Byam Family Newsletter

April 7 - Early Release Day
April 8 and 9 - Grade 3 ELA MCAS
April 8- BSA Meeting (virtual)
April 14 and 15 - Grade 4 ELA MCAS
April 20-25 No School - April Break

On Tuesday, April 7 we will have an early dismissal at 11:45 for professional development. We will open the side gate at approximately 11:30 to stage pick up vehicles. If your child is going home in a different manner than their typical Tuesday, please inform the school.

Over the next two weeks, our 3rd and 4th graders will be taking the MCAS test for English Language Arts. The testing days can be seen below. We will be meeting with students to send the message that, while MCAS is important for our staff to learn about our teaching, it isn’t tied to student grades or graduation to the next year. We find it important to limit stress when striking this balance. To assist on test days, please make sure your child is well rested and that they have eaten a solid breakfast. Make sure your child is wearing comfortable clothing and is free from any items that could be distracting. While we don’t allow cell phones at the elementary level, many students have watches that can connect to the internet and take photos. We ask that these devices stay home on test days. It is extremely important that students are present and on time. The testing sessions begin early in the school day and we want to make sure everyone is settled in before starting the test. Thank you as always, for your continued support and partnership

Below are dates for Grade 3 and Grade 4 ELA and MATH MCAS Assessments

ELA MCAS Grade 3 - Wednesday April 8th and Thurs April 9th

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

..

👟 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

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

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 April 8th 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