Good afternoon,
This week’s Backpack Express is ready for your reading pleasure.
School Start Time: Just a reminder, school starts at 7:55. Lately, there has been an increase in the number of students who are late to school. Please consider leaving your home earlier in order for your child to be in school on time.
School Improvement Team Parent Survey: Our School Improvement Team has put together a brief survey for parents to take. It should only take a few minutes to complete and we appreciate your time and feedback in completing this survey. The survey will be available until this Friday, February 13, 2026. You may access the brief survey here.
Kindergarten Registration: Do you have a child turning five years old as of September 1, 2026? Do you have a Barrington neighbor who has a child turning five as of September 1, 2026? If so, it’s time to register the child for kindergarten. Registration opens Monday for students entering in the next school year. Information on registering a student may be found here. Registrations are completed online. If your child is in the Primrose Hill preschool, you do have to reregister in Aspen for kindergarten. Feel free to reach out with questions.
PTO/Arts Alive Play: Our second and third graders who are participating in the play have auditions this afternoon with rehearsals starting on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Parent volunteers are needed at each of the rehearsals. We need at least one parent per week. Sign up to volunteer here! Background checks are required for this volunteer opportunity.
District Art Show: Our school and district’s art department will be displaying artwork at the Barrington Public Library. Our third graders will have their mini woolen landscapes on display during the month of March. Opening night for the display is March 5, 2026, from 4:30-6:30. More information may be found here.
Morning Drop Off: In order to avoid a long backup on Sowams Rd., just three quick reminders about morning drop off:
Parents need to stay in the vehicles when dropping off children in the school’s driveway.
Your child should get out of the vehicle where this is a sidewalk. Your child can walk down the sidewalk to get into school; they do not need to be dropped off at the front door.
When you see a person turning left onto Sowams Rd. and you are on Sowams Rd., please let the person out of the parking lot. This will ease the traffic on Sowams Rd. and in the school’s driveway.
Community Notice: There is a notice from the Barrington Boosters regarding a Used Sports Equipment sale coming up at the end of March. Donations are needed and there will be a box in the Sowams foyer after vacation for donations. More information may be found here.
Have a great 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.