Byam Newsletter
January 8, 2020
Message from Principal and Assistant Principal
Hello Byam Families,
We hope your students and families had a relaxing holiday break together to enjoy increased household connection time. We know this week for many in our Byam community who stay connected to news footage national news may have been unsettling. Whenever there are national or world events that draw heighted exposure to unsettling events, we encourage families to monitor students who may have increased access to television or social media. Having a sense of normalcy involving family time, outdoor activities, or calming activities, can often be the best way to reduce anxieties in response to national or world news. Typically as was the case this week, news events during Byam lessons are not discussed with students as decisions around discussions to these events are best left to parents.
At the bottom of our newsletter for those interested, a resource of tips for talking to children at different developmental ages may be of interest.
We enjoyed seeing our Cohort B students in-person and Remote only and Cohort A students virtually this week . We look forward to welcoming back all our Cohort A students to in-person learning on Monday.
Best,
Jason Fredette and Betsy Dolan
Upcoming January Calendar Reminder
Next Wednesday, January 13th will be a half day for students for a teacher professional development afternoon. Students will be dismissed at 11:45AM virtually. As a reminder, specialists will occur from 11:15-11:45.
Also, a reminder January 18th there is no school in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Hybrid Learning Model
Reminder for our Hybrid Learners: We truly appreciate all of your care and adherence to our safety protocols. Keeping students home who have symptoms or have traveled, has been an integral part of keeping our hybrid model working. When students don’t come in on their in-person days week to week for non-medical or travel reasons, it is extremely challenging for teachers to accommodate a change in material pick ups. We can not approve hybrid absences if parents are choosing week to week to keep hybrid students at home when a matter of their convenience, versus a medical or following travel guidelines. Please understand that last minute requests for materials aren’t able to be provided by staff, but we encourage parents/caregivers to help students be flexible with materials, so that they are able to participate in lessons. If you anticipate your hybrid student being remote for an extended period, please notify and get approval through administration Mr Fredette fredettej@chelmsford.k12.ma.us or Mrs. Dolan dolane@chelmsford.k12.ma.us. Thank you all for your continued support.
Nurse's Corner:
Hello Byam families,
I hope you all had time to rest and rejuvenate during winter vacation time.
Updated Sick Policy: Per Dr. Lang’s email, if there is a member of your household who is sick with COVID-like symptoms (sore throat, fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, new headache, or loss of taste or smell) please keep your students home from school and notify your school nurse. If there is a member of your family with a non-routine pending COVID test, please keep your students home until the results are back.
COVID Testing: If your student is being tested for COVID, Chelmsford Public Schools does not accept the antigen test. If your student has been identified as a close contact and is planning to test on day 5, PCR testing is required.
Close Contacts: Parents will now be asked to complete for their student an “Attestment to Wellness” form prior to your student returning to in person learning. I will send you the form via email when you notify me that your student has been identified as a close contact outside of school or when we contact you if they have been identified as a close contact in the school setting.
Please know that I am happy to answer your questions. You may reach me by email or phone at 978-251-5144 x6404 or regana@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Much appreciated,
Nurse Amy Regan
Wednesday Announcement Video
BSA Updates
BSA Update
It’s the start of a new calendar year and the BSA is planning some fun things to start off 2021. As many of you may remember, we have normally had a reading challenge that kicks off in January. Given that everything has changed significantly this year, we are changing up the programs to allow families to engage with some programming that will help everyone foster a love for opening up new books.
With the help from one of the BSA Enrichment Coordinators, Lisa Bryant, we are going to be bringing one of our favorite programs home to our Byam families. Joe Holiday, Reading Rocks! We will be sending our information on how to view this special show next week. The video will be available to us all next weekend. We also will be launching an online Scholastic Book fair! We hope that watching the show and picking out books with your children will help to continue to promote the love for reading in the Byam Community. Stay Tuned for more details coming next week.
Important dates:
January 15-17 Reading Rocks Video Presentation for families
January 15- 28 Scholastic online Book fair running
January 27 BSA Meeting (virtual - 7pm)
January 28 BANDBINGO Night (Info below)
BSA B-I-N-G-O!
With thanks to Carolyn Sousa and Andrea Laffin for organizing this event, the BSA is happy to
Announce: FAMILY VIRTUAL BANDBINGO NIGHT!
JANUARY 28 6:30-8:00PM
A fun twist on Bingo, instead of numbers, spots will contain names of songs our DJ host will play the (kid-friendly) songs over a virtual zoom party and you will mark your boards! There will be 5 winners for the night and they will be given prizes! Only one board is needed per player, and one computer for the whole family to login to the call. Boards will be emailed out 24-48 hours before the event.
Information on sign ups and payment will follow soon! Please keep an eye out for the sign up e-mail coming next week.
Cost will be as follows $10 for first card, $5 for each additional card, family cap of $25 for as many players needed in your house!
Bingo Host: https://www.facebook.com/originalbandingo
Any questions please email Carolyn csousa@jtaylorinc.com or Andrea andrea.laffin11@gmail.com
Byam's Love and Laughter Virtual Hootenanny!
Byam's Love and Laughter Virtual Hootenanny!
Byam's Got Talent to make each other laugh, show love and support to each other!
So a Virtual Talent Show in this crazy, not-regular school year it is! Previewing acts (even if its a shortened version) will still happen virtually over zoom this winter.
Please use this link to sign up
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenM0jO6sghk--GV-tZClO5RV6mf2jXfILCmFfEUUCFio8-nA/viewform
Byam BSA Box Tops Video
TABLE OF PLENTY
How to Talk to Kids About Difficult Subjects...
About Us
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
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