Good afternoon,
With the end of the year insight, there is a lot of information for you in this week’s Backpack Express. Happy Reading!
PTO Meeting: The final PTO meeting of the school year will take place on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting will take place at Sowams. (It is not virtual.)
Octoberfest: Yes, it seems far off but it will be here before we know it. Planning is starting now for our PTO’s only fundraiser for our next school year. We had a very successful event in 2025 thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers. We are currently recruiting for subcommittee leaders for 2026. If you are interested in helping to plan this fun-filled event, please sign up here. If you have any questions about time commitment, etc., please reach out to sowamsoctoberfest@gmail.com.
Pink Out Day: On Friday, June 12, 2026, we will have a Pink Out Day. The idea is for everyone to wear pink to show support to our third grade teacher, Mrs. Gleason. Information may be found here.
Cookout: On June 15, 2026, we have our annual cookout (after Outdoor Day). Lunches for this day need to be ordered in advance to ensure our food service provider has the correct amount of food needed. To order, please print this form and send it back to school by May 29, 2026. Send it back in an envelope with the correct amount of money for the lunches you are ordering. If you use MySchoolBucks, the money will be deducted from that account but you still need to send back an order form. Lunches ordered after that day cannot be guaranteed.
Book Fair: The Book Fair is happening this week. On Thursday night, Books on the Playground will occur. This is an opportunity for families to come visit the book fair from 5:00-7:00.
Service and Community Service Project: Our third graders are in the process of starting a wonderful service learning project benefitting the Izzy Foundation at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. The Izzy Foundation is a non-profit organization which provides support for families whose children have cancer or other medical conditions. Our third graders are making “comfort pillows” with notes of encouragement for the children in the hospital and for those visiting the Izzy Room at the foundation. That’s part one of the project. The second part of the project involves our whole school community. We will be collecting personal care items and other items used to stock the Izzy Room. There are times when parents are living at the hospital with their children so the personal care items are very helpful. The other items we are collecting will be left in the Izzy Room where families are able to enjoy a meal together. Starting the week of May 25th, we will have a box in our foyer for the donations. More information about the Izzy Foundation project can be found here and the list of items we are collecting may be found here.
Head Lice: I know this is a topic people don’t like to talk about but sometimes children get it. Mrs. Mungovan, our school nurse teacher, is sharing this information fact sheet with you. The title of the sheet is great and so true. You can see that along with lice information here.
Barrington Education Foundation: Every year, the BEF has a fundraiser where families can thank a faculty or staff member of our school or any school in Barrington. This is their STAR program. Information about this program may be found here.
Upcoming Dates:
BOGO (Buy One, Get One) Book Fair: May 27-29, 2026 with Books on the Playground on May 28, 2026 (more info about this evening event will be sent out)
No School: May 25, 2026 in observance of Memorial Day
Financial Town Meeting: May 27, 2026 (Voting occurs all day at Town Hall)
Spring Concert (Grades K-2): June 9, 2026, at 1:30
Outdoor Day and Cookout: June 15, 2026
Third Grade Reception: June 16, 2026
Last Day of School: June 18, 2026
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.