Dear Byam Families,

It's hard to believe this week marked our momentous annual 100th day of school. Students and staff had fun with dress up opportunities for both our 100th day on Wednesday and our Byam spirit day. February is always a great month to chase the cold away with caring and heartfelt kind acts. We heard great news from grade-level donation projects with first grade's 100 canned goods drive, and second grade's sock donation project to benefit The Wish Project. The fourth grade is starting a donation initiative this coming Monday to provide much needed baby and toddler items to The Wish Project. Monday February 14th we continue seeing kind hearts with Valentine's Day. Please take note of our reminder message below to please not send in any food or latex items.

Students had a special movie during lunch time Friday in place of our sledding day. Keep those student snow pants and boots handy, we're hoping mother nature will soon bring just enough snow to have a great sledding day reward for our students on a date yet to be determined after break. Lastly, while students enjoyed their movie, we want to thank our BSA for funding a wonderful "Soup-er Bowl" soup lunch for staff. Soups in crockpots made by Lowell's Chowder Factory were enjoyed by all our wonderful hardworking staff. Thank you to all our parents for supporting our BSA which allows for nice events such as our special staff lunch this week.

Best,

Jason and Betsy

Valentines Day is coming soon next Monday February 14th. Your grade-level teacher would have communicated by now if there are classroom happenings connected with Valentine's card exchanges. We want to remind our families, per district wellness policy, there is no food allowed to come in with your child, even if food is bagged it is not permitted. Anything with latex is also not allowed in our building. If your child's class is exchanging cards and you do wish to attach something, the types of items permitted with cards are non-food latex free items such as pencils, stickers, erasers, etc.

The State of Massachusetts requires students to be regularly screened for vision, hearing and growth. Last year schools were exempt from these screenings but will start the process this year. Vision is screened for ability identify letters at a 20/32 distance and eye muscle coordination. Hearing is screened using audiometers that screen for tones that are commonly found in parts of speech. Byam School will start the screening process first for vision starting February 14th. Hearing screens will be completed as time permits. If you have a hearing concern about your child, contact the School Nurse or your child's doctor to discuss testing.

If you prefer your child, not be to be screened, please notify Amy Regan, School Nurse in writing or by email at regana@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Friendly reminder that if you participated in the new at-home testing program, THURSDAY is the recommended testing day for Byam. The tests are intended to be used regularly each week (at home) for asymptomatic students and teachers. Opt in form: https://forms.gle/P8G7MSB3HaFmHoL68

MCAS dates have been planned for third and fourth grade. Please plan any third or fourth grade non-emergency appointments or travel for dates outside of the below planned assessment dates:

ELA

Grade 4- April 11&12

Grade 3- April 13 and 14

Make-ups will be the week after break

Mathematics

Grade 3- May 9-10

Grade 4- May 11 and 12

Make-ups will be the May 13 and the following week

With a goal of 500 (100 per the five classes), our Byam 1st graders exceeded their goal with 552 Nonperishable food items to donate to the Chelmsford Food Pantry!

Our 4th grade PRIDE Ambassadors are going to be helping to coordinate a donation drive for Chelmsford's Wish Project over the next few weeks of February. The Wish Project is a non-profit organization supporting families in need of critical items. This project will be asking for donations of baby and toddler items such as clothing, diapers, and baby bath products.

For families interested, you can find the continuation of our Dining with a Movie show "Maya The Bee" Movie on Amazon Prime

Thank you ~ Thank you ~ Thank you

Our Byam staff would like to give a special shout-out to all our Byam BSA and parents for sponsoring yesterday's Friday "Soup-er Bowl" and next Monday's Valentines Sweet Treats breakfast!. While students watched their special lunch movie on Friday, staff enjoyed warm, yummy, crock pot soups for lunch made by the Chowder Factory of Lowell. Crockpots of clam chowder, tomato basil, chicken noodle soup, chili, and minestrone soups, were enjoyed by everyone and they were so appreciative of this special lunch provided by our Byam School Association! Next Monday our BSA is providing sweet morning Valentine's Day treats for all our Byam staff with hot chocolate, donuts, and fruit cups.

~ When. you support our Byam BSA by attending events, purchasing spirit wear, buying tickets, and giving donations, you help fund both classroom enrichments and staff appreciation days.

