Byam Family Newsletter

April 14 and 15 - Grade 4 ELA MCAS
April 20-24 No School - April Break
May 2nd Byam Walkathon
May 13 BSA meeting

Congratulations to our third grade students for their effort and focus during this week’s ELA MCAS sessions—we are proud of how they approached the assessment!

4th grade students will be taking ELA MCAS next week. At school, we frame these assessments as one way for educators to reflect on teaching and learning. Mr. Fredette and Mrs. Tucelli will be visiting fourth grade classrooms similar to their third grade classroom visits, to remind students that MCAS is not tied to report cards or moving on to the next grade, helping in addition to their classroom teachers, to create a calm and supportive testing experience.

To help your child feel ready, we recommend a good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, and comfortable clothing on testing days. Please also ensure that any devices such as smartwatches that can access the internet or take photos stay home. Being on time is especially important, as sessions begin early and we want all students settled and ready to start together.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership.

Remaining MCAS Dates

ELA MCAS Grade 4 - Tuesday April 14th and Wednesday April 15th

MATH MCAS Grade 3 - Wednesday May 6th and Thursday May 7th

MATH MCAS Grade 4 - Wednesday May 13th and Thursday May 14th

Makeup Sessions ELA - Thursday April 16th and Friday April 17th

Makeup Sessions MATH - Monday May 18th and Tuesday May 19th

..

Our placement process for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year is beginning and will take place over several weeks. This process is truly a team effort that involves input from school personnel and student data gathered over time. We put great care into the decisions that are made. All information is reviewed by the present grade level teachers, reading specialists, special education teachers, guidance counselor, principal and other appropriate personnel so that we can be confident that classroom make ups are conducive to learning.

When creating classrooms, it is important that we are mindful of the needs of our students across grade levels. Individual classes need to strike the delicate balance between overall range of abilities, learning styles, special needs, conduct and appropriate combinations of students. Final lists are reviewed very carefully to ensure we have used our collective professional judgment to place each child appropriately in a well-balanced class. Our goal at Byam is to provide a learning environment that meets the needs of the whole child and placement is a key factor in realizing this goal. Your input in the process is gladly accepted. If you feel that there is additional information of which we should be aware of in placing your child for next year, please inform me by email (with the title 2026 placement in the subject line), by Friday, May 8, 2026. Please keep in mind that we are unable to honor requests for individual teachers. Letters containing such requests will be returned to you.

Thank you for your involvement and continued partnership in your child's education at Byam.

By appointment only!

(Approximately 15 minute appointments)

Thursday, April 30, 2026

9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Chelmsford Public Schools Central Administration Office

230 North Road, Chelsmford, MA

Visit the Chelmsford Public Schools website. Click on the “Reserve your appointment here” link to enter parent/guardian contact information and preferred appointment time within a three-hour window.

You will then be contacted to confirm a date and time for your registration appointment. Registration packets may also be dropped off at the School Administration Office, 230 North Road, Chelmsford, MA: Monday – Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., if you are not able to attend these two dates.

In addition to the completed student registration packet, the required documentation to submit is listed on the CPS Student Registration page.

For additional information or questions on kindergarten registration, please contact Jane McDonald at mcdonaldj@chelmsford.k12.ma.us; or 978-251-5100, ext. 6901.

File attachments:
Kindergarten Registration.png

We are currently seeking applicants for an opening for our part time three hours per day Recess Lunch Aide position. Please pass along the below school spring link for anyone interested in applying:

https://www.schoolspring.com/jobdetail?jobId=5612236

👟 Proper Footwear 👟

We are seeing an increase in the number of students wearing crocs or sandals to school. While we understand this is a popular shoe choice, it does not always make for proper footwear for running and climbing at recess or participation in PE class. Children wearing crocs or sandals are more prone to accidents and injury while at recess and during physical activity. In addition, students wearing crocs are not able to actively participate in PE class. For safety purposes we ask that students wear sneakers for recess and PE.

Hello Byam families,

Illnesses:

Hopefully the nice spring weather will be here to stay soon, and we can see an end to cold and flu season. Currently we are still seeing quite a lot of cases of Strep Throat, Flu B and the stomach bug at Byam. Please keep students home when they are sick and follow the guidelines from the district's illness policy for returning to school. This helps keep our entire school community safe and healthy. As always, please reach out to me with any questions.

