Byam Newsletter
September 12, 2025
Principal and Assistant Principal Message
Important Dates
- September 16- Open House Curriculum Night
- September 17- Early Release Day
- September 22- Back to School Social/Book Fair
- September 22-24- Scholastic Book Fair
Back to School Curriculum Night
We are excited to host families for our Open House Curriculum night on Tuesday, September 16th. The schedule for the evening below. We also encourage families to use the Lockheed Martin parking lot at 16 Maple Rd. so that we can accommodate all the vehicles on this busy evening.
- 5 – 5:25 pm: Principal/Assistant Principal Presentation for kindergarten 1st and 2nd grade families in Byam Dining Room
- 5:30 – 6:15pm: kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade teacher Presentations
- 6:15 – 7:00 pm: Specialists/ Reading/ support providers available in classrooms/offices
- 7 – 7:25pm: Principal/ Assistant Principal Presentation for 3rd and 4th grade Families in Dining Room (same as the principal/ap first presentation )
- 7:30 – 8:15pm: Grades 3 and 4 Teacher Presentations
Early Release Day September 17, 2025
Early Release Lunch Ordering
Directions to set up your account and order:
- URL Link: family.onlineordering.linq.com
- Sign up now: Email, create password.
- School District: Chelmsford Public Schools
- Student ID: This can be found on x2- Child’s student ID number
- Last Name: (You can also search and add siblings/family members at this time). Once this is completed, student’s name should appear on page.
How to order meals
- School Menu-select online lunch ordering (all schools)
- Scroll to week of half day/early release date (top right of page)
- Find date, select meal option
- Add item to cart/Select Add to order
- Click on shopping cart icon at top right of page
- Click Check out
- Select pick up location: Elementary pick-up location classroom. Middle/high school pick up location cafeteria.
- Place order
Hold in Place Drill
This week we had our first hold in place drill. During this drill we keep hallways clear, but teaching and learning can continue in the classrooms. We would utilize this procedure if we needed provide medical attention or other issue where we would need to provide privacy in a common area.
Welcome to another year of creativity and Art!
To start of this school year with a celebration of Art, please WEAR POLKA DOTS on Monday, September 15th: Dot Day! You do not have to purchase anything new to participate! Just take a look in the closet and see if there is anything with dots or circles, be creative!
Baseline Benchmark Assessments
Over the next several weeks we will be conducting our baseline assessments. These include iReady (reading and math), DIBELS (K-3), Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System and district writing prompts. These assessments give us important starting point data to understand where are students are at and set goals for the year. These assessments are given throughout the year so that we can monitor progress and adjust plans to foster continued growth.
Digital Use Sign Off
If you have not yet electronically signed the student digital use form, please use the link to do so. This form also has a portion for you to indicate if you give permission for your child's photos to be used in school communications, newsletters, media, etc.
Message from the Nurse's Office
Reminder for Third Grade Students:
Massachusetts state law and Chelmsford Public School District policy requires all 3rd grade students have a current physical on file. A current physical is one dated 8/26/24 or later. If you currently have a third grade student, please send a copy to me either by e-mail, fax or hard copy dropped off/mailed/sent to school with your student.
Curriculum Night:
I will be available in my office on Curriculum Night, Tuesday September 16, from 6-7pm. Please feel free to stop by my office!
Emma R. Pappo, BSN, RN
Vestibule Security Checkpoint
Our new vestibule is now functioning with a few minor touches left to update. All visitors are required to enter through the new vestibule door at the front of the school. Please bring your driver's license when coming in.
If you are coming into the school, you will need to enter your driver's license into the new Checkpoint System and a visitor badge will print out. When leaving the school please go back through the vestibule and using the QR code on your badge, please check out using the new System.
This new Checkpoint System in the vestibule also allows you to record student tardies and dismissals.
School Nutrition
Free school lunches are provided on half days! You must sign your student up a week in advance to order the meal. Please visit the link below to set up your students account and order half day lunches. The next elementary early release day is September 17th.
Reminder Byam School Library Handbook
Would you like to volunteer in the Byam School Library?
