Backpack Express

Good afternoon,

Our students have had a wonderful start to the school year.  I hope they are coming home and telling you how great things are going.  

Each week, typically on Wednesdays, I send out an email to families called Backpack Express.  The email provides you with information about our school, upcoming events, and reminders. There are links in the email that will bring you to more information about the topic.  So, here’s the first one of the school year.

  • PTO News:  The PTO has two upcoming events and the September PTO calendar:

    • Welcome Back Picnic:  This is tomorrow (September 5) from 5:00-6:30.  Bring dinner and a blanket and enjoy it on our playground.  It’s an opportunity to meet up with old friends and maybe make a few new ones.

    • PTO Meeting:  The first PTO meeting is Monday, September 9 at 7:00PM.  This meeting will take place at Sowams.

    • Calendar:  The PTO’s September calendar may be found here.

  • Morning Reminders:  I wanted to remind everyone about three things that happen each morning:

    • School starts at 7:55 so students should be here before that time.  Being even a few minutes late in the morning disrupts what is happening in the classroom.

    • If you are dropping your child off in our circular driveway, parents need to stay in the car in order to keep traffic moving.  Please remember, your child can get out of the vehicle anyplace where there is a sidewalk.  You do not need to drop them off right at the front door.

    • If your child arrives at school before 7:30, you need to stay with them.  We open our doors at 7:30.

  • Volunteering:  In order to volunteer at any schools in Barrington, you need to have a background check.  Our Volunteer Coordinator is hosting various drop in sessions to complete the paperwork.  The times and locations of these sessions may be found here.  Also, all new volunteers need to go through a short orientation.  Those dates may be found here.  If you cannot attend the ones at Sowams, feel free to attend another session at a different school.

  • First Grade Arts Alive/PTO Play:  Registration opens tomorrow for first grade students interested in participating in the Arts Alive/PTO play.  More information about this may be found here

  • School Improvement Team/Special Education Committee:  We are looking for volunteers to serve on two school committees.  If you are interested in serving on either, please complete this form by September 15, 2024.  

  • Community Notice:  There is one notice from the Girl Scouts.

Have a great evening.

Best,

Jim Callahan

Principal

Sowams School Mission: Everyone learns every day.

Sowams School Vision: Sowams School will engage students to be their best selves.