Backpack Express

Good morning,

This week’s (long) Backpack Express is ready for your reading pleasure:  

  • Family Math Night:  Our Family Math Night is coming up on January 14, 2025, from 5:30-7:00.  This is a fun night hosted by our Math Specialist, faculty and staff where families come together to learn and play various math games.  You can drop in for 15 minutes or come for the whole time.  Information may be found here.  If you are interested in joining us, please click here to sign up.

  • Sowams Yearbook:  Here is some information about the yearbook:

    • The yearbook is now available for purchase.  Orders are accepted online at coffeepond.com. The cost of this year’s yearbook is $23.00.  Directions on how to order may be found here. The deadline to order is 4/21/25.

    • Parents of 1st Graders - If you have pictures from Arts Alive that could be used in the yearbook please send them to sowamsyearbook2023@gmail.com.

  • From Barrington Middle School:  On behalf of Unified Theater at Barrington Middle School, we want to thank everyone who bought tickets for the Lego Raffle!  We appreciate the support for this amazing program.  Our performance will be Friday February 7th at 7 pm and Saturday February 8th at 1 pm at Barrington Middle School.  Tickets may be purchased at the door for the Unified Theater performance.  We hope to see you there! Congratulations to the winners of the raffle!

  • Sowams Speedway:  We are in need of parent volunteers to assist with our Sowams Speedway.  Speedway takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays during our recess times.  If you are able to volunteer and have a background check on file with the district, you may sign up here.

  • DEIB Committee:  Our district’s DEIB Committee has put together information pertaining to the various holidays that take place during the month of March.  You may find the January information here.  

  • PTO at P Bruins:  The PTO is sponsoring an afternoon at a Providence Bruins game on January 26, 2025.  More information, as well as how to order tickets, may be found here.

  • PTO Calendar:  The PTO has put together a January calendar; you may access it here.

  • PTO Parents Night Out:  The PTO would like to invite parents to a gathering on January 29, 2025, from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM.  It’s a way for Sowams parents to get together to hang out with friends and to meet new friends but it’s also a great opportunity for the PTO to thank everyone who volunteered/donated to the Sowams Octoberfest and other school-wide activities.  Information about the Parents Night Out may be found here.  

  • PTO/Arts Alive Second and Third Grade Play:  We are happy to announce registration for our second and third graders interested in participating in the PTO/Arts Alive play is coming up.  Mark your calendars as registration for this program runs February 4-14.  Auditions (everyone gets a part) and rehearsal start in March.  More information will be sent home within a couple of weeks.

  • Late Students:  Just a reminder that school begins at 7:55 each day.  Students are late if they are not here by that time.  Please make it a goal for 2025 to have your child to school on time each day.

  • Student Absences:  According to the RI Department of Education, students who miss 10% or more of school are considered chronically absent.  Currently, 7% of our students fall under this category.  Although this is a relatively low number, it is important that your child only misses school when they are sick, have a family emergency, attending a funeral, going to a doctor’s appointments, or celebrating religious holidays.  Most other days a child misses are considered an unexcused absence.  More information about attendance may be found in our school handbook starting on page 10.

  • January No School Day:  In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., there is no school on Monday, January 20, 2025.

Have a wonderful day.

Best,

Jim Callahan

Principal

Sowams School Mission: Everyone learns every day.

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