, left to right:
Riley Chapla, Noah Collins, Coleton Welter, Nicanor "Jun Jun" Andrada and Legend Wilkinson.

The Butler High School homecoming princess and prince will be crowned before the football game on September 30 at 7:00 p.m.

The homecoming court is, front row, left to right, Grace Nichols, Meghan Reay, Sarah Szebalskie, Zeta Achezinski and Ava Brewster; back row, left to right, Riley Chapla, Noah Collins, Coleton Welter, Nicanor "Jun Jun" Andrada and Legend Wilkinson.

The homecoming dance will be from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on October 1 at the high school.  

Dear BASD Families: 

I hope the school year is off to a good start for you and your family. I am grateful for everyone’s efforts and patience as we begin the new school year. As we start the new school year I wanted to share some information and updates with you.

Attendance

One of our goals for the school year is to improve student attendance. Unfortunately, with everything that has occurred over the past few years, student attendance decreased. Many students had legitimate reasons to be absent. However, in some cases, attendance at school became casual.

Students may not believe it, but they thrive with consistent expectations and routines. I am asking you to make being present for school on a daily basis an expectation in your home.   Research consistently shows that students who miss 10% or more of a school year do not achieve their full potential.

To put that into perspective, if a student misses 2 days each month, they will exceed being absent 10% or more by the end of the school year. 

Let’s start off strong. I'd like to share a handout that provides even more information on the importance of attendance. Click to view the attendance handout.

If your child or your family needs additional attendance support, please contact your child’s counselor or principal.

Join Our Team

We are so fortunate to have an incredible faculty and staff at Butler Area School District. However, we are still short handed in a variety of employee and contracted position categories. If you are seeking employment – or know somebody who is – we have numerous opportunities available. We encourage you to apply!

Please call Valley Lines if you are interested in being a bus driver or a bus monitor at 724-287-0003. We are experiencing critical shortages in bus drivers that may impact our ability to operate in a normal manner. Please encourage folks to consider becoming a bus driver.

Please call Aramark at 724-214-3223 if you are interested in working in food service.

Please call 724-214-3108 if you are interested in working as a paraprofessional.

Please call ESS at 724-996-3247 if you are interested in working as a substitute teacher. A Bachelor’s degree (in any area) is required.

For more information, visit www.basdk12.org/employment

Free Breakfast for All Students

We have been informed that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will provide funding to schools that participate in the School Breakfast Program to provide free breakfast for all enrolled students for the 2022-2023 school year, beginning on October 1, 2022.

Therefore, Butler Area School District will provide free breakfast for all students in grades K-12. Please note this only applies to the breakfast meal. There will still be a cost for the lunch meal unless students are eligible for free/reduced meals or attend one of our CEP schools (Broad Street, Emily Brittain and McQuistion).

If you have any questions about the free breakfast program for the 2022-2023 school year, please contact Helen Walker at helen.walker@basdk12.org. 

I’m looking forward to a great school year and hope you are too!
 

Sincerely,

Brian J. White, Jr., Ed.D.
Superintendent
Butler Area School District 

Spirit Week is Monday, September 26 through Friday, September 30. 

Monday 9/26 - Monochrome Monday
Wear all one color of your choosing.

Welcome to our new website! Here is a quick guide to finding some of the most frequently visited pages.

The link to our main page is still www.basdk12.org.

Schools

The drop down to select another school is in the top right corner.

• Click here to visit www.basdk12.org.
• Click "Schools" in the top right corner OR in the main navigation bar. Both are circled in yellow on the screen shot below.
• Select your child's school.

Calendars

When we conducted our communication audit, upcoming events was the most requested thing our community looks for on the website. In addition to our interactive events calendar, we also have the one page calendar overview, the elementary day 1-5 calendar and an athletics calendar.

• Click here to visit www.basdk12.org.
• Click on "Calendar" at the top right of the page. This is circled in yellow on the screen shot below.
• Select which calendar you would like to view.

The Icon Menu

Some of our most frequently visited pages are lined in the icon menu. This includes the directory, Tyler, lunch menus, school & community flyers and new student registration.

• Click here to visit www.basdk12.org.
• Click on the icon below the image that represents where you'd like to go.

Directory -- This is where you can search for a staff member's email address by their name. Please note, we're making adjustments to our directory that should be live soon.

Tyler -- This is our Student Information System and your link to your child's schedule, grades, attendance and more.

Menus -- This links to our lunch menus.

Flyers -- This page includes school and community flyers. You'll find information about upcoming events, registration for community athletics, community resources and more. This page is updated often.

Registration -- This is a link for new student registration. Kindergarten registration information will be linked here when it's time for new students to enroll in kindergarten.

Employment

We're hiring! Visit our Employment page for our current job opportunities.

• Click here to visit www.basdk12.org.
• Click on "Employment" in the main menu bar.

Please use this form if you require district transportation for your specific session of Vo-Tech from Thursday, August 25th through Wednesday September 7th.  DEADLINE TO REGISTER is Friday, August 19th at 3pm.  On the form you will fill out your name, grade, and contact information along with your scheduled session. If your need for transportation is only for some of these days, please email transportation@basdk12.org with the details of your request.

Please also remember that Vo-Tech begins on Thursday, August 25th.  Transportation will be available, but if you are driving to Vo-Tech you may park in the Lower Lot.  Lower Lot parking for Vo-Tech students will be available from Thursday, August 25th through Friday, September 2nd.  On Tuesday, September 6th parking will only be available for those students that purchased a parking pass. 

Dear Center Township Families,

It is with great excitement that I write this letter to introduce myself as the new Assistant Principal at Center Township Elementary. I am very humbled and honored to have the opportunity to join your school family in this role! 

I have been dedicated to the field of education for more than 15 years in the Butler School District. During this time I have worked with students ranging in age from kindergarten to twelfth grade with the majority of my time in the elementary setting. I hold a degree in Elementary and Special Education as well as a Master’s in Reading, Reading Specialist Certification, and Principal Certification. I had the honor of being a classroom teacher at Oakland Township Elementary and Center Township Elementary. In addition to being a classroom teacher, I also had the opportunity to serve both teachers and students as an Instructional Literacy Coach in the district. I live in Butler with my husband and our two children. We are proud to call the Center Township community our home! 

I view education and learning as a life-long process and look forward to continuing to learn more about the students and families in our school community. I believe that our students are the very reason we each walk through the doors every day and are the center of every school-related decision. I am excited and eager to unite my experiences and skills as an educational leader, my openness to learn, and my child-centered approach to education with the Center Township village. I look forward to building a partnership in education with you, Mrs. Cherry, the staff, and community to ensure your child’s love of learning, growth, and success.

Please know that my door is always open to you. I sincerely welcome your conversation and input during this year. They say it takes a village to raise a child – and I’m so honored to be a part of that at Center Township Elementary.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Tanya Lewis
tanya.lewis@basdk12.org

We encourage all families to apply for free/reduced meal status, as your student(s) will be eligible for other school and community benefits based on their status. Several school programs are available at a free or reduced rate based on your family’s meal status. This includes AP tests, athletic programs and summer school, just to name a few. In addition, the P-EBT card is based on your family’s free/reduced meal status.

Join Butler Area School District's food service team!

Now Hiring:

• Food service workers
• Food service worker leads
• Food service manager

Apply through Aramark, BASD's Food Service Provider. Click to apply. Search for zip code 16001 to find Butler Area School District's job openings.