Illness Policy:

We recommend that children do not come to school if they appear to be ill. We advise you to keep your child home if he/she has a sore throat, severe cold, rash, fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Your child needs to stay home if he/she has any of the following:

Strep Throat: If strep throat is suspected and the child either has had a negative throat culture or has been on antibiotics and fever free for a full 24 hours.
A fever over 100: May return to school when he/she is fever free for 24 hours without medication (e.g. Tylenol or Advil).
Vomiting and/or diarrhea: May return to school 24 hours after his/her last vomiting and/or diarrhea episode.
Red or pink itchy eyes with crusty and or green/yellow drainage: May return to school the day after treatment for 24 hours or has no further eye discharge.
Head Lice or nits (eggs): The nurse will assess the student for the presence of head lice or nits. If head lice or nits are detected, the nurse will contact the parent/guardian and provide education on lice treatment. Based on the discretion of the school nurse, some situations may warrant a dismissal from school
A rash of unknown cause: May require to MD clearance at the discretion of the school nurse.

If a child is too ill to remain in school, the nurse will call parent/guardian and/or emergency contact numbers for dismissal. The student should not place the call from a school phone or mobile phone.

Parents/guardians are required to notify the school if your child contracts any contagious diseases (e.g. Chicken Pox, Strep Throat, Whooping Cough, Fifth’s Disease, Conjunctivitis, Scabies, Impetigo, Ringworm or Head Lice, etc.). If a child has been absent due to a communicable disease, a physician’s release may be required before returning to school.

Thank you!

Nurse Pappo

We are currently hiring for a part time recess lunch aide position. The school day opening is a three hour position during our lunch and recess blocks. Apply at the link below, the link will prompt you to create an account on school spring in order to apply.

https://www.schoolspring.com/jobdetail?jobId=5612236

CPS Nutrition Website

Please visit the CPS food nutrition link at: Nutritional Menus for the most up to date food menu.

SAVE THE DATES:

05/02 Walk-A-Thon 10-2pm

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Byam's 14th Annual Walkathon is approaching! Join us on May 2nd for a day of fun, exercise, and community as we come together to support our students.

This event embodies the spirit of Byam, with students demonstrating immense pride in their participation. It’s a chance for everyone to contribute to the success of our students and create lasting memories.

Funds raised will directly benefit enrichment programs, field trips, classroom supplies, teacher appreciation initiatives, and school community events – programs not funded by the school district.

Please find attached a flyer with registration and fundraising details. We can’t wait to see you there!

FLYER LINK: 2026 Walkathon.pdf

Friday 3/27 is the last day to register for the walk-a-thon to guarantee a shirt!

Registration link:

https://bsa.ptboard.com/formvw/store?store=6190

Give butter:

https://givebutter.com/2025-byam-walk-a-thon-copy-pcu2ls

BSA MEETINGS THIS SCHOOL YEAR

The next meeting will be on May 13th at 7pm! All are welcome!

WANT TO BE IN THE LOOP? WANT TO KNOW MORE ? JOIN OUR VIP LIST!

JOIN THE BSA "VIP" LIST

The BSA struggles with trying to keep you informed without flooding your inbox. We understand some don't have the bandwidth to know more, while others are looking to get more involved...but don't know where to start. If you are one of those people looking to know more please take a moment to fill out this form. This does not lock you into anything but helps us filter our "extra" communication more directly to people looking to be more involved with the BSA!

FOLLOW THE BSA ON INSTAGRAM

No-cost Registration for Byam Events:

*Financial concerns should never stand in the way of families participating in school events. If you are interested in any Byam activities please contact Lyndsey O’Neil, our school counselor, to register at no cost: oneill@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Want to get involved?

Here are some openings the BSA is currently seeking help on, reach out the bsa.chelmsford@gmail.com if you are interested in any of these positions!

We welcome more building substitutes!

We have a number of Byam School community members we are an integral part of our Byam School workday community as Byam substitutes. We are always looking for more substitutes to add to this great group! If you would like to learn more information about the flexibility of substituting at Byam School, email or call Carolyn Quinn at quinncm@chelmsford.k12.ma.us or phone 978-251-5144.

Stay Connected to the Byam School Association, Click on the Live links below for more...

Zoom • Email • Website • Facebook • Minutes • Donate • Volunteering