Byam Family Newsletter

May 12th- Incoming Kindergarten Orientation
May 13th and 14th - Grade 4 Math MCAS
May 13th BSA meeting
May 19th-21st- Kindergarten Screening
May 20- School Council
May 27 Byam Art Night
June 4 - Field Day
June 8 - 4th Grade visit to Parker MS
June 8 - Field Day rain date
June 15 - Last Day of School Early Release Day

Congrats to our 3rd grade students who completed Math MCAS this week. We are very proud of all the hard work and perseverance they demonstrated.

Next week Math MCAS Dates

Next week 4th grade has their own MATH MCAS. Grade 4 assessments will be next Wednesday May 13th and Thursday May 14th. Make up sessions happen on the days students return to school after a missed session.

The Byam Field Day will be on Thursday, June 4 with a rain date of June 5. This event is always a favorite favorite and we rely on many volunteers to run stations. Ms. Feltus emailed out a link next week for volunteer sign ups. If you are volunteering please be sure you have an update CORI form with us. If you need to have a CORI form run, please visit the Byam office with your identification card to fill out the form.

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.

We wouldn't be able to provide all of these wonderful enrichments without your support and volunteer help for the BSA. Thank you!

Coming Soon for Grade 3! Field trip to Minuteman National Park.

Byam Art Night is Wednesday, May 27th, 5:00-7:00pm!

Suggested time slots are K-2 5:00-6:00pm, and 3rd-4th 6:00-7:00pm, but please stop by anytime that works for your family. Every single child will have artwork displayed!

View K-4 Artwork in the halls!
Glow Galaxy in the Art room!
Complete an Art Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win a prize!
Check out the Scholastic Book Fair and Pizza outside!
Additional parking will be available across the street at Lockheed Martin!

🎨

AMY BROWN

👟 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.

Allergies:

Spring seasonal allergy season is most definitely here. With the trees and flowers blooming comes pollen and unfortunately, seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies occur when the immune system reacts to airborne particles of pollen from trees, grasses and weeds.

Common allergy symptoms include frequent sneezing, nasal congestion or runny nose, red, watery and itchy eyes and fatigue.

Tips for managing Seasonal Allergies:

-Take allergy medications, as directed by your primary care provider. Over the counter antihistamines, decongestants, eye drops and nasal sprays can provide relief from allergy symptoms.

-Monitor pollen counts. When possible, limit outdoor activities during peak pollen times.

-Keep windows closed to prevent pollen from entering your home.

-Consider using air purifiers with HEPA filters to reduce airborne allergens.

-Wash your hands and face after spending time outdoors to remove pollen allergens. Showering before bedtime can also prevent pollen from transferring to bedding.

Reminder for Third Grade Physicals:

Per Massachusetts state law and Chelmsford Public School District policy - all 3rd grade students must have a current physical on file in the health office. If your student is a rising or current 3rd grade student, please send in a copy of their most recent physical, dated from 9/1/202, to Nurse Pappo. Thank you for your cooperation.

Emma R. Pappo, BSN, RN
Byam School Nurse

CPS Nutrition Website

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

SAVE THE DATES:

05/13 BSA monthly meeting and ELECTIONS

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BSA MEETINGS THIS SCHOOL YEAR

The next meeting will be on May 13th at 7pm! All are welcome! Elections will be taking place at this meeting for next school year. This meeting is HYBRID.

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...

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