Byam Elementary School

Byam Elementary School is located in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. It is under the supervision of the Chelmsford School Board. In 2009, there were about 500 students enrolled, from Kindergarten to fourth grade.[1] The principal is Dr. Jane Gilmore.

Controversy

In 2009, a letter to the Lowell Sun suggested that the school was having a Christmas fair but nothing that suggested religion, Hanakah or Christmas, could be brought by the students. The paper did an article on the topic.[2] This, in turn, was picked up on national television by Bill O'Reilly.[3] This, in turn, was picked up by other commentators.[4]

Notes

  1. ^ "Byam Elementary School". Chelmsford School Board. 2009-12-05. http://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/byam/home/index.htm. 
  2. ^ Rita Savard (2009-11-12). "Happy holidays, Chelmsford kids! (Just leave the Santas and candy canes at home)". Lowell Sun. Lowell Sun. http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_13770329. 
  3. ^ Bill O'Reilly (2009-12-04). "Happy holidays, Chelmsford kids! (Just leave the Santas and candy canes at home)". Fox News. Fox News. http://www.foxnews.com/search-results/m/27738242/no-christmas-allowed.htm#q=chelmsford. 
  4. ^ Gilleland, Don (5 December 2009). "Celebrating Christmas". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 15A. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091205/COLUMNISTS0205/91204011/1138/OPINION/Celebrating+Christmas.