• Oct 9 BSA Meeting Hybrid Meeting
• Oct 10 4th Grade Family Math Night
• Oct 14 No School

This month 3rd-12th graders will be taking an SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) to learn more about their experiences at school. The survey is administered online and takes about 20 minutes. Please read the opt out form letter below from our Coordinator of Social Emotional Learning, Shannon Bischoff. Please sign and return the opt out form only if you do not want your child to participate in the survey.

This week iReady family reports were made available. We had an initial issue with the original code that was sent out but our a second code was sent out. Please see the attachments below to access your students' reports.

Please find a technology newsletter from Mrs. Marcoux below.

On Friday, our 4th graders' MCAS family reports were sent out from the school via US mail. You should be receiving this report shortly that includes information on their 3rd grade MCAS. These reports give detailed information on student performance.

The holidays are right around the corner! Resources for holiday support are now available. Any families who can benefit from additional support should reach out to Lyndsey O’Neil, School Counselor, via email at oneill@chelmsford.k12.ma.us. A few local Chelmsford community programs generously provide help for the holidays and Lyndsey O’Neil can help coordinate this with any family in need.

Forms for Beacon Santa (Due 10/31), Secret Santa (Due 11/8) are attached at the bottom of this newsletter and paper copies are available in the main office at Byam. Mr. Fredette or Mrs. Dolan can sign any forms that require a staff member signature. Please note the individual deadlines for form submissions as they are approaching soon.

Reminder to send a full change of clothes to school in your child's backpack, especially for Kindergarten and Grade 1. We have very minimal extra clothing available to loan to students here at school. Even when bathroom accidents are not the norm at home they do sometimes occur at school. There is also potential for nosebleeds, puddles outside, water bottle spills, etc. that may warrant a change of clothing during the school day. Thank you!

STREP THROAT

What causes strep throat?

Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep).

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms may include:

• Fever

• Pain when swallowing

• Sore throat that can start very quickly and may look red

• Red and swollen tonsils

• White patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils

• Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth, called petechiae (pronounced pi-TEE-kee-eye)

• Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck

Small Children (usually kindergarten, 1st grade) may experience:

• Headache

• Stomach pain

• Nausea or vomiting

• Rash (scarlet fever)

How does it spread?

Group A strep bacteria often live in the nose and throat. People who are infected spread the bacteria by talking, coughing, or sneezing, which creates respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria.

People can get sick if they:

• Breathe in respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria

• Touch something with those droplets on it and then touch their mouth or nose

• Drink from the same glass or eat from the same plate as a person infected with group A strep bacteria

How can I prevent my child from getting strep?

The best way to keep from getting or spreading group A strep is to wash your hands often. This is especially important after coughing or sneezing and before preparing foods or eating.

To prevent group A strep infections, you should:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

• Put your used tissue in the wastebasket.

• Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands, if you don’t have a tissue.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.

You should also wash glasses, utensils, and plates after someone who is sick uses them. These items are safe for others to use once washed.

How is strep throat treated?

Doctors treat strep throat with antibiotics. Benefits of antibiotics include:

• Decreasing how long someone is sick

• Decreasing symptoms (feeling better)

• Preventing the bacteria from spreading to others

• Preventing serious complications like rheumatic fever

Someone with strep throat should start feeling better in just a day or two after starting antibiotics. Call the doctor if you or your child are not feeling better after taking antibiotics for 48 hours.

For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/group-a-strep/about/strep-throat.html

We would love to add a few more substitutes to our Byam substitute pool. For those interested and able to help substitute, even if sporadically or one day a week, please contact Mrs. Dossin at dossina@chelmsford.k12.ma.us and she can help you with information how to get started!

10/20/24 : Boo Bash 1pm - 4pm

10/24/24 : Quick Clicks with Farmhouse Photography

10/29/24 : Picture Day Retakes

3/29/25 : Hootenanny Talent Variety Show

5/6/25 : Byam Art Night

Eek! Can you believe the Byam Boo Bash is next month! Mark your calendars for some spooky fun on SUNDAY October 20th, 2024 from 1-4pm! More information to follow…

Looking for an updated family photo for your holiday cards or to hang in your house? Book a 2-3 minute session with Kat Rotika of Farmhouse Photography, proceeds support the BSA! Sessions are $25, you will receive a link of edited images and only buy the ones you love! Images start at $25 each. Sign up today to secure your spot!

https://farmhouse.as.me/BYAM

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? BSA Help Needed

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!

Stay Connected to the Byam School Association, Click on the live links below for more...

Please keep in mind the district School Wide Lunch calendar options are subject to change based on availability. For the most up to date lunch schedule, please keep the below link handy:

https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/webmenus2/#/view?id=66bb76d0e96f1e6a6d4947e1&siteCode=3369

https://chelmsfordschools.org/

2024-2025 School Wide Academic Calendar

Office: Secretary Dossin dossina@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Clerk/Attendance: murphys@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

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

Website: https://byam.chelmsfordschools.org/about/
Location: 25 Maple Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-251-5144