Good afternoon,
I know you’ve been asking, “Where is this week’s Backpack Express?” Here it is and it’s full of a lot of information.
Drop off and Pick Up: As a reminder, the parking lot is for faculty and staff use only. Please do not pull in the lot at morning drop off and afternoon pick up. It is really important that you let anyone picking up or dropping off your child know about this. This is a safety issue for our students and families.
Octoberfest: Octoberfest is just a month away! Some important updates:
Silent Auction: The Octoberfest silent auction is one of the main ways we raise money at Octoberfest, and these funds are used to help pay for school field trips, enrichment activities, and teacher appreciation among other things! We are still in need of donations for the silent auction. Popular auction items in years past have included: tickets to sporting events and shows, use of vacation homes, gift cards to local businesses and restaurants, etc. Please email sowamsoctoberfest@gmail.com if you would like to donate or if you have any questions.
Volunteers: The magic of Octoberfest only happens thanks to the work of our amazing parent volunteers! Sign-up to help on the day of the event. Volunteers help us to run class games, prize tables, the bake sale, and more. Sign-up here.
Last call for Sponsors: Own a local business and want to see your gorgeous logo on Octoberfest T-shirts and signs? Then sign up to sponsor this year's event! Deadline for sponsors to be featured on T-shirts is September 25, 2026. Learn more.
2026 T-shirt: As announced last week, this year's T-shirt was designed by Sowams kindergartner Everdeen Seber. The shirts will be pink this year in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Open House: Our annual Open House will take place on September 23, 2026. This adult only night is a way for you to hear about what happens each day in your child’s classroom. Kindergarten and first grade parents’ sessions will run 6:00-6:45; grades 2 and 3, 7:00-7:45.
Picture Day: Our picture day this year will be on September 23, 2026. All students will have their pictures taken so everyone appears in our yearbook. Information about purchasing pictures will be sent home next week but you can also order pictures online on the Coffee Pond website.
PTO Apple Picking: Our PTO has set up an exciting morning of apple picking on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 9:00-10:00 in the morning. Information about this fun morning may be found here.
PTO’s Extended Day: Yesterday, an email was sent out about our upcoming Extended Day program. You may find the information about Extended Day here.
Primrose Hill School’s Spooky Stroll: PHS’s annual Spooky Stroll is coming up in October. Information about the Stroll including ticket information may be found here.
No School: As a reminder, there is no school on Monday, September 21, 2026, in observance of Yom Kippur.
Community Notices: The following items are from our Barrington community for local activities: Barrington Booster Day, Thrive Outside Great Mud Escape, and YMCA No School Camp.
For those of you celebrating Yom Kippur next week, may you have a meaningful fast.
Enjoy the remainder of your 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.