Byam Family Summer Newsletter #2

August 2023

Message from Principal and Assistant Principal

First Day of School

Please find the CPS academic calendar below. The first day of school for grade 1-4 is August 29. Kindergarteners will have an orientation on that day (specific time was in your placement letter) and the first full day of kindergarten in August 30.

Bus and Car Drop off Video

Pick Up Numbers

Each student is assigned a pick up number as a part of our dismissal system. Our main office will be open Tuesday-Friday this week and Monday, 8/28 from 9:00-2:00 for families to pick up numbers to display in your car and on backpacks for the first day of school. For any questions please contact our Byam clerk Stella Murphy at murphys@chelmsford.k12.ma.us or 978-251-5144.

Food Services Information

This year Massachusetts is offering all school lunch and breakfast at no charge to students. This does not automatically make families eligible for any other benefits. We strongly encourage families that feel they are eligible for transportation or extended day reduced tuition to fill out the online free and reduced meal application. The links can be found below. https://cpsnutrition.com/index.php?sid=1478035692058&page=lunchapps

Please visit our school nutrition home page website at https://cpsnutrition.com/index.php?sid=1478035692058 for more information about our program and also a link to the free and reduced lunch application.

If you do qualify for benefits you most likely will be eligible for SNAP benefits. https://www.mass.gov/snap-benefits-formerly-food-stamps

Some examples of SNAP benefits are discounts on gas, electric utilities and internet services.

*Please keep an eye out for a connect-ed message email from the food services department with a link for ordering breakfast.

School Supplies

Once again, the Chelmsford Public Schools will be purchasing school supplies for students. These supplies include the traditional items families would buy in the past (crayons, pencil boxes, glue sticks, binders, etc.). Students will still require a backpack but our hope is that providing these supplies will assist families as we begin the school year.

Kindergarten Play Dates

This month we will be offering kindergarten playdates. These play dates are a casual way for you and your child to meet other students and families from their class on the Byam playground. Please see the remaining scheduled dates and times for each classroom below:

Mrs. Aufiero room 1- August 22 at 10:00 am
Mrs. Carey room 4- August 22 at 11:30 am
Mrs. Sexauer room 5- August 22 at 1:00 pm

Building Tours

We will be offering grade level building tours as we draw closer to the first day of school. These tours are for families new to Byam or any students who'd like to visit the school. If you are unable to make the grade grade specific date, please feel free to join any of the tours that are more convenient. Below are the remaining dates and times:

Kindergarten- August 24 at 10:00 am

Bus Transportation

Our bus registration is continuing this month and all students who will ride the bus are required to register. These registrations assist us in making the most efficient and safe bus routes.

Please visit the transportation website at https://chelmsfordschools.org/departments/transportation/ for more information on how to register for the bus.

If you haven't registered for school bus transportation, and will be taking the bus at some point during the school year, pleasae register for school bus transportation at the link above in advance.

Byam Transportation Form

Please fill out this transportation form for your child(ren). If you have multiple children please fill it out for each child. Having this completed prior to the start of school assists us in having an accurate and efficient dismissal. Thank you in advance.

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Medication Drop Off

Nurse Regan will be holding medication drop-offs on Tuesday, August 22 from 10:00-2:00, Monday, August 28 from 1:00-3:00 and Tuesday, August 29 from 8:00-4:00. Please visit the health page for additional information and medication forms at https://chelmsfordschools.org/departments/health-services/health-forms/

BSA Back to School Social Thursday August 31st

Can you believe the start of school is right around the corner!?!? Join us on Thursday August 31 from 5:30-7:30pm on the Byam Playground for some fun! The event is free! Pizza, water, and ice cream truck available for purchase, or bring your own picnic dinner!

**Note: parking across the street at Lockheed Martin, bathrooms will not be open**

Mark Your Calendar- Open House Curriculum Night

Byam's Open House Curriculum Night will be on Wednesday, September 20. You will receive more information shortly but please be sure to note the grade level times on the district open house schedule below.

We welcome more building substitutes!

We have a number of Byam School community members we are an integral part of our Byam School work day community as Byam substitutes. We are always lookin 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 Anne Dosin at dossina@chelmsford.k12.ma.us or phone 978-251-5144.

New BSA News and Events!

Join us for our first BSA Meeting of the year! Both streaming virtually and in person in the Byam Library 9/13 at 7pm

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! BSA Help Needed

Save the date:

8/31 5:30-7:30pm Back to School Social

10/19 Farmhouse Photography QuickClick

10/21 3-6pm Boo Bash

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

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