• February 21-25- February Break
• March 3rd - Early Release PD Day

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! www.bit.ly/bsa-volunteernewsletter

Looking to get more involved, but don’t know where to start? Sign up to be a part of our volunteer newsletter! This form doesn’t lock you into anything, we will simply add you to an email list. As new specific and random needs arise, you will be the first to know!

Join Mrs. Brown for a virtual Paint Night on March 15th, 2022, from 5:15-6:15PM or 6:30-7:30PM. The cost to participate is $15/child, with a family cap of $40. Supplies can be picked up during school hours on March 11th, 14th, and 15th. *Sign ups will be accepted until Friday, March 4th at 4PM, OR until the event has reached max capacity.

Signup link: www.bit.ly/byam-paintnight2022

All Together Now Hootenanny Byam Talent show NEEDS some help! We have a few sponsors who would like to advertise in our paper program. We have their logos, but need a little help putting the logos together in the correct proportions to the program pages. PLEASE contact byamhootenanny@gmail.com if you are able to help with the ads or the program design!

All Together Now Hootenanny Talent Show, Ticket Order Form: https://forms.gle/5FvaDTWGPnhcpDAN9

Saturday, March 26th, 2002, at 6:00pm
CHS Performing Arts Center (PAC)

Please fill out the ticket order form. Use the PayPal link/QR code to pay for your tickets. All tickets will be at will call under the name you list below at 5:15pm. Tickets will be available at the door for purchase with cash or PayPal. Any questions, please email ByamHootenanny@gmail.com

The second graders had Sheryl Faye presents: Amelia Earhart come into the school and perform. The children were really engrossed for the full 45 minutes and all reports indicated that both the students and the presenter had a great time. We hope your kids went home and told you all about it, but if not, feel free to ask them some questions!

We need t-shirt sizes for all 4th graders for the 4th grade celebration! Please submit your t-shirt order form using either the digital version www.bit.ly/byam4thgrade , QR code, or paper-based form. Only submit the form once. All submissions should be completed by Friday, February 18, 2022.

We are also asking each family to voluntarily contribute $50 to cover these 4th grade celebration expenses:

www.bit.ly/byam4thgrade-paypal

BYAM CLASS OF 2022 CELEBRATION INCLUDES:

• Memory Board • T-Shirt • Memory Book (yearbook) •

• 4th Grade Celebration Day (June 10, 2022) •

Join us February 16th at 6:30PM from the comfort of your own home! This event is always a hit with the kids AND parents! Family fun full of dancing, music, and prizes! To register please use the link below, spaces are limited. Any questions email the BSA at: bsa.chelmsford@gmail.com Bandingo SignUp: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSF4BnlawZ5y-iV5dFjkV7oYQm_39OuyzRo40oZrklbx1qPg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Don't forget to send your Bandingo payment via Paypal after you register:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=MYXGJM54LDNXQ

The calendar says it's winter, but we are thinking of spring! Get your friends together bring the kids to the Red Sox game on May 31st! Tickets are $35 each. Seats are located in the Grandstand, Section 8. Buy your tickets here!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdujwQQ-O1hvC2OHISfrzr6veEgsOCLkUnR6UdJTrZ6vlUvow/viewform

2/16/2022: Virtual Bandingo

3/15/2022: Virtual Paint Night with Mrs. Brown

3/26/2022: Hootenanny Talent Show @ CHS

5/21/2022: Walk-a-thon

5/31/2022: Red Sox Tickets

6/10/2022: 4th Grade Celebration

Join our next meeting virtually, March 9th at 7:00pm.

Email • Website • Facebook • Meeting Minutes • Donate

https://www.cpsnutrition.com/index.php?sid=1478035692058&page=menus

Byam Principal and AP Email Contact:

Principal Fredette: fredettej@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Assistant Principal Dolan: dolane@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Chelmsford Public Schools Website: https://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/

Byam Website Page: https://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/Domain/8

Note: This Byam newsletter can be translated to other languages by clicking the "Accessibility" button located above right.

Email: fredettej@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/Domain/8
Location: 25 Maple Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: (978)251-5144
Twitter: @byamprincipal