Virginia Scala, Principal
98 Decker Road, Butler, NJ 07405
(973) 492-2037
Dear Families,
In the wake of the recent tragedies at Butler High School, I would like to reach out to our school community and let you know how we reach the social and emotional needs of our students on a daily basis at Aaron Decker School.

Social Skills groups are done 5 days per week, throughout the year, at all grade levels by Mrs. Patricia Buntzen, School
Counselor
 Prevention of bullying, school violence, and other emergencies through daily curriculum, programs, and assemblies.
Boosterthon was done for 10 days this Fall and each day Character Education lessons were provided to all students.
The Week of Respect, Violence and Vandalism Awareness Week, and Red Ribbon Week are also mandated weeks to focus on Social Emotional learning and prevention.

Parent information disseminated at Back to School night and on school website through counseling office and the health office.
 Grades 3 and 4 Social Skills and Social Emotional skills for all classes 1 time per week throughout the school year.
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The 2015-16 Theme is Teamwork, Practice, and Confidence. Action Socialization lessons are used to help students understand their roles in community and peer relationships. Health class for grade 4 also includes physical changes as well as making positive lifestyle choices.
 Making counselors and other school personnel available in times of tragic events

Staff training on suicide prevention, child abuse, and resources in the community
 Social Emotional learning programs for students and staff
 Mental Health First Aid Programs and Traumatic Incident Intervention trainings for staff through Robert Woods
Johnson Grant and United Way.

Positive Coping Skills classes for Grades K-4 through United Way and New Bridge.
In addition, this year Aaron Decker School is fortunate to be a part of the United Way School Culture and Climate Initiative.
This initiative provides us with means to improve students’ social/emotional skills, provide positive coping skills classes, and also provide individual and group counseling, through New Bridge Services, for students in need. This is a 3 year initiative and many more details will follow and be posted on our website. If your child is in need of social/emotional support we can address these needs here at ADS. It is important that he/she is able to develop skills to prevent negative behaviors in the future.
All of the above is ongoing and takes place daily alongside traditional Common Core Curriculum. If at any time, you feel your child is in need of assistance academically, socially, or emotionally, please do not hesitate to reach out to our staff for any of your concerns.
Important Contact Information:
Virginia Scala, Principal: vscala@butlerboe.org
, 973-492-2037, EXT: 200
Patricia Buntzen, School Counselor: pbuntzen@butlerboe.org
973-492-2037, EXT: 205
Robin Lavorato, Student Assistance Counselor: rlavorato@butlerboe.org
, 973-492-2000 EXT. 246
Jackie McLane, School Psychologist: jmcclane@butlerboe.org
, 973-492-3037 EXT: 239
Sincerely,
Virginia Scala
Principal