Byam Family Newsletter

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, a time to recognize and celebrate our amazing educators. We invite families to join us in showing appreciation in a way that feels meaningful—whether it’s a kind word, a small gesture, or simply taking a moment to say thank you. Our teachers make a difference every day, and we are so grateful for all they do!

May 2nd- Byam Walkathon
May 4th- Grade 1 Mass Audubon Enrichment
Week of May 4th-May 8th- Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6th and 7th - Grade 3 Math MCAS
May 12th- Incoming Kindergarten Orientation
May 13th and 14th - Grade 4 Math MCAS
May 13th BSA meeting
May 19th-21st- Kindergarten Screening
May 27 Byam Art Night

Our 3rd and 4th grade students did a wonderful job in April during the ELA MCAS testing. Next week will begin on Mathematics testing with 3rd grade and then the following week for 4th grade. Please see the schedule below.

MAY Math MCAS Dates

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

MATH MCAS Grade 4 - 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 will be emailing 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.

At this week's School Committee meeting, the tentative last day of school for students was confirmed as Monday June 15th, an early release day.

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.

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

The lost and found is full! We've had it in the hallway all week to keep visible for all students. We will be donating items next week.

👟 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.

Ticks & Lyme Disease: Information for Families

With the return of warm weather comes an increase in ticks and concerns about Lyme disease. While this can sound alarming, it’s important to know that not every tick bite leads to illness.

Only deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease, and they typically must be attached for 24–48 hours to spread the bacteria. Even in areas where Lyme disease is more common, the risk of infection after a tick bite remains low.

How to Remove a Tick
If you find a tick on your child:

Remove it as soon as possible using fine-tipped tweezers.
Grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward with steady, even pressure.
Clean the area with soap and water afterward.

Do not use home remedies like petroleum jelly, nail polish, alcohol, or a lit match to remove the tick. These methods are not effective and may increase the risk of infection.

It is okay if a small part of the tick remains in the skin, once these parts are separated from the tick's body, they can no longer transmit disease and the remnants will work their way out on their own.

Preventing Tick Bites
Ticks live in grassy, wooded, and brushy areas. To help protect your child:

Have them wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors in these areas.
Use insect repellent as directed.
Perform daily tick checks after outdoor play, paying close attention to behind the ears, scalp and hairline, under arms, behind knees inside the belly button and around the waist and groin. Don’t forget to check pets too!

Signs of Lyme Disease
Contact your child’s healthcare provider if you notice:

A circular, expanding rash that may look like a “bullseye”
Fever, fatigue, headache, or muscle and joint aches within a few weeks of a tick bite
Swelling of a joint

For more information visit https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/pdfs/FS_TickBite-508.pdf or contact your child’s healthcare provider.

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:

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

05/13 BSA monthly meeting and ELECTIONS

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We’re excited for our Walk-a-Thon this Saturday from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM! Shirts will be sent home with your children this week for those who have already registered.

If you haven’t registered yet but would still like to join, we have a limited number of shirts available. You can register here: https://bsa.ptboard.com/formvw?store=6190&form=11 or sign up on the day of the event.

We are currently very low on volunteers, and we truly need your help to make this event possible. Please consider signing up so we can create a fun and memorable day for the kids!

Volunteer sign-up link: https://bsa.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=7369d622-9f8b-4918-afbb-e2c5fd8edb3f~s.9223370262197258879

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! 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!

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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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