I enthusiastically welcome volunteers in the Library to help check books in and out, assist with shelving, and other easy-to-learn tasks. You may come during your child’s library class or during a different class - whichever works best for your schedule. Some volunteers come weekly, some monthly, and some come once or twice a year. Please email me at driscollb@chelmsford.k12.ma.us and I will share our volunteer calendar with you, so you can select dates. Please note that some classes will have more opportunities to come in than others, depending on how many volunteers sign up. I look forward to hearing from you!
Betsey Driscoll, Byam School Librarian
Weekly Announcements
We're Hiring
Volunteering
If you are interested in volunteering in our school (should an opportunity present itself) please be sure to contact Mrs. Murphy in our school office to make an appointment to fill out a CORI form. All volunteers must have a CORI on file to volunteer.
BSA Back to School Information
SAVE THE DATES:
09/22 Back to School Social 5:30-7pm
10/07 School Picture Day
10/19 Boo Bash 1-4pm
10/23 Farmhouse Photography Fundraiser
BSA MEETINGS THIS SCHOOL YEAR
Mark your Calendars for this school year’s BSA meetings! The second meeting of the year will be a hybrid meeting on Wednesday October 8th @ 7pm. Join us in the Byam Library or stream online!
Back to School Social
Join us on September 22nd from 5:30-7pm for Byam’s Back To School Social!
This is a FREE event, to bring our Byam families together as we celebrate finishing up the first month of school! However, we will have pizza and water for sale. Families are more than welcome to bring their own blanket and picnic dinner as well!
There will also be an ice cream truck to purchase delicious treats from, spirit wear for purchase and the Scholastic Book Fair will be open.
📆 Monday September 22nd, 2025
⏰5:30-7:30pm
📍Byam Playground
Byam's Fall Scholastic Book Fair
When: 9/22 - 5:30-7PM (evening of the Back to School Social!)
9/23 & 24 - 4-5:30PM
Where: The front sidewalk at Byam!
Flyers coming home with students soon!
Please consider signing up for 1 (OR MORE, if you can spare it) spots to help make this scholastic book fair a huge success!
Use this link to volunteer: https://signup.com/go/yYjqPnd
Contact Ellen Marcsisn (BSA Scholastic Book chairperson/parent volunteer) at ejswain@gmail.com with any questions!
***Financial concerns should never stand in the way of families participating in school events. If you are interested in this or any Byam activities please contact Lyndsey Tuccelli, our school counselor: oneill@chelmsford.k12.ma.us***
Please consider signing up for 1 (OR MORE, if you can spare it) spots to help make this scholastic book fair a huge success!
Use this link to volunteer: https://signup.com/go/yYjqPnd
Contact Ellen Marcsisn (BSA Scholastic Book chairperson/parent volunteer) at ejswain@gmail.com with any questions!
BOO BASH
More spooky information coming soon! Eek!
Register for a quick 2-3 minute outdoor portrait sitting with Farmhouse Photography during our QuickClick Fundraising Event on Thursday October 23rd after the half day of school.
A limited quantity of abbreviated Portrait Sittings are available EXCLUSIVELY for Byam Families at a highly discounted rate. Your entire sitting fee will be donated directly back to The Byam School Association.
The goal of a Farmhouse QuickClick is to capture ONE amazing portrait. Your professionally edited images will be available for Proof + Purchase for $25 each via an online gallery after the event. Purchase only the images you love. Absolutely no commitment; no pressure.
BUY ONLY THE PORTRAITS YOU LOVE. NO COMMITMENT. NO PRESSURE.
Sign up here: https://farmhouse.as.me/schedule/e407f4e6/appointment/17860339/calendar/4640602?appointmentTypeIds[]=17860339
📆 Thursday October 23rd, 2025
⏰1-4pm
📍The front lawn at Byam
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!
Chelmsford Community Education Fall Listings and Registration
Below you will find the Chelmsford Community Education fall course book where there are activities for young children and teens of many ages.
Follow Principal Fredette and AP Dolan On Byam Instagram! Account names are @byamprincipal and @byam_ap
Byam School
Office: Secretary Quinn quinncm@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Clerk/Attendance: murphys@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Principal Fredette fredettej@chelmsford.k12.ma.usAssistant Principal Dolan dolane@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://byam.chelmsfordschools.org/about/
Location: 25 Maple Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-251-5144